POTM Alert: Don’t Criticize Collins Saturday

Sep 20, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Ryan Brown (48) and defensive back Jamerson Love (5) pressure LSU Tigers quarterback Anthony Jennings (10) during the first half of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

It’s coming people. I can sense it, and it is going to make me facepalm like I have never facepalmed before. Mississippi State is going to play one of the best, if not the best, offenses in the country this Saturday. They are going to put up points. It doesn’t matter how good or bad our secondary may be, Kevin Sumlin and his Aggies know how to score, and they know how to score quickly. That being said, slow your roll on the criticisms you will want to hurl in the direction of Geoff Collins this Saturday when the game is going on.

Collins has taken a little bit of criticism this season because the secondary has given up a number of big plays. They were concerning to say the least. However, when push came to shove, the secondary stepped up big time against LSU’s talented core of receivers. I know you’re already thinking about the near collapse at the end. Here’s the deal: when you play prevent and only rush 3 linemen, any decent quarterback with time is going to be able to make some really great throws. It’s the reason I don’t like it when teams play prevent. Sure, that was on Collins to make that decision, but every other defensive coordinator would have done the same thing.

So how much are the Aggies going to score? I honestly don’t know, but I know they are going to get their points. It’s going to take a pretty big number by our offense to keep pace. The defense is going to have to focus on limiting the opportunities and try to force as many field goals as they can when the Aggies get in the red zone.

Now, the Arkansas and Texas A&M game gave us both reasons to feel good about our defense and reasons to worry about our defense for tomorrow’s game. The Arkansas defense, which has talent, but is woefully short on depth and experience, did a really good job of limiting the Aggies for just over 3 quarters. They also forced Kenny Hill, who has been in the Heisman mix since his grand debut against South Carolina to just over 50% passing. The flip side is the Aggies tied that game up on two big plays, the one concern for our guys in the secondary.

It’s going to be a frustrating game to watch. Getting stops will not be easy. There will probably be times when both teams will be on the brink of pulling away and slamming the door on the outcome, to just have the other come back and stay in it. Try not to get too worked up over it though. And when we give up points, remember that Geoff Collins was almost hired by Florida State, and we should be thankful to have him. If A&M gets 35 or more, please don’t try to get #FireCollins trending.