Memphis at Duke discussion

[Bob Green]

Duke has opened as a 24 points favorite:

http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-foo ... as/?s=1386

[devildeac]

Duke has opened as a 24 points favorite:

http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-foo ... as/?s=1386

I'll take 24 points in a bet. With a rack of ribs and a couple sides. Let's say (dp)slaw and potato salad.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Good attitude from Cut in this quote.

“I don’t feel near as giddy as I did after that FIU game,” Cutcliffe said Sunday. “I think (we got) a dose of reality out west. I need our leaders, our captains, our seniors, our starters, everyone here needs to take to heart what we need to do to get better.”

http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_stor ... er-big-win?

I don't know anything about Memphis other than they suck, but Duke can suck too. We have lots to keep working on if we hope to make noise in October when we need to, so this game could not come at a better time. Also, hopefully, we can still keep some of the injured guys recovering and rested on the sidelines without worry.

[Bob Green]

Memphis preview: http://bluedevilnation.net/2012/09/know ... is-tigers/

Patrick does a nice job as usual on the preview.

From a statistics viewpoint, Memphis is a horrible defensive team. They rank 91/120 in pass defense, 108/120 in rush defense and 108/120 in total defense. Our offense should be able to move the ball at will against the Tigers. Teams are rushing for right at 220 yards per game against Memphis. If we can't establish a running game this Saturday, we will not do it any Saturday this season. I want to see us come out in a formation with Renfree under center and two tight ends, run the ball, and then utilize play action to burn the Tigers down the field. Who knows, if we accomplish those two objectives FIRST, a couple of bubble screens might actually catch the defense napping.

Additionally, the offense needs to be fast paced. Renfree seems to be able to get into a better flow when operating quickly and Patrick's preview indicates Memphis' defense is prone to wearing down in the 4th quarter. That appears to be a strength against weakness scenario to me.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Memphis preview: http://bluedevilnation.net/2012/09/know ... is-tigers/

Patrick does a nice job as usual on the preview.

From a statistics viewpoint, Memphis is a horrible defensive team. They rank 91/120 in pass defense, 108/120 in rush defense and 108/120 in total defense. Our offense should be able to move the ball at will against the Tigers. Teams are rushing for right at 220 yards per game against Memphis. If we can't establish a running game this Saturday, we will not do it any Saturday this season. I want to see us come out in a formation with Renfree under center and two tight ends, run the ball, and then utilize play action to burn the Tigers down the field. Who knows, if we accomplish those two objectives FIRST, a couple of bubble screens might actually catch the defense napping.

Additionally, the offense needs to be fast paced. Renfree seems to be able to get into a better flow when operating quickly and Patrick's preview indicates Memphis' defense is prone to wearing down in the 4th quarter. That appears to be a strength against weakness scenario to me.

Sadly, even with Ross Cockrell seemingly knocking and stealing everything out of the sky, we rank lower than Memphis on the pass defense. Only 12 teams between us and the bottom. And overall, only 6 teams separate Duke and Memphis. Here's a chance to pick up our numbers a bit.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/s ... ce=I-A_all

[The Football Fan]

I'm really hoping that Coach Cut is playing a strategy game and not giving away anything...

1. I think/hope our running game is better than we've shown. I'm happy enough if we can get the win here at Memphis without showing our cards. Perhaps we've been a bit vanilla with our running attack to this point. A full stable of healthy backs will be needed when the ACC teams come to town and if you can throw something at Wake and Virginia that they aren't expecting, maybe we can pick up a few unexpected big plays. We've been so thin on the line and backs in the past that I think we wore down bad in the second half of the season. MAYBE...(I hope)...we're not running as much to preserve them for a late season push. We also seem to be rotating the line frequently. Even Conor Irwin was snapping the ball in games.
*I have to follow games on a gamecast by ESPN and listen to the game call, so it's hard to know what we're doing.

2. Our pass defense hasn't been great, and probably isn't anything to brag about, but perhaps not as bad as it looks. Even in the Stanford game, the defense held them to a few field goals and the score could've been much worse. I'd also bet our play calling changed mid way through the 3rd quarter. Keep in mind, FIU collected a fair number of yards in the 4th quarter when our 2nd/3rd string was out there. Finally, consider how many defensive players were just out for the NC Central game. I'd also like to think we're not throwing our best schemes out there to stop NC Central.
Final notes...Lee Butler and Ross Cockrell have big play potential. That's very clear from the first few games. The line continues to improve with Rick Petri. Look at the number of sacks. If our safeties are steady and linebackers can learn from these early games (lotta youth and inexperience)...for the first time in forever, we may have a good defense.

