On the rockets weekend.
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2004 12:29 pm
I think we all hoped for EMU to beat UT more than we seriously expected it too.
If our speculation about how bad they are, or the real possibility they might lose at EMU made any of their fans feel worse about the blow-outs, or worry about this week, then it was entirely worth the effort.
Their game this week did work to illuminate more about the two teams however.
EMU is clearly improved over past years, but has not yet developed the focus needed to beat a UT. That stands to change over this and the next few seasons.
UT managed to score points, and it was able to defend at times. However the game did much to reinforce my thoughts on them. UT is not going to be able to stop anybody from scoring against them. If UT can argue they had a lot of second and third string players in late against EMU, it only serves to prove they are quickly running dry of talent beyond their first string. UT managed a surge of points early in each half. However they were unable to sustain that output consistently. They are not able to assert themselves over other teams at will. Finally, regardless of the details, EMU was able to rack up 32 points against them. UT also did not score much in the 4th quarter, with much of EMU's starters still in the game. If UT did pull its starters by then, it simply underscores how shallow that team is beyond the first string. UT allowed EMU to run up over 500 yards of offense, even if their own did the same. This really speaks to the underlying problems they have. Most of UT's offense came in the early part of each half, indicating teams can adjust and slow them down, and also turn the table on them.
For whatever improvement, EMU remains one of the weakest teams in the MAC, and possibly the easiest win left on UT's schedule. Against this kind of team, UT was only able to win by 10 points. Like most UT fans will tell you about the team they truly care about, OSU does the same thing, and a win is a win. This is true.
However, if I am any team in the MAC, the notice has been served. UT can be beaten. The rockettes can be beaten on both sides of the ball. UT still can not cover effective passing games. If you wait long enough, UT gives you chances to beat them. You can stall their offense if you don't lose your cool at the outset.
You can rally on UT.
This is not the UT of the past, and the indications are they can not be as good as they thought they have been.
Finally, as to my wondering if UT either had just enough talent to win with given their coaching staff, or not enough coaching skill to win with what they have? They appear to have just enough talent to win with, if their coaches are able to squeeze enough out of them. Beyond that, in part because of their coaches, there isn't much meat on the bone. A lot of their fans might not even seen what is happening, coming.
If our speculation about how bad they are, or the real possibility they might lose at EMU made any of their fans feel worse about the blow-outs, or worry about this week, then it was entirely worth the effort.
Their game this week did work to illuminate more about the two teams however.
EMU is clearly improved over past years, but has not yet developed the focus needed to beat a UT. That stands to change over this and the next few seasons.
UT managed to score points, and it was able to defend at times. However the game did much to reinforce my thoughts on them. UT is not going to be able to stop anybody from scoring against them. If UT can argue they had a lot of second and third string players in late against EMU, it only serves to prove they are quickly running dry of talent beyond their first string. UT managed a surge of points early in each half. However they were unable to sustain that output consistently. They are not able to assert themselves over other teams at will. Finally, regardless of the details, EMU was able to rack up 32 points against them. UT also did not score much in the 4th quarter, with much of EMU's starters still in the game. If UT did pull its starters by then, it simply underscores how shallow that team is beyond the first string. UT allowed EMU to run up over 500 yards of offense, even if their own did the same. This really speaks to the underlying problems they have. Most of UT's offense came in the early part of each half, indicating teams can adjust and slow them down, and also turn the table on them.
For whatever improvement, EMU remains one of the weakest teams in the MAC, and possibly the easiest win left on UT's schedule. Against this kind of team, UT was only able to win by 10 points. Like most UT fans will tell you about the team they truly care about, OSU does the same thing, and a win is a win. This is true.
However, if I am any team in the MAC, the notice has been served. UT can be beaten. The rockettes can be beaten on both sides of the ball. UT still can not cover effective passing games. If you wait long enough, UT gives you chances to beat them. You can stall their offense if you don't lose your cool at the outset.
You can rally on UT.
This is not the UT of the past, and the indications are they can not be as good as they thought they have been.
Finally, as to my wondering if UT either had just enough talent to win with given their coaching staff, or not enough coaching skill to win with what they have? They appear to have just enough talent to win with, if their coaches are able to squeeze enough out of them. Beyond that, in part because of their coaches, there isn't much meat on the bone. A lot of their fans might not even seen what is happening, coming.
He then said, "Well, they are ahead of BG." I said that is correct, but they also gave up over 500 yards of offense again." 
At this point he stopped talking since he knew it was pointless. 
:coo-coo: :duh:
We tried to tell them the West title runs thru BG but noooooooooooooooo.... 