Would you mind providing your evaluations on which games you anticipate us losing and the why behind that decision? Just curious.
I see 7 games that are all as winnable as they are losable. So we may be 3-9 in 2 months. Or just as likely, be 10-2.
I'm not sure how after 5 games you are sure that our season is doomed? We beat 3 bad teams, lost to 1 really good team, and beat ourselves against an above average to good team. Clean up the mistakes and i still see a salvagable 8 win season.
Well, you asked for it....
Here is my thinking (and I sincerely hope I get the opportunity to be pummeled with a wet noodle for being terribly wrong):
(1) @Pitt-L...Pitt has solid offense, they have scored tons of points on just about everyone so far. 38 vs Okal State, 36 vs UNC, 42 vs Penn State...hard for me to see us holding them under those kind of numbers, a sI believe our defense is exceptionally vulnerable to short passes, screens and passes to backs out of the backfield, which is Pitts passing game.
(2) Georgia Southern-?? These guys ain't chopped liver. They'll be VERY fired up to come into Atlanta and steal one. They are MUCH better than Mercer imho. It is intrinsically difficult for a team like GT to get very fired up, especially after 3 losses in a row, for a team like Ga Southern. This becomes an upset alert
(3) Bye-we've got this one. I am sure we won't lose, in any event
(4) Duke-W This game does scare me considering we have lost to this team two years in a row (or is it 3?). We should beat them, though, so I will chalk this one up as a win. But anyone who can go into South Bend and spot Notre Dame 14 points and then come back and beat them has some talent, even though ND sucks this year.
(5)-@UNC L These guys are very strong offensively, and will score on us. They have scored on pretty much everyone after their season opening yuck out against the Dawgs. They also believe and have learned how to win close games. The have won twice in a row in the final seconds, scoring 37 and 38 points, iirc. Of course, their defense is not that great either. This is one where we have a chance IF our offensive execution is near perfect....and by that I mean long grinding drives resulting in TD's to limit possessions. But still, on the road with a team I don't think has learned to win yet against a team in the hunt for the Coastal title...you gotta like their chances.
(6) @VT L Seriously? VT has just scored 49 on BC and 52 on East Carolina...two pretty solid defenses. And it's in Blacksburg. And they will be gunning for the Coastal crown. This one won't be close.
(7) Virginia-?? These guys started very slowly but they do have new coaches this year, solid coaches based on their resume. They surprised with a win over previously unbeaten Central Michigan (don't laugh, that's a decent team with wins over Oklahoma State and UNLV). They just nailed Duke on the road by 14. They seem to be improving. If our season has been spiraling out of control, with 2 lousy road losses in a row and nothing much left to play for, they could catch us.
(8) @ UGa ?? This is one that totally depends. I actually think we could beat them this year...in terms of talent and performance thus far. It is hard to say what the mindset of these two teams will be by them. BUT, UGa has a pathetically easy second half schedule (that gauntlet of South Carolina, Vandy, Kentucky, Auburn and UL-Lafayette is going to make for 5 easy wins...leaving them only one tough game vs Florida) so they will likely come in 8-3 or 7-4, feeling good about themselves and optimistic for next season. If we come in down and out, we lose. If we somehow manage to turn things around and I am wrong about a couple or three games, I think we can pick 'em off.
I see 3 almost certain losses, 3 real ?? and 1 W. If we drop one of the two ?? games, and are 5-6 going into Athens, I think we lose. That's how I get to 5-7 as a real possibility.
