Watching the majority of the fanbase scream at each other in the past few weeks, I think we should all agree on the following prior watching tomorrow's game:
1. CJ is QB1- preferences are fine, but at this point in the season we have seen each of the QBs in some level of action. Ryan Day gave the nod to CJ out of camp, which requires one of the other two to beat him out. There was nothing objectively against Akron you can point to in order for Day to replace (a healthy) CJ. The competition is over, and CJ needs ALL the reps until we are up 45-0 entering the 4th. There is no reason to call for McCord or Miller after CJ throws 2 incompletions.
2. Criticism of the QB is not criticism of the person- Stroud throwing high, or McCord standing in the pocket like a statue is not a criticism of either as young men. Quit getting your feathers ruffled over someone's legitimate criticism of an athlete's performance. The amount of downvotes on legitimate criticism is pathetic.
3. Lower your expectations for the QBs- we entered the year with multiple "CJ is going to be an All-American" takes. Our expectations moving forward should be that CJ is a game manager who limits turnovers. Anything above that is just gravy. There's way too much offensive talent to put the weight of the offensive production on a redshirt freshman with 3 starts.
4. Use facts- the amount of people claiming that McCord completed 3 or 4 passes beyond the line of scrimmage was infuriating to see. The internet is full of resources to help you make fact based comments. Opinions are great, but if you're going to claim a fact, please make sure it's accurate.
5. Stop analyzing individual plays/drives- players are not perfect. Just ask yourself what an acceptable completion rate for a quarterback is...I'd say its anything above 70%. That means 30% of throws are not going to be complete. You'll give yourself high blood pressure analyzing every single incomplete pass or every single rough defensive drive.
6. Give defensive players the same patience you're giving the QBs- for some people, this may not be very much, but these defenders need time to grow into their positions. They, like the QBs, are young, raw, and learning.
7. Stop name calling- nothing says you're a child like using names and telling people to f off. Be an adult.
Tomorrow has the possibility of being painful in certain aspects of the game. Rutgers is well coached, disciplined, and will be hungry to upset our guys (like everyone else is). We have a young QB and defense who will receive everything and more from a very experienced opposing coach. This will be the biggest test for our offense all year. Buckle up and pray for the best. Go Bucks!
