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Message: [QUOTE="businesslawyer, post: 5360739, member: 55"] There really isn’t tons of analyzing to do after yesterday’s game, as despite the fears that we suck and UAB, having played a single good game against Memphis, was really good, this was easy enough as to not learn much more than we were much better than them. So here goes. 1. I felt a real hangover in the empty stadium yesterday (I’d guess 12 to 14k actually in attendance). Maybe it was that it was the morning after Halloween, maybe (my best guess) the emptiness after a third OT road loss, maybe just that with the wind at least on the visitors side the wind chill was pretty bad, but there just didn’t seem to be the enthusiasm that a must win game for a 5-3 team that was undefeated at home should have. But there was no juice in the building at all. 2. On a personal note, instead of doing what she normally does when she wants to tailgate with me and the folks invited that week, and taking a separate car and leaving after the tailgate, my wife said she wanted to ride up with me and stay for the game. Shocking no one, she was done by half time and went to the car to nap. Forcing me to leave after 3 quarters. Not that I missed anything important but sigh. 3. Yes, it’s against our schedule, but our offense is really good. We never turned the ball over (1 fumble lost and no picks in 8 games) and I don’t believe we punted until the game was clearly over. Even back to Orlovsky, we have never had a combination like JF to Bell. Despite Skyler, in what was nonetheless a great game, dropping a TD pass that reminded us of last year’s Bell. And Neider is going to be a Marcus Easley type stud by the time he’s done. (Assuming we have a QB who can get him the ball). 4. I am assuming that the constant fiddling with the running game is all about limiting Edwards’ snaps and carries unless and until he gets healthier. But weird stuff. Now we’re using a freshman, Graves, who hadn’t played at all to keep Rosa from getting carries as a back up. And running wildcat, but with JF on the field (meaning you’re losing a blocker) and no threat of passing? 5. Similarly, am I the only one noticing some bizarre over-aggressiveness in our play calling? On our opening drive, going on 4th down in certain FG range on 4th and 2 is one thing, but on 4th and 6? Why in the world wouldn’t you just take the lead there and move on. What if UAB doesn’t turn it over on their first drive and scores, and having to play from behind makes the game totally different? 6. UAB’s QB was weird. Until garbage time, it looked like he was dropping back not to throw but to see if he could find a lane to scramble forward. Also, I give the coaches a pass for not figuring out how to defend ineligible lineman lining up wide, but I hope someone tries to figure it out before it’s used against us again. 7. On a day that Parham was as quiet as he’s been since winning the MLB job, man, did Cam Chadwick step up. Overall, D did a really solid job for 3 quarters, until it no longer mattered 8. Maybe never has there been a game giving such emphasis to the phrase statistics are for losers. 9. Next week against Duke will be the last chance to avoid being a team with a good record but only beating teams that just aren’t any good. For the second straight year. Clearly the best team we’ve played since a healthy Syracuse. But this game is home, and Duke is playing a game that doesn’t mean much for them in between games that mean everything. I give us a chance. Hoping the team is healthy, there are fans in the building and the fans this week bring some electricity to the Rent. But remember that, over the last two years, we’re 10-1 at home. Duke is better than us, but I give us a shot. Have a good week all. [/QUOTE]

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