Sardonic Look at Week Ten

[donovan]

Random Thoughts about week ten.

1. Boise v Colorado State: Who cares? They use to start strong, now they whimper, they use to finish strong, now they whimper. QB Hedrick despite so issued, played lights out football. He will only get better. Who cares? (BSU will finish 11-3) see who cares?
2. Arizona State v Washington State: ASU will win the Southern Division. Washington State is one year away from being back in the game. Leach has to be a hero there.
3. University of Oregon v Bye: Biggest loser of the week. Do not schedule byes in the thick of the hunt. Phil Knight should have a better handle on that.
4. Louisiana Monroe v Georgia Tech: Reminds you of why watching “minor” teams is more fun than reruns of NCIS.
5. Targeting Rule: Rule should have some definition before you ask referees to make the call.
6. Virginia Tech v Boston: How can VT still be in the hunt?
7. Illinois v Everyone: Can they win the coveted wooden turtle? Spence is trembling.
8. Ohio State v Purdue: OSU are the Johnny come lately’s to the thrashing mentality…but when they finally got it…they are making up for lost time. And I don’t want to hear about the last quarter they had the fast food attendant from MacDonald’s window number 2 playing linebacker…
9. Mississippi State v What’s his name: Having the toughest SOS in the country doesn’t always work out so well. Getting beat by SC never works out well.
10. Notre Dame v Navy: A very unpatriotic win. And ND, cut the last minute drama.
11. Michigan State v Michigan: Eric…dang…rushing has always been a part of football.
12. Northwestern v Nebraska: Football needs these ending every few years. Reminds us that Deity, in fact does not care about football.
13. Georgia v Florida: Derrick finally rallied the troops. Watch out for Appalachian State next week…and who decided that would be a great team to play mid-season?
14. Arkansas v Auburn: If I were Bielema, I would be looking to sell my house…there is a track record here of very low tolerance.
15. TUnCU v WVU: Tough loss. Especially against who they played.
16. FSU v Miami: I thought Mr. Billybud would show a little compassion on Cane.
17. Texas A&M: It is all about Manziel no matter who they play and despite another stellar performance see Number 1.
18. Fresno State and Northern Illinois: BCS smoked filled room will figure out a way to cut them out, do not worry, they will be castigated.

[Spence]

8. Ohio State v Purdue: OSU are the Johnny come lately’s to the thrashing mentality…but when they finally got it…they are making up for lost time. And I don’t want to hear about the last quarter they had the fast food attendant from MacDonald’s window number 2 playing linebacker…

They started playing the fast food attendent in the first half.

Purdue is bad everywhere except on the dline. They have some talent there, not enough to make a difference. I'm not sure there was a way to not win that game by a lot without just taking a knee after every punt. Eventually then Purdue would have scored. Still your point that Ohio State, under Meyer, has resorted to "making a statement" at the expense of an opponent is true. It is likely to keep happening until we play Michigan State in the championship game. They have a real defense and Ohio State will have to play well to win that game.

For right now, the media is calling for blood if you want their support. Of course, they aren't going to give it anyway. I guess this is one way to force the rest of the B-10 to step up their game. I guess it is needed, but I'm not sure we have to embarrass a good young coach at Purdue that is trying to build a foundation where there is none.

[Spence]

5. Targeting Rule: Rule should have some definition before you ask referees to make the call.

There is nothing wrong with trying to protect players, even from themselves. I agree that this rule needs definition. I think if you make a heads up tackle, incidental contact has to be considered not a penalty. if you come into the tackle head down, then I agree it should be a penalty. You can't eliminate high hits, though, or you will start seeing lots of knee injuries. Recievers and tightends will be dropping like flies.

[Eric]

11. Michigan State v Michigan: Eric…dang…rushing has always been a part of football.

It was about what I expected, unfortunately. Michigan's offenisve line has been brutal all season and Michigan State likes to stuff the box. They couldn't run early and they abandoned the running game which made the defensive line pin their ears back and rush the passer, and the sacks accumulated. 20 yards were lost on a high snap that went over Gardner's head, but -48 yards rushing is -48 yards rushing . Definitely one of the ugliest losses in Michigan history and that includes the RichRod era. I don't think this is an overstatement.

13. Georgia v Florida: Derrick finally rallied the troops. Watch out for Appalachian State next week…and who decided that would be a great team to play mid-season?

