Guest Blogger: The Good Ol Blog

The Sabre has a great model for UVA sports. They've got good, active message boards, unique content and they are independent of the major networks like Rivals or Scout. One of the other cool things they have is a blog called the The Good Ol Blog. In preparation for our game in Virginia, I've asked Kris from The Sabre a few questions. His answers are below.

1. You changed offensive coordinators in the offseason to a spread specialist but have been using a variety of looks this year. Do you think scheme has been the reason for the inconsistency or is it a talent issue? What do you think we will see this weekend?


The Good Ol Blog: The offseason hopes of a new, explosive spread offense disappeared in less than a month. After two horrid outings against William & Mary and TCU, the Cavaliers scrapped the spread and went back to more pro-style sets. Is there some spread still sprinkled in? A little, but even then it's been modified from what Gregg Brandon used in the past. Other than an impressive outing at Southern Miss, though, the offense has been awful regardless of the scheme being used.

So that gets to the next part of the question - is it scheme or talent? Honestly, it's probably a little bit of both. The spread scheme didn't suit the personnel since the line can't block in space, the receivers can't get open, and the quarterbacks are inconsistent. Of course, that sounds a lot like talent issues too doesn't it? Ultimately, the offensive line's struggles are the biggest problem because there are times the rest of the players don't even get a chance to do their job. UVa is ranked among the worst teams nationally in Tackles For Loss allowed (112th, 7.5 per game) and sacks allowed (115th, 3.44 per game) - those are some telling stats for the play of the O-Line.

2. After getting things back on track the defense has broken down the past few weeks. What happened?



The Good Ol Blog: The defense can't stop the run consistently and it gives up too many big plays. One quarter, the Hoos will look good and slow teams down. The next, teams march up and down the field with no problems. A lot of UVa fans still blame the offense for the defense's issues; the offense goes three-and-out frequently so the D is on the field way too much. It's the fatigue argument. Late in the third quarter and in the fourth quarter, I guess that's an acceptable argument. The problem to me is that the defense struggles at times before the fatigue factor can even set in. Bottom line: poor tackling and inconsistent run defense is killing this group.

3. Is there anything Groh can do to save his job? It is interesting that many of the potential candidates were tossed around for the BC job last year (London, Golden, Holtz) are on the UVA radar. Who do you think will get the job? Who do you want to get the job?




The Good Ol Blog: No. At this point, one more loss locks in the third losing season in four years at Virginia. That will lead to a new coach anywhere really. Winning out won't happen, but even if it did, the fans have already moved on and that lost revenue/support will make the decision easy. As for potential candidates, there are plenty of names thrown around including Mike London and Al Golden as you've mentioned. Guys like Troy Calhoun at Air Force are also on the fans' wish list. I won't pick a favorite candidate at this time, but I will tell you two things I'm hopeful for with the new coach: 1. Media friendly and 2. Wins.

4. What is your prediction for the game?



The Good Ol Blog: Virginia is far too inconsistent on defense and special teams to make up for a putrid offense. So really, this seems pretty simple to me. If the Eagles score 17 or 20 points, they'll probably win. If they score more than that, they'll probably win easily. At least basketball season starts Friday!

Blogpoll ballot

Even though I didn't have the commitment of watching BC twice, I actually didn't watch all that much football this weekend so most of this is based on record. I finally included Clemson. Maybe that will be a jinx to the Tigers. I have Georgia Tech high but I don't trust their defense. But as for what I did below, I'll give you my normal internet shoulder shrug.

Games I watched
Florida State-Clemson 75%
Notre Dame-Navy 25%
Georgia Tech-Wake Forest 25%
Oklahoma-Nebraska 20%
East Carolina-Virginia Tech 50%

Rank	Team	Delta
1	Florida
2	Alabama
3	Texas
4	Cincinnati
5	Georgia Tech
6	TCU
7	Boise State	2
8	Pittsburgh	4
9	Houston	4
10	Oklahoma State	4
11	Utah	4
12	Miami (Florida)	4
13	Oregon	3
14	Southern Cal	7
15	Virginia Tech	7
16	Ohio State	3
17	Brigham Young	6
18	Auburn
19	Clemson
20	Stanford
21	Penn State	10
22	LSU	15
23	West Virginia
24	Temple
25	Idaho
Last week's ballot

Dropped Out: Iowa (#8), Arizona (#17), Troy (#18), Oklahoma (#20).

More recruiting news and other links

Bobby Swigert is the latest prospect to join Spaz's staff. What's interesting about him is that he's been injured most of the year, yet still earned a scholarship AND he plans to play baseball for BC too. Swigert had a decent list of offers from schools like Michigan, Stanford and Nebraska.

SI.com predicts we will be in Charlotte for bowl season. I would be shocked if they had us back for the third time in six years. If we don't luck into the ACCCG, we are going out to San Francisco for bowl season.

BC guy Brian Leetch was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame Monday.

BC will host first and second round games of the NCAA women's soccer tournament. The Eagles take on Harvard on Friday. Get out there and make some noise.

Brian Gibbons earned Hockey East Co-Player of the Week honors.

The changing face of BC new media

When I started this blog there was very little out there in terms of BC media. The Globe and Herald had extension of their print arms. Rivals and to a lessor extent Scout had BC sites focused on recruiting. Even BCeagles.com was limited in its content.

Fortunately that has changed. BCeagles.com is constantly improving and adding more content and features. But that is the tip of the iceberg. The University, some key members of the staff and some alumni are also reaching out in new ways.

Jared Dudley is using Twitter to show off his humor and video skills. With his improved play and comfort with the camera, is there any doubt Jared will be on TV when his career is over?

