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Thoughts on FSU vs Virginia and Implications

FL Cane

FL Cane

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Well, the Virginia Cavaliers did it. Upset a top ten-ranked team that's been beating its chest all season about beating Bama. For many, myself included, FSU appeared to be a better team, but not one that was very good, let alone elite. The signs were there, but many in the CFB media ignored them for the narrative. After watching last night's game, taking some notes, and watching the condensed version again, here are some thoughts on FSU's letdown against UVA.
  • FSU has to have the most limited route tree I've ever seen. It's literally slant, dig, wheel route, or go route. Speaking of FSU's passing game, they DO NOT throw inside the hashes. I think there were 2-3 passes inside the hashes. Everything else is thrown outside the hashes. They do not trust Castellanos to go over the middle, nor do they seem to have any plays that do so.

  • Their running game was better yesterday from their RBs, who were mostly nonfactors against Bama and even against the HS teams they played. They ran a lot of inside zone attacking the A and B gaps. It worked well against an undersized and underperforming UVA front seven. It will not work against our front 7. If ND couldn't do it, these guys won't. Also, their rotation at RB is plain weird. They have a habit of rotating out guys with the hot hand. Weird.

  • Duce Robinson is their best WR by a mile. Guy had a good game yesterday, albeit he bobbled what should have been a game-tying TD. That's just how it goes sometimes. Also, he pushes off on near every play, so Mario has to work the refs next weekend and get in their face. Squirrel White was a non-factor (has anyone confirmed he wasn't trampled by half of UVAs student section?), and Danzy had some good plays too. Their TEs haven't done much, but Pittman had a great catch yesterday.

  • Their OL struggled in pass protection and in generating push up front at various points. This was against an undersized and underwhelming UVA DL. You could see the difference in size on TV. It was glaring. Also, it says a lot that when they were inside the 5 early in the game and on 4th &1 late in the game, they did not lean on their OL to get the push they needed up front.

  • Like many of us said before their game, that offense runs through Castellanos. I was confused why UVA didn't have a spy on him for 95% of the game. It's something we did against USF, with a similar type QB, who we completely shut down. As for his performance in the air, completed 56% of his passes (bad), sailed/underthrew a few open guys on key downs, and had a few balls batted down (he is small its jarring on tv). Also, on his deep throws, he's basically just heaving it up and hoping Duce is somewhere or gets away with an OPI. He also starts down his WRs and doesn't go through his progressions. All in all, he's a QB that can hurt you with his legs but who is limited in the passing game.

  • The offensive playcalling for them wasn't bad overall, but man, Malzahn really **** the bed in some crucial downs. Their choosing to pass on 4th & 1 and not just run is an indictment of their OL.

  • Where do you even start with FSU's defense? Coached by Tony "Lance Guidry" White, this unit was beating its chest about beating Bama. Up front on the DL, FSU generated zero pass rush for most of the night. The two sacks they had were courtesy of DB/safety blitzes. A reminder, UVA had three starting OL out for this game. Their best OL, C, was replaced by an undersized C who had a great game. You could see the size differential between UVAs OL and FSUs DL. Even then, UVA pounded FSU on the ground. It was remarkable to see them run at will.

  • I said it repeatedly going into this game, FSU's secondary is TERRIBLE. UVA absolutely carved them up. The intermediate passing game was wide open, especially in the middle of the field. They may keep everything in front of them, but that soft zone coverage got carved up. You gotta think our WRs and Lofton can excel with that type of coverage.

  • I also said repeatedly, like many, that FSU had a tackling issue. They missed near 20 tackles last night, and needed the 3rd or 4th guy at the point of attack to bring down a UVA WR or RB. You can't fix bad tackling like that in one week. It's endemic on a team, just like we saw during the manny years.

  • Chandler Morris did everything he could to keep FSU in this game. Three bad interceptions. Still, the kid has heart and grit. Carved up FSU. Remarkable how clean a pocket he had at times. If he only throws one of those picks, this is a 14 point UVA win.
Before this game I thought FSU did not match up well with us. I'm even more convinced of that now. If UVA, with a depleted and undersized OL, could pound the rock against FSU, I can't even begin to think what we can do. Also, Beck is going to have a clean pocket with their lack of a pass rush, and he can carve them up. ND and UF's defenses are miles better than FSU. ****, I'd argue that USF's defense is better. Obviously a rivarly game that we will have to be ready for, but once where we have a very clear path to victory.
 
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Go Canes!! said:
They are poorly coached, limited talent wise, undisciplined and about to get rolled over next Saturday
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I also forgot to add. They are extremely undisciplined and inclined to commit mental errors. Talent wise, like @DMoney said earlier this season, they've got bargain bin transfers starting across the board.

I think they'll be motivated to play us, but I don't see how they stop our running game. Our OL is miles better than UVA or Bama. Beck will have a clean pocket for the most part, and if they sell out the run we will carve up that swiss cheese secondary.
 
