Friday Football

[Cane from the Bend]

Both games were rather entertaining.

The UConn/Iowa St match up was well worth the watch. Neither team could pull away from the other. The Cyclones played from behind the entire first half to take the lead in the 3rd. But they couldn't put the game away, and ice it.

Both teams had a couple of miss management calls towards the end. But, wow, was that a clean showing by the lines.

I'm not sure there was one false start the whole game.


As for Boise, this is what I take from their showing.

The Broncos struggled early with Toledo. That game stayed closer than I expected it to.

However, like all power teams; when you can just enforce your will over the other guy, you endure `til they can no longer keep pace with you.

That is exactly what Boise did. And once they settled, they walked the field in strides, putting up Boise like numbers.

Not necessarily the Boise State showing everyone probably expected (except for those of us who are aware Toledo is an upscale MAC team), though, a good showing none-the-less.

Most everybody struggles at some point during the season. And, Boise was on the road, started slow, but held it together.

Good wins for Boise & Iowa St.


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[Eric]

Toledo is a pretty solid team, and I was frustrated with their fortunes in this game. The missed sure-fire-touchdown on the slant route where the receiver dropped the pass, the awful no-call pass interference against Boise that would have put Toledo just outside the red zone, the intercepted tipped screen pass which could have put the game within one score, and obviously the red zone fumble by Dantin right after the big interception. They shot themselves in the foot too often and it otherwise would have been a much closer game. As well as Toledo has played so far, I still like Northern Illinois / Temple for the MAC title (watch out tomorrow for a possible Temple upset of Penn State).

I didn't catch much of the Iowa State / UConn game until the very end, but it looked like there was 1 second left on the clock after the ball hit the ground. I think they should have reviewed the end of the game to make sure they had the right play clock. You never know what will happen on those hail mary's. But on the other hand, UConn's QB situation is abysmal and I can't say I'm surprised they lost this one. Iowa State is off to a great start at 3-0.

[Cane from the Bend]

I didn't catch much of the Iowa State / UConn game until the very end, but it looked like there was 1 second left on the clock after the ball hit the ground. I think they should have reviewed the end of the game to make sure they had the right play clock. You never know what will happen on those hail mary's. But on the other hand, UConn's QB situation is abysmal and I can't say I'm surprised they lost this one. Iowa State is off to a great start at 3-0.

I thought the same thing on that last play. It may have turned out differently with a second shot at the endzone; though, I doubt it. But, they really should have reviewed the ending.

I know your affinity for the MAC Eric, however, I would be more than surprised if Temple were to beat Penn State.

It's hard for me to rationalize much improvement when your head coach leaves for a higher profile job and you're learning a new system.

It may turn out to be a pretty good game. I'm not expecting an upset . . . that is; unless Penn State foolishly takes the Owls too lightly.

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[donovan]

Not Boise's best performance. Defense wins games and Boise's defense was not dominating. Toledo passing was atrocious. In the end, Boise tired them out. There was too much movement and Toledo got tired. The offensive and defensive lines for Toledo did well....just tough when Boise receivers quickly find open grass and Moore sees it and bullets it to them. 455 yards is a lot of passing. They are going to have to get their running game out of park if they are going to dominate. All in all, the statistics read much better than the actual game seemed to be played. Was some missed calls on both sides, I thought, but the ones missed on Boise hurt Toledo much more that vice versa. Good news is Freshman QB Grant Hedrick is almost Moore Clone for next year.

[WoVeU]

Temple almost got Penn State. The Nittany Lions are steadily working their way to the bottom of the Big-10.

[Cane from the Bend]

Temple almost got Penn State. The Nittany Lions are steadily working their way to the bottom of the Big-10.

It has happened before, only to see Penn St rise back to a 10 win team.

I don't think they can be a perennial 9+ team. But, they won't fall into an Indiana conundrum either.

The Nittany Lions seem to drag their feet on the field. I don't know if it's lack of development, leadership, or general bad recruiting. But they do look to be at the end of their rope.

There needs to be a program overhaul in State College.

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[Eric]

People calling for Joe Pa's head must have short memories considering Penn State won 11 games in 2009. They have just fallen in a funk because they have no QB, and I have no clue how a school like Penn State couldn't recruit a decent QB. It doesn't help that Rob Bolden is not coming around. If this team had gotten Russell Wilson instead of Wisconsin, I think they could have won the Big 10. Matt McGloin just isn't going to get it done.

[Cane from the Bend]

People calling for Joe Pa's head must have short memories considering Penn State won 11 games in 2009.

And that's my point.

Penn State fell all the way down to a 2-9 season, only to turn around and bring in 11 wins.

Bad qb play is occurring all over the place. As much of a win as could be celebrated by beating the Buckeyes, had they had a more efficient passing game, those 2 field goals would have instead been 7 points . . . for a tied game . . . not because Ohio State played well to get into the red zone; but because Jacory Harris threw two picks at the defense instead of to open receivers.

Miami should have been marching the field on that third possession. We were moving the ball well, and Harris threw an interception without any pressure. And the wide out was by him self. Should have been 21 - 0 at that point.

But, because Ohio St didn't have accurate passing, that pick turned out only 3 points for the Buckeyes.

So, what does Jacory Harris do on the very next possession to answer for that interception; throws another pick on his first attempt of the drive.

Again, great field position for the Bucks. But again, with no passing game, had to settle for another 3 points.

Both Ohio St & Miami had qb issues on Saturday.

It's a College Football epidemic. Penn St, Ohio St, Miami, So Carolina, USC, even Martinez @ Nebraska has struggled.

These are just the teams everyone expects quality performances out of the qb position. Many other schools are having difficulty under Center too.

FSU had real problems when EJ Manuel got knocked out of the game. A bunch of holding calls against the `noles' Offensive line saw multiple touchdowns taken away. Oklahoma St had some trouble with the interception bug vs Tulsa. And just when Michigan St had seized momentum against ND; Sparty seemed to have everything going their way . . . that is until Kirk Cousins generously gave the ball back to the Irish.

About the only 3 schools excelling at qb are Arkansas, Boise State and Stanford.

Texas is heading in the right direction, now that they have finally dumped Gilbert for McCoy.

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[Vileborg]

Yep, year of the QB, either you have or you have not.

Texas has found theres, even while Mack stares at his clipboard and says this guy is horrible in practice.

Case McCoy

http://www.oneclicksportsnow.com/ncaa/t ... Rose-Bowl/

Watch it, revere it, and most of all fear it!

Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Boise St., and Standford all have good solid people at QB. I would say So. Caro. but we know Spurrier loves to sit Garcia whenever he can.

Lot of new and unsteady QB's out there.