Monday, October 16, 2023

News and Notes by Rudy Martzke (Oct 10-Oct 15)

 

Top Analysis: ESPN's Tom Luginbill sharing that Grayson McCall comes in as QB of the year, but he has struggled to be consistent because he isn't setting his feet leading to more incompletions and turnovers.

Top information: ESPN's Tom Luginbill sharing that Coastal Carolina runs an air-raid offense, but they don't do it in the traditional pass ever play sense. Instead they try to run the ball first so it opens up targets down the field.

Top reporting: ESPN's Abby Labar sharing that Coastal Carolina has had a hard time implementing their new offense because they've only had 1 true Saturday-to-Saturday game to start the 2023 season. With the necessity of having to plan for a new defense every week, they haven't had a chance to address the areas needed to fine tune to be consistent.

Top Stat: With 3:50 left in the 1st, ESPN's Tom Luginbill shared that App State has been very good containing Coastal Carolina on 1st Down, giving up only 12 yards. However busted plays on 2nd and 3rd Down have given the Chanticleers 132 yards and 2 TD's.

Worst Timing Award: ESPN's Taylor Zarzour sharing that Coastal Carolina was 4/4 on 3rd Down before they only gained 2 yards on a 3rd and 4.

Top Reporting: ESPN's Abby Labar sharing that QB Grayson McCall has built team trust not only by making plays but by going to each player individually and thanking them for all they do. Tom Luginbill then added, "He's being a true leader, and doing so makes them want to protect him at all costs."

Top Stat: ESPN's Cole Cubelic sharing UTEP's Tyrice Knight leads the nation in tackles and that his missed counterfeit last week has bothered him all week because he specializes in targeting tackles in all he does.

Top Foresight: ESPN's Cole Cubelic sharing the best way to make a young QB successful making his first start is to focus on the run attack, but that it'll also open up pass action routes. On the next play QB Cade McConnell completed an 80-yard TD pass by beating single man coverage because FIU had to target the run.

Top Analysis: ESPN's Cole Cubelic sharing one of the keys to preventing 3rd and short is being patient enough to not rush outside and leave the middle open. You must commit to the middle so that no rush lanes form and both areas are covered.

Top Analysis: ESPN's John Schriffen sharing that while you are required to swap players is a helmet comes off for at least one pay, there are times it's a huge disadvantage because if it happens to a QB, you're suddenly putting in someone that's cold and may want to prove themselves too fast.

Top Tribute: ESPN's John Schriffen sharing that UTEP's radio announcer Jon Teicher is calling his 500th game tonight and that he has missed only 1 game since taking over radio in 1981.

Top Analysis: ESPN's Cole Cubelic sharing that a new starting QB is prone to make some mistakes because they aren't used to the tempo and getting plays lined up, which may lead to occasional delay of games.

Top Analysis: ESPN's Cole Cubelic sharing that the key to a successful running attack isn't just grounding and pounding the football. Instead when you get to the second and third level you must now when to cut back so you can gain the maximum yardage.

Funniest line: ESPN's John Schriffen, "A kicker's an athlete too, right?" 
Cole Cueblic: "Not really. He's just running his jaw there."

Top stat: ESPN’s Cole Cubelic telling viewers that FiU QB’s when they target WR Kris Mitchell they have an 87 QBR. When they target other receivers the QBR is 33 QBR.

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Adam Wainwright sharing that a pitch clock violation may not seem like a big deal when it's just a ball, but in reality it limits your pitch options and forces you to change the selection on the next pitch.

Too much focus: ESPN's John Schriffen had a bit of an overkill when talking about the FIU Vice uniforms. In a 10 minutes span during the 4th Quarter he mentioned them 3 times. And that doesn't include the numerous other times during the first 3 quarters. 

Best info: ESPN’s Cole Cubelic telling viewers that UTEP’s win over FIU was the programs first win ever in the state of Florida.

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Robert Turbin sharing that moving away from a planned attack, like motion attacks, only puts more pressure on most QB's and makes turnovers occur more likely because they're suddenly having to make plays on the spot.

