I'm going to stick this post in here and delete the other one instead:
I think UNLV is better than most people give them credit for. Oregon State was lucky to get away with a win, and they're miles ahead of CU. Hawaii is also a lot better than people here think. Just because they're in WAC doesn't mean they're pushovers... sure, get pressure on their QB and they fall apart, but that goes for most teams regardless of level of competition.
As for UNLV, Omar Clayton is a GOOD quarterback. He will pick you apart if you give him the chance to. He's sitting at close to 70% completions, and it wouldn't surprise me if that's the kind of numbers he puts up tomorrow as well. UNLV will try and create mismatches with their two large main receivers, Wolfe and Payne (how awesome are those names?). Wolfe is 6'2, 210, and Payne is 6'3, 200.
The positive is that our corners are by no means tiny, so they height difference isn't as big as it could have been. That the Gipsons are also very athletic, should help out immensely.
I would like to see the corners make some big plays, though. In the CU game, there were AT LEAST two shoddy passes where our CBs should have made breaks on the ball and possibly taken them for a pick six, and at the very least picked them off. You are not going to get much gift-wrapped like that against Clayton, but if we manage to get some pressure on him, the secondary better be ready to jump on those balls.
UNLV's defense isn't spectacular, but if we continue to play the way we have lately on offense, they're good enough to shut us down. The offense needs to focus on the easy, short passes, to get 6 and 7 yards on the first down, rather than trying to fling it down the field. We have decent tight ends, so why not utilize them? If our receivers can hold on to the 5 yard passes, that should be a good enough confidence builder that we might eventually be able to go for 10+ yard completions as well. Another positive with the short passing game is that it will keep the offense on the field longer, make UNLV's defense stay on their heels more, and as they have to focus instantly on our receivers, it may open up a few lanes for Alexander, who should be able to take it to the building as soon as he hits the hole.
It also means our o-line doesn't need to hold their blocks forever, which should also help them stay fresh enough to open holes for the run.
I want our offense to play fast, eat up a lot of clock, and keep our defense fresh for once. Imagine if we could actually win the time of possession battle!
Most of all, though. Fans need to remember that Cowboys now play a completely different type of offense, and that our players are still adjusting to it. With 6 true freshmen starting, there will be a few mistakes and growing pains, but if they can do alright this very first year, they should be a force to be reckoned with in the next few years.
And a last sidenote. We have two quarterbacks who can think on their feet and can throw the ball somewhat decently. Sure we're starting ACS, but why not line Benjamin up wide a few times per game, maybe let ACS throw him a lateral, and then Benjamin can do whatever he wants to - run or throw. Every time I see CSU make that play with Morton throwing the ball, I want to do it too. Morton is 2 for 2 passing, both went for touchdowns. Even if we just did a play like that for a ten yard completion, or 5 yard run, I don't see how that could be bad. It would spread the opposing defenses out once they realize he was on the field, and possibly open some gaping holes for Alexander, because they're thinking the threat is out by the sideline.
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