#12 R.P.I. North Carolina @ #73 R.P.I. Virginia Tech:
Today’s word of the day is… gone!
gone
(gôn, gŏn)
adjective.
- Being away from a place; absent or having departed.
- Missing or lost: My watch is gone.
- No longer in existence; not part of the present: “The biggest catastrophe was the lack of wildlife. The great herds were gone” (Tom Clynes).
- No longer available; used up: All the rice is gone.
- Past; bygone.
- No longer alive; dead.
- Frank Beamer in 180 minutes or less!
♪“On and on and on and on you don’t know what you got till it’s gone…”♫
-Big Yellow Taxi-
While the TSL message boards continue their boundless infatuation with the incoming coaching flavor of the day, we here in reality land, we don’t like ice cream, we do however love Frank. As we’d love to send this man out a winner vs. quite possibly the hawtest team in the land.
However, much as we’d (all) love that, is that reality?
Read on to really find out..
Nor.Carolina Defense: (starters back=7)
- 1o8th in rushing defense!
- 56th in Total D, 11th in Passing yards allowed.
- 1o5th in TFL and 115th in Sacks, ‘nother vanilla umbrella defensive set that keeps it all in front and dares your athletes to out-athlete their athletes. Circa heyday D’s down at The U.
4-2 Even, 3rd Cb look… - dLine Havoc=92nd, Lb Havoc=87th.
- Secondary Havoc however=18th best. Will play the ball not the man and will look to strip and/or collision hit the same.
- big ole space eating dLine: nobody <255 lbs. everyone less the 255 lb. guy, is 27o or more!
- Secondary uses a krazed, and I do mean krazy to look at Man-Zone hybrid that rolls into and outta doubles (coverage’s). Into meaning into more of a Man look | and out of meaning back into something of a Zone. Very very complex secondary. Truly on a Sunday level. Meaning: there is an Under/Over (long short) look or an In/Out (inside leverage or outside leverage) look. Which is the doubling element in and of itself. 1 defender has long or outside, the other has short or inside. And this is a vice like coverage. The spoiler is you can be -1 somewhere on the field in coverage, vs. a good Cup or pass-protection if the opposing O gets enough time to run someone open. Again; just a krazy defensive Set! (and some hi I.Q. secondary guys to make it work, too!)
- saw all three levels of man pressure here: soft/off, medium and tight; I even saw all three on the very same play! Lot going on here in a very experienced Heel secondary gents. A lot lot lot!
- One thing I saw less than an average amount of was… blitzing. None, one, or rarely 2 deals per play. Lotta read-n-react here. With deeper and wider Lb spits. Not a soft defense per se, a slow to commit defense in point of fact.
- The front 4-2 is a little more run heavy; though they are not real run (fighting) good either. Did not shed blocks well on tape.
- U.n.c. run-D did seem vulnerable to rushing Qb’s on breaking tape. Do we Motley Crew them here? U.n.c. run-D has some middle worries as well no matter who is rushing.
- Tackling overall is modest to average at best. Some shallow run fits and a few defenders just just plum not winning individual stops.
Defensive letter-grade:
U.n.c. Offense: (returning starters=1o)
- 4th in Passing Efficiency! 9th in Scoring O (42 ppg)! 9th in 3rd down converts (49.1%)!
- 20th in Total O, 24th in Rushing O, 25th in Passing O.
(i.e. a very very good and likewise very tough to key, O) - one of the more efficient oLine’s I’ve seen upon breaking tape. Nearly misQ free, and 9th fewest in T.F.L. (tackles for a loss) and 13th best in Sacks allowed does not suck.
- Really high level of Zoning and the synchronicity or timing thereof here on tape. NOT a mauler or powerhouse high voltage oLine however. Nimble oLine that seals, turns and hook-blocks very very well. Great textbook footwork here. 4 guys are 300 lbs. or less. Pretty solid Trap game on pulls.
- to wit… you could actually argue that there is an all-star or at least all-conference honorable mention guy here 5×5 straight across on the oLine. You’d also prolly win that argument.
“Freeze, frame,…” -J Geils Band- - lotta downhill zoning here with an nor by nor-east (right) or nor by nor-west (left) push and some pulling in behind that. Great arm extension on all this sealing and hooking business. VERY impressive on film. Their 5 are sometimes blocking your 5, 6 or 7. (on created lateral congestion via design)
- ergo………Tb Hood averages 6.2 per carry and Qb Williams averages virtually 7 per tote and therefore U.n.c. averages a 1st down with nearly 3 full yards to spare every two rushes!
- U.n.c. does NOT bust many long runs however, nothing longer than 46 all season long with only 2 carries >36!
- U.n.c. does however hit a buncha medium to long throws; with 9, that’s all of the Top-9 guys averring a 1st down or better per completion! With 3 aerial hits in excess of 60, 2 in excess of 73 and 11 greater than 36 overall! And somewhere Al.Davis and Daryle Lamonica are smiling. More play-action than average as well.
- Tallish Wr corps uses height very well to go get the ball and make plays.
