how is summer some people’s favorite season? Anyways, the kickoff was celebrated with a trip to Blacksburg. With GameDay in town, it was the most pumped up crowd for a noon game to date. So here’s some thoughts on the weekend.
Hokies vs. ECU
This game was pretty much the sole reason I tried to get season tickets. There’s not much to say about the event that hasn’t been said, but suffice it to say that the 30 minutes prior to the game will be something everyone remembers. “Enter Sandman” never felt so tough and so awesome at the same time.
Despite everyone losing their voices prior to kickoff, the stadium was on fire. The defense looked like we’d expect on the first series.
Unfortunately, the offense looked like we’d expect, too. First play, with one of the top running backs in the nation, is a pass. Not only a pass, but an interception.
The rest of the game was just as mind boggling. Again: Brandon Ore is our running back. Sean Glennon is our quarterback. RUN THE #%&@ BALL!!
I understand our line is shaky at best, so how do you run the ball? You let Ore beat guys one-on-one. Apparently this means dives and draw plays. Stinespring called exactly one play to Ore on the outside. He ran past a guy for 7 yards. Didn’t run outside again. I feel like I’m taking crazy pills here.
This whole Stinespring experiment we’ve dealt with needs to end. Our defense can only be so good when they are on the field 75% of the time.
Let’s play “Guess the Opponent”:
Game 1: 31 rushes, 23 passes, 31 minutes of possession
Game 2: 27 rushes, 37 passes, 28 minutes of possession
Can you guess the opponent?
Game 2: vs. ECU Saturday
Game 1: vs. Wake Forest in 2006
We run the ball, we win. As Bud Kilmer said, “You run the ball, you control the clock!” Get the ball in the hands of our athletes. Reverses, fake hand-offs, anything.
The defense looked pretty good, but the best athlete on the field was the ECU quarterback(s). That is the scrambling type of QB we are used to, the kind we need. What are the transfer rules again?
The last part of the game I didn’t understand were the special teams. Did we even try to block a punt? Are we relying on our stellar offense to score if we get the ball at the 50? The biggest play of the game was obviously Macho’s interception. But the biggest part of the play itself was the fact that he got it in the end zone (the North End Zone, mind you). If he hadn’t, we’d be staring 3 points – maybe – right in the face.
Other thoughts on the weekend:
Anyone notice the play clock hit zero for about 2 seconds before ECU snapped the ball on that one play? The girl in front of me sure did.
We have the best defensive names in the country. Check it out:
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Victor “Macho” Harris
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Xavier Adibi
- Vince Hall
- Kam Chancellor
- Brandon Flowers
- Cam Martin
- Barry Booker
These guys really had no choice but to grow up and play football. And how have we not used the phrase “Dual Cam Defense” yet… oh yeah, I’m a dork.
Michigan, per usual, was overrated. To review, last year, Michigan beat exactly one ranked team. That team: the always overrated Notre Dame team.
Speaking of which, the Notre Dame/Georgia Tech game was the most enjoyable experience of Saturday. Did anyone not like seeing that? Notre Dame scored a point for every quarterback they used.
Oh, and Beano Cook picked ND – 28 GT – 14. He also has a vote in the AP poll.
The “Big House” is overrated. Can we stop calling it that? Albuquerque has a lot of people in it. Not so intimidating.
WVU is good, but won’t be tested by a defense until a bowl game… unless they play Notre Dame in said bowl game.
That’s it for this week. Look for the preview to the huge LSU game in the coming days.
