A Sea Of Red

We begin our 2017 opponent previews by taking a look at the matchup with Baylor

http://www.aseaofred.com/2017-opponent-preview-baylor/

A Sea of Red wrote:We begin our 2017 opponent previews by taking a look at the matchup with Baylor

http://www.aseaofred.com/2017-opponent-preview-baylor/

I think this is a very winnable P5 game for y'all. I still would expect Baylor to win but a little too close for comfort. 35-24 Baylor.

Ewglenn wrote:

A Sea of Red wrote:We begin our 2017 opponent previews by taking a look at the matchup with Baylor

http://www.aseaofred.com/2017-opponent-preview-baylor/

I think this is a very winnable P5 game for y'all. I still would expect Baylor to win but a little too close for comfort. 35-24 Baylor.

If Baylor's running game is what it was like last year it will be a long and painful day

Baylor is gonna want to make a statement in a big way after all the football program has been through. I would not be surprised if we got our worst loss since 05 in this game.

For me my top 5 concerns (in no particular order) coming into the season are:
RB
OL
DB
DL
TE

My biggest concern is offensive play calling.

48-17

There is still a TON of talent left in Waco. I like playing them in the opener because it generally takes a game or two for most teams to get on track. That plays in our favor. But I do agree that the Bears will want to make this a statement game. I hope I see some of you there.

Most of the time we play better against the "big boys" than most people think we will. I recall we were leading VT in the 2nd quarter last year. If offense could have gotten untracked, that game would have been closer.

ballcoach15 wrote:Most of the time we play better against the "big boys" than most people think we will. I recall we were leading VT in the 2nd quarter last year. If offense could have gotten untracked, that game would have been closer.

Agreed. We were beating North Carolina with 6 minutes left in the 3rd!!

ballcoach15 wrote:Most of the time we play better against the "big boys" than most people think we will. I recall we were leading VT in the 2nd quarter last year. If offense could have gotten untracked, that game would have been closer.

I was doing some demolition work and was listening to the broadcast. I broke after, was it 5 false starts on a single drive? I seem to remember having a lot of those that stalled Masha constantly last year.

ballcoach15 wrote:Most of the time we play better against the "big boys" than most people think we will. I recall we were leading VT in the 2nd quarter last year. If offense could have gotten untracked, that game would have been closer.

We were actually more competetive against the Hokies than some of their conference opponents. If we had not had so many self-destructive penalties, the score would likely have been closer.

oldflame wrote:

ballcoach15 wrote:Most of the time we play better against the "big boys" than most people think we will. I recall we were leading VT in the 2nd quarter last year. If offense could have gotten untracked, that game would have been closer.

We were actually more competetive against the Hokies than some of their conference opponents. If we had not had so many self-destructive penalties, the score would likely have been closer.

I was at that game. The score made it seem closer than it was. Tech looked awful. LU looked worse. Almost lost my Man Crush on TG. LU was not competitive in that game at all

And Tech's nachos were AMAZING!

I don't think I eat anything at game. I had a cheap seat in south end zone. I did not like it, thus I went down to where LU band was sitting, did some networking, and "joined" the band.

Cider Jim wrote:And Tech's nachos were AMAZING!

I can't remember what I ate there. I think the fresh kettle Korn.

You didn't have the turkey leg?

Oh, and I ate in the Flames Club tent, too: best BBQ in Blackburg from Bull and Bones.

Cider Jim wrote:You didn't have the turkey leg?

Oh, and I ate in the Flames Club tent, too: best BBQ in Blackburg from Bull and Bones.

I hate the turkey legs
Bull and Bones is solid. I eat there often for lunch. Love the smokehouse chicken sandwich

Purple Haize wrote:

oldflame wrote:

ballcoach15 wrote:Most of the time we play better against the "big boys" than most people think we will. I recall we were leading VT in the 2nd quarter last year. If offense could have gotten untracked, that game would have been closer.

We were actually more competetive against the Hokies than some of their conference opponents. If we had not had so many self-destructive penalties, the score would likely have been closer.

I was at that game. The score made it seem closer than it was. Tech looked awful. LU looked worse. Almost lost my Man Crush on TG. LU was not competitive in that game at all

Agreed, our defense did all the work the first half. First touchdown was from recovering a muffed punt around the 10. Our 2nd was by returning a VT fumble for a TD. We had zero inability to move the ball on offense, really ugly.

VT- 49
BC- 0

VT- 34
NC- 3

To clarify, I never said we were very competitive or that the game was closer than the score indicated. I said we were more competitive than some of their conference opponents. I think the scoreboard points that out. Yes our offense was awful against the Hokies, but defense and special teams are still part of the game. I will also stand by the statement that without the false start penalties, the score would have been closer. If that was not the case, why was everyone so bent out of shape about them? Just a few harmless 5 yard penalties, right? No. They made it impossible for us to establish any offensive momentum early.

oldflame wrote:VT- 49
BC- 0

VT- 34
NC- 3

To clarify, I never said we were very competitive or that the game was closer than the score indicated. I said we were more competitive than some of their conference opponents. I think the scoreboard points that out. Yes our offense was awful against the Hokies, but defense and special teams are still part of the game. I will also stand by the statement that without the false start penalties, the score would have been closer. If that was not the case, why was everyone so bent out of shape about them? Just a few harmless 5 yard penalties, right? No. They made it impossible for us to establish any offensive momentum early.

The false starts were embarrassing because they happened like 4 plays in a row. And most were on the same guy. You take away the miracles that Tech made and the game is uglier than I am after a weekend bender. In the scores you posted Tech was in good form and didn't make those mistakes. It was the mistakes Tech made nothing LU did that made the game as remotely competitive as it was. Had Tech played like that against UNC or BC they would have lost

ballcoach15 wrote:My biggest concern is offensive play calling.

Ditto, Ballcoach! It was my concern coming out of 15 going into 16...and became a reality. Likewise, play calling and O-line play will be my greatest concern this coming year. If it's same ole-same ole again this year and the O-line play is dismal...it will not be a good year for our record or our coaching staff.

When a team has O line problems, the last thing they should want to do is "run ball off tackle" on first/second down. Run a Spread attack, and get ball to playmakers in space, and let them make plays. This spreads out the defense, thus masking weakness of O line.

2017 Opponent Preview: Morehead State

http://www.aseaofred.com/2017-opponent- ... ead-state/

2017 Opponent Preview: Indiana State

http://www.aseaofred.com/2017-opponent- ... ana-state/

Great job!

I think this is actually one of our tougher games. They were 4-7 last year with a first year coach and a young squad. Three of their seven losses were by 7 combined points. Their other losses were to Minnesota, Missouri State, Northern Iowa and North Dakota State. Point being, this a better team than most of us realize.

They start off with Eastern Illinois and Tennessee, before making the trip here. So, we're likely facing a talented 0-2 squad, the week before we visit Jacksonville State. Feels like a trap game.