I think we've corrected the fumble issues. I chalk up all the stuff from the UNC game to the weather entirely. Prior to that game though, we'd definitely had done a better job securing the ball. I think our biggest weakness is still the interior run game though. If we play a team that can lock up Ford and the other receivers (tough task since Ford is a monster), I'm still not certain we can run the ball effectively. As big as Evans is, I'm not comfortable using him as a ram. It was fine given the circumstances for UNC, but hopefully the backs can run better as we get into tougher ACC competition coming up with Miami and Pitt.
And the defense has been great. You're absolutely right that it helps we can get those guys a breather on the sideline now that we have an offense. I'm also happy to see Foster has gone back to his old ways of using multiple fronts instead of the conservative bear formations he's used the last couple of years.
I'm trying my best to temper expectations since its year 1 under Fuente but its getting awful hard not to look at the standings and say "what if".
I agree that most of the fumbles were weather related, but a couple of them were timing issues that can be corrected with extra practice (the jet sweep in the first quarter, much like the UT game, being one of them).
I also agree that the between the tackle running needs to improve to be a complete team. Evans runs similar to the way we used Logan, but that is a recipe for an injury and if Evans goes down, I don't think Motley can keep the rythmn going. So anything we can do to keep Evans upright is going to be crucial to any chance at the ACC title game.
My expectation for this team coming into the year was 8-4 so we wouldn't have to sweat out a bowl birth the last game. I think we can now realistically see a 9 and 10 win regular season. While I think we can beat everyone else on our schedule, there are still a few tough outs with a coin flip between us and Miami and Pitt.
One thing that is great to see again is the excitement around the team. Not just this year, but what could be built in the coming years even with the improved ACC going to make it tough. Recruiting should jump up and if we get that special player or two, who knows what could happen.