1. Lots of new players on this year's team, Toolson and Barcello in particular. It took some time for everyone to figure how to play together and to find their roles.

2. Injuries have added to the issues listed in #1 above. Baxter, Yoeli, Haws prior to season, etc.

3. Not knowing until right before the season that Yoeli would be out. Trying to figure out how to play without Yoeli when you're expecting him to be there is tough.

4. Getting used to new coaches, new offensive and defensive scheme, always takes some time.

None of these take the sting out of the losses to Utah, BSU, or USF, or even SMC or SDSU, but they do help provide some perspective. It probably was unrealistic to expect this team to be hitting on all cylinders right from the start of the season. They seem to be doing that now, which is the most important thing.

Now, hopefully, Nixon's injury is minor.