Today, and for what it’s worth, Joe Rose said that he’s worried about the Canes upcoming game with Georgia Tech for more than a few reasons.
He pointed out the normal fall off teams have after a big win, especially one when it’s against your biggest rival at their place after having not beaten them for 7 straight years. This fall off is exacerbated by so many well meaning family, friends and fans offering effusive praise, thus focus and desire can be negatively impacted.
Additionally, Georgia Tech’s abilities are under appreciated and they are better than advertised. Of course, the additional week of preparation and healing for Georgia Tech is of great benefit to them.
As a final point, Rose indicated that Georgia Tech TRULY believes they can win the game and TRULY believe they should win the Coastal Division.
To be sure, I am not running around with my hair on fire bellowing that the sky is falling. But, as we all know, over the last many years after our annual war with FSU we have seen a significant deterioration in the quality of play by the Canes for at least several of the following games.
I know the coaches are fully aware of the aforementioned and will be hammering those points home during this week of preparation. The real test will be…is this Canes team different than those in the recent past and do they have the ability to not just give lip service as to how seriously they are taking the opponent, but do they immediately shift their focus to the next challenge on their schedule?
If the answer is YES…then we are most probably looking at a very special season.
Quite a few raised the point.
My concern is that our run defense has been suspect at best...gaping holes. Now for a week we get to work on an entirely new scheme after we haven't played assignment football very well against more straight on offenses.
I agree again that these are the games Richt should earn his paycheck. Just another F$U game where we come out banged up and thin at certain position, except this time, we get the cloud 9 factor of riding high on a last second win. He has a lot to overcome in a week.
Personally I think if Richt owns what he can own and adapts to a running game right at defenses, with a back now who excels running right at defenses...and Diaz / Kool find a way to shore up that run defense....we will be fine. It is a position we havent found ourselves in for quite some time.
UM