- Hood is a quiet truth at Tb. (and the U.n.c. Tb’s lead-block for Williams rather smartly to boot) Hood runs bigger than he looks, I’m not seeing the 226 odd lbs., though I am seeing some real live swivel hips, a strong core and forward lean Csonka balance. Tough guy to hit clean, much less hit big.
- Will run a lotta Pistol I combo sets, Marquise is very very lethal here. Highly defensively literate on the Read Option! Will shotgun with a Hb a lot as well with Trips for a horizontal stretch wide-side.
- Williams has at least some measure of Roger Staubach Naval Academy salesmanship on his Pistol or Gun Qb keeper fakes. This guy is gonna be a problem. He has good though not quite blazing speed. (he can be run down, if we bust azz and hustle)
- Williams has some hawt-dog in his endzone routines! (some of you are gonna trip out on some of this) God Bless, you’d think he was deaf, lotta sign-language and symbolism going on here. A Dan Brown Da Vinci Code Qb if you will.
- will trick-play early in games, sometimes even the very 1st play!
Offensive letter-grade:
t.Heels Special Teams: (return)
In addition to looking like a total heartthrob Lb misplaced and playing Place-Kicker for U.n.c., the 6′ 196 lb. Sr. K, Nick Weiler pretty much sucks. 49 of 49 on P.A.T.’s and 16 of 18 on FGA’s tells me and my 36 hours of Calc’ and Stats from McBryde Hall that Nick has made 65 kicks, already, this year! Dee-yam! Nick’s only misses were on a bad pass and on a windy day and both were blocked. Yah; when not getting blocked this kid is so good he does not miss! Nick runs down KO’s and has 6 ST’s solo stops as well as being a former Wr/Safety fulltime baller in high school. Someone even saw some tape of Nick throwing the ball, so the fake would seem to be in play here. Career long of 48 means Nick is money out to the mid-40’s and although that may bring into question his leg-strength a scosche, although you typically do not KO as a walk-on K while wanting for leg-game; either.
113th in Net Punting is not too good; as Corbin Daly and Hunter Lent have both been benched at Punter with senior walk-on Joey Mangili now taking over. Joey has the better Net at 42. Joey is the holder on place-kicks and has a history of boot-leg fakes. Does not appear to have a bionic leg, does appear to have a temper. U.n.c. has blocked 2 punts and has had 3 punts blocked (none from Joey). 9th best in Punt Returns is pretty dang good and 47th in KO returns is better than average. U.n.c. is 91st in covering punts and yet pretty good at covering Kicks at 21st best this season.
Special Teams letter-grade: (if not for punting being pretty screwy, this is prolly an A letter grade, and its real real close to an A— as is)
X-factor(s):
- weather: cool, crisp, late autumn day. (non-factor)
- health: U.n.c. does have dings and dents, in very particular at Offensive-G and at Lb. Though VT still has more overall.
- penalties: 40th best in Yellow Flag yardage. Large edge to UNC here.
- fatigue: +2 in rest in favor of VT. No way that can hurt late in the year. U.n.c. is also 124th in T.O.P. (time of possession); you gotta wonder if that shows itself in the 4Q?
- motive: IF you are not sky high like the International Space Station for VT here? You prolly no longer have a pulse, or should give your scholarship back, with Interest due.
Loading ...Illation, conclusion(s) and OPT digits:
the takeaway:
The takeaway here is… Virginia Tech does not have a brilliant shot in this 180th and walk-away Swann-song for future 1st ballot hall of famer Frank Beamer, except for one thing. This one is on the road for U.n.c. Check it out…
Home/Away:
- U.n.c. O –63 less yards per game!
- U.n.c. D +26 more yards allowed per game.
- or about ~90 yards worth of total yardage to the bad for the Heels.
- with a staggering drop from 42 ppg to 25 and change as the Visitor!
Why?
I have no Earthly idea; and I’d bet the U.n.c. Staff does not either. Though this is not just a trend, this is a pattern. And this pattern is not just a drop, it is a free-fall. And it does give underdog Virginia Tech a chance; here.
Forum Guide… our handy-dandy friend the so-called Forum Guide is… not pretty; as in not at all. As it is predicting a 25.25 point beat down when former common opponents are analyzed, head-to-head and a total yardage velocity of a killar –36o total yards to the awful, not just the bad.
3 game splits… are a little more encouraging; as although U.n.c. is out gaining Virginia Tech by 198 yards per game; they are also giving up 150 more yards per game defensively; and this would merely connote about a 1 play or 5-6 point U.n.c. triumph.
***
the call... all that to say, 31 rushing TD’s, 3 receiving TD’s and 53 passing TD’s from Marquise … with … Hood likely to crack 1K rushing on the season somewhere in the 1st-half. just reads like too much to me.
Gonna take at least 40-something to be an O&M thorn in these Heels. And it sure looks to me like U.n.c. is peaking at just the right time, whereas we are just too prone to giving up the BIG play over on D. And, U.n.c. has not committed a sky-blue turnover in 14 quarters of play. As we Hokies will need some help to pull this potential penultimate Beamer upset.