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Robert Turbin sharing that a defenses performance can sometimes be overlooked. Most defenses come in with a specialty at either stopping the run or pass, not both, so when you meet someone that focuses on your weak spot, the score can appear to be a blowout.

Oops Award: CBS Sports Carter Blackburn shared that there were a total of 7 women on the New Mexico football staff. However he was referring to New Mexico State. He corrected it after naming all the members on the staff.

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Robert Turbin sharing that when a team changes their attack patterns at Halftime, it can limit their best options for second half success. It may be more sportsmanlike to try and run out the clock, but it allows the opponents defense to have easier stops and keep them in the game.

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Robert Turbin sharing that a WR can break open and sometimes score because the defender across from them starts to go offsides, resets before the snap, and then is delayed because they're resetting when the snap comes.

Top stat: CBS Sports Kevin Gilbride sharing  that in order for St. Francis to get back on track as NEC conference favorites, they need their 56 new players to illustrate they can gain the trust of the coaches and their fellow teammates.

Top Call: Fox Sports Tim Brando, on the Houston kickoff TD return, "He did it against TCU. He's going to do it again. He is embolded. I see no flags, and Houston is Golden and in to score. "

Funniest line: Fox Sports Tim Brando, "When I was growing up it seemed to be a right of passage for the Yankees to make at least the ALCS. Now with 7 straight appearances the Astros have stolen their thunder. However close sources say Yankees fans will still watch the All-Texas ALCS because they want to boo Houston at all costs. They want to see them fail."

Top exchange: 
Fox Sports Tim Brando shared the key to Houston was to beat them early, because offensively and on special teams they would be in most games. 
Spencer Tillman then added that Houston's weakness was their defense because they had a lack of depth. However this was no different than it was for both TCU and West Virginia when they joined the league, and they will only get better as they gain that depth.

Best Timing Award: Fox Sports Tim Brando shared that West Virginia was 6/9 on 3rd Down, but they were 0/2 on the last 2 before they were stuffed on a 3rd and 7.

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Spencer Tillman sharing the best way to be successful on defense is to maintain the yardage to the sideline because it allows you to dominate and cause more pressure on the endzone by not letting anyone get open. 

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Dean Blandino sharing that even though the whistle may not have been blown yet, as soon as an official places his hands out that forward progress has been stopped then any fumble that takes place afterwards is not reviewable. The hands being placed out occurs before the whistle as a safety procedure and indicates all action is to stop at that point. 

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Spencer Tillman sharing one reason why teams pass after two or three successful runs is because it makes the opposing team play the full field. They are unable to focus on stopping just one aspect, meaning big plays can still occur either way. 

Funniest goof acknowledgment: Fox Sports Tim Brando isn't afraid to admit when he makes an error. On 3rd Down, Brando shared, "After a big run it'll make it 3rd and 11. Correction- 3rd and 10. No, that's not right- 3rd and 1. Eventually I'll get the right distance in there." 

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Spencer Tillman sharing that West Virginia was 4-1 because they were out possessing their opponents in all 4 wins, but explosive plays for Houston have given West Virginia the possession advantage and the low side of the score. 

Top Stat: Fox Sports Tim Brando sharing that 10 of the 12 scoring possessions changed which team had the lead between West Virginia and Houston. 

Class act: Fox Sports Tim Brando and production crew presenting Brett Bender, one of the best spotters in the business, with a birthday cake on Thursday night.

Top Analysis: Amazon's Kirk Herbstreit sharing one of the things that makes Kelce such a dangerous receiver is that he actually tells Mahomes beforehand whether a specific spot will work or not to catch the ball after learning firsthand how a defense will be playing him.

Top Analysis: ESPN's Dan Mullen sharing one of the advantages to a tempo offense is most defense can't prepare properly for the different speeds, resulting in the defense committing more penalties and giving the offenses more scoring chances.

Funniest exchange: After SMU missed a FG with less than a minute left in the 3rd, Mullen said, "That kick had plenty of leg, but it looks like they ran the Matt Barrie draw." After a good laugh Barrie added, "You're exactly right. The problem with the Barrie draw is it sometimes ends up in the drink."

