View from the 30 (and elsewhere), NMSU edition

Okay, maybe it wasn’t a perfect day. The Gators won. Tech didn’t lose. But as very good days go, I’ll take it.

It started with getting to hang out on the sideline during pregame warmups, thanks to a very gracious Georgia athletic department and finished with the natural restoration of order to the SEC East, thanks to an increasingly feeble South Carolina offensive attack.

In between, there was a rout in Sanford Stadium under beautiful, sunny skies.  A few things I saw along the way:

• The player I’ve grown more and more impressed with over the last two or three weeks is Chris Conley.  He’s smooth and athletic and has grown noticeably comfortable in the offense.  Once Mitchell returns, what we worried was a weak spot on the team is beginning to look like an area with some quality depth.
• No sacks by the Georgia defense had to be the weird stat of the day.  But damned if they weren’t this close on more than a few occasions.
• Along those lines, the Aggies’ o-line looked better at pass protection than Florida’s did.
• On the other hand, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a defense offer less resistance than State’s did in the second quarter.  I saw at least two plays where the Aggies left every downfield receiver open.
• I’m not sure if you put two of Brandon Harton together it would make one Cordy Glenn.
• You knew Brandon Smith was gone to the house on his TD run as soon as he was one step past the line of scrimmage.  That’s how overmatched NMSU was on speed.
• Hutson Mason looked good.  He’s smooth and knows the offense.  He lacks Murray’s arm strength and his release isn’t nearly as quick, but I’d be comfortable if he had to relieve Aaron in a big game.  He’s no Logan Gray in that regard.
• Worst matchup of the day for the Aggies:  Orson Charles against anyone on their defense.
• Kenny Turner, 8 catches for 127 yards.  I hate the fucking wheel route, man.
• Nick Marshall’s got a long way to go on pass defense.
• Grantham’s done a fabulous job developing depth on the defense.  The second string lineup that came out to start the second half had Herrera and Robinson manning the middle.
• The infusion of front line personnel on the kickoff coverage team had a noticeable impact, but it’s still a work in progress.
• Best of all in a game like this, nobody got hurt and the starters got to rest for an entire half.  In some ways, that’s almost better than a bye week.