Alright folks,
We're into the meat of the conference season and things are starting to become very interesting!
First of all, holy shlit Penn State. Honestly I thought this team was going through the motions in September. The Oregon loss wasn't all that alarming. The Ducks defense is excellent. These past two weeks though have totally changed the outlook for this program. Start poaching those recruits!
I never thought they would can Frames. Not with that buyout! Apparently there is a lot of traction on both sides that Rhule might go to Happy Valley? Interesting. Is Cignetti too old? Not interested? He's local. That seemed too obvious right away.
Anyways, the rest of the season is a crapshoot. The schedule is still pretty average other than the Ohio State game.
What a game out in Eugene. That wasn't always the prettiest game, but each defense was damn good. I watched most of this and that's what I needed to see with Indiana. My one question with the Ducks is why they didn't try to run the ball more. They were pretty solid when they did. Dante didn't have a lot of time nor open receivers. The Hoosiers offense wasn't great but made winning plays. So. Well. Coached!
Shout-out to FADETHEHYPE. Your team is a factor and might even grab a bye in the playoffs. Despite your antics on the site late nights, I'll give ya credit for a helluva team this year. They have made the next step since last season.
I enjoy the emails my guy
.
I'm going to tell you something. Well, a few things...
I've been higher on this USC team this year preseason and a bit into the season than at any other time in the Riley era. Yes, I think the defense still has some work to do. Are they as bad as the Caleb years? No.
This past week, in reality, was a great situational play. I should have recognized that a bit better. Last year's game really stuck in Lincoln's head quite a bit. The banter during the week about the sellout etc was a smidge of extra motivation. The Trojans bye week off a very tough loss to Illinois had the team fired up as well.
SC had a damn good game plan on offense. A few peeps I talk to a lot regarding Michigan worried that the Trojans would attack the blitz with dinks and screens all night. The adjustments of Wink were in question. Honestly, felt like they were running downhill all night.
USC attacked early and the Michigan first offensive series was poorly planned out. The Wolverines most definitely could run to the gut as planned -- but once Mr Haynes started cooking an injury occured to his side. Huge bummer, as he was going to run for 175+ vs that rush defense. That changed the game a lot as far as the offense goes.
All that being said, Michigan was an underdog and didn't execute well vs a better team. I expected a loss this summer out there and that's what we saw.
Now, let's go inside this one a bit more...
- Rush defense was highly disappointing. I mentioned during the MSU game how I was impressed with the physical running of the SC backs. We saw that again! I respect that a lot.
- Underwood had several beautiful passes but also a few he'd likely want back. The one that in essence ended any chances occured. Mich offense started getting into rhythm and on 1st n 10 around the SC 30 Bryce zips a beautiful pass to the EZ. Marsh couldn't bring it in and instead of a great TD drive, the next play is an interception down the sidelines making something happen. Hey, down 14, you have to do something. But, that was a force. Bottom line, catch the one on the previous play.
- I do think with a healthy Justice that Michigan scores 21-24 at least. He was really starting to cook.
- Big breakthrough with Andrew Marsh at WR. Huge for the stretch run.
- Back to SC... This is a legit top 10-15 team that can sneak into the playoffs. This October schedule will dictate A LOT! Pretty ridiculous that the Trojans are right back at things in South Bend. The second bye week follows to prep for a trip to Nebraska. This is it right here, win both and playoffs are more than likely. Win one, and take care of November and we're likely cooking! I do think grabbing some +6500 is worth a pizza bet.
- Now, I don't want people thinking I'm pumping up SC because they beat my team. I simply like this team and QB quite a bit. Defense is solid enough and they are very physical. We'll know soon enough if they are a serious contender.
Now, let's start talking about the SC and UM rivals match-up...Holy shlit.
I told you all in this space last week I liked MSU. I was close to spending a wager on them, a few times during the week. I thought this was a good situational play! UCLA with a bit of a letdown spot, traveling East, and kicking off at 9am Pacific!! Meanwhile, the Spartans have been playing hard all year despite the lack of talent. They fought all game in LA back in September. They fought back in Lincoln. This, though, was an actual quitting. Holy smokes! I'm trying to hear from my peeps up there as to what's going on behind the scenes...
Simply put, that's embarrassing on homecoming. Let me credit the Bruins for the past few weeks. Incredible football. Their coaching change is officially paying off!
I'm not sure what's up in East Lansing but they want coach gone out of nowhere. They're firing up the "Urban Meyer" threads again. Yes, a few years ago that thought C.U.M. was their next coach.
The irony of Coach Smith? When Foster was let go in Los Angeles there was very premature speculation that the Bruins might look at him as their new coach. Frankly put, he's a West Coast guy and this move to East Lansing was always bit odd. He's been a solid coach up there but out of nowhere has lost the team. It seems. Shall see.
Next up for MSU - @ Indiana and home vs Michigan.
Yikes.
I didn't see much of Ohio State and Illinois but that box score is quite interesting.
First, the OSU defense is nasty.
Second, Illinois out gained OSU.
This was never a game though. This Buckeyes offense is interesting though. They are slightly morphing the last 2.5 years into Michigan.
Flattering
Anyways, they'll coast into the postseason. Unless something wild happens we should see a fantastic defensive battle between the Hoosiers and Buckeyes in December.
Nebraska offense was humming at Maryland. Solid road win. Those are the games you simply have to win. We've seen those types of games go the wrong way!
Oh, one more mention about last week's games -- Goodbye Luke Fickell!
Holy crap I know a few thought the week before might be his resignation game. We were simply off a week! That's a wild, wild result.
Next up before the bye week? Ohio State and then off to Eugene.
EPIC timing.
I'd say he's gone as they head into the buy week!
That's enough about last week.... ONWARD!
