Checking in from the team who just played Samford, all that was said above is true. WCU moved the ball pretty much at will between the 20s, but that honestly felt like the Dogs plan - do not give up a big play, then when the field shrinks stack the box and hit Davis on every opportunity. They played prevent D and then went almost like goal line and it frustrated the Cats all game long. The game was certainly closer than the final outcome, but the team with the better plan won the game. Samford looked good in their win against KSU, but I really didn't expect them to hold us to 4 FGs.
On O they seem to be capable of changing what they want to do given the opponent. They have been more balanced the first few weeks, running the ball effectively. Two weeks ago they threw it 47 times to come back against TTU. Against Western they had 30 passes and 34 rushes. Until the long TD run in the 4th quarter that broke the game open they had ~50 yards rushing. WCU has somehow gotten better up-front on D and has some serious mental mistakes letting guys run free in the back-end, and Samford took advantage of that.
Their QB is smart with the ball, and Chandler Smith was a guy our DBs seemed to lose all afternoon whenever they needed a big play. If I were Furman, I would hammer them with your two big RBs and pressure them with your defensive front. You guys are at home and I would give you the edge, with the biggest question mark being your injuries.
On O they seem to be capable of changing what they want to do given the opponent. They have been more balanced the first few weeks, running the ball effectively. Two weeks ago they threw it 47 times to come back against TTU. Against Western they had 30 passes and 34 rushes. Until the long TD run in the 4th quarter that broke the game open they had ~50 yards rushing. WCU has somehow gotten better up-front on D and has some serious mental mistakes letting guys run free in the back-end, and Samford took advantage of that.
Their QB is smart with the ball, and Chandler Smith was a guy our DBs seemed to lose all afternoon whenever they needed a big play. If I were Furman, I would hammer them with your two big RBs and pressure them with your defensive front. You guys are at home and I would give you the edge, with the biggest question mark being your injuries.