Maryland at FSU Observations

The team showed a lot of character today by eeking out the win.  Here our some of my thoughts on the game.

1. Many people, including myself, forgot that Maryland had Da'Rel Scott back today after missing five games, no coincidence they lost all five.  He is a difference maker and provided UM with enough of a run game to open up the passing game. 
   
2. Jimbo tried to open up the playbook and it did not work.  Putting EJ alone in the back field with five wide was befuddling and unnecessary early in the game.  I would have liked to have seen the I formation and more North South running plays.  We were too impatient with our running game and I think Hudson being out played too much into the play calling.
   
3. EJ has all the tools to become an outstanding quarterback at FSU.  He has also showed, understandably, some weaknesses.  A number of under thrown/behind balls to receivers and a few bad reads, however this will improve as his experience grows. 
   
4. Reliford will be better than expected, and made a great catch at the one, but also seemed to have run the wrong route on one of EJs interceptions.  He like EJ will only improve.
5. Lonnie Pryor is having an excellent rookie season.  His blocking has been instrumental and his toughness is very apparent.  A fantastic surprise and a great one two punch with Thomas. 
6. Defense, what can you say?  In Mickeys last year he seems to have abandoned everything that made his defenses so great, corner blitzes, safety blitzes, just blitzes in general and frequent.  Bump and run coverage has also gone by the wayside.  Alarmingly no aggressiveness on the defense.  One could argue he does not have the athletes, and he doesn't, however the coaching is not there nor the effort from certain players.
7. We need some talent but more importantly SIZE on our defensive line as soon as possible.  Along with that the team has missed far too many tackles this season which I think is partly a result of a poor weight training program mixed in with some young d lineman. 
   
8. The reverse call by Jimbo was perfectly timed.  UM had been over pursuing most of the game and he gashed them with the call.  Also the roll outs and play actions work great with EJ, however a running game is vital for those to work. 
   
9. It was wonderful to see Mickey go out at home with a win.
10. As SWFLNole put it, G5, enough said. 
11. Last, but certainly not least, Nigel Bradham is growing into a great football player.