Run, run, run!

[RUich]

VT is dead last in the ACC on run D, They give up just over 5yds per carry. They are a lot better at pass D.
If they stack the box, I think we can short pass them well enough to force their D to back off.
This is GS's kind of game with a grind it out offense eating clock. I feel pretty confident.

 

[Knight Owl]

VT is dead last in the ACC on run D, They give up just over 5yds per carry. They are a lot better at pass D.
If they stack the box, I think we can short pass them well enough to force their D to back off.
This is GS's kind of game with a grind it out offense eating clock. I feel pretty confident.

Vanderbilt had a running QB. Please calc what they give up to RB’s and report back. I don’t disagree that GS would like KM to get a lot of productive carries.

 

[RUGuitarMan]

Looks like VT gave up RB per carry as follows:

Vandy: 4.0
Marsh: 5.5
ODU: 7.7

RU should be able to run pretty well if they stay with it. I do think we will need to throw the ball decently and not turn it over to win down there.

 

[RuSnp]

VT is dead last in the ACC on run D, They give up just over 5yds per carry. They are a lot better at pass D.
If they stack the box, I think we can short pass them well enough to force their D to back off.
This is GS's kind of game with a grind it out offense eating clock. I feel pretty confident.

This is a grind it out wear them down matchup. If we are tied or winning at half I'd feel pretty confident. Hell even down a little isn't the end of the world the way our running game strengthens as the game goes on.

 

[sct1111]

Monangai gonna have a field day

 

[Knight Shift]

Looks like VT gave up RB per carry as follows:

Vandy: 4.0
Marsh: 5.5
ODU: 7.7

RU should be able to run pretty well if they stay with it. I do think we will need to throw the ball decently and not turn it over to win down there.

Stats of main RBs of first 3 opponents.

Yes, their run defense is suspect.

Vanderbilt:
Sedrick Alexander 17/69 yds, 4.1 ypc (on par with his production against Ga. State and Alcorn).

Marshall:
AJ Turner- 6 carries 103 yards, 17.9 yards per carry

ODU:
Bryce Duke 4/85yds 21.3 ypc (blew away his stats against ECU and SC)
Aaron Young 17/67 yds 3.9 ypc (better stats then ECU and SC)

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

VT stacked the box last year and still we ran on them. And, IIRC, we hit a couple huge swing passes to RBs.

 

[Knight Owl]

Stats of main RBs of first 3 opponents.

Yes, their run defense is suspect.

Vanderbilt:
Sedrick Alexander 17/69 yds, 4.1 ypc (on par with his production against Ga. State and Alcorn).

Marshall:
AJ Turner- 6 carries 103 yards, 17.9 yards per carry

ODU:
Bryce Duke 4/85yds 21.3 ypc (blew away his stats against ECU and SC)
Aaron Young 17/67 yds 3.9 ypc (better stats then ECU and SC)

I notice they’ve given up two long runs…48 and 69 yards…so the average is a little misleading but it might indicate bad safety/CB run defense play or at least tackling lapses on their part.

 

[Knight Shift]

I notice they’ve given up two long runs…48 and 69 yards…so the average is a little misleading but it might indicate bad safety/CB play or at least tackling lapses on their part.

Yeah, saw that. As Rutgers fans, we should never count our chickens (or in this case, Hokies) until they are hatched and cooked.

 

[winfield102]

I'm hoping our willingness to pass will open up our run game even more.

 

[beaced]

Monangai gonna have a field day

He is going to own that stafium

 

[nutfromSEC117]

He’s not your guy
He’s not my guy

He’s Monangai !!!!!!

 

[Kbee3]

They need to put the ball in his hands as much as possible. He's the number one reason Rutgers is better than the team they're playing on Saturday.

 

[mildone]

So... you guys think we should run against them or what?

 

[RUPete]

No runs whatsoever. Take them by a surprise and run a pass-first offense. You know that one where you clap several times and stare at the sideline forever before snapping the ball. That'll get 'em.

 

[Scarlet16E]

pound the rock

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I notice they’ve given up two long runs…48 and 69 yards…so the average is a little misleading but it might indicate bad safety/CB run defense play or at least tackling lapses on their part.

I think their poor rush D is being exaggerated some. They have been prone to missed assignments which have resulted in big plays against the run. 5 of them through 3 games (1 in each of the first 2 games and 3 against OD - one in garbage time with the outcome decided) totaling over 240 yards. Their D has otherwise given up 330 yards across the 3 games. 50 of those yards (not double counting the big play referenced above) came when the OD /Marshall games were long decided. Another 30 yards came with a minute left on the clock until half vs OD where VT deliberately played bend but don’t break to ride out the clock. And Vandy’s QB also picked up an additional 70 with his legs - AK won’t be carrying 20+ times so that’s not all the relevant either.

So in summary VT gave up:

5 big plays - 241 yards (def breakdowns)
13 plays - 80 yards (bend don’t break / garbage time)
25 plays - QB draws for 70 yards
70 plays - 180 yards (2.6 yards allowed)

Their linebackers are their weakest link. I would not be surprised to see some short passing in the flats to try to exploit this. AK can execute those.

