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(09-02-2018 03:37 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(09-02-2018 12:10 PM)ODUDJ96 Wrote:  My prediction is that Wilder is taking so much heat re: the QB decision that BL or DA will start against FIU. And, if that is the case, I think we’ll beat FIU. We looked good on the BL drive and we had the momentum (until the missed FG).

Also, we need to evaluate what freshmen can play. I haven’t examined the freshmen roster in detail, but we need a fast RB (perhaps Davis?), a second WR/catching threat (Mayo?), and a cornerback. Brickhouse got abused all night - and I don’t see that changing. I’m sure FIU will go after him next week.

Brickhouse had a tough night for sure. I thought the penalties were pretty soft overall. Luckily, thats probably the best WR he will face all year long.

Strong is probably the fastest RB we have. In terms of QB play, They did move the ball with Larussa, but mainly due to a great run after catch by Cox. He also mishandled the 2 min drill hy taking too much time at the LOs and then taking a sack. The running game want good either way, but I wonder if Bl being in the game will hurt it due to his inability to run and lack of arm strength pushing the ball downfield.

The WR he was covering was definitely a stud - and he knew it. And Strong looked explosive on the play he got hurt (but he seems injury prone). I foresee a shift to zone pass coverage. We don’t appear to have the talent to play man. I’m sure FIU is game-planning now to exploit our secondary.

BL seems to be adept at the short passing game. I figured we circle the wagons on offense and play dink/dunk/run. I still can’t believe how bad SW looked.

(09-02-2018 04:13 PM)ODUDJ96 Wrote:  

(09-02-2018 03:37 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(09-02-2018 12:10 PM)ODUDJ96 Wrote:  My prediction is that Wilder is taking so much heat re: the QB decision that BL or DA will start against FIU. And, if that is the case, I think we’ll beat FIU. We looked good on the BL drive and we had the momentum (until the missed FG).

Also, we need to evaluate what freshmen can play. I haven’t examined the freshmen roster in detail, but we need a fast RB (perhaps Davis?), a second WR/catching threat (Mayo?), and a cornerback. Brickhouse got abused all night - and I don’t see that changing. I’m sure FIU will go after him next week.

Brickhouse had a tough night for sure. I thought the penalties were pretty soft overall. Luckily, thats probably the best WR he will face all year long.

Strong is probably the fastest RB we have. In terms of QB play, They did move the ball with Larussa, but mainly due to a great run after catch by Cox. He also mishandled the 2 min drill hy taking too much time at the LOs and then taking a sack. The running game want good either way, but I wonder if Bl being in the game will hurt it due to his inability to run and lack of arm strength pushing the ball downfield.

The WR he was covering was definitely a stud - and he knew it. And Strong looked explosive on the play he got hurt (but he seems injury prone). I foresee a shift to zone pass coverage. We don’t appear to have the talent to play man. I’m sure FIU is game-planning now to exploit our secondary.

BL seems to be adept at the short passing game. I figured we circle the wagons on offense and play dink/dunk/run. I still can’t believe how bad SW looked.

I was shocked too. Thats was the worst hes ever played.

We are +2 on betting line.

We have a lot of work to do, and it is not just at QB

On offense:
Our predicted stellar rushing offense ran 39 times for a meager 3.3 yards per carry vs LU; with SW the leading carrier.
That is horrible.

On defense:
Our vaunted DL did not put any pressure on their excellent QB.
We also allowed 242 yards rushing @ 6.9 yards per carry, our supposed strength, against a predominantly passing team.
That's horrible

Kicking:
The jury is still out, IMO.

Our one bright spot is that SW and BL had more time in the pocket than in recent memory (making SW's performance that much worse)

FIU is likely no pushover, and it is too early to pick up trends
They have a balanced offense, nothing spectacular but workman-like with 3 year starter Morgan still at QB and Jones back at RB.

Their defense is adequate, maybe a little better against the run.


FIU 38, ODU 17
(better than the LU game)

I think ODU can win. It depends on how desperate they are. I don't think the Liberty performance is necessarily indicative of what to expect from them the rest of the season, but everything hinges on this week of practice. I'm still discouraged but not quite ready to throw out the season. A loss here and then to ECU and I think at that point as a fan you pack it in, but until then there's still a pulse, albeit thready.

Cox is the key. If he can get untracked it takes pressure off Williams. If they fall behind early, it'll be hard for them to catch up with an unsteady hand at QB.

I'm not ready to pick ODU to win but I'm also not ready to consign the Monarchs to a 1-11 season just yet.

(09-03-2018 11:55 AM)Cyniclone Wrote:  I think ODU can win. It depends on how desperate they are. I don't think the Liberty performance is necessarily indicative of what to expect from them the rest of the season, but everything hinges on this week of practice. I'm still discouraged but not quite ready to throw out the season. A loss here and then to ECU and I think at that point as a fan you pack it in, but until then there's still a pulse, albeit thready.

Cox is the key. If he can get untracked it takes pressure off Williams. If they fall behind early, it'll be hard for them to catch up with an unsteady hand at QB.

I'm not ready to pick ODU to win but I'm also not ready to consign the Monarchs to a 1-11 season just yet.

What we need to find out is if the first 2.5 Quarters was our defense or the last 1.5 quarters. The first portion was phenomenal outside of the opening drive. The last 1.5 was pathetic.