Top Analysis: Amazon's Michael Smith, after sharing Denver will likely be 1-7 after 8 games, "Denver fans need to be careful and not get ahead of themselves. They need to remember they're in season 1 of the rebuilding process, and new coaches and systems usually take 2-3 seasons to fully establish and start winning regularly.

Strange abbreviation: ESPN's Tiffany Greene shared that Benedict's entire offense always focuses on T.O.F. as their strategy. What exactly is T.O.F.? Taking Care Of The Football.

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Donte Whitner sharing that Utah State spreads out the WR's and places them as close as possible to the line of scrimmage because it forces the defensive formation to be revealed and shows where open spots will be before the ball is ever snapped.

Top Stat: CBS Sports Chris Lewis sharing that the game against Fresno State is the first time all season Utah State is not trailing after 1 quarter, instead being tied 7-7.

Top Call: CBS Sports Chris Lewis, "Legas zigzags. He's got wheels, runs forward, USES THE HESI to get the first down. He forces the D to pitter patter on their steps to get the angle allowing him to pick up the first."

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Ross Tucker sharing the hey to being a successful tight end isn't always to male miraculous catches. The majority of the time they act as a decoy that leads to other receivers being open.

Funniest line: CBS Sports Ross Tucker. "I don't know that that should be a hold on the QB. He grabbed the undershirt. It looked more like self preservation."

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Gene Steratore sharing that the hardest thing for a ref to do off a replay is make an accurate placement off of a monitor. A lot of times they feel the pressure knowing every mistake could cost them their job.

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Ross Tucker sharing that sometimes a timeout isn't made to maintain the clock. Instead a timeout is sometimes necessary because injuries knock out the opponents top players and the defense needs to know from their coaches who the new top player is out on the field.

Top throwbacks: CBS Sports Ross Tucker sharing that during his research, he was reminded that the Tight End position used to just be called the End position.

Top Stat: CBS Sports Tom McCarthy sharing Georgia has recovered 0 fumbles during the 2023 season. However they have forced 9 interceptions.

Top Stat: CBS Sports Tom McCarthy sharing Georgia's offense has capitalized off of interceptions, scoring 6 TD's off of the 9 INT's.

Top Analysis: ESPN's Robert Griffin III sharing one disadvantage to developing an offense around a QB rather than a system is that the back-up QB's don't usually have the same skills, so you're usually having to start you system from scratch when you change QB's.

Funniest exchange: After delivering the AFLAC trivia question, ESPN's Bob Wischusen asked RGIII which 3 conferences had 3 teams left undefeated. He then said "I'll give you a head start. There's the Pac-2."
RGIII responded, "Wow. I never expected you to take shows on the Pac like that. It's sad how far they've fallen."

Funniest comment: ESPN’s RG3 on FSU WR Keon Coleman. “He has more moves than a military family!”

Best Timing Award: ESPN's Dusty Dvoracek sharing Arkansas is being forced to pass on 3rd and medium ranges (5-7 yards) because their pass protection is non-existence and their QB is unable to get out of the pocket before being sacked. When they provide him protection big things happen. 

On the next two plays Arkansas passed despite the protection. The first was 3rd and 5, and they drew a PI call. The next play was a TD pass making it 24-13 Alabama leading Arkansas.

Top Analysis: ESPN's Dusty Dvoracek sharing that the keys to Arkansas being able to run in the 4th have been attacking Alabama's D where they look uncertain but, perhaps even more important, continuing to run even when they don't look like they'll have success.

Top Analysis: ESPN's Dusty Dvoracek sharing the key to establish leads and maintain momentum is to establish the run game. Being successful running and then trying to run out the clock by passing does the opposite and allows opponents back in the game.

Top Analysis: ESPN's Brock Osweiler sharing that most teams run the PRO (Pass Run Offense), but because most teams tend to focus on the pass aspect it makes them nervous to try and run on 3rd and 4th and short.