There's a lot of hope in all that, but I'll be watching as best as I can.

[Bob Green]

Welcome back The Football Fan. It's Game Day and I'm about to jump in my car and start the drive from Norfolk to Durham. Go Blue Devils!!! Beat the Tigers!!! My Crystal Ball indicates a big day for Josh Snead today. He is going to break off a long run from scrimmage and go for a 100+ all purpose yards.

[YmoBeThere]

We pushed the spread, but I'll take the win any day of the week, particularly on Saturday in college football. Next week begins the ACC schedule. I wasn't able to see the game on TV, instead I'm watching Vandy get smacked around by UGA.

[lawgrad91]

Ymo, defensively we played well. Their two TDs came off a pick six and a KO return to our 5. I think they ended up with 150 or so yards on offense.

Offensively, despite our 38 points, we were sloppy. Two red zone fumbles lost, the aforementioned pick six (a very short one), etc. Lee Butler muffed a punt, as well, though the defense held on that one. We need to clean up those things. I thought the play calling was spotty; would like to hear from a more learned person on that.

Afterward, Coach mentioned that both Lee Butler and Josh Snead got hurt and he didn't know what their prognosis is. Hopefully their situations won't be too serious.

[The Football Fan]

Thanks Bob! My anti-virus software wouldn't let me on this website for awhile. I'm not really sure what changed, but glad it did. I'm not too tech savvy in that regard.

At any rate, I think it says something that we played rather sloppy and still won big. Another thing to consider....Louisville Cardinals ranked 20th in the country...28, FIU 21. FIU would've gotten the ball back w/ 5 min to play, but had a personal foul hitting the punter. That seems to give some weight to the idea that we've got a good team. The pieces are there.

In the first 4 games, we've done what we needed to do to put us in a position to go to a bowl. There isn't a duke fan out there that should be upset with what we have now. That's not to say there aren't issues, but really that's for the coaching staff and players to work out. If we can just clean up a few errors, stay healthy, and get a few breaks, we could get to 8 wins. I'm not predicting that, but I think it's plausible.

[lawgrad91]

Thanks Bob! My anti-virus software wouldn't let me on this website for awhile. I'm not really sure what changed, but glad it did. I'm not too tech savvy in that regard.

At any rate, I think it says something that we played rather sloppy and still won big. Another thing to consider....Louisville Cardinals ranked 20th in the country...28, FIU 21. FIU would've gotten the ball back w/ 5 min to play, but had a personal foul hitting the punter. That seems to give some weight to the idea that we've got a good team. The pieces are there.

In the first 4 games, we've done what we needed to do to put us in a position to go to a bowl. There isn't a duke fan out there that should be upset with what we have now. That's not to say there aren't issues, but really that's for the coaching staff and players to work out. If we can just clean up a few errors, stay healthy, and get a few breaks, we could get to 8 wins. I'm not predicting that, but I think it's plausible.

The Football Fan, you nailed it. When we were on last night, we were really on. But there was enough lack of focus in spots for us not to rest on our laurels and think we can beat Wake with sheer talent. We need to be focused in that one and do all the little things right.

[Bob Green]

My Crystal Ball indicates a big day for Josh Snead today. He is going to break off a long run from scrimmage and go for a 100+ all purpose yards.

My Crystal Ball was slightly blurred. It ended up being Jela Duncan who went for 100+ all purpose yards (88 rushing and 14 receiving). The young man has star potential.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

My Crystal Ball indicates a big day for Josh Snead today. He is going to break off a long run from scrimmage and go for a 100+ all purpose yards.

My Crystal Ball was slightly blurred. It ended up being Jela Duncan who went for 100+ all purpose yards (88 rushing and 14 receiving). The young man has star potential.

That's very much how Coach Cutcliffe described him on National Signing Day. It's wonderful that Jela, who is from Charlotte, another member of the 704 gang, decided that Duke is the place for him!

[devildeac]

My Crystal Ball indicates a big day for Josh Snead today. He is going to break off a long run from scrimmage and go for a 100+ all purpose yards.

My Crystal Ball was slightly blurred. It ended up being Jela Duncan who went for 100+ all purpose yards (88 rushing and 14 receiving). The young man has star potential.

You apparently forgot to re-assess your crystal ball after a couple Bass ales .