FL Cane said:
Well, the Virginia Cavaliers did it. Upset a top ten-ranked team that's been beating its chest all season about beating Bama. For many, myself included, FSU appeared to be a better team, but not one that was very good, let alone elite. The signs were there, but many in the CFB media ignored them for the narrative. After watching last night's game, taking some notes, and watching the condensed version again, here are some thoughts on FSU's letdown against UVA.
  • FSU has to have the most limited route tree I've ever seen. It's literally slant, dig, wheel route, or go route. Speaking of FSU's passing game, they DO NOT throw inside the hashes. I think there were 2-3 passes inside the hashes. Everything else is thrown outside the hashes. They do not trust Castellanos to go over the middle, nor do they seem to have any plays that do so.

  • Their running game was better yesterday from their RBs, who were mostly nonfactors against Bama and even against the HS teams they played. They ran a lot of inside zone attacking the A and B gaps. It worked well against an undersized and underperforming UVA front seven. It will not work against our front 7. If ND couldn't do it, these guys won't. Also, their rotation at RB is plain weird. They have a habit of rotating out guys with the hot hand. Weird.

  • Duce Robinson is their best WR by a mile. Guy had a good game yesterday, albeit he bobbled what should have been a game-tying TD. That's just how it goes sometimes. Also, he pushes off on near every play, so Mario has to work the refs next weekend and get in their face. Squirrel White was a non-factor (has anyone confirmed he wasn't trampled by half of UVAs student section?), and Danzy had some good plays too. Their TEs haven't done much, but Pittman had a great catch yesterday.

  • Their OL struggled in pass protection and in generating push up front at various points. This was against an undersized and underwhelming UVA DL. You could see the difference in size on TV. It was glaring. Also, it says a lot that when they were inside the 5 early in the game and on 4th &1 late in the game, they did not lean on their OL to get the push they needed up front.

  • Like many of us said before their game, that offense runs through Castellanos. I was confused why UVA didn't have a spy on him for 95% of the game. It's something we did against USF, with a similar type QB, who we completely shut down. As for his performance in the air, completed 56% of his passes (bad), sailed/underthrew a few open guys on key downs, and had a few balls batted down (he is small its jarring on tv). Also, on his deep throws, he's basically just heaving it up and hoping Duce is somewhere or gets away with an OPI. He also starts down his WRs and doesn't go through his progressions. All in all, he's a QB that can hurt you with his legs but who is limited in the passing game.

  • The offensive playcalling for them wasn't bad overall, but man, Malzahn really **** the bed in some crucial downs. Their choosing to pass on 4th & 1 and not just run is an indictment of their OL.

  • Where do you even start with FSU's defense? Coached by Tony "Lance Guidry" White, this unit was beating its chest about beating Bama. Up front on the DL, FSU generated zero pass rush for most of the night. The two sacks they had were courtesy of DB/safety blitzes. A reminder, UVA had three starting OL out for this game. Their best OL, C, was replaced by an undersized C who had a great game. You could see the size differential between UVAs OL and FSUs DL. Even then, UVA pounded FSU on the ground. It was remarkable to see them run at will.

  • I said it repeatedly going into this game, FSU's secondary is TERRIBLE. UVA absolutely carved them up. The intermediate passing game was wide open, especially in the middle of the field. They may keep everything in front of them, but that soft zone coverage got carved up. You gotta think our WRs and Lofton can excel with that type of coverage.

  • I also said repeatedly, like many, that FSU had a tackling issue. They missed near 20 tackles last night, and needed the 3rd or 4th guy at the point of attack to bring down a UVA WR or RB. You can't fix bad tackling like that in one week. It's endemic on a team, just like we saw during the manny years.

  • Chandler Morris did everything he could to keep FSU in this game. Three bad interceptions. Still, the kid has heart and grit. Carved up FSU. Remarkable how clean a pocket he had at times. If he only throws one of those picks, this is a 14 point UVA win.
Before this game I thought FSU did not match up well with us. I'm even more convinced of that now. If UVA, with a depleted and undersized OL, could pound the rock against FSU, I can't even begin to think what we can do. Also, Beck is going to have a clean pocket with their lack of a pass rush, and he can carve them up. ND and UF's defenses are miles better than FSU. ****, I'd argue that USF's defense is better. Obviously a rivarly game that we will have to be ready for, but once where we have a very clear path to victory.
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I thought FSU was better than what they were last night and I’m more than fine to be wrong

They got their **** pushed in by 2/5 of a 10th or 11th best offensive line in the ACC

We are about to do things to them that would get you arrested in 48 states and Puerto Rico
 
Ispyin said:
I thought FSU was better than what they were last night and I’m more than fine to be wrong

They got their **** pushed in by 2/5 of a 10th or 11th best offensive line in the ACC

We are about to do things to them that would get you arrested in 48 states and Puerto Rico
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The size difference between the lines was glaring, and UVA was down three starters on that OL. C was undersized, but even he played well. Mario's built a monster in the trenches. Usual caveats apply, but I just don't see how they stop our OL and running game.
 
