I'm introducing a new way to preview our opponents, starting this week. I've developed 24 questions that we can answer about each team we play for the remainder of the season. I think it should be fun, and give us a good opportunity to look ahead at the team we are playing.
A couple commentors on the Minnesota boards called me out earlier in the year for just looking at a stats sheet. So, just to be clear. I'm not going to be breaking down any film on these guys. I'm going to look at the results of what they have done, and look for clues. Feel free to start your own blog.
What is their body of work this season?
You can't sugarcoat it. This isn't very good. Their lone win required a big comeback to beat Charleston Southern, a college I will wager most people didn't even know had a football team. Add their losses to average UC and Michigan teams, as well as a drubbing against Temple, and it just isn't good. They did play NIU close before losing. (Loss to Vanderbilt is no shame).
What is their best result this season?
I'm going to say its playing NIU tough in DeKalb.
What is their worst result this season?
Losing 28-10 to Temple in Oxford.
Are they healthy?
I haven't been able to find anything that suggests there are major injuries.
What is the turnover margin? Any outliers throwing off the numbers?
Miami is -3 for the season. They turned it over four times against Temple for -2.
Offense:
How is their QB play?
Their QB is Daniel Radabaugh. He made a surprise start last year against BG and was 16-24 for 237. This season, he has struggled. According to MAC Report online, he is the 12th ranked QB in the MAC. His completion % (56%) is low and his ratio is 4/5.
There has been some news from Oxford this week that R-FR Clay Belton might get some snaps against us, as the Hawks try to find some ability to move the ball.
What is their yard per play?
4.4 yards per play is pretty average, and a yard less per play than their opponents...and their defense is supposed to be good.
Can they run the ball?
Well, they've had trouble SO FAR. Over the past few years, there's been a tendency for guys to have career days facing the Falcons, so we'll believe it when we see it. They are last in the MAC with 2.8 yards per carry. They did run better against NIU in their last game. You'd think we could do something against that.
Do they pass the ball.
Their total pass offense is eighth in the MAC, but, as Coach pointed out, its difficult to pass when you can't run. They are last in pass efficiency as a team.
Are they high efficiency or big play?
They appear to be trying to be a high percentage pass team, like most college teams today.
Do they convert on 3rd Down.
They are right about on the MAC average at 40%.
Do they score in the red zone?
They are, in fact DREADFUL in the Red Zone. In 20 trips, they have failed to score six times, and have only six TDs.
Do they protect the quarterback?
Radabaugh has been sacked 12 times this season, which is in the middle of the conference pack.
Defense:
Topline: Scoring and yards per play.
Well, they are second in the MAC in total defense (yards) and tied for sixth in yards per play. They are tied for eighth in scoring defense. They do have a couple star players, but production may be a little low this year.
Do they defend the run effectively?
They allow 4.5 yards per carry, and only three teams in the conference are below that.
Can they be passed on?
This is a little bit of an illusion. They give up the second lowest number of yards per game. However, only 142 passes have even been tried against them. Yards/catch is in the middle of the pack, and they have allowed 12 TDs against 3 Ints. They are 12th in pass defense efficiency.
Do they get off the field on 3rd down?
They are ninth in the MAC at about 43%, better than BG.
Do they defend in the red zone?
No, their red zone looks a lot like Bowling Green's. 23 trips, 20 scores and 17 touchdowns.
Do they pressure the QB?
They are last in the MAC with 6 sacks.
Special Teams:
Key point here--their special teams are very, very good. If we are not careful, we will lose the game here alone.
Punting?
Their punter, Jake Richardson, is the top punter in the NCAA.
Punt Return?
Eugene Harris has ten returns--with 151 yards and 2 Tds.
Placekicking?
Their kicker, Nathan Parseghian might be the best FG kicker in the MAC.
Kickoff?
They are fourth in the MAC with a 43.1 yard average. Only 2 TBs, kickoff depth is only average but they cover well.
Kickoff Return?
They are ninth in kickoff returns. So we have that going for us.
Miscellaneous: Overall atmospherics and intangibles.
Well, I don't know what to think about this. The biggest thing is that Miami has won 8 of the last 9 against us. The Miami Whammy is back, and they seem to have some kind of voodoo hold on us. We're going to have to overcome that.
I'd say they are pretty disappointed in Oxford. The team has a lot of seniors, and they aren't getting the performance they hoped for. There's a little chatter on their message board about Shane Montgomery, but it doesn't seem serious. Either way, Miami is always a threat. On paper, BG should be able to win this game, but, you know, if we don't bring our best game and tighten special teams up, it won't happen.
No comments:
Post a Comment