I'm not saying at all that there weren't missed open receivers. I'm saying that is just one aspect of a passing attack that is a total sh_tshow. Our first possession ended once again with a 3 yard pass on 3rd and 5. We had 2 receivers next to each other at the target area on several plays. Our FG was preceded by a pass to Bruce running full speed near and toward the sideline , short of the TD or even 1st down. He didn't make the catch but had no chance even if he had. The route was a sure failure. Similar brainfarts on other passing plays.
Back to the QB. It's been a total fiasco. We don't subject QBs to pressure ( which is the most critical mental criteria) under our practices, so picking the starter in 2020 amounted to a coin flip. But after 2 games, it was obvious the chosen starter, even with improvement, had a very low ceiling. But for 1 1/2 years, no one else got a look. And when he finally did, it was "you're only out there because of injury". What happened to the staff's mantra about "the QB not having to look over his shoulder"?
What we have is a QB who isn't P5 level or even close. In addition to not seeing open receivers, he can't hit the ones he does see. If we check boxes for most important QB criteria, he only checks #5 and #7. Going into the game Saturday, we knew that a bunch of TOs can't be depended upon; that in a closely contested game, the difference is players making the routine plays that are there to be made. We also knew who we had that can't do that. And he was put out there. It played out just like many of us thought it would. It was almost like choosing to lose. Unbelievable.
IMO, Padilla hasn't had a fair shot. He wouldn't have been a star, but I think could have been an average B10 QB. We won't bring in a portal QB and if we do, he won't be better than Padilla. And we have heard rumors before about freshmen QBs. I'll believe it when I see it. There is the added problem that even if he is the second coming of Aaron Rodgers, he'll sit on the bench at least until the season is blown.