- Pitt was our most complete game. Started fast, finished the game, and handled adversity well. Still a lot to improve on.
- In regards to starting QB, "We don't have to answer that question now." Wells is apparently still too injured to start.
- Defenses most complete game. Still need to clean up explosive plays.
- Offense looked better because we were able to scheme to VT's strength and Pitt's weaknesses. Had the plan installed early in the week to allow for improved execution and success against Pitt.
- FSU will be the biggest challenge to our defensive backs this year. They have a complete group of receivers and a QB that can get them the ball.
- How injuries at safety progress this week will determine where Delane starts.
- Zoom issues "Poor David Teal he's out there somewhere trying to get through right now"
- Peoples questionable
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Comments
I am starting to wonder if he is just giving Wells a little cover on losing the starting job. Fans would riot if he put him out there with what Drones has been showing lately.
Without hearing Tone, I take this as, no more need to question it, Drones is QB1.
I've been wondering this too the last few weeks, if this isn't a convenient way to soft bench Wells. If Drones had totally struggled I bet Wells would have been back last Saturday. But KD1 seems to have fully seized the reins. No way you turn back now.
Looks like for this point at least, folks here called it about right- Wells for the first few games 'til it was clear again that he wasn't the right fit/skillset for this VT team; Drones came in and took the job and (so far) is improving week to week. Really excited for the potential to have a QB1 that is here for multiple years (and growing as he continues to gain experience). And though he isn't "PERFECT" on every throw, I think he clearly showed he has a better arm than many credited him for!
Yep
The alternative is he is actually still quite injured which raises the question what were the coaches thinking leaving him in for the 2nd half of Purdue?
It has been said the 10 minute half time led them to not have time to adequately assess him. He probably said it was manageable and wanted to play. Nobody has said Wells doesn't have the drive to win.
I'd be curious to see what the changes were to pregame since Marshall that Pry has attributed to our better starts. That tidbit and the point Pry made about getting the offense installed early in the week against Pitt make it sound like the staff is making progress, but it also begs the questions as to what they were doing before and why it took almost 1.5 years to figure out.
I think he mentioned sometime in the past week that they started hitting pads harder earlier to try and get them going before the game starts.
It took 1.5 years to get the players to learn to block, then we installed the offense
Yeah, this is where I've been. Pry said last year they were at a 101 level, this year they're 102. You can't run if you're still learning how to crawl.
it's hard to repair a car while you're rolling down the road but that's, essentially, what Pry is tasked with. Most people pull off and get it to a shop where they can turn it off, lift it up, take it apart and fix it properly. I thought the offense looked VASTLY different from the first four weeks. That raises all sorts of questions. I'm curious to see what the offense looks like in the next 3 games. Will we get more of the Pitt game or will it look closer to the games we had vs our first 4 opponents?
Sadly I'm leaning towards reverting back to the first 4 games. But I hope I'm wrong.
And that is the damage done to our fanbase by not having a competent offense for nearly 3 decades
I wouldn't get your hopes up too much for playing FSU. They may have scuffled a bit against lesser teams but they're still immensely talented.
They're also coming off a bye week which could mean one of two things: they are either super well rested and prepared and they torch the hell out of us or they are rusty and groggy and a slow start from them gives us a chance
Well, pretty much every article I've seen talking about the undefeated teams, playoff predictions, power rankings, etc. says that FSU's next big test is Syracuse. So maybe they're all reading the same articles and looking at the 3 TD spread and they're not even thinking about little ol' VT.
how sweet would it be....
No offense to Jaylin Jones, but he in no way should stay at safety this week even if healthy. FSUs receivers can ball and he would get torched this week. Until people's is back, keep Delane at safety, I like our corner depth even with the youth
Gonna say it now. We get a pick 6, a special teams play that leads to an easy touchdown, and hold FSU in check more or less, take them to the wire. They panic, fuck it up, we win on a weird field goal. #whatamidrinking #wouldntyouliketoknow
Alcohope
Exactly what I was drinking when I took VT ML over FSU at 10:1 odds...
Lets reduce the penalties, keep improving defending the run, and try to block like a P5 program. Best case scenario is we can keep it to a 1-2 score game late. Most likely scenario is that the penalties remain, we struggle mightily to move the ball and get blown out. They have a heisman candidate at QB that can run and throw. Our defense has struggled mightily. They have had an off week to get healthy and prepare. Will take a bunch of FSU mistakes to make this competitive.
I am so much less worried about Travis and so much more worried about that defensive line. We're going to have to be really creative to not get Drones killed back there.
Oh I agree- they have NFL payers on their DL, and our OL is our weakness. Could be ugly. I hope Bowen is not naive enough to think we can push them around. He needs a plan that limits exposure to the OL.
Yeah we need them to move laterally, which they're still very much capable of doing and very fast on the edge, but if their DL is moving downhill all game we're going to have a terrible time. We don't have anyone on the OL that is big enough or sound enough to slow down any of their front 4 1v1.
Agreed, I think it's a victory if we make it out of Tallahassee without another injury. Icing on top if we make it a close game. I'll be calling a doctor if we pull out a win.
Correct- best case scenario is they make a bunch of mistakes- could happen with unfocused 18-22 year olds. And we are in the game late. That's a victory in my eyes. We simply aren't good enough to compete with a top 5 team. The 2007 team that got destroyed by LSU is better than this VT team. I anticipate a similar game.
My best hope is a win capitalizing on some mistakes from FSU. My average hope is to beat the spread. My minimum hope is we keep the last remaining streak going (not getting shut out since 1998).
The shutout streak is the last streak we can take pride in.
There were three explosive plays by my count.
1) Canteen was in zero coverage, Delane couldn't help because he had to pick up the slot. Canteen, as a veteran, has to be more conservative with turning to run when his cushion is threatened in that situation. But, sometimes, the other team is faster and wins.
2) The bootleg to the TE, I think the official should have thrown a flag. Delane was in coverage with a receiver, and the receiver picked Lawson, preventing him from keeping up with the TE. The problem, the receiver also ran Delane in to Lawson, making it a tougher call. I'd like to see Pry mix in some quarters concept, where the corners/safeties/linebackers can match and hand guys off. Other future opponents are better than Pitt running picks.
3) I am still trying to figure out the screen. I don't have a good answer there.
Otherwise, I believe their biggest run was the cut back that Tisdale overran. He was way better, so give credit where credit is do... but fit the gap first, then chase.
The screen, did we corner blitz? Also APR popped the dude without touching him with his arms. Damn, I hate the new tackling from young people. I know I sound like an old mf, but you CAN knock the shit out of a runner AND wrap his ass up. Just blow through him and pancake him. I am so tired of the weak tackle. APR did have a great game, not picking on him.
That push was inexcusable, I think they'll hammer that to APR this week. If he goes for an actual tackle that's likely not a score. It was both an egregious mistake and a coachable moment.
Mostly injury updates, but some good tidbits about the offense mixed in there too.
Injuries
Thanks for reminding me to mute the broadcast Saturday.
That was one plus to the old divisional scheduling format, only playing at FSU once every 12 years or so.