AlphaSigMD
November 24th, 2007, 11:59 PM
Ok, I just got to my hotel room in Harrisonburg (odd, yes...I know) on my way back to NJ after the game. I just wanted to write a couple of thoughts about today's events.
1. ASU had no business winning that game today. Yes, we did (just) enough on offense to scrape by in the 2nd most unlikely way that the rock has ever witnessed (see: Furman Oct 12th, 2002). But our defense was just not flying to the ball. IN FACT, they were often a mismash of lackluster pursuit mixed with overpursuit. For that, I give a LOAD of credit to the JMU offense. They made look flat out weak. However, we consistently missed the 1st tackle on play after play, and that onus weighs solely on the guys in black. We've been given a gift seed in our side of the bracket. I posted here last sunday about how this position was the best possible outcome for ASU, and the cards fell perfectly for ASU today. I didn't realize that we would need a gift from JMU as well in order to be able to take advantage of this position. I will humbly accept the gift, and hope that ASU can make some modifications in the Run D. While they will match up well against Pass-Happy EWU next week, IF they can get past the surging EWU, they will face 2 top notch running squads in UR or Wofford. Howver, they certainly cannot overlook EWU (and given the score of the McNeese game today, its doubtful that they will) and will have to shore up some blown coverages today quickly.
2. UM and McNeese had great seasons. UM was a good team, but they ran into a determined Wofford team that was probably the best team they have faced all year. Same for McNeese, but I feel they might be feeling as exposed. Its sad to see McNeese get bit by the same BigSky bug (although not the same team) as a few seasons back, but they too ran into a hot team looking to make a statement.
3. Thanks to UR and Wofford.
4. This tournament could be won by ANY of the 8 teams remaining.
5. Wow. UNH really played UNI really close. I didn't think it would be that close.
6. OK, I'm on the CAA bandwagon xbowx
UMass wins
Delaware wins BIG
Richmond wins
JMU deserved to win and makes the ASU defense look anemic.
UNH plays UNI to the wire at the dome.
1. ASU had no business winning that game today. Yes, we did (just) enough on offense to scrape by in the 2nd most unlikely way that the rock has ever witnessed (see: Furman Oct 12th, 2002). But our defense was just not flying to the ball. IN FACT, they were often a mismash of lackluster pursuit mixed with overpursuit. For that, I give a LOAD of credit to the JMU offense. They made look flat out weak. However, we consistently missed the 1st tackle on play after play, and that onus weighs solely on the guys in black. We've been given a gift seed in our side of the bracket. I posted here last sunday about how this position was the best possible outcome for ASU, and the cards fell perfectly for ASU today. I didn't realize that we would need a gift from JMU as well in order to be able to take advantage of this position. I will humbly accept the gift, and hope that ASU can make some modifications in the Run D. While they will match up well against Pass-Happy EWU next week, IF they can get past the surging EWU, they will face 2 top notch running squads in UR or Wofford. Howver, they certainly cannot overlook EWU (and given the score of the McNeese game today, its doubtful that they will) and will have to shore up some blown coverages today quickly.
2. UM and McNeese had great seasons. UM was a good team, but they ran into a determined Wofford team that was probably the best team they have faced all year. Same for McNeese, but I feel they might be feeling as exposed. Its sad to see McNeese get bit by the same BigSky bug (although not the same team) as a few seasons back, but they too ran into a hot team looking to make a statement.
3. Thanks to UR and Wofford.
4. This tournament could be won by ANY of the 8 teams remaining.
5. Wow. UNH really played UNI really close. I didn't think it would be that close.
6. OK, I'm on the CAA bandwagon xbowx
UMass wins
Delaware wins BIG
Richmond wins
JMU deserved to win and makes the ASU defense look anemic.
UNH plays UNI to the wire at the dome.