Anyone else watch much of the UConn-Rutgers game last night? UConn, if not for it’s own ineptitude and RU’s defense, had a real shot. RU scored 2 of its 3 TDs off of special teams and defense. UConn, going into that game had the 2nd worst run defense in the Big East. They held Ray Rice to under 80 yards. Care to guess how?
”They packed the box,” Rice said. ”They did a great job. I’m just happy we came out with a win. That’s the biggest thing: we’re 8-0.”
Someone send a tape of that to DC Paul Rhoads.
The Huskies have the best pass defense in the BE, in part because their run defense is so porous it’s easier to run. The Huskies, understood that their best shot on defense was to sell-out against the run, trust in their secondary and the fact that Teel and his receivers suck (11-24, 0 TD, 1 INT). Doing that also limited the best receiving weapon on the Scarlet Knights, TE Clark Harris since he had to stay and block most of the time (only 2 catches).
Now I’m getting pissed about the Rutgers game again.
I completely blame the Pitt coaches for that loss.
Over and over, we all agree the DC simply does not adjust, please, let’s all pray that Rhodes moves on and some fool will hire him for a head coaching position.
Another game was the Indiana – MSU game. Indiana just beat the daylights out of MSU, the same team that proceeded to stomp us at home. Has anyone in the local media called for Rhodes to resign or at least speak about what the hell is going on?
I agree with the fire Rhodes sentiment, but we have other problems too.
What really seems to be happening is that some people just can’t get past the fact that Rutgers might have really developed a good football program. I’m don’t understand why that’s so hard to believe. They did, and are doing, exactly what PITT did with Harris in the ’90s. Made a commitment to Div 1-A football, spent money on facilities and hired a proactive, energetic coach. This just happens to be the payoff years for Schiano’s planning. Maybe they lose the rest of their games and drop in the polls, or maybe they get stronger and win some more, who knows? But, what ever happens I’ll give them credit where its due – they are a good team that’s having a good year.
What is disheartening is how Conn adapted to stop Rutger’s strength and did just that – when PITT’s staff either couldn’t see the problem/solution or was too timid to deploy it. After the second year of a coach’s tenure is a good time for changes, and I’ll bet nobody would be surprised if DW pulled the trigger on the D Coordinator.
Uconn
7th in the Big East in Total Offensive Benefit. Third from the bottom in offensive drive efficiency.
7th in the Big East in Total Defensive Benefit.
Second to last in defensive drive efficiency.
Pittsburgh
Third in the Big East in Total Offensive Benefit.
Third in offensive drive efficiency.
Third in the Big East in Total Defensive Benefit.
Second in defensive drive efficiency.
To me, it appears as if Pittsburgh is still the significantly more impressive team, at least from a statistical theory perspective.
I’m confused. First of all, I was too busy watching NFL football on Sunday night to even remember that this game was on. (I refuse to watch Sunday night college football games. It’s just ludicrous.) Second of all, they still won. Your argument that Rutgers is no good because they’re QB and WRs are bad holds no ground until somebody BEATS THEM. We couldn’t, and neither has anybody else on Rutgers’ schedule. I’m sure the Louisville and West Virginia games will go a lot further to proving Rutgers’ claim as a good football team that this game.
Don’t be mad at Rutgers for squeaking by in two games, be mad because Pitt couldn’t get their collective heads out of their asses to put eight or nine guys in the box.
Reed, I couldn’t possibly agree with you more.
Oh, and Pitt will beat UConn, just like Rutgers did. It’ll be an ugly, ugly game.
It appears that some see teams in black or white, and either a team has to be great across the board or it sucks. That’s not college football, and that’s not sports. Not every good team is going to be strong in all aspects of the game – unless you’re Oklahoma in the ’70s.
This could be the year the the BE sends three teams to bowls against quality competition, and it will only help all the BE teams if they represent well by winning. I’m thinking Rutgers has two losses at the end, Louisville one and WVU none. PITT could be the spoiler though.
Am nervous about the USF game, and didn’t think I’d be, although I believe we will return to form we have shown this year against the lesser BE teams.
I was felt the same way. I couldn’t help but notice some of the schemes that UCONN called to counteract Rutgers running game. Pitt certainly has a better all-around defense than UCONN, especially corners and DB’s. I can’t understand!