Recent Comments
a lot of people have been expressing the opinion that our coaches have been intentionally calling vanilla/predictable plays as a screen so that when we get into the season there will be some "tricks in the bag". I do not share this opinion because of past seasons where play calling didnt really change as the season progressed and because LT still has limited experience as the play caller. I would also like to say that thinking this sort of trickery is going on may be giving our offensive coaches too much credit. ( I hope that I am wrong and everyone else is right)
tactic
I'm going to pull a Costanza and just pick the complete opposite of whatever my initial pick is.
OSU plays OU in Stillwater this year.
The game was MUCH closer to the score, and WVU managed to expose the LSU D for most of the game. And the fact that LSU is the number one team in the nation, isnt expected for the #16 team to lose to them? I wouldn't have dropped them that far. Geno Smith was doing work.
And why is TCU top 20 when they have just proven that they can beat up on weaker teams and not win against better competition?
Our running game was EXTREMELY PREDICTABLE. In the second half, a friend and I (we were at the game) successfully predicted about 10 off tackle runs and their direction in a row. It wasn't until we mixed it up bringing in the two back set with Oglesby in Wilson in shotgun, that we broke off a big play. Literally 9/10 when we set up in shotgun we'd pass, and when we were in ace form/single back 9/10 we'd run. There was maybe 5 play action passes the entire game.
Now with that said. We were playing against Marshall, and we had the ability to just our Muscle them. I guarantee this won't work against our ACC schedule. But if you look at this game in comparison to the App State game, they were called extremely differently, which leads to potential hope. Against App State, our running game came from all different looks, and after seeing that JO run against Marshall, I think we may be hiding some secrets with regard to the running game. So maybe it will become even better. When Marshall knew what play we were going to run, they could only hold us from breaking the big one, that was due to our athletes. But I am hoping all this play calling has been vanilla in order to give us the biggest advantage that we can against Clemson and Miami.
Looks like our 'easy' schedule is shaping up to be much tougher than expected (i.e. Clemson, GT).
I disagree with your comments about LT. I remember thinking during the second half that he was not making his progressions and was staring down his go to receiver. I have not watched any highlights or replays so my memory may not be correct. I do think the passing game got very sloppy throughout the second half with a lot of long balls that were under thrown instead of running short routes and making completions.
I whole heartily agree with the using our two backs statement. I think just because DW is not afraid of contact/ running up the middle does not mean he needs to do it all the time. I think when we get into ACC play starting the game with split back sets would greatly benefit our offense early.
We have two great backs but they have different skill sets and strengths. Let Josh O. pound it up the middle and use DW for stretch plays and read options. We could even do fakes and have DW run up the middle later in games.
I am very concerned that the coaches are giving DW too many touches and that he will get injured or loose a step as his body gets beaten up.
Finally I would like to see a lot more passing to DW coming out of the back field. I think he can do it and in the match ups game I think he would have more speed then most LB's that would be tasked with passing covering him. In conclusion (I know this is really long winded) I think a piece of advice from the Mad Hatter sums up my feeling, find ways to get the ball to your play maker(s) and let them do what they do best.
-respect for putting clemson above us. RIGHT NOW they are certainly the best team in the ACC.
-while the cousins didn't look great, don't know that they should have dropped to 24 (LSU is by far the best team in the country IMHO).
-also, don't know about aTm dropping below 20 as i think oklahoma state has a real chance to go into Norman undefeated on Dec 2.
-i think 8-14 could be jumbled any way you want, as none have overly impressed me (except baylor, but don't know anything real about their competition, like VT), but i'm fine with the way you have em.
but HATE the uni's. Who thought they would be a good idea? Maroon is so much of a sweeter color that orange.
Sounds like mistakes aplenty and continued sloppy play. Clemson is not gakking their season away like most years and looks pretty dangerous. We will need to tighten up the special teams and offensive rhythm, and use the advantage of a night game at Lane Stadium to not get upset by the Tigers. Taj is playing nice football.
I will be there to help in any way possible - Looking forward to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can only watch vtPhreak's highlights, was there any really notable negative plays that were left out that I am missing out on?
love logan's run, and that dominating defense!
We were a home dog against Clemson on Thursday night and beat the shit out of them. I hope we are an underdog again this time...
San Diego State - MissAgain has no defense, oh yeah and no offense. They have 1 dynamic playmaker who is not going to put up 10 points on San Diego state.
Georgia Tech, although I worry that the heels could cover this, I then remember that they QB fumbled on kneeling the ball.
Alabama - Ark lost their starting QB with the big gun, they were competing last year because they could put up numbers. They wont be able to score on this bama defense though.
Free shoes. They have a bone to pick with their loss last week. Their defense last week was great and although Clemson's offense is a little explosive I think they will end up falling short.
Texas A&M - hey they are in the SEC now, granted they will be competing more with Vandy than Alabama. And okie state is a good team but are they really that good? This game is truly a coin toss and my coin landed on tails.
Never going to pick against the Mad Hatter, especially against the cousins. Has anyone watched them this year and thought that their offense was functioning well? The Terps still gave them a game, yeah the same Terps that like to throw the ball into the flat and stall out 3/4 time in the red zone.
I am already tired of Fall seasonal beers so I am heading back to an IPA
This year is pretty tasty. I wasn't sure they could top last years, but this one is same level goodness!
I'll be enjoying some also.
michigan IN DA BIG HOUSE.
georgia tech yellow hackets.
rolllllllllll tide.
crimi-noles.
oklahoma state in a weird twist of fate.
lsu (i hate wvu).
