Yeah, I know on its face its a REALLY STUPID question. But think a little deeper and you'll realize it may be true. The biggest reason I soured on the previous coaching staff 3 years ago was a history of playing encouraging games (see Georgia, Tennessee, even LSU) drawing the curious to Legion Field and following up with a disappointing win over a really bad team (see Jax State) or stinking the joint out versus a team we should have beaten (see USM, Troy).
We got some good press and attention out of the FSU game. As fans our expectations are beginning to climb. This team and coaching staff need to show our community that the era of Lucy pulling the ball away from Charlie Brown is over. We can't afford one of Zero's no shows against an inferior opponent.
Based on what I've seen of CNC and co. I don't think this will be a problem from the coaching side of the equation, but.....It would sure be nice if we could significantly exceed expectations.
I think you're exactly right. That's been my one lingering doubt... whether this is the usual "get up for big teams" kind of thing or whether they're fundamentally sound and legitimately are going to play one team just like they're playing another. Again, from what I've seen so far from Callaway and the rest of the staff, I would imagine Alcorn State is going to be getting UAB's best shot. Hopefully we may even get to see Thornton on Saturday.
I think the truth is that very few of us expected to be 2-0 or 1-1 right now. Callaway thought it was stupid for us to be going to Mich St. to play anyway. We recruit in Florida and the game against FSU had recruiting implications to show that we are on par with these traditional "big" dogs. The Alcorn St. game is a statement game--make no mistake about it. I expect that we will score in all phases of the game and Callaway will have his first win as a head coach this Saturday and do it in a way much unlike the Zero era. He doesn't like losing and isn't used to it, so this is one Blazer fan that expects this team to be firing on all cylinders and that I get a good whiff of gunpowder from all the touchdowns.....
I keep saying it, and will continue to until it sinks in: This coaching staff is far different from the previous staff under Zero.
If anyone has any worries about the team overlooking Alcorn State, read
today's article.
One can only look at the past at the narrow victories and even having to come from behind on some over teams like Chattanooga & Jacksonville State to be worried but that was under ZERO coaching. This is the dawn of a new era and we actually have coaching now. They will not be over looked. A solid thrashing will confirm a new dawn is upon Blazer land. The game is important in that regard.
To quote former Bammer Head Coach Gene Stallings: "If you think this game isn't important, try losing it."
Unlike teams a little further along, for us this is not a lose-lose situation, though. With a win we actually make forward progress--a lot of forward progress. Of course the downside to a loss would be naturally crippling. However, I don't see us looking past this game.
Our coaching staff and players both are too good for that.
I think we might even see a little Webb at QB on Saturday.
I sure like this bit of coaching truism: "I have stressed to our guys and firmly believe this," Callaway said. "It's never as bad as it seems and it's never as good as it seems. I've preached to them about competing every play, every day, every Saturday."
This coach and staff are SO MUCH DIFFERENT from the last- in their attitude, their statements, and every little thing. I really think we are on to something big here!
GO BLAZERS!!!
I have always felt the Southern Miss game was the most important game of each season. If we ever beat Southern Miss, we have elevated our football program to the next level.
GO BLAZERS!
When we beat Southern Miss, we will have elevated our program to the next level. Although the way things have gone on that front, we may elevate the program and then beat Southern Miss.
Sooner the better says I.
UAB Band Dad Wrote:When we beat Southern Miss, we will have elevated our program to the next level. Although the way things have gone on that front, we may elevate the program and then beat Southern Miss.
Sooner the better says I.
Ooooo!! +1