Top Call: ESPN's Dave Flemming, "They're always ready for the tailgate in Texas, and then you throw in an eclipse. Now that eclipse seems to have carried over to the BYU offense.

Top analysis: Fox Sports Brock Huard comparing Iowa punter Tory Taylor to the late great Reggie Roby.

Top Promo: CBS Sports Brad Nessler, "It's the largest Survivor in CBS history, and it brings to mind the question who's going to be the lone Survivor today at Neyland Stadium in this 1-point affair?"

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Gary Danielson sharing that the biggest mistake a QB can make is to never look up to see where the defense is and end up throwing an easy interception as a result. It's a sophomore result that is easily recognized and is the easiest mistake to avoid if you just have some patience to look.

Say What: CBS Sports Brad Nessler said Tennessee had the lead with 3:48 left in the 4th because of Charles Campbell's 31 yard field goal. However Tennessee was up 14-13 when the field goal was made, meaning the lead wasn't because of the field goal. It was increased because of the field goal.

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Gary Danielson pointing out A&M looked unprepared inside 2 minutes because they weren't ready at the line to snap the ball when it was wound. He pointed out that under the old rules the clock would be stopped, but under new rules it is running making teams feel pressure or commit more penalties.

Top Analysis: CBS's Aaron Taylor sharing that the most important key when you're the road team and gain the lead early is you have to maintain pressure so that you keep the crowd noise out. If you get crowd noise involved, it'll cause you to not only feel pressure and commit penalties but it leads to unnecessary turnovers.

Top Analysis: CBS's Aaron Taylor reminding people that with no divisions now involved in the MW, the top two teams by record will play in the Championship. Even though a rematch is possible, you want to try and maintain early momentum so you have the best chance to host the championship

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Rich Waltz sharing that the best thing a WR can have in addition to good hands is blazing speed. Blazing Speed allows them to not only get open, but it allows them to gain just enough momentum to keep from getting knocked out of bounds on sideline and redzone plays.

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Aaron Taylor sharing that inside 2 minutes Air Force's first objective is to try and run out the clock. However if they can get 1 or 2 first downs, then they'll change to focus on getting in scoring range. Either way they want to make sure there's no time left for the opponent.

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Aaron Taylor sharing that when you study the film, Wyoming's D tends to play off the receivers which gives the opponent a better chance to make big plays inside 2 minutes.

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Petros Papadakis sharing that the different cadences of the QB's on the team often lead starting linemen to jump offsides because they rarely practice with the cadence of the back-up QB.

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Petros Papadakis sharing when you're the road team and can't hear the QB, the key nto avoid a false start is to keep your eye on the ball. Keeping your eye on the QB's head could cause you to jump off since it's one of the tools they use to try and make the defense jump offsides.

Worst Timing Award: Fox Sports Alex Faust sharing that Texas Tech's previous drive went 95 yards, their longest since 2015, moments before Texas Tech threw their first interception of the game.

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Tim Brando sharing that one of the problems with hurrying to the line, even if you have a play planned, is it often leads to a false start.

Top Analysis: ESPN's Jay Alter sharing UTSA QB Frank Harris is usually a dangerous scrambler, but he's expected to focus on passing and handing off as he continues to focus on recovering from turf toe.

Funniest exchange: Referring to video of the annualer solar eclipse showing them watching it earlier, ESPN's Jay Alter shared,  "Two nerds on a rooftop checking out the rare Ring of Fire solar eclipse." 

Rene Ingoglia then quipped, "I was gonna say who are those two handsome guys right there."

Best Timing Award: ESPN's Rene Ingoglia sharing that one of the things that's hurt UTSA's defense has been a lack of tackles for loss, usually giving up 2 to 3 yards per play. A key for them to win is to get those TFL's early and often. UTSA then got 2 TFL's and a forced fumble.

Top Analysis: ESPN's Rene Ingoglia sharing what determines if a pass is a lateral or a forward pass is the position of the football, not the position of the players feet.

Top Stat: CW's Tom Werme sharing Pitt has scored 23 defensive TD's under head coach Pat Narduzzi.

