Grading the Bucks--Week 4: UAB

This was not a good game.  Yes, we won, but UAB is AWFUL.  The good news is that the B1G has become a total dumpster fire and we still have a chance.  Let's hit it.

Offense: C-
 Ok. Braxton one of the most explosive players in the country, but he looks scared.  He (or the coaches) has decided not to run him unless absolutely needed.  When needed (end of the half), we carved the Blazers up for  2 quick TDs, yet were anemic the rest of the game.  Jordan Hall has a very quiet nice game, but the WRs are going backwards.  I still notice beautiful downfield blocking (which begs the question why we don't run more screens/options) but the ability to catch the ball has disappeared.  Yes, they're young, but this is basic.  Oh yeah, did I mention it was UAB! This team is unbelievably awful and we let them hang around.  This offense should have been running and throwing over around and through this team...and UAB looked more like the bully.  Lack of football maturity is apparent.

Defense: D
Hard to bang a D for not giving up a TD, but, did I say this? It was UAB!!! They exploited our weak corners and nullified our pass rush with their swing/screen plays that they ran every play (hmmmm...maybe we could learn something).  Travis Howard is still a mess and the lack of Bradley Roby was very noticeable (thankfully, he should be back this week).  Sabino whiffed on WAY too many tackles (as did the rest of the team).  Tackling fundamentals are still very weak.  I notice a major lack of intensity on defense as well.  We have more talent, but it appears the team is going through the motions.  I'm not seeing the killer instinct needed to be a top team.  The stupid penalties (especially the personal foul on Bryant) are unacceptable.  Leveon Bell is a beast and will certainly be a handful next week even though we've been pretty good against the run.  Bell is a different animal.

Special Teams: D-
This unit better thank Ben Buchanan for keeping them out of the F----- grade.  Buchanan was very very good placing a couple punts inside the 5.  Other than that, I've never seen a unit more clueless.  The first 4 plays on special teams were: 1) running into the kicker giving a first down, 2) giving up a blocked punt (before it hit the foot), 3) blocked PAT (Yay!) and 4) muffed kickoff return to the 12.  Also, they gave up a return to midfield and tacked on a stupid foul onto the end.  For all the import Urban says he places on special teams, I don't see it.  This unit has to shore up every part of their game.  I saw the seas part for that blocked punt and it was just embarrassing (he wasn't touched and nearly took the snap!). 

Coaching:D+
You can't fix stupid....but you're supposed to be able to coach it.  The dumb penalties are not going away and this is a coaching issue.  Miller seems to be in handcuffs in the pocket and the odd playcalling starting with 3 passes followed by 15 or so runs are confusing to say the least.  On defense, I don't know why there appeared to be no adjustments to the swing /screen. 0 sacks against this team that is in the tops in the country giving up sacks? No excuses.

Overall: D
UAB sucks....we suck.  There are so many things to fix.  I could see the team looking ahead, and I'm hoping that's what it was...otherwise, this will be a long season.  Thankfully, we enter Big Ten play and we miss the juggernauts of Northwestern and Minnesota!