Anybody watch Navy's game last night?

[Tskware]

I only saw a little of the 4th quarter (long enough to see the game tilt on a pathetic pass interference call in the end zone, which negated a Navy interception and giving LT a touchdown).

What I really wanted to see was the triple option in action. Is the Navy offense about the same as Tech's? If Navy can score 45 points (albeit against a bad defense) playing with real students, then I am starting to worry about this offense, because Tech has athletes. I am pretty certain that G Tech is going to move the ball on us consistently and score a bunch. (hasn't every decent offensive team we played this year had a big game?) But at the same time, they are going to have a hard time stopping us as well.

Think we are going to need a big game offensively plus TOs, and not give them short fields with TOs to win.

 

[stinger78]

Our O and Navy's O are virtually identical on paper. However, each team does different things with it depending on the differing personnel strengths. Also, they likely tend to be more technically sound, being very disciplined service men. We tend to be more explosive, largely due to having the better athletes overall. They also have size restrictions, IIRC.

All that said, due to the DL's we tend to face as opposed to them, ours is very dependent upon OL performance. When you play Clemson, Miami, VA Tech, Pitt, UNC, and UGA every year, you have to execute against a lot of future NFL DL/LB, just like your team does. This was a major issue in last year's horrible season. It was greatly improved this season, but we still saw a lot of inconsistency at times early on. After a long layoff, will that inconsistency return or not? We don't know. This is the first thing I will look for... how the layoff apparently hurt us and helped our opponent.

However, I will also add this: Those match ups are cumulative things against us. Front 7's don't get a "play off" against our O. It hits you right in the gut every single play. So just because we start slow, doesn't mean it will continue that way.

I'll tell you, I'm nervous. I want Justin Thomas and our seniors to go out with a big win, but I just don't know that we can slow down your two-headed RB monster enough to win. I think it may come down to turnovers - who gives up a critical possession at a crucial time. That was the story in the UGA game, and I have a sick feeling that it will be the story in this game. I don't think that you have the defensive personnel to stop us cold like LSU (2008), Iowa (2009) and Ole Miss (2013) did. Maybe so, but I'm not sure.

 

[gojvc]

They probably will score a bunch on us. So did U of L. We just have to have another great game plan on offense and score a little bit more than they do.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I only saw a little of the 4th quarter (long enough to see the game tilt on a pathetic pass interference call in the end zone, which negated a Navy interception and giving LT a touchdown).

What I really wanted to see was the triple option in action. Is the Navy offense about the same as Tech's? If Navy can score 45 points (albeit against a bad defense) playing with real students, then I am starting to worry about this offense, because Tech has athletes. I am pretty certain that G Tech is going to move the ball on us consistently and score a bunch. (hasn't every decent offensive team we played this year had a big game?) But at the same time, they are going to have a hard time stopping us as well.

Think we are going to need a big game offensively plus TOs, and not give them short fields with TOs to win.

I know I wasn't who you were asking but I watched it, Navy got hosed quite abit last night on some calls, or it seemed that way to me. But their offense are similar, Tech does a good bit of pulling from the back side and a lot of cut blocking play side. They try to get as many on the ground as possible or having your DL trying to protect their knees. Tech has some good athletes and is overall faster on both sides of the ball. If Tech's qb is on with his throws he can hurt you with his arm too, he will throw it vertical trying for big plays. Their wideouts do a good job of faking a block and taking off on a seam route or down the sideline. If you can survive the first series without much damage and give your guys a chance to adjust to the speed they run it. UK can't simulate the speed with scout team.

 

[docholiday51]

Watched it for the very reason of seeing that offense,I think we will have problems defending in space and on the edges,Hopefully we can keep the ball for long periods of time and put points on the board.I can see Jones ,Edwards,Ware and Harmon being key players that will have to come up big for us

 

[Anon1660081258]

I think our defense will surprise us. The triple option is not some impossible riddle if you are willing to prepare for it diligently.

It sounds like they are probably getting a good look out of Rose & Co., and as has been noted, have twice the time to prep as they would a regular season meeting.

Back in the day, when lots of colleges and even more high schools ran option attacks, defending it was just something you either learned to do, or did not, in which case you watched a lot of football and held a lot of dummies.

We possess the size and athleticism to deal with Tech. The open question is discipline.

 

[docholiday51]

I think our defense will surprise us. The triple option is not some impossible riddle if you are willing to prepare for it diligently.

It sounds like they are probably getting a good look out of Rose & Co., and as has been noted, have twice the time to prep as they would a regular season meeting.

Back in the day, when lots of colleges and even more high schools ran option attacks, defending it was just something you either learned to do, or did not, in which case you watched a lot of football and held a lot of dummies.

We possess the size and athleticism to deal with Tech. The open question is discipline.

