Will the real Mike Ford show up?

[Matt]

taylor is obviously the fastest one of the three.

but he looks pretty small.

ford is the most deadly in space.  i love to see the ball in his hands but i can tell you that leavitt will do what is best for the team.

[BullsFanInTX]

I don't think CJL is holding Ford back to keep him a secret, especially since he really hasn't had much game time (in a few years). I thinks its a matter of performance, seems like he has been inconsistent in practice and it hasn't warrented playing.

Remember he's only a freshman, he'll step up.   

Don't know what is going on in practice, but he is CLEARLY the best back in the limited game time experience.

He needs to get the most carries hands down.  Not to say all but most.

6 carries for Mike Ford isn't getting it done.  That is one complaint I have in an otherwise great day yesterday.

It's hard to "show up" when they aren't giving you the ball.

[BullsFanInTX]

That's true Joe and while we all think Ford will be the next star back for us, Williams hasn't done anything to lose the job.

Well...Williams is averaging 3.9 yards a carry, Ford 5.2.

Williams has done a good job, but bottom line is Ford needs to get the ball more.

[bullgator85]

Ford and Taylor are the best runners. But Williams has to start bc he is the best all round back at this point. blocking, knowleddge of the playbook, and the coaches having confidence the rb isn't going to make a mistake early in the game go a long way in determining who starts. i don't understand why most fans haven't seen how good b williams has looked running the ball.

the bottom line is we have the best team we have ever had. the coaches will do what they see fit to win the games.

[DENVERBULL]

Well...Williams is averaging 3.9 yards a carry, Ford 5.2.

Well.....against D1A opponents Ford is averaging 3.2 yards a carry and Williams is averaging 4.1.  And since Williiams is the starter, one could argue that he is running against a fresher defense.  If Ford is the real deal like everyone says, than give him the rock.  Obviously his high school stats are insane, but that was a while ago.

[BullDoug]

It would not surprize if Ford got limited action due to the short week.  He's going to be fresher than the WVU D come Friday nite.  But BW looked strong vs UNC.  Last season he went down easily vs the T'Heels in Chapel Hill.  He really ran strong Sat. afternoon.  The three back attack will wear out defenses.  Its great to have these three available.  I freakin' can't wait to get on the plane to Tampa Friday morn.

[BullsFanInTX]

JUST GIVE MIKE FORD THE BALL!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rocky Style]

From watching the game, I really felt that he was trying to keep Ford and Grothe healthy for the Friday game.  Smart move.

I think on the opening drive the way Ben Williams was able to easily run on them, they rotated everyone in to share the load and they could still move the ball.  UNC's defense looked very porous by the way we were able to move the ball.  Our defense was totally stopping them as well so you had the feeling it would be really hard for them to score.

Once they secure the win, pull Grothe out and still pound the ball and run out the clock.

Very nice strategy.  It worked because we won the game soundly, and everyone should be ready to go for Friday.

[Orlando Bull]

Ford got the first TD, then we scored again, it wasn't necessary to use him that much. He came in on third-and-short to get first downs when there were 11 stacking the box, he is going to be THE guy.

Ben has looked great though, so I don't really worry about it.

Kind of off topic, but how cool is it to see all three guys celebrating together when one gets a TD? They don't seem too worried about who has better stats, looks like they all like to see the others do well. As long as we keep that balance, we will be fine.

[Guest JulmisteForPrez]

All these theories about Ford needing to be "fresh" are cracking me up.

I know he didn't arrive in "football shape," but that was JANUARY!!

If he's not in shape by late September (which I believe he is), then we've got some major issues with our conditioning program.

Let's not over-analyze this here, fellas.

A 4 running back rotation is just silly.

Two......fine.

Three......uh, maybe.

Four.........stupid.

Give #26 the ball, and like Sheriff said, if Williams is such a great blocker and you want to give him PT because of that, let him block while Ford totes the ball!