Top Analysis: CW's James Bates sharing that fans tend to think every bit of contact should be a PI call. However feet getting tangled should not be a PI unless it's intentional since it's accidental contact made going for the ball.

Top Analysis: CW's James Bates sharing that you can have the right cleats and have been successful through the game, but it's difficult to make a cut and gain momentum on wet grass because you don't get the same acceleration on a wet field.

Top Stat: CW's Tom Werme sharing Pitt had only forced 2 turnovers coming into the match vs. Louisville. Against Louisville they forced 3, leading to 14 points.

Top Reporting: NFL Network's Jamie Erdahl sharing that the NFL has no form of communication on when a team travels to foreign games, and as a result Baltimore traveled to London on Monday so they could acclimate and not be distracted while Tennessee didn't travel until Friday so they could get a full weeks worth of practice in before traveling. 

Top Stat: NFL Network's Rich Eisen sharing that Baltimore is one of only 3 teams to have scored first in each of their 2023 games after going up 3-0 on Tennessee. 

Top Analysis: NFL Network's Rich Eisen sharing that Jadeveon Clowney may not get a lot of sacks, but his pressure on the line causes most runs to be limited because the pressure leads to many tackles for loss. 

Top Call: NFL Network's Rich Eisen, "We're in for some old school football here. Both teams are playing for points." 
Kurt Warner responds, "In this day and age most teams go for it on 4th. I wonder how many of them regret that when their team loses by a few." 

Top Stat: NFL Network's Rich Eisen sharing that 7 different Ravens have caught a pass amongst the 11 pass completions in the 1st Half. 

Top Analysis: NFL Network's Kurt Warner sharing the main reason for not attempting a 40-50 yard field goal inside 15 seconds is you don't want to give any momentum to the opposing team. 

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Mark Schlereth sharing one way to wear out a defense mentally is by focusing on one item, like 8 straight rushes, nd then changing it to a pass. It makes them feel the offense is unpredictable and can't be planed for or focused on. 

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Mark Schlereth sharing the worst thing a defense can do inside 2 minutes is leave the outside passing lanes open. Doing so leaves the possibility of a pass being completed and then the player going out of bounds stopping the clock conserving timeouts, leaving them multiple possibilities to plan how to progress. 

Best Timing Award: CBS Sports Charles Davis noting  just before 2nd-half kickoff of Bengals/Seahawks that defenses had yet to make a big impact on the game. Seattle promptly intercepted Bengals QB Joe Burrow.

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Charles Davis sharing the best way to develop a successful pass game is to make sure they're spread out instead of being bunched up together. Being spread out leads to more one-on-one coverage and opens up the possibility of having bigger plays. 

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Charles Davis sharing the key to avoiding an illegal low block is to make sure you're inside the tackle box. Inside the tackle box a block below the waste is legal because it helps protect, but outside of the tackle box it is illegal because it usually leads to injuries. 

Top Reporting: CBS Sports Ian Eagle reporting that Seahawks head coach has the team focus on a new area of development each week. This week he had them do clarity of mind because a clear mind allows you to observe plays easier and commit fewer penalties. 

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Matt Ryan sharing you try to limit the defensive formations by spreading out your top receivers so their main defenders are never focused solely on the QB or the RB. 

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Matt Ryan sharing that the WR is probably the most criticized position next to QB because of the number of dropped balls. However what fans never take into consideration is that the WR's are usually running at full speed, so having to dive back in for an underthrown ball or jump up for an overthrown ball is extremely difficult to judge accurately. 

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Matt Ryan sharing you should never be afraid to run on a 3rd and 1 if you're going for it on 4th Down because even though it made lead to a loss of yards, it causes the defense to become sibgle focused and opens up passing lanes for 4th Down. 

Top Stat: CBS Sports Andrew Catalon sharing Jonnu Smith has grabbed his first touchdown in 41 games to cut the lead down to 24-16, setting up a 2-point conversion opportunity. 

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Robert Smith sharing that to be a successful WR, you must be a natural ball catcher who always has concentration, because if you have any hesitation it can lead to turnovers and stop any chance you team has for momentum. 

