FIU

[TU23]

I suffered through the entire FIU-Middle Tennessee game last night. Here are my uninformed observations:

1) FIU is small on the interior D-Line...like 260, 265 small. We'll have a chance to do some work in the power game.
2) FIU's LBs are fast, but they overplay a lot and are prone to being fooled by misdirection. Part of that is trying to compensate for lack of size, but I'd expect a lot of window dressing in the option game this week.
3) FIU likes to run tempo on offense. This could be a disaster for them if they can't sustain drives. We could see another 40 minute TOP game.
4) FIU's QB is sneaky fast. I don't expect him to run a lot, but when he pulls the ball down, he's certainly capable of making first downs.
5) Their best receiver is 6'1 240. His name is Owens. Big, physical kid who predictably doesn't run real well but is great at using his body. Their number 2 is a transfer who didn't play last year but has had a decent start to the year. Overall, they lack team speed on offense.
6) They have issues on their O-Line. They are undersized at a couple of spots and are too heavy at 2 others. We have to find a way to exploit that.

Overall, this is a team that we match up with very well. Our strengths can really exploit their weaknesses when we have the ball. When they have the ball, I'd assume that they'll take a page from Tulsa's playbook and try to threaten us deep. We should really back off and try to play mostly small nickel with 2 deep safeties and an underneath safety because they shouldn't be able to run on our front 6. If we do play 3 safeties, we need to make sure that our nickel safety never gets matched up with a receiver downfield. We should have 3 corners on the field at all times (and Franklin is not a corner).

[Rotorooter]

I suffered through the entire FIU-Middle Tennessee game last night. Here are my uninformed observations:

1) FIU is small on the interior D-Line...like 260, 265 small. We'll have a chance to do some work in the power game.
2) FIU's LBs are fast, but they overplay a lot and are prone to being fooled by misdirection. Part of that is trying to compensate for lack of size, but I'd expect a lot of window dressing in the option game this week.
3) FIU likes to run tempo on offense. This could be a disaster for them if they can't sustain drives. We could see another 40 minute TOP game.
4) FIU's QB is sneaky fast. I don't expect him to run a lot, but when he pulls the ball down, he's certainly capable of making first downs.
5) Their best receiver is 6'1 240. His name is Owens. Big, physical kid who predictably doesn't run real well but is great at using his body. Their number 2 is a transfer who didn't play last year but has had a decent start to the year. Overall, they lack team speed on offense.
6) They have issues on their O-Line. They are undersized at a couple of spots and are too heavy at 2 others. We have to find a way to exploit that.

Overall, this is a team that we match up with very well. Our strengths can really exploit their weaknesses when we have the ball. When they have the ball, I'd assume that they'll take a page from Tulsa's playbook and try to threaten us deep. We should really back off and try to play mostly small nickel with 2 deep safeties and an underneath safety because they shouldn't be able to run on our front 6. If we do play 3 safeties, we need to make sure that our nickel safety never gets matched up with a receiver downfield. We should have 3 corners on the field at all times (and Franklin is not a corner).

I'm assuming that you think they cannot run. You are advocating playing 3 safeties and 3 CBs on defense, which leaves us 4 DL and 1 LB or 3 DL and 2 LBs (the third safety being a de facto light LB). In other words, either a 3-3-5 or 4-2-5. Interesting.

Offensively, our OL might have another good game. Love to see Charles Jones get free for more passes, especially that short one where he lines up in the backfield and drifts behind the line into the opposite flat. The run flow goes one way, drawing the LBs, while throwing to the other side with an easy throw. A great mis-direction play, which, if you are right, we should fool their LBs with these types of plays.

[TU23]

What I envision is a 3-2-6 with Franklin in the box as a pseudo 3rd LB. And yes, I don't think they can run on our Defense.

[1401973]

Nickerson (our shutdown) on 81? Or Lewis who can closer match his size?

[GreenieBacker]

WF has really recruited size, it only took him one year in the AAC for him to realize we lacked size in at least two key positions: DB and WR.

[Wavery]

During the post-game show Graff reported that the game would likely be on ESPN3. I don't see this on ESPN's website or app.

Anyone know anything?

[WaveProf]

During the post-game show Graff reported that the game would likely be on ESPN3. I don't see this on ESPN's website or app.

Anyone know anything?

He was basing that SOLELY on FIU's game this past saturday getting picked up on ESPN3, not that common given their conference's tv contract. I thought he was being hopeful than knowledgeable at the time. As it played out, he was.

That said, its available (online) on CUSA Tv for 6.95

[Wavery]

Thanks. May have to come in to town and watch at Bruno's.

Definitely more reasonable than Oklahoma game!

[WaveProf]

Thanks. May have to come in to town and watch at Bruno's.

Definitely more reasonable than Oklahoma game!

I think Oklahoma was desperately trying to maximize profit on the one game a year they are allowed to put online, whereas conference USA is desperately trying to get anybody to watch their product that is only not online on rare occasions

[Johnny Mac]

FIU tailgate has 60+ registered... awesome turnout!