In this post, Basketball assistant Pat Duquette talks about the early signing period.

If you follow BC on Facebook you would know that the critically acclaimed TV drama "Friday Night Lights" filmed on campus recently. FNL goes for realism, so I hope they mention BC by name. Here is a shot of Connie Britton on campus.

New recruit and other weekend news

Jarrett Darmstatter is the latest high school player to commit to Spaz. He is listed as a TE/DE. Check out his recruiting profile here.

After starting slow the Basketball team pulled away from St. Mike's en route to a win. It was only an exhibition but you have to like the the balance.

BC bounced back from Friday night's disappointment to beat Northeastern Saturday.

Here is a nice article on Rich Lapham. The Herald also covered BC's bye weekend.

With the way things shook out this weekend, HD sees us bowling in San Fran. I actually agree with her. The only way we will be a better bowl is to win the ACC.

Future opponent UNC just lost their leading rusher to injury.

Friday to forget and other links

The women's soccer team took a game into OT again. This time they were on the wrong end of the game that ended with BC scoring an "own goal."

The men's hockey team also had a rough Friday. Up 4-1 in the 3rd period, the let the game slip away and had to settle for a tie.

Skinner picked up his latest commitment in Papa Samba Ndao. Ndao is a 6'8 wing player who is expected to contribute right away.

Anthony Castonzo made ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 1 First Team. Is it too early to start thinking Rhodes Scholarship?

With a 2-0 win over Virginia Tech, the men's soccer team concluded their regular season and finished 3rd in the ACC.

Here is a Q&A with former BC catcher Tony Sanchez.

Basketball Cheat Sheet

The highlight of last year's basketball season was the win over North Carolina at the Dean Dome. Yet it was all overshadowed as that night all hell broke loose between Gene and Jags. Unfortunately since then we've been bombarded with football drama since then and basketball hasn't been given its due. I am just as guilty. I never even finished my hoops grades. Now we are in November and the team opens their season with an exhibition against St. Michael's this weekend. So let's get to it and catch up with the basketball team...

What's new
Nothing really. It is the same staff and nearly the same team. Rice is gone but there are no new recruits or transfers. With other programs this might be a big deal. I actually think it is a bonus for BC. There is more than enough talent to go around and everyone is on the same page.

How will we replace Rice?
There is no one replacement for Rice. Most of his point duties will go to Biko Paris and Reggie Jackson, but those guys saw the floor last year. The beneficiary in minutes will probably be the big men like Ravenel and Dunn (assuming that Trapani and Raji get more time at the wings instead of the 4 spot this year).

As Paris has said, he'll be more of a distributor that Rice so I expect more efficiency on offense and probably more tight flex.

Rice does leave a gap though. He could be counted on to make big free throws down the stretch. No one on the current team has proven as consistent or clutch yet. Rice could also get his shot off against anyone. Sanders and Jackson showed that ability last year, but neither has done it as often as Rice and neither have his handle.

Who is going to step up?
Ravenenl was the subject of the positive summer whisper campaign. Hopefully he comes through. My bet though is Reggie Jackson. I think he can and will take his game to the next level.

With the six juniors it is harder to predict a break out season. Outside of some general maturity, what you see by the end of second year is often what you get. Of the six though, I think Sanders is most likely to make another leap and become an all conference type player. He was still so raw last year that I think better ball handling and more focus on defense can make him very dangerous.

When will we know about this team?
Skinner's team often leave you guessing. Just after the UNC win, we dropped a game to Harvard. The media picked us 9th in the ACC. I like most BC fans don't think things will be that bad. But we won't know for sure until Providence-Michigan-Miami stretch after Thanksgiving. Those three games will be good indicator if this is a team that will challenge for the top spot in the conference or sit on the bubble all season.

What is a concern?
Aside from the depth of the ACC, I am concerned about this team's defense. Individually none of the guys are great defenders and as a group they weren't very good last year. We didn't force many turnovers last year. That may change with Paris, but we don't know. We are also a bad defensive rebounding team. If we go big more often, that will hopefully improve.

Suggestion to help enjoy the season
If you like BC basketball but are not on twitter, I suggest you join so you can follow BC assistant Mo Cassara. Coach Cassara might be the biggest BC sports fan in the Athletic Department and I look forward to his updates on the team once play begins.

(Also, if you are going to join twitter you can follow me and whole bunch of other BC folks.)

What should the expectations be?
No one thinks we are a 9th place team. This team should be competitive and should be a tournament team again. If they land on the wrong side of the bubble, I at least expect a deep NIT run.

What is my prediction?
I think the team will start strong, hit some rough spots once they hit the meat of the ACC schedule. I think they finish well and make a run in the ACC tournament. That gets them off any bubble. I think they make the tourney as a 6ish seed, and make a nice run to the Sweet 16.

Regardless of how well it plays out, this should be a fun team to watch. Let's hope we get to watch them deep into March.

Haden speaks and other links

Josh Haden did the media rounds yesterday to explain his decision to transfer. He had nothing bad to say about BC, just that he felt it wasn't the right fit. I hope he finds what he is looking for at his next stop.

Huge win for the women's soccer team. They went to Penalty Kicks in the quarterfinal game.

Rich Gunnell also got some media attention Wednesday. First with this ESPNBoston piece and then with this feature on Pete Mitchell visiting Rich in practice. Gunnell is nearing Mitchell's yardage record.

Although it is an off week, Bob Ryan felt it was time to give Spaz a little attention.

BC came in at 59 in this preseason basketball ranking.