GAME WEEK: AIR FORCE

On By MikeIn air farce, navy football10 Comments

It’s been a pretty wild 18 months or so for the Air Force football program. The Mountain West has basically disintegrated around them, with cash cows Utah, TCU, and BYU all leaving for greener pastures. The conference had already added Boise State, and will replace the defectors with Fresno State, Nevada, and Hawaii next year. While the Mountain West has been busy transforming themselves back into the WAC, Air Force has been mixed up the same Big East rumors as Navy. (Remember how BYU was excoriated for leaving the MWC? Can’t wait to see THAT double standard exposed). Like everyone else not in the Pac 12, Big Ten, or SEC, the future is a little uncertain for Air Force, at least off the field.

On the field, Air Force had a fantastic year. Well, depending on your point of view they did. For a service academy, it was as good a season as one could hope for. The team won 9 games, won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, and beat a BCS team in their bowl game. That’s a season I’d be thrilled with, but there was also a certain amount of disappointment in Air Force’s performance. As good as it was, it was also a missed opportunity to move up the conference food chain. BYU had an off year, and after Air Force beat the Cougars early in the season it seemed like Air Force would take their place in the Mountain West’s top tier. That didn’t happen; instead, San Diego State emerged as an up-and-coming program and beat Air Force to start a 3-game conference losing streak for the Falcons. As good as Air Force was, they weren’t able to break through to establish themselves as part of the new elite of the conference that will replace the programs that have left.

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Three Things I’m Watching: Air Force at Navy

On By AdamIn air farce, Ivin Jasper, Ken Niumatalolo, navy football16 Comments

Work is preventing me from getting up to Annapolis for the game this weekend, but I’ll be alert and focused from my couch as Navy attempts to avenge last year’s 14-6 loss in Colorado Springs. This game is getting broken down from literally every angle you can think of, but here are three storylines I’m going to be keeping an eye on for Saturday.

Orange Zone Playcalling: Navy’s offensive struggles in the red zone during last year’s game have been well documented, as has the apparent turn-around through the early part of this year. But can you really call it a turnaround after just three games? Navy has been six for eight in the redzone this year in terms of coming away with touchdowns, but the offense has also scored seven touchdowns from outside the redzone. Given the familiarity of the Air Force defense with the option and the usually solid play of the Air Force cornerbacks in supporting the run while in the redzone, I’m curious to see if Niumatalolo and Jasper roll the dice in what I’m dubbing the “Orange Zone.” I’m talking about the area between the opponent’s 20 and 40 yard line, or as it’s better known, “field goal range.” Think about it; John Howell and Gee Gee Green have proved themselves as a big play slotbacks who can score when they get to the outside, while the Navy passing game – on somewhat questionable footing coming into the year – has already produced three receiving touchdowns. If Air Force is firing the corners and cheating a safety, I would not be surprised to see Navy’s offense become especially aggressive in trying to score while in my so-called “Orange Zone.”

Alexander Teich: I’ve been in my share of Navy press conferences after losses, but until the post-game press conference after the loss at South Carolina, I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a Navy player as mad about a game as Alexander Teich was. It’s one thing to be disappointed. It’s one thing to be heartbroken. But when your team captain is – and please excuse my somewhat vulgar nature here – straight-up pissed off, you can’t help but think to the next game and wonder how he’ll play. Teich is the kind of emotional leader who has always used that kind of fire to fuel his performance, and I’d expect nothing less in arguably the biggest game of the season. At the same time, Navy-Air Force games have hardly been conducive to breakout fullback play in the recent past. Last year Teich had just 38 yards against Air Force, and the year before that he and then-starter Vince Murray averaged just under 3.0 yards per carry between them on 29 combined carries. Actually, Navy has gone five seasons without a fullback or fullback tandem running for over 100 yards against Air Force (Adam Ballard had 134 yards in 2006), a stat that something tells me Teich knows all too well. He won’t need to rush for over 100 yards to make his presence felt, but he’s going to have to make an impact if Navy wants to come out on top. Whether it’s leading the way for Proctor and blowing up the ‘backer on a midline, or catching, turning, and getting upfield on a screen, Teich has the opportunity to live up to his captain status this Saturday, and prove that he was more than just a fuming player after the tough loss to the Gamecocks.