Besides SoFlaWave, who else am I going to run into there? BTW, warning, I am fully prepared to exceed my $45 worth of beer before the game! I will be Ubering to and from the affair and don't have to answer to a wife and child when I return to the house!!

[Wavery]

Take him seriously.
Big Daddy Like Whiskey.

[DrHullabaloo]

FIU tailgate has 60+ registered... awesome turnout!

Besides SoFlaWave, who else am I going to run into there? BTW, warning, I am fully prepared to exceed my $45 worth of beer before the game! I will be Ubering to and from the affair and don't have to answer to a wife and child when I return to the house!!

We are traveling to the game. It feels like years since we were road warriors for away games.

We did not "register" for the tailgate, but plan to crash the party. $45 per person (so $90 for Coach Hullabaloo and I) is steep for what usually turns out to be burgers and beer. At least for the Oklahoma game the Dallas alums offered a child/designated driver rate of $20 for those of us who don't drink.

[windywave]

FIU tailgate has 60+ registered... awesome turnout!

Besides SoFlaWave, who else am I going to run into there? BTW, warning, I am fully prepared to exceed my $45 worth of beer before the game! I will be Ubering to and from the affair and don't have to answer to a wife and child when I return to the house!!

We are traveling to the game. It feels like years since we were road warriors for away games.

We did not "register" for the tailgate, but plan to crash the party. $45 per person (so $90 for Coach Hullabaloo and I) is steep for what usually turns out to be burgers and beer. At least for the Oklahoma game the Dallas alums offered a child/designated driver rate of $20 for those of us who don't drink.

Seriously? I'd be pissed if you "crashed" the party I paid to go to. Besides being tacky and forcing others to subsidize you, all you have to do is call and you can get a reduced price ticket for people not drinking.

[Johnny Mac]

FIU tailgate has 60+ registered... awesome turnout!

Besides SoFlaWave, who else am I going to run into there? BTW, warning, I am fully prepared to exceed my $45 worth of beer before the game! I will be Ubering to and from the affair and don't have to answer to a wife and child when I return to the house!!

We are traveling to the game. It feels like years since we were road warriors for away games.

We did not "register" for the tailgate, but plan to crash the party. $45 per person (so $90 for Coach Hullabaloo and I) is steep for what usually turns out to be burgers and beer. At least for the Oklahoma game the Dallas alums offered a child/designated driver rate of $20 for those of us who don't drink.

on that note, I saw catering company and you are probably correct about "burgers and beer".. I was hoping they'd have hired a Cuban caterer and we could have had Cubans, black beans and rice, mojo, etc... but you can see my plan of shooting to exceed $45 in beer consumption.. I don't disagree that it's a steep price tag for a 3.5 hour party. But I'm going to make the most of it.

[Johnny Mac]

Take him seriously.
Big Daddy Like Whiskey.

says the man who vomited like Mt Vesuvius in a limo

[Rotorooter]

FIU tailgate has 60+ registered... awesome turnout!

Besides SoFlaWave, who else am I going to run into there? BTW, warning, I am fully prepared to exceed my $45 worth of beer before the game! I will be Ubering to and from the affair and don't have to answer to a wife and child when I return to the house!!

We are traveling to the game. It feels like years since we were road warriors for away games.

We did not "register" for the tailgate, but plan to crash the party. $45 per person (so $90 for Coach Hullabaloo and I) is steep for what usually turns out to be burgers and beer. At least for the Oklahoma game the Dallas alums offered a child/designated driver rate of $20 for those of us who don't drink.

on that note, I saw catering company and you are probably correct about "burgers and beer".. I was hoping they'd have hired a Cuban caterer and we could have had Cubans, black beans and rice, mojo, etc... but you can see my plan of shooting to exceed $45 in beer consumption.. I don't disagree that it's a steep price tag for a 3.5 hour party. But I'm going to make the most of it.

*sigh* The price is not only to eat and drink - it's to support the Tulane Athletic Dept. They're trying to make money on these tailgates to basically raise money on installments instead of relying strictly on donations. I agree that they don't have to get chintzy about it, and probably ought to provide food that represents the locality of the game, but the intent is to not only bring together the Tulane community but also make money. If you don't want to support it, fine, but don't complain about the cost of it--it's not about that. The importance of football is to raise money for the school one way or the other and to keep the school at the forefront of people's thoughts.

And by the way, Bottoms Up!

[Johnny Mac]

*sigh* The price is not only to eat and drink - it's to support the Tulane Athletic Dept. They're trying to make money on these tailgates to basically raise money on installments instead of relying strictly on donations. I agree that they don't have to get chintzy about it, and probably ought to provide food that represents the locality of the game, but the intent is to not only bring together the Tulane community but also make money. If you don't want to support it, fine, but don't complain about the cost of it--it's not about that. The importance of football is to raise money for the school one way or the other and to keep the school at the forefront of people's thoughts.

