This was an emotional loss, but it's not losses that have been concerning to me. The canaries in the mine for me were questionable wins: Delaware (27-0) and ODU (38-0).
Against Delaware we had 15 first downs. 303 total yards and a punt return for a touch touchdown. That means the offense contributed to only 20 points. Against an FCS team! Yes, I know we shut them out but the offense didn't do that. The typical hammer used to beat people who question play calling is that we lack talent. Okay. We lack FCS talent? We put up 27 points against DE. JMU put up 20 against DE two weeks after playing us (Spare me the talk about how good JMU is. We are in different subdivisions for a reason). Even 3-5 FCS Towson beat Delaware.
Against ODU we had 32 first downs and 582 total yards. Impressive right? I suppose. Pretty much inline with FAU's performance of 29 first downs and 550 total yards. Except FAU turned their output into 58 points under first year head coach Lane Kiffin. I don't believe Florida Atlantic has better talent than Virginia Tech. Do you? UNC's performance was similar but again with more points: 24 first downs, 511 total yards 53 points. Even North Texas with a 6-3 second year head coach put up more points on ODU. Does that make sense? No.
Part of what makes Fuente and his staff attractive was their success at Memphis with what could be considered lesser talent. Memphis was a G5 school scheming against G5 talent. One of the most telling images about how well G5 schemes work against teams like Clemson is the first play from scrimmage. matter:
Clemson totally bought the misdirection but they were big enough and fast enough that it didn't matter.
I, and many fans, will be watching to see if our game plans, play calling and talent come together to produce a dominant product. In year 3 I think slow starts against inferior teams should be a cause for concern. Until them lets' he glad we aren't losing to ECU and fighting tooth and nail with UCN and Duke.
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