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Robert Smith sharing it doesn't matter how successful you are at any level of sport, if you don't have guys that rise up and help elevate you you'll always see a lack of success. 

Funniest exchange: CBS Sports Jim Nantz, "You saw that spoon (Ezekiel Elliot's) a few times, didn't you?"
Tony Romo, "Yep. He's a big boy. He likes to feed himself, and you should feed yourself." 

Predictions are back: CBS Sports Tony Romo during pregame festivities and Halftime said, "The one pick I'll make today is this. Whichever team wins 3rd Down will end up winning this game. Both have been very inconsistent. Whoever can do so more often will prevail." 

Top Analysis: CBS Sports Tony Romo sharing that while you never want to lose a starting lineman, the time it is most obvious is when you are forced into a passing down, usually 3rd and pressure times. 

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Jonathan Vilma sharing the best way to maximize your rushing yardage is to first let your offensive line develop the block. Most RB's tend to rush into a play before all the blocks have developed, and it usually results in a 2-3 yard run. When you let them develop it tends to be many more, 7-8. 

Best Timing Award: Fox Sports Kenny Albert sharing that the 4th Quarter hasn't been kind to the Cards seconds before they began the 4th Quarter by throwing an interception. 

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Jonathan Vilma sharing that a secondary faced with injuries isn't at a disadvantage because they have a bunch of young back-ups in. The disadvantage comes because they don't have any veteran leadership out to try and calm them down. 

Top Stat: Fox Sports Adam Amin sharing the Detroit Lions have scored 20+ points for 15 consecutive games. 

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Daryl Johnston sharing team goals should always include not paying attention to your record. 3-1 causes teams to focus on you and more positive articles to be written, but you always need to focus on the way you play and be consistent. Don't let the writing misguide you. 

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Adam Amin sharing the disadvantage to passing 3 straight plays on a 3 and out is it runs off less than a minute. It doesn't give your defense time to rest, and it gives the opposing offense time to boost themselves if they have more momentum. 

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Daryl Johnston sharing one of the keys to keeping a team humble is to always have a veteran on the team that has been through low times. They'll always remind your time how hard things can be when they're prosperous and keep them humble. 

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Mark Sanchez sharing that one of the reasons the Jets are struggling against the Eagles is they've become one dimensional. They've given up their run game in the 2nd Half, which makes it hard to develop a young quarterback because it places all the pressure on them. 

Top Stat: Fox Sports Kevin Kugler sharing that Jalen Hurts has more plays of 20+ yards than any QB in the NFL. 

Top Stat: Fox Sports Kevin Kugler sharing Eagles WR AJ Brown has 4 straight games of 125+ yards receiving. 

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Mark Sanchez sharing the key to being a successful QB in the NFL is to just go out and play. Stop trying to please the fans and pay attention to the stats. Just go out and play, and you'll give your team their best chance to win. 

Top Stat: Fox Sports Kevin Kugler sharing the difference in the Eagles/Jets game all comes down to redzone efficiency. Philadelphia is 2/3, the Jets 0/3 (3 FG's). 

Top Analysis: Fox Sports Mark Sanchez sharing the worst thing to do when you're trying to run out the clock is to run out of bounds. It comes from inexperience and from trying to gain maximum yardage capacity, but it also allows the other team to preserve their timeouts and keep them in the game. 

Top Stat: Compass Media's Chris Carrino sharing that Jalen Hurts 3rd Interception gives him 7 this season, more than all of last season. 

Top Stat: Fox Sports Kevin Kugler sharing the Jets 20-14 win over Philadelphia is the Jets first ever win over the Eagles in the NFL regular or post season. 

 Top Stat: Fox Sports Joe Davis sharing 80% of the Astros postseason runs have come by the home run, but that proves to be a disadvantage when you face a shutdown pitcher. 

Top Analysis: Fox Sports John Smoltz sharing the key to being a successful pitcher is not only to face a rotation 3 times, but it's to adjust your pitches each time you face the order because if you don't, they'll make you pay and go deep. 

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