9 Games + 2 Seasons (Confidence Becomes Hope)

[drifters1234]

I agree with just about everything in the original post. It's a far humbler perspective than your posts responding to reasonable criticism from some posters after Ga Tech, UNC, and Wake.

The most troubling thing about this loss, is Golden's and Donofrio's collective response. It's very disappointing that they are pointing the finger at the players, rather than committing to simplifying the schemes to resolve the problem. We have too many experienced guys out there apparently making ridiculously bad errors. When that becomes a pattern - as it has now - the scheme needs to be revisited.

 

[drifters1234]

specifically Duke and Dorsett being out against VT. Let's say for some reason we are able to have them healthy for VT for the game. Do the two fumbles on Punt and Kickoff Return Happen? Maybe no. Is this enough win the game? Maybe it changes things, but it doesn't matter. Our offense, while not doing much, didn't lose the game for us. Our defense was unable to really stop VT. I find fault with the offense, I find a lot of fault with the turnovers but the defense really failed us and played like crud and those injuries players don't play on defense. Injuries have to be overcome, the speculation is a waste of time....the outcome is what matters. I have no idea what Al will do, I believe he will make a change if he truly understands that things are not working well.

The offense didn't lose the game for us.. it was a combination of turnovers (momentum swing), weather conditions, injuries & confidence. Had we not fumbled & went up 2 scores, how does LT respond? Personally, I think he presses & is a completely different QB. The game of football is very fickle like that. All I know is that we had 3 different true freshman return the first 3 KO's.. two of which were fumbled. I don't see how that fact alone doesn't show people our lack of depth (and upperclassmen playmakers) on this roster. AG knew ball security was key in this monsoon.. yet that's all he had available. Very telling IYAM.

It is what it is, it rained. We have to play sometimes in these conditions and with freshman in said conditions. Sometimes you fumble and lose the ball, VT fumbles and either advances 15 yards or gets a TD. It is what it is.

What is IYAM? (In your?)

I assume "if you ask me."

 

[rok]

specifically Duke and Dorsett being out against VT. Let's say for some reason we are able to have them healthy for VT for the game. Do the two fumbles on Punt and Kickoff Return Happen? Maybe no. Is this enough win the game? Maybe it changes things, but it doesn't matter. Our offense, while not doing much, didn't lose the game for us. Our defense was unable to really stop VT. I find fault with the offense, I find a lot of fault with the turnovers but the defense really failed us and played like crud and those injuries players don't play on defense. Injuries have to be overcome, the speculation is a waste of time....the outcome is what matters. I have no idea what Al will do, I believe he will make a change if he truly understands that things are not working well.

The offense didn't lose the game for us.. it was a combination of turnovers (momentum swing), weather conditions, injuries & confidence. Had we not fumbled & went up 2 scores, how does LT respond? Personally, I think he presses & is a completely different QB. The game of football is very fickle like that. All I know is that we had 3 different true freshman return the first 3 KO's.. two of which were fumbled. I don't see how that fact alone doesn't show people our lack of depth (and upperclassmen playmakers) on this roster. AG knew ball security was key in this monsoon.. yet that's all he had available. Very telling IYAM.

It is what it is, it rained. We have to play sometimes in these conditions and with freshman in said conditions. Sometimes you fumble and lose the ball, VT fumbles and either advances 15 yards or gets a TD. It is what it is.

What is IYAM? (In your?)

I assume "if you ask me."

Thanks for clearing that up for those of us who aren't 13 year old girls

 

[rsa coral gables]

first, thanks to the OP for a thoughtful and detailed analysis.

with the shadow of the ncaa on us, golden has been handcuffed in recruiting. i think it will take another 2-3 classes to become elite. most of our upperclassmen are average to poor.

 

[The Franchise]

We can agree or disagree but I don't like how this team can have some many variations in performance this season. It is like a tale of two different teams in examining the Defense (UF + ACC)

The Good:

Against UF, 16 total points and 5 Turnovers. Keep in mind one touchdown came on a blocked punt for short field.

Against GT, 30 total points is not good but our offense turns it over 4 times. The defense forces 3 of their own and we have a pick 6 to neutralize the 30 total points.

Against UNC, we let up 23 total points but again our offense turns it over 4 times. Our defense forces 2 TOs and blocks a FG for a touchdown to neutralize the 23 points.

Against WF, we let up 21 total points. Mostly because of our inability to tackle (blame coaching or blame talent or blame jebus) but they did pretty well and forced a turnover.


The SHlT

FSU and VT (no need to go into)

The fact that that's "THE GOOD" should tell you how far our expectations have fallen and how atrocious we are defensively. That "good" isn't good.

