to mention the fan base. Uninspired efforts and losses to teams ND should not only beat but destroy point to poor game plans, poor fundamentals and players seeing the field who should not be on the field. 18-23 year olds who have dedicated themselves to the sport are smart enough to realize when the team is not being put in a position to win at the level their talent justifies. They recognize when coaches are playing favorites for some unknown reason. The eventual outcome is lazy, undisciplined and indifferent play.
I've lost faith in Freeman as anything other than a quality front-man for the school via the football team. Rees is in a position so far beyond his capabilities it's alarming and will be the downfall of Freeman if significant changes aren't made, up to and including his departure at the end of the season. He may have the "brightest" mind among OC's, but that and a couple bucks will get you a cup of coffee when your entire philosophy is based on flawless execution with a generational QB at the helm. Why be excited about the talent being recruited when he's shown he has no ability to truly let it shine. Golden is channeling BVG and installing schemes so complex as to leave better athletes on the bench and those on the field looking dazed and confused.
I've said it before, and now I'll say it again, let athletes be athletes. There is an inverse relationship between complexity and speed of play. Rees and Golden don't understand that as reflected in their results. Freeman has to understand it's his ship. If it's not, he should leave at the end of the season. If it is, he has to take control regardless of whose feelings get hurt.
This team has the talent to be 5 and 1 or 6 and 0, but something disturbing is among us when the record sits at 3 - 3 and there has been maybe 3 quarters of quality play all year.
There is still hope for Golden. Freeman needs to mandate that some other players get more (and meaningful) snaps. Starting with Meriwether and Kolie. Playing Evans so many snaps was stupid too. Pyne is just....not good. He needs to have a short leash.