Happy Antonio Banderas GIF
 
Little JR. had played at a very high level until last night. He made some plays last night, but he didn't have near the impact he was having in other games. Same for Joseph. I am guessing it felt a little (pun intended) different trying to come up and lay the wood on Taylor. Wait until he tries to stick Fletcher and Brown.
What was already on tape is FSU has no pass rush at all. Beck is going to have all day and like most QB's, that's when he's at his best. Bama has proven they can't run the ball so FSU's rush D was known to be a farce. We better put up 40+ on them. I already expected us to contain their O.
 
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I just don't see how they beat us unless we beat ourselves. Everything you said; we should and probably will just push them down the field, sprinkle in Toney sitting down in zone voids here and there or Beck hitting the check down when they blitz.

Defensively we just have to contain Tommy and make him beat us with his arm. And bracket Robinson on the sideline. That back shoulder fade is 50% of their passing game.
 
Excellent post @FL Cane

The two things I wanted to see were FSU's passing play timing and play design. Their play designs are incredibly simple. They want to go long and to use misdirection to catch the defense off guard. But their passing game is one-dimensional to Robinson. Castellanos has happy feet when pressured. The keys are obvious: keep them off schedule and get pressure.

The second thing I wanted to see was their safeties. They spent all night cleaning up their corners' mess.

I expect FSU to try to show some different looks next week, as our style contrasts with UVA considerably.

We just need to execute.
 
FL Cane said:
I also forgot to add. They are extremely undisciplined and inclined to commit mental errors. Talent wise, like @DMoney said earlier this season, they've got bargain bin transfers starting across the board.

I think they'll be motivated to play us, but I don't see how they stop our running game. Our OL is miles better than UVA or Bama. Beck will have a clean pocket for the most part, and if they sell out the run we will carve up that swiss cheese secondary.
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BUT FSU has huge egos!! Got to give them the prize for that ... and overestimating their capabilities. Amazing that UVA was so successful on the LOS with 3-4 OL not even suiting up.
 
Cane30 said:
Little JR. had played at a very high level until last night. He made some plays last night, but he didn't have near the impact he was having in other games. Same for Joseph. I am guessing it felt a little (pun intended) different trying to come up and lay the wood on Taylor. Wait until he tries to stick Fletcher and Brown.
What was already on tape is FSU has no pass rush at all. Beck is going to have all day and like most QB's, that's when he's at his best. Bama has proven they can't run the ball so FSU's rush D was known to be a farce. We better put up 40+ on them. I already expected us to contain their O.
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Love how he kept trying to be an eraser but thinks throwing the shoulder is enough to do it.

That Virginia RB shrugged him off like "get off me little boy" on his way to the endzone.
 
We gonna eat on mesh ALLLLLLLLLLLL day.. air raid gawds have blessed us :u5pyxda:

And the route tree for malzahn offense has always been known as very simple.. it's why after bama game I was utterly shocked because his offense has been known for yearsss now.. it got figured out and didn't evolve.. what bama defense did was malpractice by coaches.. they didn't take anything away that he like to run.. same gimmicks, same sugar huddle and pitch out, same wheel routes and deep shots.. play assignment football and stop the run and it crumbles.. our defense gonna EAT
 
I said last night in the game thread that all that shoulder tackling Little Jr was doing won't cut against a 225 lb machine like Fletcher and a dynamo like Marty Mart.

As for Darrell Jackson, this dude is nearly the size of Markel Bell but is as soft as a grape most of time. He had a big stop on that last regulation drive but plays like that from him are few and far in between.
 
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caneULM said:
I said last night in the game thread that all that shoulder tackling Little Jr was doing won't cut against a 225 lb machine like Fletcher and a dynamo like Marty Mart.

As for Darrell Jackson, this dude is nearly the size of Markel Bell but is as soft as a grape most of time. He had a big stop on that last regulation drive but plays like that from him are few and far in between.
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What's crazy is UVA ran the ball like that with 3 backup OL. I already expected to bully them on both sides of the ball before this game. Our trenches on both sides of the ball are going to eat big time.
 
Great writeup.

It's quite rare that we blow them out in Tally. I do think we matchup really well against them though. Hopefully we make history in the rivalry next Saturday. I'm not going to be surprised or worried if weird rivalry stuff happens and it's a close game late. We have the much better team; we should win a close game. Ideally we shellac them.

On offense, Beck needs to be patient. If he forces the ball down the field like Morris did, he'll likely turn the ball over too. FSU was conceding short passes to pretty much anyone on UVA. We should be able to run effectively, both inside and, if we choose, outside too. Deep passing game opens up if FSU commits more numbers in the box to help their porous DL after the UVA game.

Limiting their interior RB runs will be the key for the defense. Oompa Loompa running outside and Danzy on reverses and jet motions easier to defend if they aren't gashing us inside. Next on defense is limiting Robinson. I am fine with conceding 8-10 yard backshoulder throws to him. Just tackle him immediately afterwards, and don't get beat deep by him on double moves like UVA did a few times. I don't think Castellanos has the patience or accuracy to drive them down the field on a series of short backshoulders.
 
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