Wake game...

[GT98]

What do you think of Wake this Sat.?

I know that on offense, they run a discplined, methodical, control the clock type of offense based upon the wishbone. They seem to lull the defense to sleep with it and then throw one deep. On defense, I don't know much about them other than they have given up a lot of points this year (on a per game avg.).

I feel pretty good about this game given that we have a defensive coordinator that has been adept at making adjustments. If the defense plays good assignment type football, then I do not think that they will score much on us.

On offense, I really liked the job that O'brien/Gailey did scaling it down for Suggs. He looked much more comfortable throwing 3 step drop patterns as well as curl routes. If Wake's defense is as bad as I think it is, then we should have success moving the ball and scoring. Lastly, the o-line play was fantastic against UNC; ACE and co. should be able to get yards since Wake plays a 3-3-5 formation on defense. This would be a good time for the offense to develop a bit more and a game for Suggs and Bilbo to continue to develop confidence.

 

[beeware]

GT98,
Glad to see someone actually wants to talk football.

Wake is well coached and gets a lot out of the talent that they have. I would suspect that we will seriously slow down their running game and force them into passing situations. This is probably the key, since we are still prone to give up the big play.

On offense, as long as our line play continues to improve, I expect a good performance. Suggs is improving, Bilbo should get some reps also, ACE is outstanding....hopefully Sampson will get some carries to take the load off ACE....our receivers may have a field day led by Watkins. I would very much like to see some passes to our tight ends and also I would like to see Dixon carry the ball from the fullback position.

Kicking is a big concern if Manget cannot go....Buck said in the AJC that Jordan would not play unless both kickers are out for an extended period. So we will just have to work around Manget's injury.

Should be a good game...although TECH could blow them out I have picked a TECH win by 10.

 

[GT98]

Originally posted by beeware:
GT98,
Glad to see someone actually wants to talk football.

This is probably the key, since we are still prone to give up the big play.

...our receivers may have a field day led by Watkins. I would very much like to see some passes to our tight ends and also I would like to see Dixon carry the ball from the fullback position.

Kicking is a big concern if Manget cannot go....Buck said in the AJC that Jordan would not play unless both kickers are out for an extended period. So we will just have to work around Manget's injury.

Should be a good game...although TECH could blow them out I have picked a TECH win by 10.

<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">Good points, beeware.

I would like to see the TE's and fullbacks get involved some as well, simply to keep ACE and Sampson fresh as well as I think that they (TE/FB) can do things catching the ball out of the backfield. Also, I really like using a play action rollout to the TE--how many times do you see a TE wide open or having a linebacker on him in this situation? That can be a big play most every game.

Regarding our defense being prone to giving up a big play, I think that it has more to do w/having a young, inexperienced d-line that has trouble at times getting pressure on the QB w/out sending extra people. As Hargrove, Parker, Henderson et. al continue to improve, we can drop the linebackers in coverage more and more.

Any time someone is running a 3-3-5 defensive scheme, they either have a) monster NG and DE's b) they are worried about the other team passing. In Wake's case, the answer seems to be b); Watkins and Glover should have good days. I would also like to see J. Smith start to get on track.

My biggest concern right now is the kicking game. I would hate to burn Jordan's redshirt, but would hate to lose a game because of erratic kicking even more.

I would normally be worried about a letdown somewhat, but I think that our senior leadership will keep the team focused. We have a great opportunity to be 7-1 rolling into November. Let's take advantage of it!

 

[ContactBuzz]

While the Wake running game has me a little worried (hey, I worry about all GT games

) I think GTs run defense is head and shoulders above anything they've faced so far. That said, Wake must have a pretty solid offensive line to be putting up the gaudy rushing numbers - maybe the best our D has seen so far. If our D line continues their improvement and can hold their own against Wake and let the LBs do their thing to stop the run it should be a good day all around.

On offense, we should be able to move the ball without any problem - they can't seem to stop anyone. We do need to minimize the mistakes - Wake has been very fortunate in that category (tied for the NCAA lead in turnover margin). While we've had a few interceptions, we've been very good about not putting the ball on the ground.

Hopefully, our placekicking injuries won't be a factor this weekend. If there's any doubt with FGs, I'd guess that we'll just go for it to extend the drive. I've predicted a 35-14 win.

 

[beeware]

Excellent points 98 and contact.

We do not naturally get much pass rush out of our line so we do go to stronger means (sometimes extraordinary means) to get a pass rush by various blitzes. This has worked somewhat effectively, but does leave us vulnerable
A good example was where we blitzed and sacked the BYU QB and then immediately blitzed again and they ran a screen pass and got 21 yards on a 3rd and 20. Also the big catch that NC made on us and ran down inside the 5 (and FUMBLED!!!!).
I am not criticizing the defensive scheme but it is all or nothing sometimes.
Interestingly, I looked up the stats of last year versus this year on the North Carolina game. They were nearly identical. Margin of victory, time of possession, yardage allowed, and 3rd down conversions were all nearly identical.

GO Jackets...beat Weak Florist....and thanks to '98 and Contac for ACTUALLY talking a little football around here.

 

[TIARB]

One other perspective about our linebacker play, and in coverage in particular.

I saw where several were hoping to see our LB's in coverage more, hoping we get more pressure w/DL, and allowing the LBs to play in the zone.

I have a completely different take, FWIW.

Our Linebackers do alot of things really well, but as a unit, far and away our weakest ability is our pass coverage. Our starting 3 have not shown the ability to cover a strong side TE, a back out on the flats, or even drop back into zone 2 deep. (For reference here, see the BYU game late in the 4th quarter, on a big 3rd down play, where both LBs in the nickle were performing the classic "guarding the line, not a man" - 2 guys almost holding hands while the TE got behind them, and the QB just lobbed the ball over their heads for a completion).