Defensive Substitutions: Bill Wagner posted an interesting tidbit on his blog about defensive end Wes Henderson getting the nod over Jamel Dobbs at defensive end for Saturday’s game. Henderson had a pretty rip-roaring game against USC two weeks ago when he recorded five stops, so much so that I honestly mistook him for Jabaree Tuani at times. Henderson getting the nod might just be a case of a great game rewarded and coach Pehrson going with the “hot hand,” but I think it also speaks to what has silently become a surprisingly deep Navy defense. With all three injured outside linebackers returning this week – and with Brye French having played well against South Carolina – I don’t think it’s unreasonable to see Buddy Green rolling guys in and out on a regular basis Saturday to keep them fresh. On the other side of the coin, you’ve got to wonder if the Air Force defensive injuries will be felt hardest in the second half, when the attrition of a *hopefully* successful Navy run game could really take its toll.

Ok, that’s what I’m going to be checking out, in addition to the “usual” storylines of special teams, extracurricular activity, and amount of times coach gets caught on national television mouthing “SON OF BISCUIT.” Any particular storylines you’re checking out?

STOCK MARKET, WEEK FOUR

On By MikeIn football23 Comments

Mike

STOCK DOWN: Army. I’m done writing about you people. Just let us all know when you decide to be whatever kind of team you’re going to be this season.

STOCK MARKET CRASH: Big East officiating. Our future conference, ladies and gentlemen.

STOCK UP: South Carolina’s defense. Vanderbilt came into yesterday’s game 3-0, including wins over UConn and Ole Miss. Against the Gamecocks, they were held to only 77 total yards while going 1-of-14 on 3rd down conversions and committing 3 turnovers. South Carolina had 6 sacks, all coming from the defensive line.

STOCK DOWN: South Carolina’s offense. Marcus Lattimore can only do so much. Stephen Garcia doesn’t have to be a world-beater, but he can’t throw 4 interceptions, either.

STOCK UP: Arizona State. USC isn’t eligible to play in the Pac 12 championship game as part of its NCAA postseason ban, so it would have felt cheesy to see them win their division but have someone else get the chance to play for the title. Arizona State took an important step towards ensuring that doesn’t happen with their 43-22 win over the Trojans. Cameron Marshall ran for 141 yards and 3 TDs.

STOCK UP (SORT OF): Robert Griffin III. His stock can’t really get any higher than it already is, seeing as how he was sent down from heaven and all, but it should be mentioned that Griffin has 13 TD passes so far this year. He has 12 incompletions.

STOCK DOWN: The Mountain West. Boise State and TCU are good enough to beat anyone. The problem is that New Mexico and UNLV are bad enough to lose to anyone, as demonstrated by the former’s 48-45 loss to Sam Houston State and the latter’s 41-16 faceplant at the hands of Southern Utah. New Mexico’s got a few other problems to deal with, too.

ALONG THOSE LINES…: Minnesota has the most gorgeous stadium in the Big Ten. Unfortunately, they fill it with the worst team.

Adam

STOCK UP: Harvard’s football recruiting. I don’t really care if you hate the NFL (normally, I do too) but you’ve got to appreciate the Buffalo Bills and their fearless leader, Ryan Fitzpatrick. I come from a long line of Bills fans, but through the years I’ve had to watch replays of the 1991 AFC Championship Game just to keep me going. Amazingly, the Bills actually got to say “take that” to Tom Brady on Sunday, moving to 3-0 and giving the down-on-its-luck town a glimmer of hope before hockey season starts.

STOCK DOWN: Non-BCS pretenders. Several non-BCS conference teams had the chance to get to 4-0 on Saturday, and everyone but Boise State laid an egg. A week after winning arguably the biggest game in program history, FIU fell in-conference, while the MAC’s best hope for national exposure (Ohio) lost to Rutgers. Good thing for fans of conference parody parity, bad for fans looking for their conference to bust the BCS.

STOCK UP: Rex Burkhead. For anyone thinking Nebraska’s offense was a one trick pony, think again. Wyoming might have contained Taylor Martinez on Saturday, but the former Plano, Texas prep star Burkhead couldn’t be stopped. 170 yards and two touchdowns ain’t too shaby for only 15 carries.

STOCK DOWN: The ACC. For anyone thinking the ACC was finally going to come around this year, think again. Maryland showed its win over Miami wasn’t a precursor to anything, getting spanked by Temple while flashing their god-awful uniforms. Miami fell to Kansas State, while Virginia and North Carolina State also lost in non-conference games. Hey, at least Boston College won, I guess.

STOCK UP: Football. It sure was nice to enjoy a few hours on Saturday without having to hear the words “expansion” in every other sentance.