 

[Source]

pound the rock

Run Runaway

 

[beaced]

VT is dead last in the ACC on run D, They give up just over 5yds per carry. They are a lot better at pass D.
If they stack the box, I think we can short pass them well enough to force their D to back off.
This is GS's kind of game with a grind it out offense eating clock. I feel pretty confident.

Another win over vtek.we will make a house full of Hokies very unhappy .RU stays UNDEFEATED.This season will be better than even 2006,where we screwed up after the '_Ville win.One W at a time adds up to 13 W season.beaced is a BElIEVER

 

[cubuffsdoug]

I think their poor rush D is being exaggerated some. They have been prone to missed assignments which have resulted in big plays against the run. 5 of them through 3 games (1 in each of the first 2 games and 3 against OD - one in garbage time with the outcome decided) totaling over 240 yards. Their D has otherwise given up 330 yards across the 3 games. 50 of those yards (not double counting the big play referenced above) came when the OD /Marshall games were long decided. Another 30 yards came with a minute left on the clock until half vs OD where VT deliberately played bend but don’t break to ride out the clock. And Vandy’s QB also picked up an additional 70 with his legs - AK won’t be carrying 20+ times so that’s not all the relevant either.
So in summary VT gave up:

5 big plays - 241 yards (def breakdowns)
13 plays - 80 yards (bend don’t break / garbage time)
25 plays - QB draws for 70 yards
70 plays - 180 yards (2.6 yards allowed)

Their linebackers are their weakest link. I would not be surprised to see some short passing in the flats to try to exploit this. AK can execute those.

That is the result of poor coaching and over estimating the abilities of the players. If you're committing these mistakes against average to below average teams, what do you expect to happen against better teams? It will get ugly at times. AK doesn't have to carry the ball 20+ times. All Rutgers needs is AK to carry the ball 8 to 9 times to keep the defense honest. It's not the number of AK carries, but when and how effective the carries are to set up KM and the passing game. Rutgers will be the most talented team Va. Tech has faced so far this year and the quality of that talent is a major upgrade from Va. Tech's first three games.

Another thing to remember is Va. Tech's OL is just as bad as their DL. I'm not sure the Va. Tech's offense can stay on the field long enough to help the defense. If Va. Tech can't establish the run, they can't take advantage of the strength of the offense at receiver. I just think Va. Tech is poorly coached and players are not as good as people believe. That's a product of playing in the ACC.

 

[Knight Shift]

 

[mildone]

Their linebackers are their weakest link. I would not be surprised to see some short passing in the flats to try to exploit this. AK can execute those.

For sure AK has been very accurate with short passes, when he is protected.

The big question this week, with a likely much better pass rush and much better DBs and LBs than RU faced in the prior two games, is if AK will have learned from game film to avoid forcing the ball into situations that can result in INTs as easy as receptions, and if he maintains composure under pressure. For me, that will be one of the biggest keys to victory in this game.

I think everyone expects that we will be able to run the ball, especially in the second half. But we're not sure how well our D can do against their O, especially if we're still playing without some of our better D players in this game. So this game sure seems likely to be a run-heavy, grind them down, time of possession type game. And if that's the case, then avoiding INTs or fumbles is critical, at least in the first half. Because if we allow them to build a couple TD lead, then we're more likely to be forced to start throwing more often, and they seem half decent at pass D.

 

[mildone]

View embedded media

That's nice and all. But until we verify the level of play against competition with a pulse, I'm not celebrating.

 

[beaced]

I'm hoping our willingness to pass will open up our run game even more.

It does and will do so on Sat

 

[Extra Point]

I think Kaliakmanis will need to have a few designed runs in this game, especially when VT plays man for man with their backs to us. VT still looks to have fits with a running QB.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

I'm hoping our willingness to pass will open up our run game even more.

And that is why we needed a new QB with higher completion percentage. Our passing game was no threat these past years.. even before Wimsatt and Schiano.

 

[RUHotTrumpetMonkeyLove]

So... you guys think we should run against them or what?

Here's the thing though. They probably know that we know, but we probably know that we know they know. Y'know?

 

[yesrutgers01]

Here is my thoughts on this- have they faced what is considered to be a top half of the B1G OL? Have they faced a RB who may be the best in the B1G? We like to say we have only done things against lessor opponents- but, I do not believe they have face someone of Rutgers caliber either.

AK is also better that GW. Our WR's better and TE's better

We need the defense to do their job.

But to compare wheat we bring as a running game to anything they may have faced previously, is a mistake.

I am 100% sure their coaches are driving that home to their team too. I think our running offense is a lot better than their running defense- this one will come down to coaching.

 

[mildone]

Here's the thing though. They probably know that we know, but we probably know that we know they know. Y'know?

I think I know. But what if I don't?

 

[cubuffsdoug]

For sure AK has been very accurate with short passes, when he is protected.

The big question this week, with a likely much better pass rush and much better DBs and LBs than RU faced in the prior two games, is if AK will have learned from game film to avoid forcing the ball into situations that can result in INTs as easy as receptions, and if he maintains composure under pressure. For me, that will be one of the biggest keys to victory in this game.

