Pirate Talk

hopefully the o line brings it and Rio doesn't try to force things. when you've got a bunch of big giant dudes running at you, that can tend to speed up your decision making, and not for the best either.

This Shaw thing will be quirky... lots of coach speak and "I can play" talk ... sounds like they are running diversionary tactics.

This is an excellent feature, and it is much appreciated to have it open to other fans. I love getting viewpoints outside of our own fanbase/247 staff.

I think that the most intriguing matchup will be the ECU passing game against the USC pass defense. I agree that both passing games are up for grabs, and am really interested to see how each works themselves out. Whereas South Carolina has and edge up front with most teams, Lincoln Riley's Air Raid attack and the quick decisions mitigates that.

But in the backfield, USC had two big mistakes last week that I believe were lessons learned that led to about 100 extra passing yards last week (including Vandy's only touchdown - a 78 yard reception in which our safety assumed the receiver would miss the ball, jumped for the interception, and was off his feet when the receiver caught it & got by him). So I don't think that the 214 yards by Vandy is indicative of how this secondary will end the season.

Will there be more of the same? There could. And if so, Rio Johnson will have the opportunity to have a big day.

Will the USC secondary lock it down? I think they will lessen their mistakes and take less chances (individually, not necessarily as a group, as in the scheme will be more aggressive than last year). But I don't think you "lock down" the ECU attack. You guys seem content to move with short passes instead of waste a ton of first downs with low percentage deep passes. If you churn out the yardage and stay on the field, then I expect you to be able to move the ball somewhat. If Riley were to get greedy and go deep too much, I think that plays into USC's hands (again assuming better safety play).

Of course, I suppose you have to balance the passing equivalent of three yards and a cloud of dust approach to having to be on the field for longer, thus giving more opportunities for TO's. But I still think that methodical approach is what you can do best. It will be fun to watch, IMO.

I think it will be a hard fought, close game with excellent tailgating before and after! :-)

Good assessment.Well articulated!

Shaw will play. Coach Ruff knows it......the players know it.......I know it.

I fail to see how they have the edge at quarterback with a dude who can't throw it?

For you to question the professionalism of John Whittle is at the least shortsighted, and at the most ignorant of the facts.

The fact is not only is Whittle correct about every advantage, but is right in line with Vegas in his prediction. Hate to break the news to you, but those guys don't lose money out there in the desert.

His point about QB is dead on as well, particularly if Shaw plays. There is no rational, unbiased reason to pick a first year starter over the guy that finished last year as the #23 rated passer in efficiency playing SEC defenses, and far and away the #1 most efficient passer over the last four games, when he finally had his feet wet.

Will it be different if the #2 guy takes all the snaps? Certainly. But it becomes a toss-up at that point bc there is little experience behind either to make such an argument either way. Three passes against an SEC defense as compared to one game with good and bad moments against an FCS foe is going to go nowhere in determining which QB is better in that case.

So instead of attempting to impugn the integrity of a hard-working and knowledgeable journalist, maybe you should take it for what it is: an honest opinion in line with most of the country (or at least those that put their money where their mouth is). You guys have a great staff here and I always have and always will pull for ECU when they're not playing us, but do not pretend that just because you don't want there to exist such a talent differential that when someone points it out, they're wrong and biased for saying so.