I had FIU rated a lot higher than Arkansas St. When I have a team rated a lot higher than another team, and that team comes into a game as an underdog, and then that team LOSES, I still, after all these years, am amazed. It forces you to look at the stats from the game right away and try to understand why you were so wrong. I did that with last night's game.
It turns out the stats in the game were pretty similar for both teams. ArkSt gained 198 yards on the ground, FIU, 188. ASU gained 223 yards in the air(65%), FIU gained 153 yards in the air(61%). As is usually the case, when the stats don't match the score, the next place to look is in the turnover department. This is where FIU probably cost itself( and edgySam) any chance to win and cover.
The Golden Panthers gave up two interceptions which led directly to ASU touchdowns. The Red Wolves had no turnovers in the game!
I will write here that my biggest fear in the game was experience at the QB position(senior starter)for ASU, and inexperience at the QB position(freshman starter) for FIU. My fears appeared to be justified. For the record: I accepted the inexperience of freshman QB Hilliard, but, still concluded that the rest of the team was so much stronger than their opponent, that a recommendation would still be in order. I WAS WRONG!
I guess it helped confirm my belief that, other than the head coach, the most important position on the field is the quarterback.
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