Grading the Bucks Week 4: Colorado

Offense: B
Braxton Miller makes his first start for the Scarlet and Gray and had a nice little game. See how 5 completions by Braxton was more acceptable to the fans with a win? Fair or not, the performance through the air was about as woeful as Miami. The offense was able to put up points this week so that's a major plus, but it was Colorado. Miller made some nice moves in the backfield and down field but he has some freshman flaws. His internal clock is about 1 second before he takes off running and he is rather indecisive with his running. He doesn't attack the hole but rather dancing through it. The running game was great and Jordan Hall is the stud we all expected. The 1-2 punch of Hall and Herron will be scary. Miller looked passable on his few throws and made 3 excellent throws (2 for TDs and 1 dropped). He still has much to learn in pocket presence and accuracy but he'll learn. Bauserman came in a little late for my taste because Miller takes a lot of hits due to indecision (not to mention JB looked fine at home). The major upside of the offense: 0 turnovers.

Defense: C
Not happy with this unit at all. They came out firing on all cylinders but certainly let up as the game went on. We're seeing the loss of Nate Williams is very costly allowing double teams for Simon on every play. The secondary is still very suspect. I was wrong about Travis Howard. He should probably head back to the bench rather than misplaying every deep ball. Also, I see Howard trying to blow people up rather than solid form tackling--something that will cost us in the future. Tyler Moeller has also not lived up to expectations. Way too many missed tackles, a TD given up on a broken 4th down play, and 17 points to a BAD Buffalo team shows we're not where we need to be.

Special Teams: A-
What makes a special teams day a good one? No one talking about you. Buchanan is punting extremely well (not the biggest leg but great accuracy), Basil is making the kicks now, coverage has been fine, and the return game is giving a little spark. Great kick return but Jordan Hall (again) almost giving a quick 7 and good awareness (or bad Colorado) to get the turnover before the half. I stuck with A- rather than A due to too many touchbacks on the punts and no scores but I could be convinced to bump them up to an A.

Coaching: B
Ok Bollman. You may be learning. We don't have a quarterback...yet. But we do have a fantastic running back and a fairly good O-line. Run. The. Ball. How many attempts did Miller have in the 1st quarter? 0. Great play calling. Everyone says you have to pass to set up the run, but I disagree if the run works. Hall was running up and down the field and Miller looked pretty good running a zone read option. Also, the receivers couldn't catch a pass (except Smith), so just stop throwing until you have to. When Posey gets back and if the receivers put some glue on their hands, we can start throwing (B1G play anyone), but if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Keep running the ball. Also, the fans hated the call to kick the FG with 6 seconds left in the half, but I think it was an ok call. Don't end the half without points when you kick off to start the 2nd half. Had Miller taken too long to decide and the Bucks came away without points, Fickell would be getting mauled. Good safe call, but need some more work in practice to shore up the execution. Keep riding the running game no matter if it's boring if it works.