And by the way, Bottoms Up!

I disagree... I think they are just covering their costs... there will be no profit from this. I think they are feeling the goodwill generated will result in donations from the alums. Remember, they have to fly representatives from the school to coordinate and schmooze. Catering is probably $30+ per person (including beer... we ARE talking Miami here and things are a bit pricier there than most places), then you have the tent rental, the cost of flying those Tulane folks to town and putting them up in a hotel for two nights. They may even be losing money on this.

[TUPF]

Whether it’s making money or losing money is not the point. It’s the price of supporting our team and one I’ve gladly paid admittedly high fees for a Tulane sponsored tailgate every time I could do so for away games. Heck, it’s fun just being around a bunch of green in a sea of away stadium colors. I usually arrive way early so I can soak up the Green Waveness that is usually in short supply where I live. Then I walk into the stadium and sit with my new Greenie friends.

Nickel and diming is what got us where we are.

[long green]

Whether it’s making money or losing money is not the point. It’s the price of supporting our team and one I’ve gladly paid admittedly high fees for a Tulane sponsored tailgate every time I could do so for away games. Heck, it’s fun just being around a bunch of green in a sea of away stadium colors. I usually arrive way early so I can soak up the Green Waveness that is usually in short supply where I live. Then I walk into the stadium and sit with my new Greenie friends.

Nickel and diming is what got us where we are.

This kid gets it.

[gerryb323]

FIU tailgate has 60+ registered... awesome turnout!

Besides SoFlaWave, who else am I going to run into there? BTW, warning, I am fully prepared to exceed my $45 worth of beer before the game! I will be Ubering to and from the affair and don't have to answer to a wife and child when I return to the house!!

We are traveling to the game. It feels like years since we were road warriors for away games.

We did not "register" for the tailgate, but plan to crash the party. $45 per person (so $90 for Coach Hullabaloo and I) is steep for what usually turns out to be burgers and beer. At least for the Oklahoma game the Dallas alums offered a child/designated driver rate of $20 for those of us who don't drink.

on that note, I saw catering company and you are probably correct about "burgers and beer".. I was hoping they'd have hired a Cuban caterer and we could have had Cubans, black beans and rice, mojo, etc... but you can see my plan of shooting to exceed $45 in beer consumption.. I don't disagree that it's a steep price tag for a 3.5 hour party. But I'm going to make the most of it.

Isn't $45 of Bud Light like a whole keg?

[Johnny Mac]

Isn't $45 of Bud Light like a whole keg?

Roto or Roller will have to back me up on this, but I think they had better beer than Bud Light at the Wake Forest tailgate.. they served beer in the stadium and in the bar after the game, so I don't have a strong recollection of what beer was available.. I do remember we had really good BBQ though

[PeteRasche]

... they had better beer than Bud Light at the Wake Forest tailgate.. they served beer in the stadium and in the bar after the game, so I don't have a strong any recollection of anything after that

FTFY.

[Sophandros]

http://506sports.com/ncaaf.php?yr=2017&wk=7

It's cusa-tv this week.

[DrHullabaloo]

Whether it’s making money or losing money is not the point. It’s the price of supporting our team and one I’ve gladly paid admittedly high fees for a Tulane sponsored tailgate every time I could do so for away games. Heck, it’s fun just being around a bunch of green in a sea of away stadium colors. I usually arrive way early so I can soak up the Green Waveness that is usually in short supply where I live. Then I walk into the stadium and sit with my new Greenie friends.

Nickel and diming is what got us where we are.

This kid gets it.

Whatever, I support the program in a whole lot of ways financially and also with my time which I'm not going to enumerate. I'm not paying $45 for food I can't eat or drinks I won't drink. I can still be there. I would rather donate $90 directly than to give it to a caterer.

If they offered a kid/designated driver rate like the Dallas alums did at OU I would pay. We have paid the exorbitant tailgating fees for years. We didn't miss an away game until 2 seasons ago. Most of the Football parents and even the coaches own families don't make the Tulane away tailgates and do their own gigs. The parents I've spoken to, the fee that Tulane charges for attending are a big deterrent for joining the tailgate, as every game adds up especially when you start adding up kids and additional family members and multiply that by # of away games. And that's a shame, Tulane should offer more reasonable packages.

The costs cover the event, they don't make money off of these. Usually it's a loss leader for the University.

[TUPF]

Whether it’s making money or losing money is not the point. It’s the price of supporting our team and one I’ve gladly paid admittedly high fees for a Tulane sponsored tailgate every time I could do so for away games. Heck, it’s fun just being around a bunch of green in a sea of away stadium colors. I usually arrive way early so I can soak up the Green Waveness that is usually in short supply where I live. Then I walk into the stadium and sit with my new Greenie friends.

Nickel and diming is what got us where we are.

This kid gets it.

Thanks for calling me a kid. Especially after officiating a HS football game, my body still wishes I were a kid.