The front 4 did a good job gettig pressure anytime Liberty had a 5-to-7 step drop hitting Calvert several times. The linebackers have more speed this year with Garner. However, the secondary has to be more consistent tackling because teams are going to gameplan 3 step drops and screens/RPOs.

Cox looks to be 50-60% so im concerned about him. It will be interesting to see if they go with sinclair or one of the freshman (assuming Strong is out).

You wonder how the game would have evolved had that 31-yard TD pass in the second quarter been held up. ODU likely would have had the lead going into halftime and that changes the mood for both teams. Perhaps Liberty still wins, perhaps they still win easily, but this wasn't a 52-10 game in that the winning team scores 38 unanswered points in the first half and cruises. A couple of breaks changes this game dramatically.

You play this game 1,000 times, maybe Liberty wins 50-60 percent of them and ODU the rest, but 52-10 shows up once, maybe twice.

(09-03-2018 12:55 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  You wonder how the game would have evolved had that 31-yard TD pass in the second quarter been held up. ODU likely would have had the lead going into halftime and that changes the mood for both teams. Perhaps Liberty still wins, perhaps they still win easily, but this wasn't a 52-10 game in that the winning team scores 38 unanswered points in the first half and cruises. A couple of breaks changes this game dramatically.

You play this game 1,000 times, maybe Liberty wins 50-60 percent of them and ODU the rest, but 52-10 shows up once, maybe twice.

There were 3 times in the first half where a dexent pass to an open receiver results in a td. Twice with DuHart and once with Anthony. 3 separate drives. We got 3 points out of that. We had 8 drives inside the Liberty 40 and scored twice.

Finish drives.

OK, so what would be reasonable adjustments to expect in one week? It seems we have some different offensive looks, we just don't use them very often.
What adjustments can the corners make? do you start Arnold?

It looks like FIU tried to pound the ball against Indiana - but I’m guessing they will be targeting our secondary (Bhouse in particular). We need to counter with zone pass coverage/blitzes and safety help on FIU’s best receiver. Give them the short yardage passes and hope our D-line does their job on 3rd and short.

I like our chances against FIU. Home field advantage is huge and, most importantly, both teams know each other. There is no mystery. This is going to be a close game.

(09-03-2018 02:07 PM)Old Dominion Wrote:  OK, so what would be reasonable adjustments to expect in one week? It seems we have some different offensive looks, we just don't use them very often.
What adjustments can the corners make? do you start Arnold?

Steve Williams was NOT the best looking QB in Spring, Drayton Arnold was.
Apparently DA was also the best looking in camp, with some observers relegating SW to 4th behind Fitzgerald. (not sure if that's fair as I don't know if Fitz played against first team defenders).

Although we present a number of looks, most of our running plays end up inside the tackles, as they have for years. We are not going to change that in a week. Without Lawry, it is going to be problematic against a stout rushing defense.

Additionally, I don't remember seeing any run/pass blitzes. I don't think LU even stacked the box It seems that LU didn't feel the need to play us anything but straight up. If true (and my feed was very intermittent) then we better do something going forward, because if they stuffed us like that with no extra compensation then they either have a top P5 equivalent defense or our offense is the worst we have ever fielded.

GotLabradors commented on Brickhouse playing the man instead of the ball. If I am not mistaken, GL played college defense? In any event If that cannot be fixed then he (Brickhouse) needs to sit.

As Giles stated, our defense looked good except for the first drive and then beyond the 3.5 quarter. I hope that we looked bad because we "quit", however the fact that an ODU unit quit is astounding, We didn't even quit vs UNC.

FIU is certainly going to answer a lot of questions as while they are not awful, they are likely in the bottom half of the East

https://pilotonline.com/sports/college/o...31573.html

Would appear SW will start. Truly hope he is ready. Better start strong or the booing will be loud.

Quote:They range from Williams’ throwing mechanics to defensive backs’ coverage techniques to offensive linemen’s blocking techniques and defensive players’ gap responsibilities, Wilder said.

In other words, we aren't very good.

I am predicting 0-2.

(09-03-2018 10:54 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  We are +2 on betting line.

I'm tracking a pick 'em

I will say it every game...if the OL cannot open holes to create a running game we will lose. At the FBS you cannot be a 1 dimensional team and sustain drives that lead to scores. Defensively...our CB play must improve. I feel we did pretty well stopping the run.

(09-04-2018 07:55 AM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  I will say it every game...if the OL cannot open holes to create a running game we will lose. At the FBS you cannot be a 1 dimensional team and sustain drives that lead to scores. Defensively...our CB play must improve. I feel we did pretty well stopping the run.

Stopping the run for 3 quarters and stopping the run are two different things

Will our cornerbacks continue to play 10 yards off the WRs with only one safety over top? I HATE that defensive formation. Also, why is it whenever the opponent goes into a 3 or 4 WR set we NEVER cover the inside WR? Its becoming laughable that any time the opponent goes into a 3 or 4 WR set the play is an inside slant since the inside WR is always uncovered. How many times did LU do this to us? It felt like 20 times. And this is the same crap we've seen from defense for years.

Dude, we were abused in man press. There was very little "10 yards off the ball" coverage from our corners. Its why we had 3-5 penalties from our corner.

(09-04-2018 09:29 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Dude, we were abused in man press. There was very little "10 yards off the ball" coverage from our corners. Its why we had 3-5 penalties from our corner.

Is that a sign of our age at corner or a combination of age and technique that you saw?

Posted from mobile device. Hopefully it's coherent.