Looking Foward to UVA...

[GTJason]

Keep in mind every team we have lost to is now ranked except UNC (which according to votes should be around #27.) UVA is astoundingly similar: ND, UNC, Pitt, Boise State, and UCLA. I think they are in the same boat as us before the FSU game. We didn't know much about the team. Lets hope this isn't the week they find confidence...

 

[txsting]

I'll comment on pass blocking--(1) I really think that we spend SO MUCH time on running practice and it needs it, that passing gets short changed (2) our basic 5 man front OL (no TE) is not enough to deal with teams that have LBs close to LOS and come plus our basic 190 lb Aback doesn't do well vs 230 lb LBs
(3) for the backs blocking -see #1 (4) JT is short which limits his view over the middle so this limits the pass blocking options

I'll add that the wide splits don't help when pass blocking. I think it is just a built in limitation of the system, as we have seen over years of data. Maybe we should do something different in obvious passing downs, where it would be okay to tip your hand by lining up with a TE. I'm talking about 3rd and 8+. On 3rd and 5, I'd still rather line up in the flex bone.

 

[Whiskey_Clear]

I'll comment on the pass blocking too.

I think it is a combination of two things. First, we don't have a BB who is a constant threat on the dive and inside veer. That means that nobody much pays attention to holding ground and stopping us up the middle first. If we had the combo we had last year nobody would be teeing off on a pass rush; they'd be worrying about what'll happen if they tried it. Second, the overall speed of the O is down as well. That means the LBs and DBs aren't holding ground to stop us reaching the edge. They are coming up fast. Result: on passing downs - and those are more identifiable now - they press and blitz.

In short, I don't think the OL has regressed; we didn't look all that hot at the first last year. Then we began to hit the dive and speed up our execution. All of a sudden, from UNC on, the 2014 OL was the greatest thing since sliced bread. If our execution continues to improve, I'm betting that the pass blocking will too. But that's a hypothesis and we'll have to see.

FSU absolutely feared our Dive and Bback on the veer. They consistently played to take that away from us and give up the edge in hoping fast pursuit could slow us down.

Go back and look at film from the last few games last year. Run blocking was great. Pass pro was not very good.

3rd and five is just as likely a run as a pass play for us. If we changed out of our alignment it would be too much of a tell and would likely make us play "left handed" on 3rd and medium plays. 3rd and eight is usually a pass so maybe more possible to shift things.

Pass pro has been the Achilles of our offensive scheme. I don't think it's for lack of trying. I'm not sure what the answer is honestly. Having a short QB doesn't help though. Just one mans opinion.

 

[AE 87]

I'll add that the wide splits don't help when pass blocking. I think it is just a built in limitation of the system, as we have seen over years of data. Maybe we should do something different in obvious passing downs, where it would be okay to tip your hand by lining up with a TE. I'm talking about 3rd and 8+. On 3rd and 5, I'd still rather line up in the flex bone.

A lot of teams pass from spread formations with wide splits. It's like anything. The problem isn't formation but the execution.

 

[SwarmArmy]

I know a lot of you are still getting over the incredible finish on homecoming night, but I just wanted to look ahead and see what the wahoos have in store for us..

Passing Yards 230.6/game
Rushing Yards 125.4/game
Matt Johns (junior, QB) has 12 TDs and 12 INTs. QBR 127.7
UVA SoS - 35th. Tech's 4th. (https://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/ranking/schedule-strength-by-other)

UVA has some trick plays up its sleeve. Like this one vs ND:



They will probably try something like this if we have a significant lead.

We've had some tricky games up there in the past. They ended our 6-0 start 4 years ago. Hopefully our coaches keep our players grounded and focused on Virginia, and hope we get some of injured players back.

Go Jackets!

 

[33jacket]

Hope the players have moved on hard to with espn on campus still talking fsu

 

[Yoda]

Hope the Abacks continue to improve and Roof keeps the pressure dialed up. Everything will take care of itself if those two things happen.

 

[Jerry the Jacket]

I see two teams in similar circumstances. UVA is 2-5 with a team that finds a way to lose on most Saturdays. We are 3-5 with a team that has performed similarly. With our history up there, the fact they are the home team and fighting to save their coaches job, I look for this to be a very difficult game for us to win. I don't think last Saturday cured all of our ills. I always hope we win but I am concerned we will get a bad break, a bad call or just do something boneheaded and lose at the end. Hope I am wrong.

Go Jackets!

 

[DvilleJacket]

I think the guys want to keep the bowl streak alive. I really wish we would have found a way to win one of those close losses but the three remaining ACC games are very winnable.

 

[MWBATL]

I see two teams in similar circumstances. UVA is 2-5 with a team that finds a way to lose on most Saturdays. We are 3-5 with a team that has performed similarly. With our history up there, the fact they are the home team and fighting to save their coaches job, I look for this to be a very difficult game for us to win. I don't think last Saturday cured all of our ills. I always hope we win but I am concerned we will get a bad break, a bad call or just do something boneheaded and lose at the end. Hope I am wrong.

Go Jackets!

These are risks, as while we are improving, we still only scored 16 points on offense against the Noles. Virginia's strength is their defense. They just gave up 26 to UNC, which was (other than their error filled opener against USCe) their worst output this year by a wide margin (next lowest was the 38 they got against us). So, I expect to struggle on offense. Turnovers will really kill us. The whole key to this game imho will be whether our defense can turn in another awesome performance like they did against FSU. The Hoos offense isn't great, and their strength is passing, so if we can Gotsis inside for a pass rush and create problems for them, I think we can (and should) win. But make no mistake, defense and special teams will be our formula the rest of the season, with offense mostly out there to run clock and rat the D.

