We have an interesting game coming up on Friday. Both teams coming off a loss and both looking at a game they could/should be able to win. This one may well come down to who cleans up the mess they made on Saturday the best.
I saw part of the BYU-Utah game and it looked like you guys had as much trouble holding onto the ball as we did against FIU. Not sure if it was a similar issue, but in the FIU game our team seemed to constantly be looking for the home run ball instead of just following a sound game plan. I also think we failed to make any adjustments that could counter what FIU's defense was able to do in the first half.
One thing I'm curious about is the effect of altitude on our players. I have cousins in SLC and have been there a couple of times and up to Park City and I can definitely tell the difference from being here in Florida. Not sure what elevation Provo is and how it would compare, but our guys may suffer somewhat from that adjustment.
I definitely thought BC and BYU would be our toughest games coming into the week, and was worried FIU would be better than most people give them credit for being. Hoping for another result like our game against BC, but I wouldn't at all be surprised if it turns out more like our game against FIU.
Basics on UCF: - Coach (O'Leary) is an old-school kinda guy. He claims he wants a 60/40 run/pass ratio, but the day he calls 40% pass plays will be the day I wonder what happened to him
- O-Line and D-Line have improved over the past few years, but FIU exposed a vulnerability with heavy blitzes of fast, mobile D-linemen and linebackers. We did not adjust well and our QB was running for his life most of the game
- QB Jeff Godfrey - a very good sophomore (still prone to some young mistakes) who has been starting since week 3 of his freshman season. Extremely mobile when pressure comes from one side, and can often gain yards against the grain if he can spin away from the defender
- 3 RBs that could start at most D-1 schools: #35 Ronnie Weaver - doesn't do anything great but does most things well, probably our best power runner; #34 Brynn Harvey - has come back well from a knee injury that made him redshirt last year and has been quite productive, sees the holes well and hits them quickly; #28 Latavius Murray - probably our fastest runner and usually the guy they put in after the defense has started to wear down, can break most arm tackles with speed and power once he gets going
- On defense we have a pretty experienced defensive backfield that has not yet been burned this year (I say not yet because they did give up some long balls last season); we have a young linebacker corps that has been playing better than some might have expected; and we have a decent D-Line that has been able to get some pressure and help disrupt the passing game of our opponents
- Special teams have been our biggest disappointment so far; we have the same kick return players this year as last season, but they haven't been able to show much, and our punt returner has had some problems holding onto the ball (responsible for 2 turnovers already this season trying to be a hero).
Anyone on your team that you think we should especially watch, or units that you have found to be better than you hoped or disappointing?
Posted on 9/19 9:25 AM | IP: Logged
WriterKnight,
Most of Cougar Nation is still in shock over Saturday. Not sure what to expect from this BYU team. This offense was supposed to be lights out this year, but instead has struggled mightily. To be honest, not sure who to point out offensively at this point. Perhaps freshman receiver Ross Apo, who has scored the only touchdowns for the Cougars thus far with his three TD receptions.
Defensively, BYU is good. This group gave up late in the game last week against Utah after the offense and special teams spotted the Utes 31 points. For the most part, UCF should find the going tough on the ground.
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