I live here in Blacksburg. I have seen most of their home games up close. Here is my two cents:
Logan Thomas is struggling this year, but mainly due to banged up inexperienced OL. They have a 3rd string center starting, and now every OL they have practices snapping at practice in case he goes down.
Their DL isnt special and can be pushed around, BUT they make occasional stops when necessary to keep them in games and they decent amount of experience there. Gayle at DE will most certainly be all over the field but I feel with our OL, that matchup should be a wash.
At WR, Davis #7 is huge and athletic, but he's by no means Vincent Jackson. His game is all physical, and the rest of their WR's have decent size as well in the legit 5'11 - 6'1. Keeping Gunter opposite McGee would be smart as Gunter seems to have come on as of late.
At RB, they are currently going by committee. No studs here, but they do have very young talent. Tony Gregory, is as fast as anyone on the UM roster, but he runs with no vision and is easily hurt. Holmes, is a bigger back who rarely gets touches, but from what i've seen is the more complete of the 3. Finally the true Frosh JC Coleman. This kid is the big play threat if given space. He doesn't create his own opportunities but does exploit a lack of containment. He gets to the edge, he's GONE, plain and simple.
At LB, most know Bruce Taylor is their monster at mike, but lately he has been sidelined due to tech's inability to stop spread-type offenses. They have been going with soph Jack Tyler who isn't terribly athletic but savvy enough to annoy offenses. TRUST by the end of the game, we will know his name. They also rotate at the WILL spot, but these guys are their tweeners. All athletic but nothing special, but they play hard.
At DB, Kendall Fuller is the household name nationally, but he's been getting torched lately due to lack of pass rush. His natural position is S but has been playing corner because they have no experience there. Safety is a position we can exploit IMO. Exum is good but he too often takes his eyes of responsibility and WR's get behind. He makes up for it with speed but against a Dorsett(if he catches the ball), this should be a mismatch all day down field.
ST: Well the coverage has NOT been the best on either team, but as usual, they have a decent PK in Journell, but the place I think we can get them is on punt block. The kid back there is young, and sometimes gets spooked against a good rush. Mixing up the heat could get us a big play or better field position if we get him rattled. It has happened a few times before.
Overall: Logan Thomas is streaky. If the D plays half as good as it played against FSU, their OL will get rattled, and sacks will most definitely be there. This is a game UM MUST and CAN win. Losing this game would come to a lack of a vertical passing game, as that is their Achilles heel on D. We just need to dial back in, and go to work
GO CANES!