 

[Consigliere]

I agree with just about everything in the original post. It's a far humbler perspective than your posts responding to reasonable criticism from some posters after Ga Tech, UNC, and Wake.

The most troubling thing about this loss, is Golden's and Donofrio's collective response. It's very disappointing that they are pointing the finger at the players, rather than committing to simplifying the schemes to resolve the problem. We have too many experienced guys out there apparently making ridiculously bad errors. When that becomes a pattern - as it has now - the scheme needs to be revisited.

The part in bold. I am sick and tired of reading the same thing every week without any substance or give. I never mind someone giving their opinion (i.e. I think this is wrong because of reasons XYZ) but I can't stand the same stuff over and over again without any substance. To those offering reasonable criticism, I likely didn't respond rudely but if I did I am sorry.

Honestly, I haven't read much of what Al or Coach D said after the game. I haven't watched any interviews either. I was pretty hurt after the game because of the result and did not care.

At this point, things are what they are and if they want to keep the scheme, it is what it is. While I don't fully blame the scheme, I have seen to much of the same to believe this is fully on the players and their abilities.

I actually thought our D played decent in those games overall, not that it matters.

 

[L A M P]

It is what it is, it rained. We have to play sometimes in these conditions and with freshman in said conditions. Sometimes you fumble and lose the ball, VT fumbles and either advances 15 yards or gets a TD. It is what it is.

What is IYAM? (In your?)

If you ask me.

I'm not using the rain as an excuse.. but like you said, sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way. Everything about that game seemed to be advantage VT, monsoon included. We missed Duke terribly.

 

[Consigliere]

We can agree or disagree but I don't like how this team can have some many variations in performance this season. It is like a tale of two different teams in examining the Defense (UF + ACC)

The Good:

Against UF, 16 total points and 5 Turnovers. Keep in mind one touchdown came on a blocked punt for short field.

Against GT, 30 total points is not good but our offense turns it over 4 times. The defense forces 3 of their own and we have a pick 6 to neutralize the 30 total points.

Against UNC, we let up 23 total points but again our offense turns it over 4 times. Our defense forces 2 TOs and blocks a FG for a touchdown to neutralize the 23 points.

Against WF, we let up 21 total points. Mostly because of our inability to tackle (blame coaching or blame talent or blame jebus) but they did pretty well and forced a turnover.


The SHlT

FSU and VT (no need to go into)

The fact that that's "THE GOOD" should tell you how far our expectations have fallen and how atrocious we are defensively. That "good" isn't good.

Let me put it this way, the Good is what I expected given the past. I can tolerate those performances in 2013 for the WHOLE season except we didn't get those performances for the whole season.

 

[L A M P]

Thanks for clearing that up for those of us who aren't 13 year old girls

Yeah because I haven't seen it posted on message boards the past 10+ years. (before texting)

Oh wait..

 

[The Franchise]

It is what it is, it rained. We have to play sometimes in these conditions and with freshman in said conditions. Sometimes you fumble and lose the ball, VT fumbles and either advances 15 yards or gets a TD. It is what it is.

What is IYAM? (In your?)

If you ask me.

I'm not using the rain as an excuse.. but like you said, sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way. Everything about that game seemed to be advantage VT, monsoon included. We missed Duke terribly.

I'm with you on the rain hurting us and not VT because I heard before the game from a trusted source that our players are made out of sugar. The rain melted them away on defense, and that's why there wasn't anyone near any of the VT receivers.

 

[drifters1234]

I agree with just about everything in the original post. It's a far humbler perspective than your posts responding to reasonable criticism from some posters after Ga Tech, UNC, and Wake.

The most troubling thing about this loss, is Golden's and Donofrio's collective response. It's very disappointing that they are pointing the finger at the players, rather than committing to simplifying the schemes to resolve the problem. We have too many experienced guys out there apparently making ridiculously bad errors. When that becomes a pattern - as it has now - the scheme needs to be revisited.

The part in bold. I am sick and tired of reading the same thing every week without any substance or give. I never mind someone giving their opinion (i.e. I think this is wrong because of reasons XYZ) but I can't stand the same stuff over and over again without any substance. To those offering reasonable criticism, I likely didn't respond rudely but if I did I am sorry.

Honestly, I haven't read much of what Al or Coach D said after the game. I haven't watched any interviews either. I was pretty hurt after the game because of the result and did not care.

At this point, things are what they are and if they want to keep the scheme, it is what it is. While I don't fully blame the scheme, I have seen to much of the same to believe this is fully on the players and their abilities.

I actually thought our D played decent in those games overall, not that it matters.

fair enough.

