Bobcats could benefit from off weeks

New defensive coordinator has time to make adjustments.

— At first glance, playing only one game over three Saturdays in October didn’t seem ideal for Texas State, which was hoping to be peaking just in time for Sun Belt games. But after a 1-3 start and losing their defensive coordina- tor, some time off might be just what the Bobcats need.

Texas State has used the past week to get acclimated to changes implemented by interim defensive coordinator Brad Franchione as well as to try to get some players healthy.

“Our players’ attitude has been very positive, and we’ve worked hard to find the answers to the questions and issues we’ve found on this team in the first four weeks,” head coach Dennis Franchione said. “I didn’t like the idea of having an open week, then a conference game and then another open week, but with all we are dealing with, we probably needed this break.”

Franchione said the changes made under his new defensive coordinator “take the gray area out” of the Bobcats’ plans.

“We haven’t changed as much as we’ve crystallized what we want to do and how we are going to do it,” Franchione said. “There is no doubt in our players’ minds about what’s expected of them under our scheme and about how we need them to make plays.”

Asked what he considers “good defense” in the offensive-minded world of today’s college football, Franchione said, “It’s defined by a W.”

The Bobcats will face perennial league power- house Louisiana-Lafayette on the road Saturday, a daunting assignment for a team trying to find its footing. It’s the third straight season Texas State has opened its conference schedule against the Ragin’ Cajuns. The Bobcats will get another open date before hosting South Alabama on Oct. 24.

Notes: Dennis Franchione said Tuesday he hopes to have at least two, and maybe three, of his defensive tackles who missed all or part of the Houston game back for Louisiana-Lafayette. ... Texas State already has seven turnovers in its first four games after having just 12 in all of 2014. ... The Bobcats have been out-rushed by their opponents 991-828 and outgained in the passing game 1,3491,113. ... Quarterback Tyler Jones is Texas State’s leading rusher (282 yards on 47 carries) and leading passer (976 yards on 88 of 129). ... Only three of the Sun Belt’s 11 football-playing teams have winning records though the first five weeks of the season.