I think everyone expects that we will be able to run the ball, especially in the second half. But we're not sure how well our D can do against their O, especially if we're still playing without some of our better D players in this game. So this game sure seems likely to be a run-heavy, grind them down, time of possession type game. And if that's the case, then avoiding INTs or fumbles is critical, at least in the first half. Because if we allow them to build a couple TD lead, then we're more likely to be forced to start throwing more often, and they seem half decent at pass D.

Rutgers is not facing better LBs. This is the weakest LB unit Rutgers have face so far, I'll give you better DBs, but it all depends on the DL of Va. Tech being able to put pressure on Rutgers. To date, Rutgers hasn't given up a sack (knock on wood) and let's hope that continues. I think you're giving Va. Tech too much credit on offense. They are poorly coached and it reflects how inconsistent Va. Tech has been on offense. They haven't been consistent in running the ball and that has impacted their passing game. Football is mainly about matchups and this favors Rutgers because of the matchups.

 

[mildone]

Rutgers is not facing better LBs. This is the weakest LB unit Rutgers have face so far, I'll give you better DBs, but it all depends on the DL of Va. Tech being able to put pressure on Rutgers. To date, Rutgers hasn't given up a sack (knock on wood) and let's hope that continues. I think you're giving Va. Tech too much credit on offense. They are poorly coached and it reflects how inconsistent Va. Tech has been on offense. They haven't been consistent in running the ball and that has impacted their passing game. Football is mainly about matchups and this favors Rutgers because of the matchups.

I hope you're right and I'm wrong. Looking forward to the game.

 

[RU#1fan]

Here is my thoughts on this- have they faced what is considered to be a top half of the B1G OL? Have they faced a RB who may be the best in the B1G? We like to say we have only done things against lessor opponents- but, I do not believe they have face someone of Rutgers caliber either.

AK is also better that GW. Our WR's better and TE's better

We need the defense to do their job.

But to compare wheat we bring as a running game to anything they may have faced previously, is a mistake.

I am 100% sure their coaches are driving that home to their team too. I think our running offense is a lot better than their running defense- this one will come down to coaching.

Our unexpected injuries are having a big impact here. Hopefully we recover soon.

 

[Knight Shift]

Rutgers is not facing better LBs. This is the weakest LB unit Rutgers have face so far, I'll give you better DBs, but it all depends on the DL of Va. Tech being able to put pressure on Rutgers. To date, Rutgers hasn't given up a sack (knock on wood) and let's hope that continues. I think you're giving Va. Tech too much credit on offense. They are poorly coached and it reflects how inconsistent Va. Tech has been on offense. They haven't been consistent in running the ball and that has impacted their passing game. Football is mainly about matchups and this favors Rutgers because of the matchups.

The Va Tech bloggers were saying they looked much better against ODU. Yeah, it's ODU, but did you watch that game closely and do you think that they looked "improved"?

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

For sure AK has been very accurate with short passes, when he is protected.

The big question this week, with a likely much better pass rush and much better DBs and LBs than RU faced in the prior two games, is if AK will have learned from game film to avoid forcing the ball into situations that can result in INTs as easy as receptions, and if he maintains composure under pressure. For me, that will be one of the biggest keys to victory in this game.

I think everyone expects that we will be able to run the ball, especially in the second half. But we're not sure how well our D can do against their O, especially if we're still playing without some of our better D players in this game. So this game sure seems likely to be a run-heavy, grind them down, time of possession type game. And if that's the case, then avoiding INTs or fumbles is critical, at least in the first half. Because if we allow them to build a couple TD lead, then we're more likely to be forced to start throwing more often, and they seem half decent at pass D.

I mean - he was pressured at least once and scrambled to throw a short lateral that went for a TD. But that’s really besides the point. In general, pass protection becomes more of a factor in the pocket on the longer pass plays when throwing off balance.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

The Va Tech bloggers were saying they looked much better against ODU. Yeah, it's ODU, but did you watch that game closely and do you think that they looked "improved"?

I didn’t watch the game but wasn’t it OD’s 3rd string QB?

 

[Kbee3]

I didn’t watch the game but wasn’t it OD’s 3rd string QB?

Do we even have a 3rd string QB ?

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Do we even have a 3rd string QB ?

At the moment that would be Surace. He’s hurt. OD’s 1 and 2 were injured for the game.

 

[RUbacker]

VT is dead last in the ACC on run D, They give up just over 5yds per carry. They are a lot better at pass D.
If they stack the box, I think we can short pass them well enough to force their D to back off.
This is GS's kind of game with a grind it out offense eating clock. I feel pretty confident.

Run as much as we can , keep the time of possession and run the clock down. This is always the formula for keeping their crowd out of it. Oh and getting a BIG lead is the other way and always works in keeping their chirpy fans quiet.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Pretty good VTech YouTube vid making predictions.. one highlight is that the whole panel and the fans think Monangai will go for 125 yards or better...

 

[RU#1fan]

Do we even have a 3rd string QB ?

Surface. Hopefully he returns soon, not sure on the extent of his injury.