(09-24-2014 08:25 AM)Smaug Wrote:  Everybody has trap games. 'Dept maybe Troy.

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Well just to clarify in the case of UAB having a trap game:

blazerwkr Wrote:
[b Wrote:I consider this a trap game for us,[/b] I think we've the coaching staff that can overcome this as I think they really are good gameday coaches. It'll be much closer than people think but I think we'll win in the end

UAB isn't in any position to consider any game a trap game simply based of our last ten years of performance on the field. The Blazers haven't been in a position to overlook anyone, and I do mean anyone that has been on the schedule the last ten years.

Coach Clark and players have already stated UAB is treating the FIU game as a playoff game which indicates that in no way, shape, or form are they going to overlook the Panthers.

FIUs defense is legit. Stats don't lie. They may be the best defense in the league, certainly in the top 3. Offense, not so much.

(09-24-2014 11:23 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(09-24-2014 08:25 AM)Smaug Wrote:  Everybody has trap games. 'Dept maybe Troy.

Posted from my mobile device using the CSNbbs App

Well just to clarify in the case of UAB having a trap game:

blazerwkr Wrote:
[b Wrote:I consider this a trap game for us,[/b] I think we've the coaching staff that can overcome this as I think they really are good gameday coaches. It'll be much closer than people think but I think we'll win in the end

UAB isn't in any position to consider any game a trap game simply based of our last ten years of performance on the field. The Blazers haven't been in a position to overlook anyone, and I do mean anyone that has been on the schedule the last ten years.

Coach Clark and players have already stated UAB is treating the FIU game as a playoff game which indicates that in no way, shape, or form are they going to overlook the Panthers.

A&M would have been a trap game if we'd lost. We are double-digit favorites in this game. Do I want the team to take FIU lightly? Hell no! That's why they call them trap games.

UAB, you have some athletes on your team. I am impressed.

My hope is that if FIU can contain the running game and mitigate deep throws, they have a shot. I am not very optimistic though after continuously watching our offense's lack of competency.

Listening to Bill Clark's coach's show, sounds like y'all stack the box and press at the corner. You're either getting a helluva rush or you have some badass corners. I imagine your coaches have accounted for it, but our TE would have a field day against that.

I think the 17 point line is crazy. We don't know enough about how either team will perform against similar G5 competition. FIU is coming off of games against Pitt and Louisville, UAB's wins are against a horrible 0-4 Troy team and FCS Alabama A&M. I expect it could be another FG to win it, like last year.

I know who they've played, and I also know HOW they've played. I think UAB is appreciably better than last year, and if FIU has improved by a commensurate amount, then I expect it to be that close again, too.

If not, well...

(09-25-2014 11:48 AM)BeliefBlazer Wrote:  I think the 17 point line is crazy. We don't know enough about how either team will perform against similar G5 competition. FIU is coming off of games against Pitt and Louisville, UAB's wins are against a horrible 0-4 Troy team and FCS Alabama A&M. I expect it could be another FG to win it, like last year.

I don't know about a field goal, but I agree with the first part. That line is getting a bit ridonkulous.

(09-24-2014 11:41 AM)Smaug Wrote:  A&M would have been a trap game if we'd lost. We are double-digit favorites in this game. Do I want the team to take FIU lightly? Hell no! That's why they call them trap games.

Again, if UAB is taking anyone lightly then the coaches aren't doing their jobs. If UAB had lost to AAMU, it would have been because of horrible coaching not because it was a trap game. Listen, I get there are games that programs are suppose to win just by showing up. What I am saying is UAB is not a program that can just show up and expect to win even if it is a school like AAMU. At least not yet.......

So I am very proud of the fact that Coach Clark and his players are treating this game against FIU as a "playoff" game. To me, that eliminates any aspect of a potential trap game.

Prior to the season, most everybody with ties and knowledge of FIU would say that the strongest part of our defense was unquestionably our secondary. We return our leading tacklers and interceptions from last year in our safeties, plus we got back our best player...Richard Leonard.....to be our starting cornerback while having the top 2 cornerbacks from 2013 return. Leonard is a great CB, but his main problem is he's too short. Our weakest point prior to the season was thought to be our inexperienced and young linebacker corps, while questions abounded in the DL's inside players.