 

[Jean-Baptiste Rochambeau]

The blocking was better against Pitt and it looks like we built into that against FSU. The OLine looked much better in run blocking. ABacks did an OK job blocking but they ran with greater effort and finish. Marcus Marshall looked real good. He was close to popping a few big runs only to be tripped up.

All that said, the offensive line pass blocking is still as bad as I have ever seen in college football. I mean they are turnstiles out there. The only difference is that they don't have built in number counters that track the number of attendees at the event that pass through them. There is no time for JT to throw the ball at all. The only pass that I saw where JT had even a chance to set his feet and make a throw was the wheel route to Stewart and thank god for that.

With that said, JT needs to make better decisions when being chased out of the pocket. The first INT was unacceptable in my mind. He broke every rule except throwing the ball across his body to a receiver over the middle. He threw under duress, off his back foot into double coverage. Ouch. That's totally and completely on him. Again he is pressing trying to make something happen but he needs to throw that ball away or commit to running it and getting what he can out of it.

We played OK but we aren't all of a sudden a juggernaut. We are more than capable of winning or losing the rest of the games on the schedule. The blocking just has got to improve.

If we get 28 first downs we will win.

 

[GTfan4Life]

Virginia's strength is their defense. They just gave up 26 to UNC, which was (other than their error filled opener against USCe) their worst output this year by a wide margin (next lowest was the 38 they got against us). So, I expect to struggle on offense.

My understanding is that they struggle defensively against the run - it's their pass defense that is stout. Someone who has more knowledge correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[alagold]

I'll add that the wide splits don't help when pass blocking. I think it is just a built in limitation of the system, as we have seen over years of data. Maybe we should do something different in obvious passing downs, where it would be okay to tip your hand by lining up with a TE. I'm talking about 3rd and 8+. On 3rd and 5, I'd still rather line up in the flex bone.

good idea, howabout lining up in shotgun then JT even has a better chance on his fake pass play

 

[awbuzz]

Looking forwad to being 4 -5 at the end of the day come 10/31. With that, UVA always scares me, even when not playing on Halloween.

 

[GTNavyNuke]

My understanding is that they struggle defensively against the run - it's their pass defense that is stout. Someone who has more knowledge correct me if I'm wrong.

UVa is 108th with 8.1 yards per pass attempt allowed by the defense per play http://www.cfbstats.com/2015/leader/national/team/defense/split01/category02/sort04.html
They are 87th at 4.67 yards per rush allowed. http://www.cfbstats.com/2015/leader/national/team/defense/split01/category01/sort05.html

So I'm not going to say you are wrong as they allow more yards per pass attempt than rush. But so do most teams.

 

[UgaBlows]

I wish on third or fourth a

good idea, howabout lining up in shotgun then JT even has a better chance on his fake pass play

Hell man lets just go shotgun with max protect with 8 offensive linemen on 3rd/4th and long

 

[00Burdell]

I'll be perfectly honest. I am not looking forward to playing UVa. I hate that game more than any other game on our schedule (when its at Charlottesville). Beautiful town, beautiful stadium - fall colors and all - but I can not stand sitting in that stadium - I don't like the atmosphere, I don't particularly care for the UVa fans - they are polite and all but there's just something about them that gets on my nerves. And the announcer is annoying - every time they get a first down they do this dumb thing.

UVa always seems to hang around no matter how good we are or how hard we play - I was there for the curse-breaker game - not a bad day but almost every other trip to Charlottesville has been a disaster.

I just want to win the game - don't care how, don't care by how much - just win and get back on the bus before the football gods realize we were there.

 

[iceeater1969]

Looked at depih chart on defense. They are not big at dt but are huge at lb.

After wrestling with nd, clemson and fsu maybe our guys kick some dl butt kicker the

 

[GTNavyNuke]

I'll be perfectly honest. I am not looking forward to playing UVa. I hate that game more than any other game on our schedule (when its at Charlottesville). Beautiful town, beautiful stadium - fall colors and all - but I can not stand sitting in that stadium - I don't like the atmosphere, I don't particularly care for the UVa fans - they are polite and all but there's just something about them that gets on my nerves. And the announcer is annoying - every time they get a first down they do this dumb thing.

UVa always seems to hang around no matter how good we are or how hard we play - I was there for the curse-breaker game - not a bad day but almost every other trip to Charlottesville has been a disaster.

I just want to win the game - don't care how, don't care by how much - just win and get back on the bus before the football gods realize we were there.

When you live in the state, you come to like UVa fans since the VT fans make UVa fans look so good. I would say that most UVa fans have a more West Coast laid back attitude about football. That first down thing is annoying as is singing for New Year's. But most schools have annoying habits to their competitors.

This weekend up there is going to be perfect; 60F and sunny. Trees a bit past peak probably up there. But I'm biased since I love the mountains and that whole area.

As far as a curse, this team only needs to play their positions and block and tackle and we'll win. after last week, the football Gods must be smiling on us for whatever reason. Just enjoy the run for the next two games ...... I think we are going to make it very close on getting to 6 wins and this weekend isn't the one I'm most worried about.

 

[BuzzStone]

Coming off a big win is always a concern. And with a younger team traveling can be a problem. But I am hopeful our guys did turn the corner and we can get a good road win. I don't think it will be a blowout but I think we can walk away with the W.