Well it comes down to two games. Not surprising that we are in this position. We need these two games and while the task is a mighty one, I have to wonder that if we put the effort in against these two remaining teams, that we have against the Top 15 programs, will we see a breakthrough??
I think we will, but the effort has to be high. Maryland isn't going to a bowl game. There season has been a disaster since week 2. They have little to play for except pride, and of course they are "building for next year". They have played teams tough though, so this will be no easy task to go in and win on the road. Maryland's issues are offensive in nature. They just don't score much and their QB play has been absolutely atrocious. 12 TDs to 23 INTs is just plain pathetic. But like us, they have faced several top 20 programs and their offense just isn't ready to face that stiff of competition, much like our defense isn't ready to face the competition offensively. I expect both teams will score.
Personally think the Purdue game will be the harder of the two games. If we can go to Maryland and protect the ball and play with the effort we have against the top schools, I truly believe we will win the game. They played well against Nebraska and Northwestern so 2 out of the last 3 weeks. We are so close to playing toe to toe with Top 20 programs, can we sustain the effort against teams that are just not as good as those others? I'm hopeful, but cautious. It's hard to win games, especially on the road, no matter how good or bad you are. Mix in a 6 game losing streak that included a couple of huge heartbreakers, and it's even tougher. Are we the family we claim to be? We will find out and I think we will find out a lot about Wilson and the staff and how much we've grown in the next couple of weeks. If we come out and lay eggs, it'll be an extreme disappointment because I believe we are better than that. But if we truly are knocking on the door to success, we will come out and play like we did Saturday, and give ourselves the opportunity to win.
Time to see where we really are!
I think we will, but the effort has to be high. Maryland isn't going to a bowl game. There season has been a disaster since week 2. They have little to play for except pride, and of course they are "building for next year". They have played teams tough though, so this will be no easy task to go in and win on the road. Maryland's issues are offensive in nature. They just don't score much and their QB play has been absolutely atrocious. 12 TDs to 23 INTs is just plain pathetic. But like us, they have faced several top 20 programs and their offense just isn't ready to face that stiff of competition, much like our defense isn't ready to face the competition offensively. I expect both teams will score.
Personally think the Purdue game will be the harder of the two games. If we can go to Maryland and protect the ball and play with the effort we have against the top schools, I truly believe we will win the game. They played well against Nebraska and Northwestern so 2 out of the last 3 weeks. We are so close to playing toe to toe with Top 20 programs, can we sustain the effort against teams that are just not as good as those others? I'm hopeful, but cautious. It's hard to win games, especially on the road, no matter how good or bad you are. Mix in a 6 game losing streak that included a couple of huge heartbreakers, and it's even tougher. Are we the family we claim to be? We will find out and I think we will find out a lot about Wilson and the staff and how much we've grown in the next couple of weeks. If we come out and lay eggs, it'll be an extreme disappointment because I believe we are better than that. But if we truly are knocking on the door to success, we will come out and play like we did Saturday, and give ourselves the opportunity to win.
Time to see where we really are!
