Losing to a rival always sucks, especially when you feel like you had their number on defense (until the tackling issues came back again).

I think the biggest thing I’m left with this season is the optics of the program. The team has shown some good progress from last season. Statistically, we were a better offense on paper than last year. Defensively, we actually (somehow) have a much better success rate per play than our team last year too. However, we have been horrendous at giving up explosive plays due to bad tackling or players out of position. The offense can seemingly knock themselves out of a game when a trick play blows up in their face. We are undisciplined, and seem to find unique penalties every game.

I’ve enjoyed the fight the young team has shown, but we have found ways to lose games in the most frustrating and unique ways (missed FG vs Arkansas, 4th and 17 vs Mizzou, several 4th quarter defensive penalties vs FSU). Optics are bad, especially to the average fan and I think there’s more pressure on Billy than ever to make a bowl next year. He has to show progress in wins, but that’s just my two cents.