Our defense was absolutely atrocious for 2.5 quarters of play, and no one can blame it on personnel when the team we’re playing is a team like NIU. We all know how the first half of play went, and then we give up a terrible drive to start the 3Q. But then magically, after that, the defense looked competent. Is it possible that the first drive of the 3Q was the last straw for Lea and he took playcalling away from Howell?

As you guys know, I have an SEC YouTube channel, my two partners and I will be recapping this afternoon's SEC games, within that we'll discuss Vandy's win over NIU as long as the other afternoon games (Auburn, Ole Miss). We'll go where it goes so get in the chat and ask questions there if you like.

Here's the link to the channel, I'll try to give you a heads-up when we go live.

Just lost to Southern Illinois.

WOW AJ Swann. You are my ride or die.

Has been as good as the first three quarters were bad.

Nice 4th quarter guys, sealed by the Wright int.

There is no QB controversy. Wow.

That’s all.

Rewatched the game since I was only able to see parts of it today.

Wake is a good football team, but Wright killed any chance of winning this game in the 1st quarter. Hard to argue. Throwing an irresponsible pass & pick-6 interception -in that part of the field - on 3rd 10 showed a complete lack of awareness and then he followed up with a terrible fumble. Bad fundamentals. Game was basically over at that point. We had 2 possessions at the end of the first half - and we're so limited at passing Wake was just sitting on Mike and the run. Two 3 and outs.

Mike's real value as a one-dimensional QB was based on the notion that our OL was going to struggle to protect a prototypical drop back QB. Wright gives Vandy more "options" on offense. We watched Wright against SEC teams last year, and he just isn't an accurate passer. That is known. Teams with talent in their front 7 are just going to force us to pass. Wake did that today and outside of one long run by Davis early on - they stuffed us all day. 34 rushes 3.3 average.

Maybe NIU is not as talented as Wake and we can get away with pushing them around upfront like we did UH and Elon. The problem is - the next 8 games after every team will force us to pass. The book is out in the SEC on Mike Wright.

Here's the point. I think our OL is way better than advertised. We've allowed 1 BS sack in three games, and the run blocking has been okay. The counter might be that's because Wright never stays in the pocket, but I think it's time to move on from this offense. Mike just limits us too much against teams with any talent. I never thought we would win more than three games anyway this year, but time to rip the bandaid off and go with the future of the offense. Mike winning at NIU does nothing for us. And yes, I've seen Mike's numbers - 6tds, 1int, 60% completion pct, 4 rushing TDs. Those ratios/stats will not look better at the end of the season - I can promise you.

I'm sure Swann has faults - but he looked pretty competent as a passer to me. Bank on the OL and the offense you want to run in the future - not a QB who can't throw accurately past 7 yards.

Best part they played a bunch of freshmen that made the difference.

Glad Lea got on the freshmen and playing a lot of players train.

Ridiculous

Absolutely love this kid!

He's made two throws while avoiding pressure, one for a first down, one for a TD, that were just unbelievable!!

Nice halftime adjustments

Our defense making a redshirt freshman that hasn't played a down of football since his junior year of high school look like Joe Montana

Is nonexistent.

Thanks Mason for recruiting no one on defense.

This just in, they both suck. We can beat them both. Seriously if we take care of business today we have a real reason to think we can be 5-7 ... and then who knows if we can sneak up on someone else.

UGA up 45-0 on SC in the third and Abeliene Christian not letting Missouri roll them (31-10) also in the 3rd. I mean I'm sure we will lose at UGA 45-7 too, I'm just saying I think we can beat SC.

Ignore the betting pretext, just sharing the graphic. But as a fun exercise do you recognize all the logos on here? Not sure who the beavers are playing tbh, and Still shaking my head at the gold Nova V...
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Lots of news and rumors here:

I never in a million years thought I'd be doing what I have to do this weekend. I have to go to Knoxville tomorrow and watch that team I have hated my whole 57 yrs on this planet play Akron because our youngest child ( despite my best efforts ) she ended up picking that school from the East to attended and it's FR Parent weekend. I have already told her I will not wear any orange. Wish me well and my wife has made me promise to keep my VU mouth shut so we can get out alive ha-ha. Anchor Down !

I stumbled upon the finebaum show a few minutes ago . I heard him give an opinion about his trip to Vanderbilt an whether he thinks we are serious about being competitive . He seems to think nothing has changed. We shall see in the future. But thank goodness opinions don't dictate results. One day at a time. One game at a time. Show improvement an stick to the process. #nevergiveup

Is Mike Wright going to be the guy moving forward or do they go with the freshman?

Has a depth chart been released? I would imagine they want NIU wasting practice time on both QBs considering how different the two are.

Also - Please run jet sweeps and fakes regardless of who the QB is. I know it sounds simplistic but it is brutally difficult for linebackers and safeties to diagnose who has the ball. If you can slow down the run stoppers for a split second, that may be the difference between the success of a play of failure of it.

Strange matchup. Who will you be pulling against the most?

I’m hearing Rocco Griffin is questionable. What is his injury. And is Patrick Smith playing this weekend. They don’t start playing Patrick Smith he may transfer because this is getting ridiculous

Duran Parish had a good night for Biloxi tonight. On one touchdown reception (which ended up being the game winner) he went up SKY high to get the ball in a crowd, came down with it and got into the end zone. I would say he was playing above the rim. Also had a dynamic punt return, as well as good pass receptions and a reverse. He is really fast, and elusive. But can also carry some contact. Still raw for sure (and still learning the game), but a lot of skills to work with.

81 high and with no chance of rain Saturday in Dekalb Illinois.

A game where Wrights athleticism should be superior to NIU. But, 2 turnovers later and inability to make NIU defense play honest.
28-24 NIU.

Anyone know of the school is hosting a sponsored tailgate (for a fee)? Didn’t see anything on the site.

If not, I need to start planning and load up the truck.