http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/2006/Internet/toughest%20schedule/ia_9games_cumm.pdf Playing defense and winning count for something. Funny how that's precisely the formula that Ohio State used in 2002 and they probably didn't get much respect either.
That doesn't sound that good MCG. Harvin and Everett are impact players and we can't afford to lose any running back at this point. I hope they are able to play come game day. On the bright side Stephen Harris who has not played that much this season came into his own Sat and played like he played in 2005. He was a force in the middle so our defense may be better than it was a few weeks ago.
"And don't forget- our defense faces the option every practice. We will contain both of their runners" A comment I read that makes sense re: UF defense vs. Ark running game.
That's a good point about your defense MCG, more and more teams are running the Spread/Option these days or some variation of it. When it first started to get popular the team only saw it once in awhile and it was so different with all the recievers that was one of the reasons it was so successfull. Now teams see it a number of times during the season and may even practice against it every day if thier offense runs it. That is one of the reasons when you face an academy team that you can have problems like Tenn had with Air Force, they hadn't seen it and I doubt if they were even able to get their scout team to even come close to simulation of the offense.
Terry, your comment reminded me of when Brian played. He always was part of the Air Force backfield during the week before the AF game. He used to tell me about the big time hits he would take which reminded him of the difference between a player his size and the bigger D-1 players. The only D-1 school that recruited him was Air Force. He was their kind of player. He had no interest but it was flattering to receive the attention.
It doesn't matter how many times you see the spread option if you don't have the personel to defend against it. I can't speak about Arkansas, but with West Virginia, the key is on the DE's. Smaller, quicker DE's are more effective than large strong ones. Georgia had an outstanding defense last year and West Virginia took them to the woodshed. In the case of WVU a 230 lb DE will be a lot more effective than a slower 270 lb DE who are easily taken out of the play. That no huddle WVU offense is very quick and keys on the DE's. They have you so spread out and in many cases outnumbered that it makes it easy for a 4.3 back like Slaton to blow right by them for a 10 yard gain.
You bet I would be worried Terry, our guy hasn't made a field goal over 30 yards this season and is only 3/12 for the whole year. I did hear we might have a new kicker on Sat.
RE: USC's beatdown of Arkansas I have stated that McFadden was MIA in this game ( come to find out it was toe surgery recovery time) but no....not one "objective" person on this board could offer that as a reason for SC's dismantling of the hogs. Those of you who harbor this opinion and fomented that lame analysis....and you well know who you are.... are full of it and discredited! From CNNSI: Be honest, what's more impressive: Troy Smith leading Ohio State to 12-0 and a national title berth, or Darren McFadden leading Arkansas (Arkansas!) to 10-2. McFadden is clearly the best player I've seen this year and doesn't have nearly the quality surrounding cast that Smith has. Why shouldn't he win the Heisman? --Matt Mashburn, Atlanta It's a valid question. By now, it's painfully obvious that McFadden is the best running back in college football this season (not counting an injured Adrian Peterson), and that's not meant with any disrespect toward Steve Slaton, Ian Johnson, Ray Rice or Mike Hart. It's just that McFadden has been that dominant.
:roll: The biggest problem that USC had in its two games with Arkansas was holding the score under a hundred... If Jim Brown himself had been the Hogs TB it only would have resulted in even more points being scored against their defense...
How about predictions? Mine is 28-25 Florida.....Hetland makes a 40 yarder on 4th and 11 with 3 seconds left on the clock after a masterful....intense drive by the Senior QB Chris Leak from his own 10 yard line with only 2 minutes left in the game....whew! See you Nawlins!
Dave, I wouldn't mind playing Fla...but it sure looks like it's going to be USC. I hate to see anybody get to a big game without having their gun fully loaded.
Hey according to this even Urban Meyer doesn't think the Hogs are any good. From the Fla Scout board.