 

[drifters1234]

It is what it is, it rained. We have to play sometimes in these conditions and with freshman in said conditions. Sometimes you fumble and lose the ball, VT fumbles and either advances 15 yards or gets a TD. It is what it is.

What is IYAM? (In your?)

If you ask me.

I'm not using the rain as an excuse.. but like you said, sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way. Everything about that game seemed to be advantage VT, monsoon included. We missed Duke terribly.

I'm with you on the rain hurting us and not VT because I heard before the game from a trusted source that our players are made out of sugar. The rain melted them away on defense, and that's why there wasn't anyone near any of the VT receivers.

Exactly. there can be no worse excuse than the f'n weather.

I'll never forget the FSU fans attributing Taylor's single-handed domination of Rix and FSU to rain. Apparently, it only rained on one side of the field that day.

 

[Ibis Wingz]

It is what it is, it rained. We have to play sometimes in these conditions and with freshman in said conditions. Sometimes you fumble and lose the ball, VT fumbles and either advances 15 yards or gets a TD. It is what it is.

What is IYAM? (In your?)

If you ask me.

I'm not using the rain as an excuse.. but like you said, sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way. Everything about that game seemed to be advantage VT, monsoon included. We missed Duke terribly.

I'm with you on the rain hurting us and not VT because I heard before the game from a trusted source that our players are made out of sugar. The rain melted them away on defense, and that's why there wasn't anyone near any of the VT receivers.

 

[capefearcane]

Good points, some meh points. But what is absolute: we played on our field (like it or not) and should have that advantage; it was rainy and wet - the team we were playing is used to cold November days - we're in the tropics for gawd sakes - it rains, it's muggy - this should be to OUR advantage; check out the so called recruiting rankings...has VT ever been in the Top 10? They play primarily 3 star players and more then several 2 star and less - we're 3 & 4 star players - Wake? Duke? lucky to get a 3. It ain't personnel if it ain't against FSU or Clemson. You make your own luck and you make your own bad luck. When you consistently win with lesser players - like VT, you're making your own good luck.

 

[L A M P]

there can be no worse excuse than the f'n weather.

Weather has always played a factor in sports. A team like Miami that relies on speed isn't supposed to be affected by a wet field? It wipes out the only competitive advantage we did have while playing to their strength. No Duke. No bruiser back. No chance at a passing game. I'm shocked that we didn't just choose to ignore it & dominate regardless... not.

 

[L A M P]

we played on our field (like it or not) and should have that advantage; it was rainy and wet .

Sunlifeless stadium is not an advantage... nor is limiting our team speed.

 

[The Franchise]

there can be no worse excuse than the f'n weather.

Weather has always played a factor in sports. A team like Miami that relies on speed isn't supposed to be affected by a wet field? It wipes out the only competitive advantage we did have while playing to their strength. No Duke. No bruiser back. No chance at a passing game. I'm shocked that we didn't just choose to ignore it & dominate regardless... not.

How did their passing game work so well in the rain? They don't have any bruising RBs or even above-average RBs either.

 

[sebastian91]

Things are never as good or bad as they seem at the time. We weren't that good at 7-0, and we probably aren't as bad as we played the last two games. The entire team, coaches and players, need to be better at their jobs. Yet another round of coaching turnover is the last thing this program needs. These guys didn't just fall off a turnip truck and start coaching. The didn't forget how to coach when they left Temple and came here. They didn't design a defensive scheme to purposely allow underneath routes to go uncovered. They don't call plays telling the QB to throw to the other team, or for the receivers to drop easy TDs, or special teams players to fumble. The coaches need to do a much better job teaching and preparing, and the players need to do a much better job executing. It's not difficult, and knee jerks are for dumbarses.

 

[Consigliere]

Things are never as good or bad as they seem at the time. We weren't that good at 7-0, and we probably aren't as bad as we played the last two games. The entire team, coaches and players, need to be better at their jobs. Yet another round of coaching turnover is the last thing this program needs. These guys didn't just fall off a turnip truck and start coaching. The didn't forget how to coach when they left Temple and came here. They didn't design a defensive scheme to purposely allow underneath routes to go uncovered. They don't call plays telling the QB to throw to the other team, or for the receivers to drop easy TDs, or special teams players to fumble. The coaches need to do a much better job teaching and preparing, and the players need to do a much better job executing. It's not difficult, and knee jerks are for dumbarses.

Fair post. Good stuff.

 

[L A M P]

How did their passing game work so well in the rain? They don't have any bruising RBs either.

LT is essentially an extension of the running game for them.. Their passing game benefited from a compotent OC and tons of blown coverages/missed tackles.