tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20791448.post5261154731076057254..comments2023-10-31T10:50:44.200-04:00Comments on PITCH RIGHT: Is Navy Due to Pull an Upset?Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17749495895201058539noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20791448.post-90989438696932031282007-06-30T10:30:00.000-04:002007-06-30T10:30:00.000-04:00By the way- sorry I had to double comment.But I ag...By the way- sorry I had to double comment.<BR/>But I agree with Adam even a downtrodden Pitt team presents the Mids with a big challenge and we should be about a 10 point underdog as of now.<BR/>It would still be an upset ( as you can see our list of wins under PJ does not represent too many of the "name" recognized programs.<BR/>This would be a good one to have under his cap.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20791448.post-77849288571864634852007-06-30T10:26:00.000-04:002007-06-30T10:26:00.000-04:00The biggest letdown was on the poor Navy defense t...The biggest letdown was on the poor Navy defense that was on the field for so long(it was warm) and was always having to defend good field position against that HUGE Rutgers line.<BR/>They played their hearts out knowing the offense was dead and did all they could.<BR/>They handled Rice easily and if not for Schiano trying to run up his yards with about 12 fourth quarter carries- he would not have even been close to the 99.<BR/>He had about 45 going into the garbage time 4th quarter.<BR/>Despite the score we all felt ok going into the half thinking that PJ would break the team out of its funk.<BR/>Unfortunately he left Kaipo in there way too long (looking like a scared deer and making like a turtle at the slightest pressure)and it would have been a perfect time to see what Bryant could have done- at least when he ran-he ran tough (basically at end of the game).<BR/>So I think we were tough the first half too but those 2 blocked punts and always being pinned in our own end leading to overuse of a small defense-just wore down any heart the D had left.<BR/>This year is interesting and I see a close game or blow out with the blow out in Rutgers favor.<BR/>Both teams should romp in their openers with Rutgers having the easier game(45-7).<BR/>They will be able to rest their regulars in the 2nd half.<BR/>Navy could be in for a struggle but should eventually pull away and win by at least 2 TD`s.<BR/>If for some reason we beat Rutgers that is the game that would have give us instant credability.<BR/>To say Notre Dame is possible is something we have said many times for the last 10 years only to have heartbreak.<BR/>But yes that is the one ULTIMITE victory we really want to have.<BR/>But by then our rankings will have already been determined based on the Rutgers-Pitt-Wake games.<BR/>While most mags put us from 50-60 I would like to think we are a Top 30-35 team.<BR/>Regardless I am very psyched for that Rutgers game.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20791448.post-86724832861382389602007-06-24T15:37:00.000-04:002007-06-24T15:37:00.000-04:00I just rewatched the RU v Navy game last night and...I just rewatched the RU v Navy game last night and I can say it was close in the first half. While Navy wasn't moving the ball a great deal with Hampton in there, when he was gone the offense did virtually nothing. But even so, RU needed a TD in the last 2 min of the half just to make it 10-0 at the half.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20791448.post-8121497265861678542007-06-24T14:29:00.000-04:002007-06-24T14:29:00.000-04:00RE: The conversation going on at the Rutgers messa...RE: The conversation going on at the Rutgers message board. Yes, I was at the game, and yes, this was a close game in the first half (emphasis on the HALF). I concede Navy would have most likely lost the game even with Brian Hampton in the game, but c'mon, don't be so arrogant to assume that there is no effect when your senior quarterback goes out early in the game. <BR/><BR/>Not only was the entire life sucked out of the stadium, but the players all said afterward that they're heads weren’t in the game after Hampton went down. It may be only be a "system" offense to the outside perspective, but there is a huge drop-off when you go from a seasoned, physically mature senior quarterback who starts the year 5-1 to a wide-eyed, sophomore backup who has only seen meaningful experience in one game. Have you ever talked to members of the Navy team since the loss? Do you know what was going through their heads after BH went down? It was really just a matter of time until the game was blown open, and that the Navy defense held firm much of the first half is a testament to the veteran leadership of that unit. <BR/><BR/>Yes, you destroyed Navy on the scoreboard, but college football is a game of momentum and emotion as much as it is pursuit of the ball carrier and execution. I think it’s clear in this case to anyone at the game paying a reasonable amount of attention to the action that both suffered as a result of Hampton going down. <BR/><BR/>Like I said earlier, Rutgers would of still won this game had Hampton not gotten hurt, but to say this game wasn’t close in the first half even with his injury is ridiculous. It wasn’t as if Brian Hampton was hurt late in the second quarter either, he went down on Navy’s 13th play from scrimmage after two first downs (although the fumble looked bad.)Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17749495895201058539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20791448.post-1250339197485784542007-06-23T21:54:00.000-04:002007-06-23T21:54:00.000-04:00Good to see all the Rutgers fans here. I'm certain...Good to see all the Rutgers fans here. I'm certainly looking forward to our Friday night game on ESPN. <BR/><BR/>Just remember though that last year's game was very close in the first half despite the loss of our QB Brian Hampton and the demoralization of the offense. It wasn't until two blocked punts in our own end that the game was blown open. You can bet Coach Johnson will have our guys ready, and I would expect him to break out some pages of the playbook that Schiano has yet to see. <BR/><BR/>I still think a Navy win over Pitt would be an upset, if for no other reason than that Pitt should be playing .500 ball (at least) in a power conference. <BR/><BR/>We will see come September, which I know we can all agree can’t come soon enough!Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17749495895201058539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20791448.post-47286214365559028802007-06-23T20:29:00.000-04:002007-06-23T20:29:00.000-04:00Adam - One problem...Why would Pitt be an upset? I...Adam - <BR/>One problem...Why would Pitt be an upset? If you check Massey's compilation of 100+ rankings, Navy was #47 and Pitt #52Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20791448.post-78232951781688318172007-06-23T16:47:00.000-04:002007-06-23T16:47:00.000-04:00I have great respect and admiration for Navy, but ...I have great respect and admiration for Navy, but Rutgers will not be your upset..ND looks like a possibility and Pitt is a good shot!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20791448.post-26362105055155055842007-06-23T08:47:00.000-04:002007-06-23T08:47:00.000-04:00While every Navy fans hopes and prays for a win ov...While every Navy fans hopes and prays for a win over ND every year-I would take a win over any of these teams as the "signature" win for this program.<BR/>Its these "name" teams we have to start beating!<BR/>I think having Wake at home is a huge factor (though fans @ NMC are basically acting like they are at an opera-other than the Brigade).<BR/>In fact I have that penciled in my Athlon as a win.<BR/>Now ND-Rutgers-Pitt?<BR/>I can see beating Pitt but that game moved to Wednesday may affect the Mids more than Pitt.<BR/>Remember we have to study among other things.<BR/>To me Rutgers scares me more than ND this year-its game 2 in their place and a Friday noght will have that place insane.<BR/>If we dont hold steady early-it could get ugly.<BR/>They will be more up for us than their week 1 vs Buffalo-both team and fans!<BR/>The ND game is the same every year-hopes and then we fizzle.<BR/>They always seem to get a break before they play us in some way-last years miracle vs UCLA propelled them way past us where if they had lost?????<BR/>This year USC at home and if they get another victory like the one vs UCLA we could be in trouble.<BR/>While they are not that good this year and we can play "O" against them-its our undersized D that scares me and this tear I can see Claussen and that huge TE Carlson destroying us.<BR/>Its on the 4 leaf clover field @ ND- No chance.<BR/>When we end this thing it wil be in Baltimore-then we will have to wait another 45 years.<BR/>Its that Cubs thing- what do we do after we finally win it?<BR/>While beating ND is the ultimate-beating Rutgers would make the hugest impact and garner us some Top 25 ranking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20791448.post-26502026078162203772007-06-20T19:40:00.000-04:002007-06-20T19:40:00.000-04:00That's the problem with a team from NY/NJ. The med...That's the problem with a team from NY/NJ. The media has to constantly make them seem like the best thing ever. Forget about Rice, Wake Forest, San Jose St., etc because apparently Rutgers was the best story in college football two years in a row. <BR/><BR/>I think Pitt fans have cooled off with regards to where they see their program. I make it over to their message boards every couple of weeks and they seem pretty down on the team.Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17749495895201058539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20791448.post-30502995186781040482007-06-20T00:41:00.000-04:002007-06-20T00:41:00.000-04:00I hope you beat Rutgers, mostly because I'm tired ...I hope you beat Rutgers, mostly because I'm tired about how good they are. Plus, I would love to see you beat Pitt, as their fans during the Fiesta Bowl a few years back soured me on their program. They felt entitled to a victory, only because we were from the MWC. <BR/><BR/>We all know how that turned out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com