Thinking a bit more about how we defend,we might get more mileage out of Elam since clogging up dive space and occuping OL will be more valuable than penetration

 

[Adolph Rollingover]

The angles/ reads, downfield blocking execution and the willingness to take 4 yards a time to get 70 is what the flexbone is all about. The defense has to be patient and play for a negative play. If you allow the flexbone to throw when it wants to, instead of when is has to, it will be UGLY.

 

[ktbug]

Almost impossible to stop on 3rd and short. I love watching it, would hate to prepare for it. Navy's qb was competent, but I would almost be positive that Ga Tech has a better one.
I totally agree about Elam eating space and being effective in this one. Eating up the middle pays big dividends.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Almost impossible to stop on 3rd and short. I love watching it, would hate to prepare for it. Navy's qb was competent, but I would almost be positive that Ga Tech has a better one.
I totally agree about Elam eating space and being effective in this one. Eating up the middle pays big dividends.

Tech's qb is physically more gifted, he was Alabama 100m sprint champion in HS and is capable of making a big gain, but I don't think he is the ball handler or as disciplined as the Navy qb.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

If we were playing during the regular season, with a week to prepare, I'd be really worried.

But with an entire bowl prep with nothing else to focus on, it's much easier to practice responsibility, etc. So I'm not as concerned, although they'll still really give us trouble.

 

[willievic]

Paul Johnson coached at Navy before going to GT. GT will run the "Triple Option" against us, and I doubt if they pass 5 or 6 times. We just can't chase the ball, but mark a man and stay home.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[NavyCat88]

My favorite offense to watch. Love watching Tech, the Service Academies, Citadel, Wofford run it against bigger teams that don't face it often. Really enjoyed watching Citadel beat SC last year and Ga Southern beating the gators in the swamp a few years ago. Big issue for UK is they have time to prepare, but will the players stick to their assignments? If so, we should win on the shoulders of our running game. If not, we could be in trouble. GBB!

 

[JasonRDunn]

I definitely think that this will be a tough task for UK. Have to score a good amount of points and go on the plus side on turnovers.

 

[buckkiller]

Almost impossible to stop on 3rd and short. I love watching it, would hate to prepare for it. Navy's qb was competent, but I would almost be positive that Ga Tech has a better one.
I totally agree about Elam eating space and being effective in this one. Eating up the middle pays big dividends.

MEH, Elam gets puseh back 3-4 yards every play and I am still sratching my head wondering how and why? Yeah he will eat up space all right bout 4 yards backeerds!

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

I was keeping up with it for a totally different reason. Did you guys see the stats for Louisiana Tech's Trent Taylor? The kid is ridiculous. He's important to me because he is the youngest son of Greg Taylor from Corbin. Greg was a classmate of mine, a Parade All American and Corbin HOF member, who went on to play at WKU. Those were Eastern Kentucky mountain genes chewing Navy up. Trent finished his career winning 3 straight bowls and is #4 all time in NCAA receptions, 17th all time NCAA receiving yards. You know how we complain about dropped passes? Trent finished 3rd best in NCAA this year. He dropped 3% of his passes.

 

[hiveredtech1]

Tech's qb is physically more gifted, he was Alabama 100m sprint champion in HS and is capable of making a big gain, but I don't think he is the ball handler or as disciplined as the Navy qb.

To Navy's credit, that was Navy's 3rd stiong QB in the bowl game. The second string QB was injured just before halftime in final game of the year versus Army. Then their 3rd string QB left bowl game with an injury late in the fourth quarter which had them turn to a true freshman.

 

[hiveredtech1]

Paul Johnson coached at Navy before going to GT. GT will run the "Triple Option" against us, and I doubt if they pass 5 or 6 times. We just can't chase the ball, but mark a man and stay home.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

As info, GT only runs the triple option 10-15 times per game...it is one play of many. Lots of called dive, toss, traps, double option....all with counter possibilities and varying blocking calls for each. It may look the same at times to the naked eye....but I have seen GT games where it was only run 5-10 times. GT throws it 12 times per game on average but will have the run-pass option another 4-6 times.

 

[UKCatNnc]

I know I wasn't who you were asking but I watched it, Navy got hosed quite abit last night on some calls, or it seemed that way to me. But their offense are similar, Tech does a good bit of pulling from the back side and a lot of cut blocking play side. They try to get as many on the ground as possible or having your DL trying to protect their knees. Tech has some good athletes and is overall faster on both sides of the ball. If Tech's qb is on with his throws he can hurt you with his arm too, he will throw it vertical trying for big plays. Their wideouts do a good job of faking a block and taking off on a seam route or down the sideline. If you can survive the first series without much damage and give your guys a chance to adjust to the speed they run it. UK can't simulate the speed with scout team.

I watched the game and I also felt that Navy got hosed. Go Cats!!