Mike Leach takes issue with anyone thinking the SEC has solved his Air Raid offense
Even though this was the first time in the SEC that Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense was bottled up as a head coach, he has seen it before.
Asked on the SEC coaches media teleconference about Arkansas dropping eight men into coverage, Leach took issue the description of his offense’s performance.
There have been plenty of opinions around the SEC about the offense getting a dose of reality after QB K.J. Costello and the Air Raid picked apart LSU for an SEC record 623 yards passing, the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs in the red zone twice in the fourth quarter and also lost a fumble against Arkansas. They were 6-of-17 on third down.
“We would have been out of business two decades ago if it was too hard,” Leach said. “You just have to go out and execute. We have one misstep and everyone thinks it’s something new. It’s ridiculous.”
The Arkansas defense caused four turnovers in Starkville, and held the Bulldogs to just 87 rushing yards, although Kylin Hill was injured in the game.
The Bulldogs will face a desperate team this week at 0-2 Kentucky, which lost in overtime last week to Ole Miss. The game is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
It’s absolutely ridiculous that after only two games into a season with a new coach, new offense and a new defense, that somebody can predict what success they’re going to have in the short and long term
Yeah that seems to be an SEC thing. Two weeks ago the excuse was “Stingley was out!” Well guess what, Arkansas didn’t have Stingley either but suddenly the Air Raid is no good? Makes no sense. Arky just had a better prepared defense and like Leach said, MSU simply made more mistakes than they did vs LSU.
You’re right. Mizzou, Arkansas, Ole miss and State are all starting over. I hope the conference is strong enough in a couple of years that no game can be predicted, where home field advantage really comes into play
Dropping 8’s not new. You beat it by running the ball effectively. State lost their startin rb after 1 cwrry. you don’t replace the prodection of an all sec 5th year senior rb with a couple of freshmen. You could have tacked on another 100 yards rushin on those 3 man fronts. Then they have tonisolate their corners to bring numbers to the line. Ask lsu how well it worked to pay man coverage all game
The article pointed out the turnovers that Miss State had. But Arkansas cost themselves points on turnovers as well. A TD for sure! They fumbled heading into for a score also!!!
Either way. Miss State has already shown promise of being an exciting team to watch. Underestimate them and it can bite you!!! That really goes for any SEC team. Look past any SEC team and you could be sorry! Last year SC cost UGA a spot in the playoffs. Alabama wasn’t expecting auburn to beat them knocking them out of the playoffs! You just can’t look past an SEC team. Arkansas is way better this year than they were the last couple of years!!! Vandy came really close to beating TX A&M!!!
PS. TX A&M might be one of the most overrated teams in the SEC this year. Everyone thinks their good but I haven’t seen it. Vandy nearly beat them and Alabama destroyed them!!! If Florida loses to them. They lost to a bad team!!!!
King Negan
Yep. Jumbo fisher better figure it out real quick but on the other hand I don’t even think the deep pockets at TAMU want to do that buyout.
The game this weekend should be fun to watch. There is a heck of a lot at stake for these two up and coming programs. Unless one team falls on its face, and I don’t see that happening, could be a knock-down-drag-out, till the end. Can’t wait.
Costello doesn’t take care of the football. 7 turnovers in 2 games. Fix that and it’s all good
True, and I think he will.
Yep…hard to win a game with that many turnovers
It is too early to tell. But at the same time, Leach may find executing is harder against prepared SEC defenses.
If you go back and watch the footage of the game again, you’ll see that most of the time plays were there. KJ kept trying to force things instead of calming down and looking at the whole field instead of fixating on one part of it. Matt Wyatt has a great breakdown of it you can view on his youtube. Highly suggest it.
Arkansas had a great game plan and executed well, but State wins that game with even slightly better execution.
Dropping 8’s not new. You beat it by running the ball effectively. State lost their startin rb after 1 cwrry. you don’t replace the prodection of an all sec 5th year senior rb with a couple of freshmen. You could have tacked on another 100 yards rushin on those 3 man fronts. Then they have tonisolate their corners to bring numbers to the line. Ask lsu how well it worked to pay man coverage all game