Top 2 USM running backs out for the season

[smupony94]

From CUSA board

Top 2 USM running backs out for the season
Desmond Johnson and Kendrick Hardy are apparently done for the year. These could be big losses. Even our 3rd and 4th-string RBs aren't 100%. During the Rice game, we were down to our 5th-string running back.

This is in addition to our all-conference middle linebacker also being out for the season.

[ponyte]

Hate to hear they are hurt and wish them a speedy recovery. Can't really digest this information just now as I am still near panic over UCF and their vaulted defense. How can we run or pass against such an awesome defense. They totally shut down CSU for goodness sakes! They completely dominated FIU’s running game.

They are just so awesome and they are #2 in the nation in total defense.

How do we stand a chance?

[smupony94]

They have this weekend off

[indianmustang]

and we are 0-3 against UCF

[smupony94]

and we are 0-3 against UCF

Hopefully not after this weekend

[Dutch]

Hate to hear they are hurt and wish them a speedy recovery. Can't really digest this information just now as I am still near panic over UCF and their vaulted defense. How can we run or pass against such an awesome defense. They totally shut down CSU for goodness sakes! They completely dominated FIU’s running game.

They are just so awesome and they are #2 in the nation in total defense.

How do we stand a chance?

i keep hearing about their stout defense, and i didn't do any serious statistical breakdown, but take a look at who they've played. their opponents haven't really been that prolific against anyone else either.

[PonyPlayer4]

When run correctly the R&S can't be stopped by anyone. Hopefully that will be apparent this weekend.

[indianmustang]

maybe you want look at this
http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=521527

[ponyte]

Hate to hear they are hurt and wish them a speedy recovery. Can't really digest this information just now as I am still near panic over UCF and their vaulted defense. How can we run or pass against such an awesome defense. They totally shut down CSU for goodness sakes! They completely dominated FIU’s running game.

They are just so awesome and they are #2 in the nation in total defense.

How do we stand a chance?

i keep hearing about their stout defense, and i didn't do any serious statistical breakdown, but take a look at who they've played. their opponents haven't really been that prolific against anyone else either.

Have checked out their stats. Exclude CSU (as we could exclude NSU) and they still have an impressive defense. They have played better overall offensive competition (in terms of total offense YTD) the we have. BYU is #43, FIU #44, Marshall # 69 and Boston College #95 thus far.

We have faced #70 TCU, #99 A$M, #111 UTEP and #116 Memphis.

They definitely have a powerful running game at #40 in the nation compared to our # 95.

In passing we are #17 and UCF is #95

Interestingly, we are tied at #18 in sacks. UCF is tied for #95. We can pass more and have a very experienced offensive line so we may have a huge passing advantage.

Unfortunate we are tied at #113 in interceptions (1) to UCF's # 74 (4).

We both suck at return yards being we at #118 and they are #120. This is probably due to great defense which limits KO return yards. Our average KO return is 19 yards to their 19.3 yards.

So on paper their strength (defense) meets our strength(offense) and it should be a real test. On paper we have not faced this good a defense.\

I still think overall we have faced better teams, athletes and big game situations than UCF.

[The PonyGrad]

One thing to consider is that the overall rating of the offenses they played is around an average of 92.

In other word, a D-

Just sayin.

[ponyte]

One thing to consider is that the overall rating of the offenses they played is around an average of 92.

In other word, a D-

Just sayin.

And the average offense we have faced (exclude NSU) is 98.

Just saying

[ponyboy]

I'd put our defense against anyone in CUSA. We have a stout defense whether the numbers support it right now or not. Our only shortcoming defensively is depth.

[The PonyGrad]

One thing to consider is that the overall rating of the offenses they played is around an average of 92.

In other word, a D-

Just sayin.

And the average offense we have faced (exclude NSU) is 98.

Just saying

If you average Rush O, Pass O, Ttl O, and Scoring O for all our opponents you get 64.35.
That would be a solid C.

Not sure what you are looking at.

[ponyte]

We are the #14th D in the nation. Prior to TCU we were #10. We were stoning TCU in the first half except for 3 plays. We let them back in when we were totally gassed in the second half. Depth sure is an issue against top quality athletes.

We are allowing less than 300 yards per game (pretty good).

Our biggest issue isn't depth but lack of turnovers (theme for the 2nd year now). We create some turnovers and our D will look much better.

UCF hasn’t come anywhere near to facing a defense as good as ours. Shut down their offense (which is very run dependent) and give our passing game a chance and we could roll big points up on this team. They don't sack well at all and we protect very well.

Do it early and quickly and this could be a blow out game for us. And a blow out might just be enough to get us ranked.

[cutter]

the only wins that UCF has had this season is against sub 0.500 teams.
the combined record of those opponents in the 3 wins are 3-14.

I still say their defensive stats are suspect. doesn't mean that they're not good. but, probably not as fabulous as some think.