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| Remember the 70's |
So, in historic terms, Miami is one of the traditional powers in the MAC. Over the last 10 years, they were in the bottom three for record. Two years ago, they started 0-6 and things looked really bad, but then they won their last 6 and made a bowl game. Things were looked up for last year, but Ragland was injured and they fell backwards. This year was really supposed to be the year--they were on Phil Steele's Most Improved Team list. And this year is not off to a good start, at 0-3, massive injuries and only 3 points in the last 2 games.
How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?
They are very experienced. Phil Steele had them ranked #7 in terms of experience. They have 30 upperclassmen on the two-deep, based on their published two-deep.
Who are their statistical leaders?
De'Andre Montgomery is #20 in the nation in tackles.
What is their turnover ratio?
They are -2.
Well, it was supposed to be pretty good. Gus Ragland is a 5th-year senior who is among the top QBs in the MAC. He's struggling this year, at #9 in the MAC and #106 in the country in efficiency. He's completed only 54% with 3 TD over 2 INT and 10.4 yards per reception. He's mostly a passing QB.
What was their scoring and yards per play?
They are really struggling. They are scoring 10 PPG and 4.5 yards per play. That's last in scoring and 123rd in yards per play. (BG is actually even lower).
Can they run the ball?
They are really struggling, at 3.1 yards per carry. That's 126th in the nation. They've rotated a bunch of guys through, and no one has carried very much.
Do they pass the ball?
Well, as noted, their QB play has not been as expected. Further, their All-MAC 1st team WR Andrew Gardner is out for the season.
How is their run/pass balance?
No, they have run on only 40% of their overall plays.
Do they convert on 3rd Down?
Not good at 35%.
Did they score in the red zone?
They average 5.2 points per trip, which is good, but they have only 6 redzone trips in 3 games.
Did they protect the quarterback?
Yes, they do. They've only given up sacks on 2.7% of their pass attempts.
Defense:
Topline: Scoring and yards per play.
They are allowing 27 PPG and only 4.7 yards per play. The scoring is just average but the yards per play is #34 in FBS.
Do they defend the run effectively?
That's a very good question. They do. This is going to be the game's key confrontation. They allow only 3.6 yards per carry and BG has struggled to run the ball. The o-line is going to need to win some battles to open some space.
Can they be passed on?
Yes, they are #94 in passing efficiency defense. They allow almost 60% completions at 11.2 per completion and 6 TDs and 1 INT.
Did they get off the field on 3rd down?
They are not great, at 42%.
Do they defend in the red zone?
No. They allow 5.8 points per trip.
Did they pressure the QB?
Not bad. They get sacks on 6.3% of their pass defenses.
Special Teams:
Punting?
Their net is 38 per punt, which is pretty average. They are getting excellent yardage, but have given up 7 returns for 11 yards per. Also his name is Kyle Kramer and BG used to have a d-back named Kyle Kramer.
Punt Return?
They have a good player back there, but he only has 5 returns for 22 yards.
Placekicking?
He made his only FG at 37 yards this year. Overall, he is 14 of 20 with a 45 long.
Kickoff?
Not bad. Teams start on the 24.
Kickoff Return?
They start on their 24.
First, this Miami is the craziest thing going. From the game where Don Nehlen forgot what down it was to the mud bowl to the fog game to the fumble last year....this series just brings crazy shit and its usually bad for BG. In fact, Miami has won 6 of the last 7 games at the Doyt.
Both teams need a win badly. That's going to make for a spirited contest, I suspect.
Things to watch for include whether BG's defense can stop Miami's weak running attack and whether BG can move the ball against Miami's defense, which is not bad.
Last year's game was crazy. BG had all but lost the game when Miami tried a trick play near the goal line and fumbled. BG then did the only thing that could have kept Miami in the game by returning the fumble for a score and then Miami almost came down and tied the game anyway.
With the injury issues at Miami--along with their offensive struggles--you'd like to think BG will get the win and get to 2-2. Somewhere in Oxford someone is having the same exact thought.
They are really struggling. They are scoring 10 PPG and 4.5 yards per play. That's last in scoring and 123rd in yards per play. (BG is actually even lower).
Can they run the ball?
They are really struggling, at 3.1 yards per carry. That's 126th in the nation. They've rotated a bunch of guys through, and no one has carried very much.
Do they pass the ball?
Well, as noted, their QB play has not been as expected. Further, their All-MAC 1st team WR Andrew Gardner is out for the season.
How is their run/pass balance?
No, they have run on only 40% of their overall plays.
Not good at 35%.
Did they score in the red zone?
They average 5.2 points per trip, which is good, but they have only 6 redzone trips in 3 games.
Yes, they do. They've only given up sacks on 2.7% of their pass attempts.
Defense:
Topline: Scoring and yards per play.
They are allowing 27 PPG and only 4.7 yards per play. The scoring is just average but the yards per play is #34 in FBS.
That's a very good question. They do. This is going to be the game's key confrontation. They allow only 3.6 yards per carry and BG has struggled to run the ball. The o-line is going to need to win some battles to open some space.
Can they be passed on?
Yes, they are #94 in passing efficiency defense. They allow almost 60% completions at 11.2 per completion and 6 TDs and 1 INT.
Do they defend in the red zone?
No. They allow 5.8 points per trip.
Did they pressure the QB?
Not bad. They get sacks on 6.3% of their pass defenses.
Special Teams:
Punting?
Their net is 38 per punt, which is pretty average. They are getting excellent yardage, but have given up 7 returns for 11 yards per. Also his name is Kyle Kramer and BG used to have a d-back named Kyle Kramer.
They have a good player back there, but he only has 5 returns for 22 yards.
Placekicking?
He made his only FG at 37 yards this year. Overall, he is 14 of 20 with a 45 long.
Kickoff?
Not bad. Teams start on the 24.
Kickoff Return?
They start on their 24.
First, this Miami is the craziest thing going. From the game where Don Nehlen forgot what down it was to the mud bowl to the fog game to the fumble last year....this series just brings crazy shit and its usually bad for BG. In fact, Miami has won 6 of the last 7 games at the Doyt.
Both teams need a win badly. That's going to make for a spirited contest, I suspect.
Things to watch for include whether BG's defense can stop Miami's weak running attack and whether BG can move the ball against Miami's defense, which is not bad.
Last year's game was crazy. BG had all but lost the game when Miami tried a trick play near the goal line and fumbled. BG then did the only thing that could have kept Miami in the game by returning the fumble for a score and then Miami almost came down and tied the game anyway.
With the injury issues at Miami--along with their offensive struggles--you'd like to think BG will get the win and get to 2-2. Somewhere in Oxford someone is having the same exact thought.
I sat in the rain at that Don Nehlen game in Oxford.
ReplyDeleteIt's a little known story in Falcon lore....
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