I’m on the road now, and Treo blogging ain’t the easiest thing in the world. So another short game day post for me. After eating a big plate of crow after last week’s blown prediction, I think this team has earned a little faith from me. They went into a hostile place, against a team with an extra week to prepare, and dug themselves out of a hole to win another tough road game. So, against a weaker team, the Hoos should be able to pull out the win. It won’t be an easy — State will look to pass against our questionable corners and the offense could struggle if Pressley and Co. get settled in. The Wolfies should keep it close — even in striking distance to win at times. But, I think that UVa has shown that this team can, no, will win close games. Chris Long will take over on defense, someone will take over on offense (maybe Ray Horne this time?), and Jameel Sewell will manage well enough to pull this thing out.

Of course, I won’t know until Monday night. Keep your spoilers to yourselves.

UVa 21 NC State 13
Prediction record: 6-2

Greg has his previews up on the Wolfpack offense and defense .

About that offense — they stru-ga-ling. If you think the Hoos have some injuries, check out this poor team. They’ve lost their top two running backs, their quarterback, and possibly their top wide receiver. So no wonder:

Despite forcing a pair of turnovers and breaking even in that category against East Carolina, N.C. State still ranks dead last in the nation (119th) in turnover margin. Through seven games, the Wolfpack has committed 24 miscues (16 interceptions, eight lost fumbles), while taking the ball away from the opposition just seven times (three INTs, four fumbles). What’s even more costly is that 89 of the opposition’s 197 total points (45%) this season have come following a Wolfpack turnover.

If this sort of problem keeps up (fingers crossed), the Wahoo defense can do some serious work on that whole 36-36 goal.

And about the D, they haven’t been very good but are getting much better in recent games. Also, it does look like they have a healthy DeMario Pressley back — so it’s quite possible that their previous struggles might be cured as the talented linebacker gets back in the groove of things.

I’ll be on the road on a little vaca this weekend, so my blogging will be light. And I’ll be recording the NC State game on my DVR to watch Monday night, so I’ll be avoiding you all until then. Don’t take offense and don’t tell me what happens! Go Hoos!

I returned the favor for Section Six here.

Steven of Section Six — my favorite NC State blog (now added to the blogroll) — was kind enough to join me for a quick Q&A session about the Wolfpack. Read on for questions about their turnaround game against ECU, battling with injuries, DeMario Pressley, and the hated Heels.

1. NC State really turned things around last week by beating a tough ECU team. What did the Wolfpack do different last week to break the losing streak?

We managed to keep the turnover margin even, which is a huge deal for us (we lead the country in giveaways), and we were opportunistic, scoring touchdowns the two occasions we were given a short field after an ECU turnover. We just caught breaks for once–for example, ECU’s second giveaway was a pass with which the quarterback hit his center in the head, causing it
to fly high into the air and into the arms of DeMario Pressley. That was a game changing play the likes of which we aren’t used to seeing.

Don’t turn the ball over four times a game and you might actually be in position to beat a I-A team. Who knew?

Also, it didn’t hurt that Daniel Evans played maybe the game of his career.

(more…)

Let’s kick off this late Heisman campaign in style, shall we?

Made an appearance today on Chris Graham’s weekly show about sports in the Commonwealth — click here and chose the latest episode (Oct. 24, 2007) to listen. I’m the last guest (the big Hokies-Eagles game gets top billing, of course).

Ian tells Fridge to shut his yap.

P.S. psst, Ian, ESPN wasn’t the only one to call Mikell a tight end!

Man, is there anyone looking wistfully back at the side of the fence they just climbed over more than Tom O’Brien right now? The team he was coaching last year is #2 in the nation and has a Heisman Trophy candidate at the helm. The team he’s coaching this year is … well … let’s just say it’s the opposite of all that. I hope the money was worth it, Obie!

Anyway, NCSU week is under way on the Good Ol’ Blog. The Hoos finally play a team that isn’t coming off a buy week. State did enjoy a week off before beating ECU last Saturday — and, boy, did it help. The Wolfies earned their first 1-A victory in twelve tries. After prevailing over FSU in early October of 2006, the only other team they beat before last weekend was Wofford. Yikes. With a record like that, this is a game the Hoos should win. But, UVa has a dark history with “should” games that follow “can’t-believe-we-won” games. So, let’s pay the former Virginia offensive coordinator some due respect this week and recognize a “trap” game when we see one, okay?

At the very least, he certainly could use a little compassion right now. You know, with that whole missing out on BC’s magical season thing.

It’s not often that a blog roundup focuses on one blog. Or one blog post even! But Jay Jenkins is that prolific.

First off, forget about doubting whether Simpson barely made the first down. Why not doubt whether the spot was too short?

While I am on here, I found it convenient that “The Drive” was on TV when finally made it home in the wee hours of the morning. Am I the only nut out there that thinks Mikell Simpson might have stretched the football even further than his “spot” on the critical fourth-down reception. He did a great job of keeping his knees off the ground on a play when every Maryland player knew he was getting the ball.

And as much as a homer that I may be, I’m going to have to go with “Yes” on whether he’s the only nut in this situation. But I guess I don’t blame him — he may have some shell shock from his trip to College Park. It’s not just the stands in Byrd Stadium that annoys visitors:

I had some help on the play – the Maryland fan, errr, media member sitting behind me that cheered for every Terp play all night long offered his insight. I could care less who wins – I grew up a Gardner-Webb football fan (Why?) – but blatant cheering is a headache starter. I kept waiting on the wave to start in the press box after Maryland got first downs.

Jay’s lucky that they didn’t key his computer.

Finally, nice gesture (and a nice show of leadership) from Jameel:

Jameel Sewell said he was fine after the game and I believe him. He stayed in the media room talking to the scribes longer than any player not named Chris Long. Sewell did have a big brace on his right knee, but he preferred talking about the tape on his right wrist. He took the time to write “Phillip Brown” on it. That message, a special message for a former teammate battling cancer, was joined by the ever-growing list of jersey numbers of teammates who did not dress.

Perfect segue for this link on how to help PB out.