Was at the game. Things that stood out;
1. Having 2 weeks to prepare for 1st defensive series and have Tulane go 80 yards on 6 plays suggests to me the coaches just don't get what is effective at this level of college play. The no rush, guard the line of scrimmage and contain does not work when you leave a big donut hole between DL/LB's and DBacks. Can't get pressure on QB, can't cover quick over the middle passes, can't cover sweeps, just waiting to get picked apart. Was only series Tulane ran that actually looked like they were a football team. Key to me was "this was what our coaches thought the 1st 6 best defensive sets should be after having 2 weeks to look at Tulane offense" - wow.
2. Teams run off tackle and wide much to easily and watched #2 on defense in particular; either he is being instructed to line up where it's impossible for him to be effective, he reacts too slow or is just too slow. On several wide runs and passes he seemed to be responsible for an area that was too big for him to cover.
3. UConn receivers very seldom get open. G Davis does the 8-9 yard out and even those are contested. The Boyle interception looked like a perfect pass, no way that Tulane kid should have been able to jump that route if he had any concerns about the pass pattern being run; there is no deception. On one early 4th qtrs. play where Whitmer was sacked was sitting where could see him and also what he was seeing; neither Davis or Fox were open and if he passes its likely a interception.
4. Tulane punter was terrible and yet Foxx let balls hit ground numerous time, must have cost 75 yards of field position. On one play coaches made good call to put 2 punt receivers back and Foxx was exactly in the spot where a short punt would come, it lands a few feet in front of him and rolls another 20 plus yards.
5. Pitch to running backs seemed to gain better angles as RB's were in motion, could see blocks and confused defense as they were expecting runs only off handoffs.
6. Late motion and slants by DL seemed effective.
7 Whitmer moved around and got several decent runs, still looks uncomfortable and don't think he can see over rushing linemen and blockers in the 5 to 12 yards deep area, maybe at 20 yards.
8. Whitmer dropping the ball while scrambling one time was just indicative of type of risk he presents as a QB under pressure.
9. Arkeel had early 1st qtr run where he looked like he was one slip from going all the way. He is better on running with pitch than Johnson. Can't fumble like that.
10. Wasted very good field position on 3 straight possessions in 1st half.
11. On tight formation the line of scrimmage is so crowed with players there is no room to run, seemed like this formation with Davis wide is a time to throw, don't think we did even once.
12. Not sure what the TE's usefulness is as don't remember any passes to them other than a real late in game heave.
13. Make no mistake, this was a very bad FBS opponent.