But so far, the Defensive Ends have been playing spectacularly, with the inside DL's holding their own. I believe our team is ranking fairly high nationally in sacks (tied for 6th, and 2nd in conference). Our freshmen and sophomore linebackers have been a very, very pleasant surprise, as they have surpassed some of the juniors manning that position earlier. The depth has improved there significantly. However, we've been burned several times in the backfield, which was a supposed strong point of the defense. FIU has talented corners for sure. Our safeties have not played up to their capabilities at times, which has caused big plays for the opposition. Still, at this point statistically, the FIU secondary ranks #1 in C-USA in terms of yards allowed per game, but only 6th (just below UAB) in pass defense efficiency.

It sure looks like a bad matchup for FIU, as UAB has been solid in pretty much every facet of the game (except perhaps punting). They don't allow sacks (a strenght of ours), they defense against the run is good, they run the ball very well, they pass very well, they make their FG's, they score a lot, and also rank high in points allowed for their defense. Not liking this whatsoever.

Here's hoping for an upset, but unfortunately it would be too difficult, and I don't see it. Good luck the rest of the way.

Go Panthers!

(09-25-2014 12:07 PM)FIUFanatic Wrote:  It sure looks like a bad matchup for FIU, as UAB has been solid in pretty much every facet of the game (except perhaps punting).

You're talking punt coverage right? Because more than likely you will see UAB's punter (Hunter Mullins) in the NFL one day.

(09-25-2014 02:07 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(09-25-2014 12:07 PM)FIUFanatic Wrote:  It sure looks like a bad matchup for FIU, as UAB has been solid in pretty much every facet of the game (except perhaps punting).

You're talking punt coverage right? Because more than likely you will see UAB's punter (Hunter Mullins) in the NFL one day.

I actually was talking about punting, but solely based on average punting yards, where UAB ranks 10th out of 13th so far with 34.2 net yards per punt. http://www.conferenceusa.com/sports/m-fo...fldrs.html

I didn't know anything about Mullins, but now that you tell me that (even with the statistics) he is highly thought of.... strike that comment in parenthesis from my post. LOL.

Dear UAB,

Stomp a mudhole in FIU.

Sincerly,

Florida Atlantic

(09-25-2014 03:28 PM)FIUFanatic Wrote:  

(09-25-2014 02:07 PM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(09-25-2014 12:07 PM)FIUFanatic Wrote:  It sure looks like a bad matchup for FIU, as UAB has been solid in pretty much every facet of the game (except perhaps punting).

You're talking punt coverage right? Because more than likely you will see UAB's punter (Hunter Mullins) in the NFL one day.

I actually was talking about punting, but solely based on average punting yards, where UAB ranks 10th out of 13th so far with 34.2 net yards per punt. http://www.conferenceusa.com/sports/m-fo...fldrs.html

I didn't know anything about Mullins, but now that you tell me that (even with the statistics) he is highly thought of.... strike that comment in parenthesis from my post. LOL.

Mullins is averaging 42.1 yards/punt. He's punted 16 times. Only 7 have been returned, for 126 yards, for an 18 yard average. Take out the 1 for 77 yards against A&M and the other 6 returns netted 49 yards, for an average of 8.2 yards.

Impressive. Again....strike that comment in parenthesis....LOL. We should be in trouble this Saturday, unless we dramatically improve in several areas.

I was only going by net punting yards.....Now I know this is a solid team all around, NO exceptions!

Go Panthers!

Come to an FIU thread and you always find an fau fan. Who are you playing this week? It doesn't matter cause we wont be following it. Good luck! Go F I U!

Really hoping we took advantage of the off week.

Hehehe.

(09-25-2014 04:09 PM)FIUFanatic Wrote:  Impressive. Again....strike that comment in parenthesis....LOL. We should be in trouble this Saturday, unless we dramatically improve in several areas.

I was only going by net punting yards.....Now I know this is a solid team all around, NO exceptions!

Go Panthers!

No problem. I hope for a good, safe, fun game, and that you guys are able to pull it together and have a solid year.

Starting Sunday morning.

Any idea what kind of crowd you'll bring?

Yes, not very many. Not a lot of FIU fans in Alabama and we don't travel at all.