Just how bad is Duke?
Virginia, which to put it mildly has looked terrible this season, dominated Duke in every phase of the game, winning 37-0. After three quarters, Duke had 39 yards, the longest drive nine yards. Midway through the first quarter, Duke coach Ted Roof made his quarterback and center practice snaps! After a bye week they don't have snaps down?!? They never got past the Virginia 41. Virginia blocked a punt, had another long punt return, and intercepted three passes, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
The Virginia defense looked solid even considering the competition. On the other hand I can't give the offense much credit. A touchdown on a trick play, a touchdown on an interception, a one yard touchdown drive, a touchdown against scrubs in the final minute. The longest drive against the Duke first team was 31 yards.
I was pretty embarrassed about the Georgia Tech game, because finally the entire country could see just how bad we were. Our running game without Jason Snelling is terrible. None of our quarterbacks are able to sustain drives. Before the Duke game, they had thrown more touchdowns to the opposing team than to their own. The scoring offense is ranked 100th, the rushing offense next to last in division I-A (thank goodness for Temple!), the passing offense 94th.
Yet neither the running backs nor the quarterbacks are the biggest problem.
During one typical play against Duke, we double teamed a defensive end with a guard and tackle while Tom Santi took the other DE with body language of "am I supposed to be blocking?" Led to a sack. I don't expect perfection, but when we're not even sure who blocks who, that's a problem. This confusion seems to be happening on nearly every play. Against Western Michigan, Kevin Mccabe took a three step drop and was hit as he threw! The whole point of the short drop is to get rid of the ball quickly, yet he was hit almost immediately.
What happened to the offensive line? We lost three long time starters, two of whom were drafted. But Jordy Lipsey, Eugene Monroe, and Branden Albert were all highly heralded recruits. Ian Yates Cunningham has experience at two positions. The new offensive line coach has brought a new scheme with him. Dave Borbely has gotten praise from insiders for his knowledge of the game, but it hasn't rubbed off on his players yet. Lipsey has had a hard time keeping his weight up, Monroe dislocated a kneecap in the spring and hasn't fully recovered.
The offensive line is by far the biggest problem on the team. If it doesn't improve, we're staring a 2-10 season right in the face.
The Hoos have the rest of October to try and become the worst bowl team in NCAA history. If we beat East Carolina, Maryland, North Carolina, and NC State, that's six wins and a sure bowl. Personally, I think 2-2 is more likely, and staying home with a 4-8 record.
Has there ever been a bowl team with a triple digit ranked offense? (Comedy 1992 Alabama answer.)