Sterling Green and to some extent Ather Brown have shown coverage ability, but it is not at all the strength of Wimbush-Smith-Fox. Of the lot, Smith appears weakest in this area (even tho he has a pick this yr and the classic UGA pick-6).

That's one thing about Keith Brooking that was so impressive - his ability to stuff the run, hit hard, and cover. It's what makes him a complete LB. But I digress.

I for one am glad to see Tenuta adjusting to this - our kids are *much* better at being agressive, and blitzing. Given the groups limitations in coverage, I would prefer to see heavy blitz, and pressure the QB. yes, it leaves us exposed, but the choices really are:
a.) don't blitz, and give the QB too much time (time to check down to his short option, if he can't go deep - and more time means more chances of a deep play, which our LBs can't defend).
b.) Send 'em, and make the QB connect on the "hot reads"

I am glad to see Tenuta playing to our strengths - our starting LBs are much better agressive and going forward than staying passive in zone coverage, IMO.

BTW, agree with you guys 100% on Grobe - I think he's one of the best coaches in the ACC.

 

[beeware]

TIAR,B,
I don't really disagree with you except on one point. Wimbush is very good at pass defense. The problem was, last year we had him on the strong side and our opponents, knowing how good a player Wimbush is, just ran a decoy down the field to run Wimbush out of the play.
This year, to avoid that happening, he has been moved back to his natural position on the weak side and he is playing very well and making a lot of tackles that he was not able to do on the strong side.

 

[H-town]

How has our defense stacked up against opposing tight ends this year? It seems that the tight end in the UNC game had a field day with us. Has that been a year long thing?

 

[GT98]

Good points, TIAR, B and beeware regarding the linebackers' weakness of covering a strong side TE. Wimbush has been having a very good year for us at the weakside position. I expect that he will get some looks from NFL scouts as well since he can run and makes very good open field tackles. The biggest thing that Tenuta has done is simply mixed up the way that we bring the blitz. Durant did not see Wimbush bringing the heat since we overloaded that side and their RB could not pick up both players.

As far as coverage, I feel pretty good about our cornerbacks as well as the "nickel" back, Houston (wow, he just seems to keep making plays!).

I agree w/others in this thread that Wake's running game has not yet faced the caliber of linebackers that they will see on Sat. Our linebackers run sideline to sideline very, very well and have good closing speed.

I also expect our offense to have a good day as long as the o-line continues their excellent blocking.

Again, my two concerns about this game are: 1) kicking game, 2) Jim Grobe--he is an excellent coach and does a good job of finding ways for his team to stay in the game.

 

[beeware]

98,
You are right about Houston...he is going to be a big time stud before he is through on the Flats.
Is there any word on Manget....is he definitely out or day to day?

 

[GTTerrific]

H-town, The best TE we've faced all year is Beard (SP?) of BYU. We pretty much shut him down. He's a big part of what they try to do on offense. That was a key in our win over BYU. Beard has toasted everyone but us he's played against.

 

[GTTerrific]

Beeware,

Maybe Coach Gailey will touch on the kickers in his weekly press conference today.

 

[GT98]

Originally posted by beeware:

Is there any word on Manget....is he definitely out or day to day?

<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">I have not heard anything beyond what is in the paper regarding him and Burnett being "questionable." Maybe the staff is waiting to see if either one can practice on Wed./Thurs. before making a decision regarding whether or not to use Jordan.

Hopefully, we will only need to trot one of them out there for extra pt. attempts and not field goals.

 

[GTTerrific]

here is what nicejacket posted on the hive:

"According to Kincaid on their preshow at 2, Luke will be out this weekend.

Kincaid went on to say, "they should move the open kicker tryouts from Bama and Carolina down to the Flats" or something to that effect."
----------------------------------------------

If Burnett is out too then sounds like Christian Schroader is going to get his first chance. If those guys are going to be out for a long time then it could be David Jordan.

Man, kicking game is so important. COME ON GT KICKERS!

 

[Beesnut]

I don't think it will come down to the kicking game on this one. Also our defense just seems to be much faster this year.

The only defense that Wake has faced this year was NCSU's "paper tiger." Be interesting to see what Wake does when we punch them in the mouth.

 

[mustard]

The wishbone scares me. The middle LB is frozen by the FB fake. Then you have 3 backs going to one side where the linemen already have a number advantage and the ball carrier has 2 blockers on the OLB. Thus you have a DB trying to stop a runner (yards are being made). If there is a pulling guard, then you have another blocker at the point of attack.

If the DB starts cheating up closer, then the pass opens up as an option.

 

[GTCrew]

#1 TE plays have worked against us for several years.

#2 IMHO the game will come down to field position.

I think Wake will struggle if they have to mount 80+ yard drives on us.

Not having Manget could make this game closer than it should be if all their drives start at the 30 or better.

Also, if we turn it over and give them a short field a few times we will be lucky to win.

 

[Beesnut]

Mustard,

That's why having a fast defense stops the wishbone. Backside pursuit kills against this offense and with Hargrove & Co. coming I think we will be fine.

 

[beeware]

The demise of the wishbone began when outside linebackers starting looking (and playing) like Lawrence Taylor.

The wishbone can still be effective but you have to be willing to throw if necessary.

 

[mustard]

I sure hope you guys are right. I can remember when GT, using the bone, beat ND without throwing a single forward pass in the game. Quite a feat in modern times! If 4+ yards are made with every play (typical for the bone), it could get tuff for us. In that case, we will have to do like UVA and counter with the passing game.