The performance today would have got us a good old fashioned butt whipping out of the first round of the playoffs. Like it or not, we just don’t look good.
Sigh.
So...no accounting for us facing adversity and totally coming back and completely whipping ass? You know at one point we had outscored them 33 to 3, right? After falling behind 14-0.
And that giving up a kick return for a TD, while not desirable, does not really predict how their offense is going to play (hint: IT SUUUUCCCCCKKKKEED!. Or more accurately, our defense was up to its usual high standard).
And that as much as I love him, Dylan unfortunately fumbles. A lot. And that hurt us.
In short, anyone who thinks an artificial 14-0 lead based on an (unlikely) KR TD and a fumble on our own 20 is necessarily a predictor of the rest of the game, does not understand football or has not watched it enough and actually paid attention.
Furthermore, positing that since we gave up a KR for a TD and an early fumble deep in our own territory happened this week, it likely will happen again, also does not reflect an understanding of the game. Hint: Both of those items are pretty rare! Let alone that they happen within 3 plays of each other!
If your point is "we will probably **** something up", then you missed that our biggest problem all year has been a slow start by our offense. Other than the regrettable fumble, that did not happen this game. 24 first half points is by far our best performance this year against an SEC team that has actually won SEC games (i.e., MSU does not count).
You are kind of like a friend I have. Anytime the breaks go against UT early in the game, he gives up. He gave up against Florida early second quarter. He gave up against Vandy 4 plays in! I laughed at him today.
Relax. We will do just fine in the playoffs.