STOCK DOWN: The WAC. You think the MWC had a bad weekend, Mike? A week after adding non-football powerhouses Dallas Baptist and UC Bakersfield to its future members list, Karl Benson’s failing conference dropped the ball in three potential upsets. My Aggies lost another heartbreaker, while Nevada narrowly missed surprising Texas Tech in a 35-34 loss. Lousiana Tech — which has been oh so close this year — fell in overtime to Mississippi.

IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING

On By MikeIn conference talk, navy football6 Comments

I have always been a staunch supporter of Navy football remaining independent, for reasons most of you are already familiar with. The Mids are approaching a decade of football success that was jump-started by schedule changes made possible by the flexibility that independence provides. Thanks to its national fan base and their willingness to travel, Navy has managed to secure berths in bowl games for 8 straight years, and has locked in agreements for several more, all on its own. Independence means maintaining rivalries while having the freedom to include a little variety, too; Navy has played at least one team from every conference and has played in every time zone in the country over the last decade. Gone are the days of dialing into Teamline to listen to every game; the same national draw that makes Navy attractive to bowl games has enabled them to secure their own television contract with CBS Sports Network. CBS is even making a movie! It’s a little harder to fend for yourself sometimes, but independence has been good to the Naval Academy.

Continue reading “IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING” →

Early Returns (Or a Lack Thereof)

On By AdamIn navy football9 Comments

I’m probably one of the worst note takers you’ll ever encounter in a college press box. Scatter-brained and usually loaded up on Diet Coke and whatever sweets they’re offering at the buffet, I tend to overlook the finer details of the game. I don’t chart plays like the old school writers do, and as much as I try to keep track of who is in the game and who’s not, I’m constantly at the mercy of the statistics provided for by the Sports Information staff (thankfully at Navy, Scott S. and the crew do a great job.)

My note-taking inefficiencies notwithstanding, I did manage to  jot down a few stream-of-conscious thoughts during Saturday’s action in Columbia. Aside from the proverbial “Third and 12, this is HUGE” kind of notes, you’ll find an awkward, if not completely random, “SWEET WEDGE BUST” buried in the running word document I was using as my notepad.

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A one-running back offense

On By christianswezeyIn army, navy football12 Comments

South Carolina’s 24-21 victory over Navy on Saturday reminded me of the line Sports Illustrated used after eventual national champion Nebraska went on the road to face a tough Kansas State while starting a third-string quarterback in 1994. The Huskers won, 17-6, thanks to a no-frills offense completely centered around running back Lawrence Phillips.

“It was like watching a splendid, sleek animal escape the jaws of a trap by gnawing off its own leg,” wrote John Garrity.

Gamecocks Coach Steve Spurrier has the reputation of liking to throw the football a lot. On Saturday, he played it simple and gave the ball to sophomore running back Marcus Lattimore: Lattimore finished with 37 carries for 246 yards.

Overall, South Carolina ran the ball 44 times. In the second half, USC ran the ball 28 times and threw it 10.

Give Spurrier credit for embracing the simple yet effective approach. It’s something that Navy opposing coaches have not always done, from then-Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt and offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh out-thinking themselves in overtime in 2007 to then-Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis eschewing the effective for mythical style points every Saturday.

Spurrier’s evolution as a coach was on full display on Saturday. Based on research that includes Spurrier’s final five seasons at Florida and first six-plus seasons at South Carolina, Saturday’s rushing numbers were historic.

Only once in his final five seasons at Florida did Spurrier’s teams run the ball more than 44 times: in its bowl game against Penn State in 1997, the Gators had 59 rushes, according to Phil Steele’s yearbook.

Meantime, at South Carolina pre-Lattimore, only twice did it run the ball more than 44 times — against Alabama Birmingham in ’08 and Clemson in ’09. (South Carolina ran the ball 44 times against Tennessee in ’08.)

Since Lattimore arrived, however, the Gamecocks have rushed the ball more than 44 times in a game four times, including Saturday.

Incredibly, Spurrier’s record in all the games mentioned above is 8-0.

I couldn’t find game-by-game stats for Florida in 1996 — odd, since it won the national title under Spurrier that year. But in 1995, Florida’s high number of rushes in a game was 40, against Florida State. Also a win.

On Saturday, Georgia Tech’s option offense ran for more than 600 yards against Kansas; Army used the wishbone in its 21-14 victory over Northwestern (yes, I did notice!); and Navy’s option offense kept it in the game until the final minutes against the then-10th ranked Gamecocks.

It was a good day for teams that run the football.