This week I'm asking more questions than providing answers. Tech's first two games were a bit of a scheduling anomaly. The Hokies spent all summer preparing to defend Paul Johnson's option and Al Groh's 3-4, then had just 5 days to turn around and square away a I-AA team. Now that the Hokies have had a full week to rest, regroup, watch film, and practice, will we see that week one to two improvement that the Frankinator often speaks about, but didn't happen last Saturday?
Will the o-line get a push inside? For the most part, the Hokies front five held their own in pass protection against the Bees and Peay(s), but as a group didn't dominate the line of scrimmage. Andrew Miller is listed as probable with an ankle injury, but practiced this week. The reserves got snaps inside last Saturday: Caleb Farris at center, Brent Benedict and Matt Arkema at guard. Pitt's defensive line played on their heels against Cincinnati, and is group that should be owned by the Hokie big uglies.
Will the secondary hold up? Pitt has a couple of tall-boys playing receiver. Mike Shanahan is listed at 6-5, 225, Devin Street is 6-4, 190. At 6-1, 224 Antone Exum is the closest match in size. Austin Peay picked on Exum, and he struggled a bit in man coverage. Against taller receivers, he and the rest of the secondary will have to make good plays on the ball. At the beginning of the week it looked like Detrick Bonner wouldn't play, but he was listed as probable (leg) in the injury report, and last night tweeted, "Thank god.... Looks like ima b playin." If he's unable to go, Torrian Gray said Kyshoen Jarrett would play free safety and Michael Cole would fill in at rover.
As noted by French in his film analysis, Tech's d-line hasn't generated much of a pass rush. Charley Wiles might deploy a "Rush Team" package comprised of Corey Marshall, James Gayle, Dadi Nicolas, and either J.R. Collins or Luther Maddy. To use a Foster-ism, Dadi played like a scaled dog against Austin Peay. He attacked the quarterback and held down his gap responsibilities. He could be that spark Tech's looking for. Pitt's already allowed 6 sacks in two games, 92nd best nationally.
Will there be an air show in Pittsburgh? Mike O'Cain said Logan Thomas is, "Going to the right person." However, outside of the hurry-up, the passing game hasn't looked especially sharp. Thomas and Corey Fuller appear to be on the same page, but there seems to have been as many dropped balls, overthrows, or under ran routes as catches when LT3 targets Roberts or Davis. It takes times for the passing game to gel, so this isn't overly concerning to me, but signs of improvement would be encouraging.
To everyone traveling to Pitt, have a safe trip, and I'll see you there.
Comments
I get excited when I see the More than Superficial articles now. It means it's Friday and ALMOST gameday!
I think I dated Ima B. Playin briefly in high school.
Let's Hope
that Bonner's grammar is (at least) partially due to the character limit and isn't a reflection on his academic performance, or he won't be available later due to his grades.
Wish I could go...
I think that we'll use more of a balanced attack against Pitt on offense, trying to find "who's hot" as Shane Beamer alluded to how the running game is going to work. There might be a drive where we just try to run it down their throat three or four plays in a row, maybe throw in a designed QB draw from the shotgun in there somewhere...
As for defense, that rush package in the front four is giving me chills. And if it's giving me chills, Pittsburgh is shitting their pants. Let's go for it.
Secondary: Exum bounces back and shows us why we switched him to corner. Bonner plays in the game but is taken out by the mid-3rd because (hopefully, knock on wood) we're up by at least 14 points.
LET'S GOOOOO.... HOKIES!!!
I'm all for airing it out when necessary
however, the old axiom about "three things can happen when you pass and two of them aren't good" comes to mind. If we set up the run with the pass, ok, I can accept that. But I really enjoy games where we ram the ball right down the throat of the opponent. You demoralize them when you're getting first downs on the ground on 2nd and five. Converting 3rd downs and keeping drives alive on the ground. (and can we have less wide receiver screens, please?....maybe a double move off of one?) What I want to see is a dominating performance by the OL.
Defensively, after watching Nicholas last week, I'm all for putting him in as a pass rusher...the dude has some serious talent, if they can get him up to speed on schemes, look out. One has to worry a little about telegraphing what we're doing if it isn't an obvious passing situation, though.
The over used WR screens have been driving me nuts too, especially when they aren't working at all
Past Pitt DL performance
is irrelevant. Their starting tackles did not play in the first two games, but will be available tomorrow along with 3 other starters.
I heard they're getting some guys back.
who are the other starters?
Actually, Tyrone Ezell was the only starter suspended. All five others were reserves.
Ezell returned from suspension to start against Cincy, and Donald started both games, so I think you've been given bad information there.
scalded
I think you mean scalded dog. And from what I've heard Dadi isn't solid on what he's supposed to be doing yet, so I don't know how much Wiles will trust him to be out there. Loved his energy, though.
Once he gets enough practice time in
to really know the position, he's going to be an absolute monster. There was a play last game where he just took the AP tackle and irreverently tossed him to the ground, before making the TFL.