The Unofficial Furman Football Page

That Sammy game was a huge gut check and it will be interesting to see where we go for the rest of the season. Granted, there were ups and downs throughout the game; however, we met the challenge. Yeah, the VMI game was stink bomb, but we showed grit and did not quit. We do have some talent so let’s rally around our team. Win or lose, FU!

From what I've seen, VMI isn't going to be a door mat. I may be mistaken, but a road loss there isn't going to look that bad by the end of the season.

The Jackal wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 07, 2021 7:47 pm

From what I've seen, VMI isn't going to be a door mat. I may be mistaken, but a road loss there isn't going to look that bad by the end of the season.

If so that could be a problem. They have to lose 2 games. They only have 5 left. WC could opt out at any time. Remember they have already dodged Chattanooga and won’t play them. They would have to lose one if there is a more than 2 team tie. Regardless there is no room for error. The Paladins have to run the table.

apaladin wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 07, 2021 8:09 pm

The Jackal wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 07, 2021 7:47 pm

From what I've seen, VMI isn't going to be a door mat. I may be mistaken, but a road loss there isn't going to look that bad by the end of the season.

If so that could be a problem. They have to lose 2 games. They only have 5 left. WC could opt out at any time. Remember they have already dodged Chattanooga and won’t play them. They would have to lose one if there is a more than 2 team tie. Regardless there is no room for error. The Paladins have to run the table.

Chatt dodged VMI
Wofford dodged ETSU

Loss to VMI on the road may not look that bad to those of us who study the SoCon & FCS Football - but how it looks is moot really. SoCon Autobid will be only SoCon Playoff Team

FUBeAR wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 07, 2021 8:22 pm

apaladin wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 07, 2021 8:09 pm

The Jackal wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 07, 2021 7:47 pm

From what I've seen, VMI isn't going to be a door mat. I may be mistaken, but a road loss there isn't going to look that bad by the end of the season.

If so that could be a problem. They have to lose 2 games. They only have 5 left. WC could opt out at any time. Remember they have already dodged Chattanooga and won’t play them. They would have to lose one if there is a more than 2 team tie. Regardless there is no room for error. The Paladins have to run the table.

Chatt dodged VMI
Wofford dodged ETSU

Loss to VMI on the road may not look that bad to those of us who study the SoCon & FCS Football - but how it looks is moot really. SoCon Autobid will be only SoCon Playoff Team

This. I was both happy and sad to see VMI roll. That’s the team - this must be 2020 season if I am talking about VMI - we need to lose. Good that they are decent but we have to have them lose. Two or a funky tie. We don’t need Woff or Chat or other top teams dodging VMI. And Chatt already has. Boo. I really hope we compete for the conference Title and hope these COVID skips don’t come into play

I think the only shot at a a two bid SoCon was for Furman and Wofford to meet at 7-0 the final game of the spring.

At the same time, much of the FCS has looked bad.

The Jackal wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 07, 2021 9:29 pm

I think the only shot at a a two bid SoCon was for Furman and Wofford to meet at 7-0 the final game of the spring.

At the same time, much of the FCS has looked bad.

maybe - if the game went to 6 OT’s and the eventual loser was missing their 6-8 top Players, who would be back 100% the following week. Then...maybe.

Dodging a Loss is also dodging a win
If we go 7-1 we are in first over a 6-1 VMI. And every other team we beat.

I imagine VMI will not only be beaten but blown out a couple of times. They are VMI. If you were a recruit and you had a choice between VMI and anywhere else in FCS, would you go to VMI? It’s the Citadel without Charleston, CofC girls or even one beach. If you had to choose between VMI and pretty good DII programs, would you choose VMI? Of course not. It is very difficult to see how they could have actually gotten good.

If we win out we will win the conference.

Who is going to beat VMI?.

Surely y’all don’t think a mostly-barely-out-of-HS Mercer Team has a chance this weekend
Woffy dropped Football
Samford had the life sucked out of them in OT Sat.
Surprised that CIT gave Chatt a game - they are razor thin in depth & not a lot of talent. They may drop out too - might have to if they lose any more to suspensions,
We knew WCU had no chance

That leaves ETSU - the Bucs are the only potential speed bump I see (or perhaps Mercer if they can play 4 quarters like they played 3 of the 4 vs. CIT - hard for youngsters to do). We need to not beat the MountainPirates up too badly on Sat. We really need them to be ready for the ‘Roos.

Furmanoid wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:31 am

I imagine VMI will not only be beaten but blown out a couple of times. They are VMI. If you were a recruit and you had a choice between VMI and anywhere else in FCS, would you go to VMI? It’s the Citadel without Charleston, CofC girls or even one beach. If you had to choose between VMI and pretty good DII programs, would you choose VMI? Of course not. It is very difficult to see how they could have actually gotten good.

