I wish I could explain what I saw Saturday but I can’t. I don’t think Tommy West could either. Normally questioning what happens on the field is something I try to leave alone. I’m of the thought that the coaching staff knows more than I and most of you reading this ever will. But it actually was painful to watch tacklers bounce off RB’s for no particular reason. The biggest defensive question I (and many others) have is why don’t we leg tackle more?

I was disappointed we waited to go down the field earlier. They ECU DB’s couldn’t cover our guys down the field. I understand that TW wants to establish a running game. It appears to me that we are a pass first then run offense. Our running game seems to open up when defenses have to respect the downfield pass. It is as if they know we’re going to try and run first so they don’t bother worrying about deep passes until late in the 2nd quarter. But what do I know, I live in Mississippi.

Despite the game Saturday the Tigers still remain in contention for a bowl game. Six wins gets this team a game in December. I’ve heard about all I can stand of the “they don’t deserve a bowl game crap” too. The fact of the matter is that if you win six games you are DESERVING of a bowl bid according to NCAA guidelines. I remember Tigers teams that won more games that were derserving of a bowl bid that didn’t come. So why shouldn’t we go now?

Memphis outdrew Mississippi this weekend. The Tigers played a home game that was televised locally and still had more butts in the seats than the Rebels. The ironic thing is you never hear media folks saying that Mississippi has a small core of good fans when their numbers drop like that. Nor will you hear that Mississippi fans only show up for big games. Both of which are true yet ignored. I guess it shows how bad things are when you can’t get 25,000 for an SEC team even when you offer up $5 tickets. What depresses me is that we’ve lost to that program.

Derrick Rose is the real deal. There is no other way to say it. The kid may turn out to be the most talented player to ever wear a Tigers uniform. I hope he plays more than one year because in the long run playing more than one year in college only helps players. I am one of those who believe that 2 or 3 year apprenticing in college basketball develops players better than jumping into the NBA. It is just like any other job. You hone your skills before you are ready to be one of the best. Rose raised Tigers national championship hopes about four notches since he arrived on campus.

I thought they looked bored coming out of the game on the defensive end last night. My guess that they were thinking they could breeze through the Skyhawks. But then the light came on. Or it may have been Cal’s halftime hmm…..chat. I know I didn’t want to be in there.

CDR has added the 3-pointer to his arsenal. This was his stat line from last night. In 25 minutes he was 9 of 16 from the floor, made 8 of 12 FT’s, had five offensive rebounds and 8 total, and one assist enroute to 28 points. Oh and he was 2-4 from beyond the 3-pt line. Those are POY numbers if he can maintain it. He does seem a lot more aggressive around the bucket and isn’t afraid to go into the lane with power. I only hope he’s not lost in Rose’s year.

Shawn Taggart looked pretty good too. Once Dorsey comes back, Tigers opponents might not get a single rebound with both of them in the game.

If I had to describe the Tigers with one word it would FAST!