just some additional info on the Mountaineers:
Lots of chatter here, and around the nation, about their 6 game winning streak. But lets dig a little deeper into that streak. After looking horrible in the first 5 games, they started winning. But was it a result of their competition?
Beat Troy 53-14, and Troy was power ranked about # 126 in the country, almost to the bottom
Beat Ga State 44-0. GSU was about #122
Beat UL Monroe 31-29, which were ranked right at #100
Won at Arkansas State, which was top 70 or so
Beat Ul-Laf 35-16, who also rated about top 70
Beat Idaho 45-28 at home to end season. Vandals were top 115 or so
So not exactly a murderer's row of opponents. Before the winning streak, they gave up 55 to an awful Michigan offense; 55 to powerhouse Liberty; and 47 to a bad S. Alabama team
Offensively they are almost a mirror image of our system - no huddle fast pace, maybe a little more emphasis on running. This should equate to several more possessions for our group during the game. Their QB has been discussed enough. Their real playmaker seems to be Cox, their RB. All of the WR corp are former 2-star recruits. Same for the OL. They look to be about 275 lbs on the front. So not sure they can sustain any running lanes. And anytime they have stepped up in comp the last 2 years, they have been destroyed up front. See Mich and UGa
From what I can find, they are an aggressive, attacking defense. Not afraid to bring pressure from several directions and as indicated already, play press-man coverage, and zero coverage. They have some size in the interior and their ends are billed as the best part of the defense. The secondary was bad last year, giving up lots of big plays. (note: I see that happening again Sat) And they didn't get better back there. If they don't pressure the QB, they are in trouble. And those big plays they gave up? Look at that schedule and find anyone with our skill players. Not the whole lot, but just one. Maybe Funchess at MIchigan? He was a heisman candidate after that game.
Anyway, just more fodder for the conversations
Lots of chatter here, and around the nation, about their 6 game winning streak. But lets dig a little deeper into that streak. After looking horrible in the first 5 games, they started winning. But was it a result of their competition?
Beat Troy 53-14, and Troy was power ranked about # 126 in the country, almost to the bottom
Beat Ga State 44-0. GSU was about #122
Beat UL Monroe 31-29, which were ranked right at #100
Won at Arkansas State, which was top 70 or so
Beat Ul-Laf 35-16, who also rated about top 70
Beat Idaho 45-28 at home to end season. Vandals were top 115 or so
So not exactly a murderer's row of opponents. Before the winning streak, they gave up 55 to an awful Michigan offense; 55 to powerhouse Liberty; and 47 to a bad S. Alabama team
Offensively they are almost a mirror image of our system - no huddle fast pace, maybe a little more emphasis on running. This should equate to several more possessions for our group during the game. Their QB has been discussed enough. Their real playmaker seems to be Cox, their RB. All of the WR corp are former 2-star recruits. Same for the OL. They look to be about 275 lbs on the front. So not sure they can sustain any running lanes. And anytime they have stepped up in comp the last 2 years, they have been destroyed up front. See Mich and UGa
From what I can find, they are an aggressive, attacking defense. Not afraid to bring pressure from several directions and as indicated already, play press-man coverage, and zero coverage. They have some size in the interior and their ends are billed as the best part of the defense. The secondary was bad last year, giving up lots of big plays. (note: I see that happening again Sat) And they didn't get better back there. If they don't pressure the QB, they are in trouble. And those big plays they gave up? Look at that schedule and find anyone with our skill players. Not the whole lot, but just one. Maybe Funchess at MIchigan? He was a heisman candidate after that game.
Anyway, just more fodder for the conversations
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