If we win out we will win the conference.

VMI is not a bad school.

affirm wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 08, 2021 10:43 am

Furmanoid wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:31 am

I imagine VMI will not only be beaten but blown out a couple of times. They are VMI. If you were a recruit and you had a choice between VMI and anywhere else in FCS, would you go to VMI? It’s the Citadel without Charleston, CofC girls or even one beach. If you had to choose between VMI and pretty good DII programs, would you choose VMI? Of course not. It is very difficult to see how they could have actually gotten good.

If we win out we will win the conference.

VMI is not a bad school.

I’m sure it’s a fine school, but I’m equally sure that a tiny percentage of HS athletes would want to go there given any other choice. Their brutal sports history is evidence of that. I know we want to believe that they’ve magically gotten good, but I just can’t buy it.

Furmanoid wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 08, 2021 11:43 am

affirm wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 08, 2021 10:43 am

Furmanoid wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:31 am

I imagine VMI will not only be beaten but blown out a couple of times. They are VMI. If you were a recruit and you had a choice between VMI and anywhere else in FCS, would you go to VMI? It’s the Citadel without Charleston, CofC girls or even one beach. If you had to choose between VMI and pretty good DII programs, would you choose VMI? Of course not. It is very difficult to see how they could have actually gotten good.

If we win out we will win the conference.

VMI is not a bad school.

I’m sure it’s a fine school, but I’m equally sure that a tiny percentage of HS athletes would want to go there given any other choice. Their brutal sports history is evidence of that. I know we want to believe that they’ve magically gotten good, but I just can’t buy it.

I don't believe they are "magically" good. I just think they were better than most assumed they would be.

Furmanoid wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 08, 2021 11:43 am

affirm wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 08, 2021 10:43 am

Furmanoid wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:31 am

I imagine VMI will not only be beaten but blown out a couple of times. They are VMI. If you were a recruit and you had a choice between VMI and anywhere else in FCS, would you go to VMI? It’s the Citadel without Charleston, CofC girls or even one beach. If you had to choose between VMI and pretty good DII programs, would you choose VMI? Of course not. It is very difficult to see how they could have actually gotten good.

If we win out we will win the conference.

VMI is not a bad school.

I’m sure it’s a fine school, but I’m equally sure that a tiny percentage of HS athletes would want to go there given any other choice. Their brutal sports history is evidence of that. I know we want to believe that they’ve magically gotten good, but I just can’t buy it.

VMI is good.

They have a P5 / NFL Prospect @ QB. They know what they want to do & who they are on O. Herres is an outstanding WR and they have several others who are impressive as well. Their O-Line is adequate for what they do, and their RB’s fit that description also.

On D, while their history is being ridiculously unsound, they are now innovative & wily. They are not afraid to adjust their game plan to take away the other Teams’ O. Recognizing their talent is a bit limited, they don’t fall into the “We do what we do. We dictate to the Offense,” trap that you see so many DC’s fall into. They will adjust their personnel, their tactics, and their scheme to give them the best chance to stop the opposing O. Whether it’s the Triple Option or the AirRaid, they will adjust their personnel and tactics to give their players the best chance to be successful & the Team the best chance to win.

And, as always, they play HARD.

To beat them, your DB’s have to beat blocks and tackle to the ground on 1st contact. Your DB’s have to make plays on well-thrown, but risky balls thrown in their direction. Pressure on the QB is nice, but containment is more important - that applies to their running game also. They don’t want the QB to run & they really don’t want to run the ball - but they will do both of those things if not contained. Remember Samford with Devlin Hodges - pretty much the same deal here...although Hodges would throw bad balls on occasion. Udinski rarely, if ever, does. He’s not as mobile / shifty as Hodges, but he can run effectively, if required.

On O, you have to counter-punch. You have to quickly get into their DC’s head & figure out what he has cooked up to stop you - to expose your weaknesses & minimize theirs. Then you have to take what they are giving you - what they didn’t expect you to take. It may not be your best ‘thing,’ but they are willing to give it to you - take it! Their D is far better than Samford’s ever was.

So, right now, think about the best Samford Teams that were making the playoffs a few years back. VMI, today, is better than those Samford Teams.

That’s an awful lot of analysis of 2 data points. One of those points involved the worst defense ever to walk on an fcs field. The other involved us. So the argument is that they beat us; therefore, they must have shed their 50 year history of suckness. It would follow, would it not, that they are improving a lot faster than we are. I choose not to believe that. I’d rather believe our OC just melted down a little and let a bad team beat us one day.

I do think their coaching staff does a great job of accepting their lot and game planning for the team they have instead of the one they daydream about having. But you still have to have the guys. If they actually have overtaken us somehow, I know who our next coach needs to be.