Alright,
This will have very little structure but hopefully you can find a point or two in here to help with your capping...
Michigan crushed Nebraska. That was a very profitable and satisfying game for myself. This team needed a road game, bad, to show their true potential. That was pretty damn good. The BIGGEST thing to take from this game -- Michigan played over SIXTY guys and didn't commit one penalty. Amazing!
They did give up that big late run, but they give up yards and/or a score in blowouts every 4th quarter, Cap that into 'live' plays.
Nebraska came in averaging 234.8 yards per game. Prior to that big run, they were at 20 carries for 32 yards!
Speaking of rushing -- Corum is getting that confidence back. Edwards ran better, but still seems to force it at times. Mullings is slimmer and fast now. Great short yardage weapon!
Overall though, a very crisp win. There are concerns on the pass defense, no doubt. Time to clean that up and hopefully get the injured guys back into mid-season form and wish for the best at CB2.
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Thank you Rutgers for that needless score with under 20 seconds left vs Wagner. That is all. Two units, routine.
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Sparty and Iowa was some bad football. As much as we have ragged on selfish and cocky Cade the last year or so, the kid was out there playing injured. Tough way to finish the season out -- potentially.
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James Franklin going to James Franklin, with that late cover. Again though, cap that. Nice call by
@HUNT to play them 2h in a tie game. I had the inclination, but with a strong running game I feared a fast clock. Alas, a few late scores and they covered the original spread as well!
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I didn't see any of the Minnesota game. I did see they came back and won in the 4th. I notice they ran the ball 51 times, for a 3.9 ypc average -- against ULL. Hmmm. They also gave up some big runs.
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Maryland destroyed Indiana, not bad in a lookahead. The Hoosiers are downright awful, so this should happen. There isn't a lot to learn here to be honest. I still hope to do a Maryland breakdown ahead of this weeks big game vs the Buckeyes.
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I saw none of this Purdue explosion versus Ilinois. Man, that one year 'bump' for the Illini was short-lived. This team seemingly is regressing as the season progresses. The thing about this game -- the box score makes it look like a one score game at first glance. A big 3rd quarter coupled with a 33- and 44-yard TD drives made this into a blowout.
Alright, that was a rather non-descript week in the conference, I'll be honest, this conference is a brutal watch right now outside of the Big 3, Maryland, Rutgers and Wisconsin. Yes, they have 3 of the top 6-8 teams, otherwise we are talking about historical boringness,
Onto a new week, and hopefully find some winners!
Friday night in Champaigne and nothing could be more exciting. I do think NU is on the right track. Rhule has a plan and understands that it will not be pretty for a bit. They play hard though, and I like the QB, He'll be a damn good TE in the league as well. This would be a very solid win to help accelerate the rebuild. Illinois is down from last year, so why not go get a solid road win? No leans here, just my few rambling thoughts
Big Noon on Fox, and while many of us will be watching the RRR intently in the same window, this deserves a spot on TV #2. To be honest, this is put up or shut-up time for the Terps. We know their story, hot starts and tail off. They have had OSU on the ropes a few times in the last 5 years without sealing the deal. You want to take that next step? Go into the shoe and win a game with your veteran QB. Bottom line. The Bucks had a week off after the physical affair in South Bend. Great character win there. Strong line here, at 19,5 last I looked. Hefty tariff, have the Bucks earned it?
Rutgers heads to Madison as a 2-tuddy dog. I know a few people are interested in this dog here. Has Wisconsin done anything to garner being this big of a favorite here? Shiano is one of the top 2-3 coaches in the conference. This is a very fundamentally sound ballclub here. They should give Wisconsin a 4-quarter game. Yes, lean the dog here. Still capping this one.
Check the FCS thread for Howard and Northwestern handicapping -- that is where I'll be heading. I will say, Northwestern isn't a total dumpster fire this season.
Another total in the 30's in Iowa City. Oey, I need some more background on this back-up QB that completed less than half of his attempts the other night. This game isn't very attractive at all.
Last, but not least, Saturday night in Minneapolis. This will be the 2nd straight road game for Michigan. This will also be their 2nd overall night game. One thing to remember, JH hates night games. If he had it his way, every start would be high noon. I feel like they have been hit and miss in these spots. Overall, not too worried about anything weird happening here. Minnesota doesn't have some potent passing attack that could put a scare into Michigan. The Wolves should run all over this team and use play-action at the proper times. Total has popped up a bit higher after bottoming out last week. I don't have any initial leans here but am capping this as the week goes. I know we have a pretty significant front going through the Midwest late this week -- so let us peek that weather as well for any rain and wind on Saturday night.
