Monday Morning QB: Week 4
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- The Falcons aren't a bad team, so holding them scoreless was certainly impressive. The defense, while it didn't do a complete 180-degree turn from last week, it was obviously much more impressive and played with more determination and tenacity. While it might not seem like much, pitching a shutout gives a team a lot of momentum moving forward.
- Getting Coleman into space is so, so dangerous, evident on the touchdown catch from Thomas to open the scoring. So much speed to the edge, some more designed passes to the freshman will certainly be in the books moving forward. A four-star prospect, he is making an immediate impact.
- The fourth downs weren't ultimately going to be proven crucial in this game, but holding Bowling Green 0 of 3 on fourth down conversions was a nice victory for this defense coming off a thrashing against Pittsburgh.
- Thomas getting 15 carries was a big change in the team's offensive philosophy from this season. He had 15 carries against the Yellow Jackets, some of which were very effective. Then, seven a piece in the following two games saw the running game struggle. Need to give the big guy the rock.
- For the first time this season, Virginia Tech has won the time of possession battle.
- Nine penalties for 60 yards, the most of the season, isn't pretty by any standards. The team simply has to be more disciplined moving forward. It's something that can be corrected though, so there should be no worries in that regard.
- Plenty of people have already written off the Hokies against Cincinnati. The Bearcats are 2-0 and handled the Panthers and some think it's logical to think that Cincinnati should have no problem with Tech. It may prove to be a close game and I believe the Hokies take the victory, but the last time the Bearcats played was Sept. 15. It's clear who has the advantage from a rest standpoint.
- Virginia is likely to fall to 2-3 this season and lose its third straight game when it hosts Louisiana Tech next Saturday. Despite moving the ball well, the Cavaliers couldn't produce when it mattered most in a 27-7 loss at TCU on Saturday. Now, the 3-0 Bulldogs head to Charlottesville, fresh off a 52-24 win over Illinois. The team is averaging 54.6 points per game, led by quarterback
- Miami nearly choked yesterday after going up 19-0, allowing Georgia Tech to storm back with 22 points in the second quarter. A huge 42-36 win for the Hurricanes, who outscored their ACC Coastal Division rival 14-0 in the fourth quarter before winning in overtime. The race in the division appears to be between the Hurricanes and the Hokies. Miami's three toughest conference games remaining, Virginia Tech, Virginia and Florida State, are all at home.
- How many of you are believers in Florida State after last night's big comeback against Clemson? A 49-37 win sees the hype around the Seminoles increase as they are the clear-cut favorites to take home the conference title and get to the BCS. They had 35 points in the second half and 667 yards of offense in the game, FSU appears to be the 'real deal,' but as always, only time will tell. The defense allowed a touchdown for the first time this season against the Tigers and was a bit exposed, but this athlete-filled team sure looks good.
1. Oregon made another big statement, winning 49-0 against a ranked Arizona team. It's unbelievable how fast this team is, and the defense finally showed up after some iffy performances to start the season against inferior opponents. Right now though, most teams appears to be inferior against the Ducks. The favorites to win the Pac 12, it could be another national title appearance for them if they keep this train rolling.
3. I'm still not convinced by Notre Dame or South Carolina. Both teams have played well this season but have major holes. Both will get some tests in the coming weeks. The Irish have Miami, Stanford and Oklahoma in three of their next four games, while the Gamecocks, after an easy game against Kentucky next week, have top 5 teams Georgia and LSU before traveling for Florida.
4. What a start to the season by Oregon State. Wins over ranked teams Wisconsin and UCLA will see the Beavers jump into the top 25. Coach