Truly hate hate hate it for Frank, though U.n.c. rolls, here men.
And the french stakes just went up!
upset Index=23%
Virginia Tech=19, North Carolina=44
“LETS GO!“
“HOKIES!“
bourbonstreet**
Besides being down a Chase Williams, a Fuller, and Dadi’s hands, this is the almost EXACT SAME matchup as we’ve had the last two years. Especially last year. The Hokies only gave up tds in both games.
I know what they’ve done all year, but I trust in Bud on this one. He’ll figure it out. I also trust Brewer to have a better day than last time in Chapel Hill. It’s gonna be on like Kong up in the Blacksburg.
I say the Hokies cruise… 34-17.
*only gave up 2 tds in each game.
Your caption for Larry Fedora stating “Mad game”, if that’s in reference to the beauty in the picture… Her name is Sydney.. It’s his daughter.
that… and dood is sporting an L-pack at age 53?!?
That’s mad mad game, for five-three.
(hope I look like that; then)
props!
b.street
To win this the defensive line has to have a big game. Dadi and Ken need to be in the backfield, and need to bring down Williams when they have the chance. None of that ECU bovine excrement.
On offense, Travon needs to break some big runs. He should consistently have space to reach the second level, he needs to beat the safeties.
Cannot give up any big special teams plays, and will need to be +2 in turnovers.
Fully agry.
+2 at least on turnovers.
Be nice to get some TFL.
Though UNC gives up very very very few.
b.street
Close BSt – 45 – 17.
Can’t miss this one.
black unis could be a plus…… potentially making it more difficult to spot unis / #’s of specific players…… and perhaps making it most difficult for peripheral vision for both teams …… therefore making it vital that On offense – VT players (particularly receivers) must maintain their assigned routes – and backup routes (if such a thing)…. if played late afternoon -early evening…… would become more difficult……..HOPEFULLY……. VT has practiced in some black uniforms all week , I see UNC becoming a major force in ACC football —- Frankly, I never understand why they haven’t been a major force for years……. with their money & almost total dominance in the state of North Carolina in almost every facet….. throw in the cheating…..its unbeliey they haven’t been a perennial power in every sport. Unless this Tarheel team is dominated by seniors— I see no reason why they won’t be a power for years to come…. If predictions of many experts hold true…. both state powers will be looking…… being a former resident of Tidewater area….. I see ODU becoming a major recruiting force in the Tidewater area that VT & UVA mined. Lord help both programs if ODU (757 area) ever gets into ACC….. I feel both VT & UVA would suffer. I noticed ODU already playing schools like Houston & other similar schools VT did before it got into Big East & then ACC.
U.n.c. has football underachieved, for years.
(since L.T.)
Agry.
Interesting O.D.U. thoughts.
That would be monarchical, indeed.
b.street
black unis could be a plus…… potentially making it more difficult to spot unis / #’s of specific players…… and perhaps making it most difficult for peripheral vision for both teams …… therefore making it vital that On offense – VT players (particularly receivers) must maintain their assigned routes – and backup routes (if such a thing)…. if played late afternoon -early evening…… would become more difficult……..HOPEFULLY……. VT has practiced in some black uniforms all week , I see UNC becoming a major force in ACC football —- Frankly, I never understand why they haven’t been a major force for years……. with their money & almost total dominance in the state of North Carolina in almost every facet….. throw in the cheating…..its unbelievable they haven’t been a perennial power in every sport. Unless this Tarheel team is dominated by seniors— I see no reason why they won’t be a power for years to come…. If predictions of many experts hold true…. both Va state powers will be looking & scrambling fo recruits…… being a former resident of Tidewater area….. I see ODU rapidly improving & becoming a major recruiting force in the Tidewater area that VT & UVA have mined. Lord help both programs if ODU (757 area) ever gets into ACC….. I feel both VT & UVA would suffer. I noticed ODU already playing schools like Houston & other similar schools VT did before it got into Big East & then ACC.
black unis could be a plus…… potentially making it more difficult to spot unis / #’s of specific players…… and perhaps making it most difficult for peripheral vision for both teams …… therefore making it vital that On offense – VT players (particularly receivers) must maintain their assigned routes – and backup routes (if such a thing)…. if played late afternoon -early evening…… would become more difficult……..HOPEFULLY……. VT has practiced in some black uniforms all week , I see UNC becoming a major force in ACC football —- Frankly, I never understand why they haven’t been a major force for years……. with their money & almost total dominance in the state of North Carolina in almost every facet….. throw in the cheating…..its unbelievable they haven’t been a perennial power in every sport. Unless this Tarheel team is dominated by seniors— I see no reason why they won’t be a power for years to come…. If predictions of many experts hold true…. both Va state powers will be looking & scrambling fo recruits…… being a former resident of Tidewater area….. I see ODU rapidly improving & becoming a major recruiting force in the Tidewater area that VT & UVA have mined. Lord help both programs if ODU (757 area) ever gets into ACC….. I feel both VT & UVA would suffer. I noticed ODU already playing schools like Houston & other similar schools VT did before it got into Big East & then ACC.