...

1) Win the war in the trenches. On offense, this should not be a problem. Akron hasn't proved they can stop people. <img border="0" alt="[Girl]" title="" src="graemlins/girl.gif" /> Defensively, our experienced D-line could give a young Zips blocking unit trouble. For the third week in a row, pressure on the QB is important, because QB Charlie Frye has BEEN the offense lately. On a side note, the 205 lb. Frye should be easier to drag down than Casey Bramlet... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="rolleyes.gif" />

2) Our young DBs must take a step forward. Converted Dante McKnight is showing the potential to become a lock-down CB, but we need someone opposite him to step up and get a little more physical. We're fine at safety, with James King and Darvin Lewis on patrol... <img border="0" alt="[NoNo]" title="" src="graemlins/nono.gif" />

3) Ball control. We've done well in this category so far. I expect it to continue.

4) Don't get fazed by that large and hostile crowd waiting in the Rubber Bowl... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" />

5) Let former CMU HC Dick Flynn, now a LB coach for Akron, give his new team the halftime speech... <img border="0" alt="[laugh]" title="" src="graemlins/laughing.gif" />

6) Take advantage of Akron penalties (21 in the first two games) and turnovers (at least seven, if UA's stats are correct on the Akron site). <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

7) Establish control early, as we did in each of the last two weeks. Akron has been outscored 51-7 in the first quarter so far. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

and...

FIRE UP CHIPS!!! <img border="0" alt="[Saber]" title="" src="graemlins/saber.gif" />

<small>[ September 13, 2002, 11:19 PM: Message edited by: CMichFan ]</small>

After our rousing comeback victory over the Zips, I decided I should review my "Keys to Victory."

1) Check! We pushed the Zips' D-line around most of the game and held them under 100 yards rushing. Pressuring the QB was a little more difficult than I anticipated, but we did register one sack and hurried several throws.

2) Check! Akron's first TD pass beat us, but the second came off a razzle-dazzle double pass play. We knocked away at least two passes, intercepted one, and tackled well, from what I could tell.

3) Ball control: CMU won T.O.P. 35:50-24:10. Check!

4) We weren't intimidated. Not sure how big the crowd was...

5) Looks like Dick DID give the halftime speech! <img border="0" alt="[laugh]" title="" src="graemlins/laughing.gif" />

6) I believe we scored after the Akron turnover. I just wish there'd have been more of them. Jovan Clarke missed an interception that could've gone the other way for six <img border="0" alt="[Bang Head]" title="" src="graemlins/banghead.gif" /> .

7) D'oh! Down 17-3 at the half. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="redface.gif" /> Fortunately, we appear to be a strong second-half team.

Versus BC, we'll need to do the following:

1) This seems obvious, but we need good and physical play on the LOS on both sides of the ball. BC's OL is similar to ours in size and experience, and the DL is big (three starters going 280+) and has been solid against the run.

2) Exploit BC's small CBs: Sr. Trevor White is 5'8" and R-Fr Larry Lester goes 5'7". When in doubt, Vickers needs to throw high to receivers in single coverage. Also, 3/4 of the CBs on the BC two-deep are freshmen. We may need to come out passing to open up the run.

3) Our secondary needs to make progress this week. BC QB St. Pierre has more picks than TDs to this point, so we need to capitalize on any errant throws. To do that, we need to play up closer, forget the soft zone stuff.

4) Pressure on the QB is important yet again, see key #3.

5) No special teams miscues this week! In fact, we're about due for a positive big play on ST, aren't we?

6) Start strong and play hard-core football for thirty minutes. One good half at Akron was barely enough, and three pretty good quarters versus IU didn't cut it. Time to put it all together on the road; we can literally rest next weekend.

One last note: BC is down one large (240lb) TB due to suspension and a senior reserve LB quit the team. The latter could be important late in the game, since all three #2 LBs are now freshman for BC...