Back to Basics.

Maybe I -- we? -- are just spoiled as a fan base from the massive amount of wins and success that we've had over the past 10+ seasons, but it really is a sad thing when I just don't care that this game could have helped us win the Coastal. The loss didn't really affect me like it usually does. Hell, much of the losses this season haven't affected me in that way.

Know why that is? It isn't affecting this team either. If they don't show the slightest bit of frustration after losing ONE game, there is a problem. We've had this conversation several times on this site: OUR GOAL SHOULD BE A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. After our first loss, there should have been some recognition by the team that we were out of the hunt. I was beat up after that loss, PISSED OFF at how we got our asses handed to us by a BIG EAST team that lost to YOUNGSTOWN.

I was pissed then because we had lost our chance at what our ultimate goal should be: That precious crystal ball. Since then, we've piled on the losses, all on the road, which we have previously OWNED. The team has shown no willingness to be resilient. They seem not to show much effort, do not execute plays the way they should be executed... Mistakes have effectively killed our season, and seeing the lack of fundamentals demonstrated by this team in areas that used to be strengths (LOOKING AT YOU SPECIAL TEAMS) is extremely disheartening for fans.

The best thing we can hope for now is change. Not necessarily in the coaching staff -- though it would be a preferred outcome -- but in mindset. Go back to the basics. Execute the fundamentals and be responsible for what you can control. If that ball hits your hands, you catch it. Don't worry about hearing footsteps. If you see that hole, hit it. If you have an angle on the ball carrier, MAKE A TACKLE. If you aren't getting blocked, fly to the football. Gang tackle. That's what made us great as a football team, as a defense. Get back to it.

Rant over.