Well, In an internet first, I'm going to be the first guy EVER to publicly state he doesn't know what he's talking about.
I know virtually nothing about Wake other than the brief clips I saw on Utube and their win at Army.
BUT my limited knowledge of Wake and my handy MacBook allow me to be a FOOTBALL EXPERT on the internet for 5 min or so. If I had a different personality it would allow me to sit patiently with my computer on my lap watching the game saturday... Poised and Prepared to yell at the first missed block, tackle or human foible.
So I will rely on whatever life experience has taught me for my pre-game commentary. Here's what I do know:
Wake has a starting QB who's suffered an ankle sprain and is questionable for the game. The weather report suggests rain and poor weather. Mud and wet and ankle sprains are not a good combination.
Wake's backup QB took them to a comeback win at Army. This is not the Army team of Doc Blanchard. Note to readers under say: 35.. Google Doc Blanchard.
But the freshman qb is quick, mobile and a runner. He had most of Wake's offense.
Look for him to play. Look for the Wake coaches to scour the film for plays they have that look like the plays SIU's qb ran. And look for a lot of them again. Slippery field conditions and db's that can run are a dangerous combination.
Note: Some of this goes out the window if the weather isn't bad and field situation worse.
As an ardent reader of Sun Tzu's "Art of War", combat (and games) are variable due to a variety of factors including weather. So IU's coaches may have to be able and willing to ADJUST THEIR GAME PLAN IN RELATION TO BOTH THE OPPONENT AND THE CONDITIONS.
Wet fields and shakedowns to Howard and Redding can make it tough for linebackers to tackle them on poor footing. Passes downfield where receivers and defenders have to cut can be disastrous for either.
IF the weather is bad, it becomes a game of field position, running the ball, and not making mistakes.
Wake will undoubtedly try to make IU one dimensional. As will IU to them.
IU's willingness to think outside the box for short passes when Wake is thinking run may be key.
That will be a key for the rest of the season as well.
First down defense will be key and Mangieri and Shaw have to stay home on the QB read. IU will have to stay in their lanes and make the freshman throw from the pocket and on longer throws. He's made some poor choices on throws. IU may be able to pick some off. I will be really surprised if IU doesn't see that doggone H back up the seem like SIU. The linebackers and safeties have to be awake for that.
Mental is to physical as 4:1 - (Bob Knight)
Historically IU football handles success about as well as white trash with a $100 winning lottery ticket. Win a couple of games and they strut around campus getting patted on the back. Well, the coach has spent the last week telling them they haven't done anything and reminding them about what happened after Missouri last yr.
IU has to show up to compete. Not show up to play a game.
Let's win one and see what happens.
I know virtually nothing about Wake other than the brief clips I saw on Utube and their win at Army.
BUT my limited knowledge of Wake and my handy MacBook allow me to be a FOOTBALL EXPERT on the internet for 5 min or so. If I had a different personality it would allow me to sit patiently with my computer on my lap watching the game saturday... Poised and Prepared to yell at the first missed block, tackle or human foible.
So I will rely on whatever life experience has taught me for my pre-game commentary. Here's what I do know:
Wake has a starting QB who's suffered an ankle sprain and is questionable for the game. The weather report suggests rain and poor weather. Mud and wet and ankle sprains are not a good combination.
Wake's backup QB took them to a comeback win at Army. This is not the Army team of Doc Blanchard. Note to readers under say: 35.. Google Doc Blanchard.
But the freshman qb is quick, mobile and a runner. He had most of Wake's offense.
Look for him to play. Look for the Wake coaches to scour the film for plays they have that look like the plays SIU's qb ran. And look for a lot of them again. Slippery field conditions and db's that can run are a dangerous combination.
Note: Some of this goes out the window if the weather isn't bad and field situation worse.
As an ardent reader of Sun Tzu's "Art of War", combat (and games) are variable due to a variety of factors including weather. So IU's coaches may have to be able and willing to ADJUST THEIR GAME PLAN IN RELATION TO BOTH THE OPPONENT AND THE CONDITIONS.
Wet fields and shakedowns to Howard and Redding can make it tough for linebackers to tackle them on poor footing. Passes downfield where receivers and defenders have to cut can be disastrous for either.
IF the weather is bad, it becomes a game of field position, running the ball, and not making mistakes.
Wake will undoubtedly try to make IU one dimensional. As will IU to them.
IU's willingness to think outside the box for short passes when Wake is thinking run may be key.
That will be a key for the rest of the season as well.
First down defense will be key and Mangieri and Shaw have to stay home on the QB read. IU will have to stay in their lanes and make the freshman throw from the pocket and on longer throws. He's made some poor choices on throws. IU may be able to pick some off. I will be really surprised if IU doesn't see that doggone H back up the seem like SIU. The linebackers and safeties have to be awake for that.
Mental is to physical as 4:1 - (Bob Knight)
Historically IU football handles success about as well as white trash with a $100 winning lottery ticket. Win a couple of games and they strut around campus getting patted on the back. Well, the coach has spent the last week telling them they haven't done anything and reminding them about what happened after Missouri last yr.
IU has to show up to compete. Not show up to play a game.
Let's win one and see what happens.
