Chchchchanges

Time to face the music.

For a team bleeding red of the wrong variety, reeling from consecutive road losses to Illinois and Penn State, the latter an absolute embarrassment, the Northern Illinois Huskies are certainly a sight for sores eyes. Not that this MAC opponent should be taken for granted given close shaves against UNLV and the Citadel, but Bucky desperately needs to find its way on both sides of the ball tomorrow.

Changes on defense are looming. Aaron Henry will take snaps with the first defense in light of Langford's dismal performances, week-in, week-out. His inability to cover in week two against UNLV should have been a sign of what was to come against MSU and Penn State. Loyalty to last year's starter should be thrown out the window, especially with the talented true freshman waiting in the wings. Langford plays too far off his man, a product of his lack of speed, but also fails to close fast and make a secure tackle. Next man in.

Bucky should also take a longer look at the LB position. Levy is clearly lost in coverage. Bring him from the corner on passing downs and generate some pressure on the QB that the DL hasn't to date (Shaughnessy, what's the deal? #92 is MIA in the opponent's backfield). Hodge also lacks instincts on passing downs, and doesn't fill quickly enough against the run. St. Jean's miserable performances at Mike the last two weeks are evidence that we're better off with Hodge's growing pains nonetheless.

I'd also like to see more of DeCremer on non-passing downs. Newkirk hasn't had much of an impact at DE, so I'd gamble with DeCremer's lack of size to generate a better pass rush, more tackles for loss, and possibly better lateral pursuit on running plays. Kurt Ware, if he ever gets healthy, could also help here.

On offense, Hubbard is back at practice, and I expect to see him return to the rotation next week against IU. Coupled with Jefferson, this is a talented tandem and should give TD two solid options along with our stud TE's as teams continue to stack the box and muck it up inside for PJ. Lance Smith's availability at home should also help as PJ simply can't find the corner. I'm hoping this is the difference next month against Michigan.

We also need more consistency out of our special teams. Gilreath was quiet the last two weeks, and Melhaff's misses in both road games didn't make the going any easier when our offense was turning over the ball, and the defense opened like a gate. DeBauche also needs to rebound.

In the end, Bucky has always won by running the ball, playing tough D with a bend, but don't break philosophy, and winning the field position battle through stellar special teams. Aberrations from this formula were the teams that didn't make bowl games, or who failed to live up to pre-season expectations. Time to get the house back in order against the Huskies.