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CrimsonCougSorry for the long hiatus. Just moved across the country to DC while trying to finish out the dissertation.
I'm seeing lots of keys clanging around out there. Here are mine.
1. Win the turnover battle.
In a game like this where both teams got blown out in large part because of turnovers, ball security will be key. If either team turns it over much at all, the mental fortitude of that team will tank and mistakes will avalanche! (I still say let JJ run loose, but tuck it in, son!)
2. Catch the FfFfFfFootball!
Neither QB has played lights out, but the receivers flat out aren't doing their job.
3. Linebacker Play.
Stopping the run or stopping the short pass game happens in the middle. Our front and back of the D are good enough to make the plays if they're not betrayed by the linebackers (even Pendleton got turned around on a few plays at AFA, and he still looks like he's recovering from that surgery--mentally more than physically).
I'm going from the assumption that everyone else will play as they've shown they can in the past (this season, or as in the case of the WR's, seasons past). That is, I'm assuming Riley Stephenson will pack his cleats rather than his clogs, the D and O lines do as well as they did in the Washington game, and the tight ends...well, the tight ends at least put a block on someone because en shallah they don't get many balls coming their way.
I'm not wishing for the impossible (Anae making in-game adjustments beyond boorish monolithic half-time moves) nor the unlikely (somebody named Mendenhall, Anae or Doman name THE starting quarterback).
I don't think we have to be particularly awesome this game. FSU is psychologically fragile, and beatable.
I'm seeing lots of keys clanging around out there. Here are mine.
1. Win the turnover battle.
In a game like this where both teams got blown out in large part because of turnovers, ball security will be key. If either team turns it over much at all, the mental fortitude of that team will tank and mistakes will avalanche! (I still say let JJ run loose, but tuck it in, son!)
2. Catch the FfFfFfFootball!
Neither QB has played lights out, but the receivers flat out aren't doing their job.
3. Linebacker Play.
Stopping the run or stopping the short pass game happens in the middle. Our front and back of the D are good enough to make the plays if they're not betrayed by the linebackers (even Pendleton got turned around on a few plays at AFA, and he still looks like he's recovering from that surgery--mentally more than physically).
I'm going from the assumption that everyone else will play as they've shown they can in the past (this season, or as in the case of the WR's, seasons past). That is, I'm assuming Riley Stephenson will pack his cleats rather than his clogs, the D and O lines do as well as they did in the Washington game, and the tight ends...well, the tight ends at least put a block on someone because en shallah they don't get many balls coming their way.
I'm not wishing for the impossible (Anae making in-game adjustments beyond boorish monolithic half-time moves) nor the unlikely (somebody named Mendenhall, Anae or Doman name THE starting quarterback).
I don't think we have to be particularly awesome this game. FSU is psychologically fragile, and beatable.