The Moment was too Big

[CyberCane]

...for a lot of our guys (especially the young guys).

The amount of drops, penalties, and mental errors the first ten minutes of the game prove that. Good teams win at home, great teams play well and win on the road. We are a good team. Yes, the defense has a LONG way to go. The DL needs to grow up fast over the remainder of this year and through the spring/summer. We need DB's in the worst way aside from Bush, etc...

Bottom line...the biggest game of our season is the next ACC game we play every week. Huge for the ACC race, recruiting, etc...Remember, we just beat a team last week that went on to beat the #3 team in the nation--FSU. A team that many on here said would run the table and that many respected analysts had pegged to play for a national championship. We are 4-2, 3-0. That is a good thing. We can build a ton of momentum from here forward and I promise you, despite how painful the ND and KSU losses are, these moments will pay huge dividends down the road for these guys that are just in the infancy of their careers.

 

[rickross]

yep...im pretty confident they will be ready this week seeing as there will 20,000 fans at the game with humid weather,3:30 pm opening kickoff start,they show up when there's no expectations or against middle of the pack acc programs smh

 

[ADELPHI]

If we beat UNC, yet lose to FSU and VTech, do we get to the ACCCG?

Only if VT has three losses which is very possible given they already have one and still have to play FSU and Clemson. No matter what happens in the FSU game for us in a couple of weeks, beating VT and Duke pretty much gets us in the ACCCG. Probably a rematch against FSU.

 

[SFbayCane]

Totally agree with the OP. In fact, when the blowout was taking shape, I exchanged texts with PhenomCane where we both noted that UM has enough athletic talent to hang with notre dame but none of it is ready for prime time. I think Mike James and Davon Johnson migh be the only two exceptions.

 

[PGCountySoulCane]

If we beat UNC, yet lose to FSU and VTech, do we get to the ACCCG?

Waaaay too early to be making these kinds of assumptions bro. We would have to have UNC and VT spit up all over themselves the rest of the way in that scenario because the way it's shaping up UNC while I don't see as that good, is still fighting and won't lay down. And although plausible for VT at the moment, the way the conference is playing as a whole, I would honestly just have to say anybody could lose to anyone in this league because nobody is THAT good. Just sit back and ride it out like the rest of us, is all you can do.

 

[Biloxi]

Was the walk to the stadium to long?

 

[UMFarArcher]

...for a lot of our guys (especially the young guys).

The amount of drops, penalties, and mental errors the first ten minutes of the game prove that. Good teams win at home, great teams play well and win on the road. We are a good team. Yes, the defense has a LONG way to go. The DL needs to grow up fast over the remainder of this year and through the spring/summer. We need DB's in the worst way aside from Bush, etc...

Bottom line...the biggest game of our season is the next ACC game we play every week. Huge for the ACC race, recruiting, etc...Remember, we just beat a team last week that went on to beat the #3 team in the nation--FSU. A team that many on here said would run the table and that many respected analysts had pegged to play for a national championship. We are 4-2, 3-0. That is a good thing. We can build a ton of momentum from here forward and I promise you, despite how painful the ND and KSU losses are, these moments will pay huge dividends down the road for these guys that are just in the infancy of their careers.

Cyber, you nailed it. Dorsett and the others can catch those passes any other time. They'd been hearing so much about how big this game meant to the old-timers especially, and were simply trying too hard - and were playing too tight. Too much pressure, and I'm as guilty of that as much as anyone.

Thing is, while I don't know football, I do know tactics. I know for example, that for every tactic, there's a counter. But the key is being able to adjust quickly to the threat of the moment. If I have young'ns, and they're inexperienced, then knowing that attacking makes one bolder, I'm attacking. That line of scrimmage? I'm abandoning the zone and lining my corners up in the face of the receivers for the sole purpose of popping the **** out of them right at the line.

I'm rushing like madmen the rest of the team. Maybe I can't stop the run or the pass, but damned if I'll let them have both. We may get beat in the passing, but that QB will damned sure earn it. And my line? I'm telling them to hold their ground. If you have to fall down in place, just to trip up the O lineman and whoever the **** is behind him, at least it gives my LB's a chance to do something.

We handed them a set-piece configuration that was absolutely perfect for ND to run up the score. Waiting for the Olinemen to come shove us back, playing so far off the receivers they were in different time zones, and the whole time knowing that these kids - and I stress kids - under this catastrophic defensive configuration - HAD to lose.

One other thing. When it's a big game, there are time-proven means of relaxing your team, especially one that's supposed to lose. You get them to win HIS personal battle. At least the first half. If the other team is man for man better, you'll be behind at halftime.

THEN, you tell them to forget the winning this game, that it's pretty much been decided. NOW you tell them, 'Boys, ***** it. We did not come all the way out here to not have some fun. All I ask is that you go out there and have some fun with these SOB's. Have fun this second half.'

Pressure's off, guys loosen up, and believe it or not, this has turned more battles around than staying all serious. They're free in their mind to play like ****. Sometimes when a team is too tight or overmanned, you don't tell them what to do - just tell them what you want done - and they'll figure a way to get it done.

 

[CyberCane]

Was the walk to the stadium to long?

PD's two drops and Highsmith's dropped pick were pure choke jobs. Plain and simple. The kind of thing that happens two young and/or inexperienced players on the road. They will learn to get over that.

 

[4Canes]

Was the walk to the stadium to long?

PD's two drops and Highsmith's dropped pick were pure choke jobs. Plain and simple. The kind of thing that happens two young and/or inexperienced players on the road. They will learn to get over that.

This X 100, PD makes those catches 99 out of 100 times.

 

[hollyhood27]

these were my thoughts after the game. We score on that opening drive and then not rough the punter, it's a different game. But it was just too big for this team this year.

 

[PensacolaCane]

Was the walk to the stadium to long?

PD's two drops and Highsmith's dropped pick were pure choke jobs. Plain and simple. The kind of thing that happens two young and/or inexperienced players on the road. They will learn to get over that.

This X 100, PD makes those catches 99 out of 100 times.

Obviously you mean he makes those catches 98 out of 100 times (I hope you are right)