We're into the meat of the conference season and things are starting to become very interesting!
First of all, holy shlit Penn State. Honestly I thought this team was going through the motions in September. The Oregon loss wasn't all that alarming. The Ducks defense is excellent. These past two weeks though have totally changed the outlook for this program. Start poaching those recruits!
I never thought they would can Frames. Not with that buyout! Apparently there is a lot of traction on both sides that Rhule might go to Happy Valley? Interesting. Is Cignetti too old? Not interested? He's local. That seemed too obvious right away.
Anyways, the rest of the season is a crapshoot. The schedule is still pretty average other than the Ohio State game.
What a game out in Eugene. That wasn't always the prettiest game, but each defense was damn good. I watched most of this and that's what I needed to see with Indiana. My one question with the Ducks is why they didn't try to run the ball more. They were pretty solid when they did. Dante didn't have a lot of time nor open receivers. The Hoosiers offense wasn't great but made winning plays. So. Well. Coached!
Shout-out to FADETHEHYPE. Your team is a factor and might even grab a bye in the playoffs. Despite your antics on the site late nights, I'll give ya credit for a helluva team this year. They have made the next step since last season.
I enjoy the emails my guy
. I'm going to tell you something. Well, a few things...
I've been higher on this USC team this year preseason and a bit into the season than at any other time in the Riley era. Yes, I think the defense still has some work to do. Are they as bad as the Caleb years? No.
This past week, in reality, was a great situational play. I should have recognized that a bit better. Last year's game really stuck in Lincoln's head quite a bit. The banter during the week about the sellout etc was a smidge of extra motivation. The Trojans bye week off a very tough loss to Illinois had the team fired up as well.
SC had a damn good game plan on offense. A few peeps I talk to a lot regarding Michigan worried that the Trojans would attack the blitz with dinks and screens all night. The adjustments of Wink were in question. Honestly, felt like they were running downhill all night.
USC attacked early and the Michigan first offensive series was poorly planned out. The Wolverines most definitely could run to the gut as planned -- but once Mr Haynes started cooking an injury occured to his side. Huge bummer, as he was going to run for 175+ vs that rush defense. That changed the game a lot as far as the offense goes.
All that being said, Michigan was an underdog and didn't execute well vs a better team. I expected a loss this summer out there and that's what we saw.
Now, let's go inside this one a bit more...
- Rush defense was highly disappointing. I mentioned during the MSU game how I was impressed with the physical running of the SC backs. We saw that again! I respect that a lot.
- Underwood had several beautiful passes but also a few he'd likely want back. The one that in essence ended any chances occured. Mich offense started getting into rhythm and on 1st n 10 around the SC 30 Bryce zips a beautiful pass to the EZ. Marsh couldn't bring it in and instead of a great TD drive, the next play is an interception down the sidelines making something happen. Hey, down 14, you have to do something. But, that was a force. Bottom line, catch the one on the previous play.
- I do think with a healthy Justice that Michigan scores 21-24 at least. He was really starting to cook.
- Big breakthrough with Andrew Marsh at WR. Huge for the stretch run.
- Back to SC... This is a legit top 10-15 team that can sneak into the playoffs. This October schedule will dictate A LOT! Pretty ridiculous that the Trojans are right back at things in South Bend. The second bye week follows to prep for a trip to Nebraska. This is it right here, win both and playoffs are more than likely. Win one, and take care of November and we're likely cooking! I do think grabbing some +6500 is worth a pizza bet.
- Now, I don't want people thinking I'm pumping up SC because they beat my team. I simply like this team and QB quite a bit. Defense is solid enough and they are very physical. We'll know soon enough if they are a serious contender.
Now, let's start talking about the SC and UM rivals match-up...Holy shlit.
I told you all in this space last week I liked MSU. I was close to spending a wager on them, a few times during the week. I thought this was a good situational play! UCLA with a bit of a letdown spot, traveling East, and kicking off at 9am Pacific!! Meanwhile, the Spartans have been playing hard all year despite the lack of talent. They fought all game in LA back in September. They fought back in Lincoln. This, though, was an actual quitting. Holy smokes! I'm trying to hear from my peeps up there as to what's going on behind the scenes...
Simply put, that's embarrassing on homecoming. Let me credit the Bruins for the past few weeks. Incredible football. Their coaching change is officially paying off!
I'm not sure what's up in East Lansing but they want coach gone out of nowhere. They're firing up the "Urban Meyer" threads again. Yes, a few years ago that thought C.U.M. was their next coach.
The irony of Coach Smith? When Foster was let go in Los Angeles there was very premature speculation that the Bruins might look at him as their new coach. Frankly put, he's a West Coast guy and this move to East Lansing was always bit odd. He's been a solid coach up there but out of nowhere has lost the team. It seems. Shall see.
Next up for MSU - @ Indiana and home vs Michigan.
Yikes.
I didn't see much of Ohio State and Illinois but that box score is quite interesting.
First, the OSU defense is nasty.
Second, Illinois out gained OSU.
This was never a game though. This Buckeyes offense is interesting though. They are slightly morphing the last 2.5 years into Michigan.
Flattering
Anyways, they'll coast into the postseason. Unless something wild happens we should see a fantastic defensive battle between the Hoosiers and Buckeyes in December.
Nebraska offense was humming at Maryland. Solid road win. Those are the games you simply have to win. We've seen those types of games go the wrong way!
Oh, one more mention about last week's games -- Goodbye Luke Fickell!
Holy crap I know a few thought the week before might be his resignation game. We were simply off a week! That's a wild, wild result.
Next up before the bye week? Ohio State and then off to Eugene.
EPIC timing.
I'd say he's gone as they head into the buy week!
That's enough about last week.... ONWARD!