Michigan - Michigan has luck on their side obviously and Shoelaces throws a great jump ball. The Michigan D is not where it should be but they should have more than enough to cover. Most likely I am wrong with this pick and I hope I am, b/c I will love walking into the bar tomorrow at 11:45 PST or so and see about 100 or so non-drinking Michigan fans crying in their water. We watch the VT games in a back room but Michigan takes up the whole rest of the bar during their games. Our bartender/server told me the 20 to 30 VT fans spend way more than the 100 or so UM fans. Maybe an engineer on the board could help me with the exact math, but I figure I drink/spend the equivalent of 10 Michigan fans during a game. Go Blue, Go Cheap, Go Lose.
GT - I heard on the Solid Verbal that Bryn Renner has an 81% completion percentage with 5 TD's and 4 Ints. Basically the ball doesn't touch the ground, either for good or bad. I hate Paul Johnson and UNC will to. Apparently they can pass now as Tevon Washington is averaging something like 147 yards per completion. This is the first real test for both teams and I think GT is someone to be reckoned with. I hate Paul Johnson.
Arkansas - I think Alabama will win but the Hogs have a potent offense sans Knile Davis. Alabama D is as good as always, or is it. If Petrino hasn't left for a job in the Canadian Football League before this game, he will have some tricks up his sleeves. But this is also the first road game for a lot of the O-Line and QB and there could be some jitters, just not enough for Alabama to cover.
Florida State - Clemson got a big win last weekend and we now know that they are definitely better than Utah St. Auburn is a paper tiger, there is no Logan Thoma..oops, I mean Cam Newton and Nick Fairley. Also, Clemson is Clemson. I would so much like for Clemson to win since it would mean they are more likely to lose to us next weekend. And I know what I am talking about, I am at 44% on the year so far. FSU's defense is pretty sick, at least according to Herbie and Musberger. Even with the loss last week FSU is still the best team in Merica and they have the best coach of all time. Clemson will lose more than FSU will win.
Oklahoma State - Like BCO, I have no clue and maybe when aTm first announced their intention to leave there was some respect but tomorrow no one but the announcers will be thinking of it or talking about it. Of course I really have no clue on any of the games. I love the 3:30/12:30 start times for VT, but it does cause me to miss out on seeing some other good games and this is one I would like to see. I dislike OK St a little less than I dislike aTm so I am going with the Okies.
LSU - I think LSU's D is just too sick. Now I also think there is a good chance there is a riot of some sort, pre, during and post game so this game might not happen. But if it does, the Mad Hatter won't be afraid to eat some field turf and the D-Line of LSU will crush WVU. It will be a close game at first but LSU should pull out and cover at the end.
Well these picks most definitely suck bad and probably just suck. But it is fun making them. I am not sure if I am the west coast Hokie mentioned above, but I do prefer the Edelstoff to the Maximator but if that is what Claudia recommends, I will have 12.
No Tweedy, It's WHIP!
Go Hokies
And I sucked it up good last week
Michigan
Gah Tech
Arkansas
Free Shoes U
Okie State
Ragin Cajuns
Michigan - San Diego State is tasked with coming into the Big House and pulling the upset against the sizzling hot Wolverines. First, they'll try to control the clock and air out the football. Second, look for some stout defense. Then look for Michigan to shove-it-up-their-butt! /the office'd
Georgia Tech - Paul Johnson's Spill Yo Blood Tour '11 rolls on.
Alabama - I told the BCO, Alabama is going to slap the shit out of Arkansas.
Clemson - FSU is hurting physically and a lot of offensive guys are banged up or out. The hitting in that game last week was nothing short of Steelers-Ravens. Tajh Boyd looks to be the real deal and I think Clemson is, finally, hitting their stride.
Texas A&M - SEC teams don't lose these games, right?
LSU - The Tigers defense is too fast, and too strong, they'll be in the backfield all night long.
This is new to me, so I'm going to share if with you all.
Tomorrow is the first Saturday of the fall, so...
Slipped an East Carolina in there under "Last Meeting" though.
I like the Hokie WRs big in this one if they can figure out how to cure the dropsies. Guessing 200+ yards from LT3 and 125 from DW.
Hokies 52 - Terd 13
But After last week, I'll probably be 1/6....
Azteks to cover
Stinging Insects
Roll Tide
Free Shoes
aTm
Mad Hatter
If you find yourself stuck in the foothills of West-by-God Virginia, with a thick curly mane and a name like Marco who would you wannabe?
Oh DJ Pauly D, and The Situation, meet fellow Douche , Marco B!!!!
Go Hokies!!!
Michigan
Georgia Tech
Arkansas
Florida State
Oklahoma State
LSU
Curry was very quick off the ball, with great speed. In passing situation he lined up way outside the offensive tackle. However, he had trouble getting off blocks once locked up with a defender.
Ohio had a lot of success running outside on stretches. Hopefully the o-line can get Wilson to the corner.
Cato has a weak arm, looks right at defenders when throwing the ball, and makes bad decisions. But he has a sweet beard.
I think you dropped aTm, Arkansas and WVU too far, I certainly think all three of them could beat VT on a neutral field right now. TCU and GT are probably 3-4 spots too high. I like where you put Clemson, their defense in an issue but that offense is SEC-caliber right now. Scares me a little bit but Saturday night in Lane is a great equalizer.