I figured I'd get away from the doom and gloom talk for a little while and actually talk about our upcoming game on Saturday.
Looking at UVA's numbers this really does seem like a good chance to break out of our offensive rut this weekend and put up a quality (and much needed) win.
Overall, UVA's defense gives up a lot of yards and points (overall ranked 100th nationally) which could mean that we have a much easier time sustaining drives and giving the defense a chance to rest and take some pressure of them to win the game by themselves (which seems to be taking it's toll). UVA is giving up over 200 rushing yards a game which seems to favor one of our strengths on offense.
The only thing that makes me wonder is why Gailey would suggest going to a spread offense this weekend. Since Ace doesn't seem to be 100% we don't really have a smash mouth RB. Does that lend itself better for our remaining running backs since it may get the defense out of stacking the box and open up the corners a little allowing the RB's speed an advantage? Also, this seems to favor Bilbo's style a little more which may mean he gets more snaps (personally I'd really like to see him more - the team seems to step it up a bit when he comes into the ball game). The only other reason that seems to make sense is that UVA's rush defense has improved over the past 3 games but their pass defense has gotten worse (277 yd/gm). Either way, I see Tech really busting out this weekend and putting some points on the board.
On the other side of the ball, UVA's scoring offense is good but their overall yardage is actually worse than ours (not that over 300 yards offense is bad). Their running game is nearly non-existent over the past three games (barely over 100 yds.) which suprises me because when I saw them earlier this year they seemed to have some good young RBs. However, their strength plays right into our weakness which is the passing game (especially over the middle). This could mean more nickle package which I think will be a little weaker this week if Hester isn't 100% since that means Houston moves to the base package and Rhino comes in as the nickle. In addition, if this D. Smith injury turns out to be serious that would really put a hurt on us (especially with Key Fox already out) since he is the heart & sould of our defense. Overall, though, I think if our offense can sustain drives we should be able to contain their offense and prevent them from coming back in the 2nd half which seems to their MO. Also, their doesn't seem to be any rain for Saturday and our field drains much better than that horrible Maryland field, so the rain scheduled for the end of the week shouldn't affect the field. This is a huge plus for us because those conditions in Maryland completely negated our speed on defense (saw quite a few guys slip right before getting to the QB or RB).
Sorry for being so long-winded but I really do feel good about this weekend. While UVA certainly has done a good job of winning 6 straight they've been playing with fire having to come from behind in 5 of those wins. Their luck is bound to run out and their poor defense is just what the doctor ordered for our offense. I forsee a solid win this weekend and a good confidence builder going into NC State.
Any comments?
Looking at UVA's numbers this really does seem like a good chance to break out of our offensive rut this weekend and put up a quality (and much needed) win.
Overall, UVA's defense gives up a lot of yards and points (overall ranked 100th nationally) which could mean that we have a much easier time sustaining drives and giving the defense a chance to rest and take some pressure of them to win the game by themselves (which seems to be taking it's toll). UVA is giving up over 200 rushing yards a game which seems to favor one of our strengths on offense.
The only thing that makes me wonder is why Gailey would suggest going to a spread offense this weekend. Since Ace doesn't seem to be 100% we don't really have a smash mouth RB. Does that lend itself better for our remaining running backs since it may get the defense out of stacking the box and open up the corners a little allowing the RB's speed an advantage? Also, this seems to favor Bilbo's style a little more which may mean he gets more snaps (personally I'd really like to see him more - the team seems to step it up a bit when he comes into the ball game). The only other reason that seems to make sense is that UVA's rush defense has improved over the past 3 games but their pass defense has gotten worse (277 yd/gm). Either way, I see Tech really busting out this weekend and putting some points on the board.
On the other side of the ball, UVA's scoring offense is good but their overall yardage is actually worse than ours (not that over 300 yards offense is bad). Their running game is nearly non-existent over the past three games (barely over 100 yds.) which suprises me because when I saw them earlier this year they seemed to have some good young RBs. However, their strength plays right into our weakness which is the passing game (especially over the middle). This could mean more nickle package which I think will be a little weaker this week if Hester isn't 100% since that means Houston moves to the base package and Rhino comes in as the nickle. In addition, if this D. Smith injury turns out to be serious that would really put a hurt on us (especially with Key Fox already out) since he is the heart & sould of our defense. Overall, though, I think if our offense can sustain drives we should be able to contain their offense and prevent them from coming back in the 2nd half which seems to their MO. Also, their doesn't seem to be any rain for Saturday and our field drains much better than that horrible Maryland field, so the rain scheduled for the end of the week shouldn't affect the field. This is a huge plus for us because those conditions in Maryland completely negated our speed on defense (saw quite a few guys slip right before getting to the QB or RB).
Sorry for being so long-winded but I really do feel good about this weekend. While UVA certainly has done a good job of winning 6 straight they've been playing with fire having to come from behind in 5 of those wins. Their luck is bound to run out and their poor defense is just what the doctor ordered for our offense. I forsee a solid win this weekend and a good confidence builder going into NC State.
Any comments?
