What we need to see in Kalamazoo

[businesslawyer]

I fully expect to win this game, and I don't expect to see it go down to the wire. So, while obviously the most important part of Saturday is to get a win, I think we need to see more than that.

Last year, our offense had a very productive day against WMU, especially throwing the ball. We lost the game because we showed no inclination whatsoever of being able to defend a forward pass. Saturday, we need to see our offense look good on offense against what should be an outmatched opponent on that side of the ball. I don't care so much whether we look good with a pass first identity or a run first identity, but I need to see at least 400 yards of total offense, at least 17 first downs, more than one offensive play exceeding 20 yards and at least 20 points that aren't scored or created by special teams and D. Seeing that won't tell me we can be decent offensively when we start Big East play, but it will at least provide hope heading into what should be an easy win at home on the 29th.

I think our offense can do this, but I'd be lying if I told you I was confident they will do ti.

 

[ZooCougar]

This should be a win. But I think you are being overly optimistic about the offense.

 

[uconndogs]

I would love to see our OL take control of this game, especially with the run. I actually thought our OL did a very good job in pass protection against the Terps and had some good moments with run blocking.

On defense, were I Don Brown, I would actually hold off on bringing presure initially to see if their new crop of receivers can break coverage. If they can't, I would then go more man coverage and start running Sio and Yawin on just about every down. Game - set - match. We blitz early and that QB finds the gaps in our coverage, they are going to be able to move the ball and we will have our hands full. These guys have been prone to turning the ball over so that might work in our favor as well.

 

[pj]

Against a mediocre defense, our offense absolutely can and should gain 400 yards. That's NOT a difficult target. Just cutting down penalties and turnovers will be enough. Our defense will give the offense over 100 plays. 400 yards is only 4 yards per play, which is poor.

By contrast, Paul Myerberg calls Houston's offense "anything but competent" ... "[worse than] horrific" (http://www.presnapread.com/this-must-be-rock-bottom-houston-hopes/) even though they're averaging 6 yards per play and 469 yards per game. Myerberg says "an average of 6.03 yards per play ... rank the Cougars 48th in .B.S., a very slight tick ahead of Texas-San Antonio and Wyoming" so this is not exceptional.

At 100 plays per game, an extra 2 yards per play is an extra 200 yards and probably 20 points per game. If we could get 6 yards per play, we'd be Big East favorites.

To date, they've faced two very good defenses and been limited by a super-cautious game plan against UMass. Now they have a defense they should be able to outplay in all phases and no reason not to exploit the playbook and see what the players can do. If we don't have a good game, I'll be very frustrated. Personally, I'm expecting 500 yards and 34 points.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I fully expect to win this game, and I don't expect to see it go down to the wire. So, while obviously the most important part of Saturday is to get a win, I think we need to see more than that.

Last year, our offense had a very productive day against WMU, especially throwing the ball. We lost the game because we showed no inclination whatsoever of being able to defend a forward pass. Saturday, we need to see our offense look good on offense against what should be an outmatched opponent on that side of the ball. I don't care so much whether we look good with a pass first identity or a run first identity, but I need to see at least 400 yards of total offense, at least 17 first downs, more than one offensive play exceeding 20 yards and at least 20 points that aren't scored or created by special teams and D. Seeing that won't tell me we can be decent offensively when we start Big East play, but it will at least provide hope heading into what should be an easy win at home on the 29th.

I think our offense can do this, but I'd be lying if I told you I was confident they will do ti.

I agree with this and I don't think 400 yards is asking too much against WMU. If we struggle again offensively against this team and pull out a low scoring nail biter I will be very concerned about us getting more than 2 Big East wins.

And if we lose, I fully expect the Boneyard to implode from within.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

a win