Amazingly, Appalachian State is bad this year. They unexpectedly fired Jerry Moore last fall (a.k.a., the guy who beat Michigan and won those national championships and took App State to the playoffs for at least 8 consecutive years). Now their new head coach has ASU at 2-7 with a bunch of close losses. I guess the grass isn't always greener

[Duke1632]

20 yards were lost on a high snap that went over Gardner's head, but -48 yards rushing is -48 yards rushing . Definitely one of the ugliest losses in Michigan history and that includes the RichRod era. I don't think this is an overstatement.

No matter what, that is one of the most dominate defensive performances for a very long time, but it appeared the weather was a significant factor as well. I would not want to face this MSU defense in good weather, but on a rainy, slippery day, wow. No chance.

[Duke1632]

9. Mississippi State v What’s his name: Having the toughest SOS in the country doesn’t always work out so well. Getting beat by SC never works out well.

Out of curiosity, which ranking system is being referenced here? CCR has Mississippi State as the 19th toughest schedule. Cal is ranked #1 in SoS. I get lost sometimes.

[donovan]

I never let the facts disturb the embellishment of my comments. You are right on the SOS that Mr. Congrove uses and I suspect that is as valid as any and more than most as he has an excellent prognosticating percentage.

I would try to get my fact more accurate in the future, but after this many years...I doubt I will. Glad you are here with us Duke, though I suspect you know a lot more about this than you say.

[Duke1632]

I would try to get my fact more accurate in the future, but after this many years...I doubt I will.

Ah, you were speaking in generalities, but I got lost since I took it literally. Easy fix, so easy I predict I won't get lost next week during your weekly wrap, but no guarantee, of course

[Cane from the Bend]

For right now, the media is calling for blood if you want their support. Of course, they aren't going to give it anyway. I guess this is one way to force the rest of the B-10 to step up their game. I guess it is needed, but I'm not sure we have to embarrass a good young coach at Purdue that is trying to build a foundation where there is none.

Shows the arrogant pomp of Meyer when he goes on the record in media conference interviews, and makes statements directed at the other B1G programs about how they need to up their recruiting success . . . and then squashing their ability to make those strides of progress, by publically humiliating those programs on national tv.

This is, after all, one of the core reasons for running up the score on your opponents.

1.) it skews the perception of the voter
2.) it is a recruiting statement tactic

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[Spence]

I'm sure making a statement was part of it. The players have said as much. Ohio State only scored 14 points in the second half, though, and they could have scored 100 if they wanted. They are in a bad position. They are being told they need to do more. The media beats that drum. When in fact they are in a position where two of the three teams in front of them and probably Baylor has to lose for them to make the championship game. It is a tough position to be in. I don't believe they are better than Florida State, Alabama, or Oregon, but if you are a player, you have to believe you are better.

I believe that Ohio State needs to play whoever the PAC12 team is in the Rose and win. That is the only way Ohio State can shake the perception they are under. I believe it is possible they can do that. The defense is getting better. They aren't capable of beating Stanford or Oregon right now, but the very well could be ready by bowl time. The Dline is making big strides, especially with regard to depth. The linebackers are playing great, still very thin. The secondary still has it's moments, but we should have Christian Bryant back by the bowl game and that will take lots of the heat off Roby. Anyway, as much as the players are hoping they end up in the championship game, the Rose is the most realistic goal.

[Cane from the Bend]

If for some reason Oregon lands on the other sideline across from Ohio State in the Rose Bowl; I do not believe the Bucks will have made quite the improvements necessary to win that game.

Then again, they play the games, because what we think, can be proven irrelevant.

However, an Oregon team who feels as though they've been slighted . . . or a 1 loss Ducks team who believes they need to make a showing of things, because they didn't get to the big dance, would not be something I'd want to face come Bowl time.

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[Eric]

I don't think Ohio State could stop Oregon (most teams can't). They could score because I feel that the Buckeye offense is operating at an elite level. But Bama and FSU could hang mano-a-mano with Oregon's offense. I don't think the Ducks would crack 35 against those teams for a full 60 minutes which is saying something.

All I know is I can't wait until the BCS. By the looks of it, we could get duds like UCF vs. Florida State or Baylor vs. Northern Illinois, both of which are very possible at this point. But the drama leading up the rest of the way is going to be interesting. There are always surprises, but I feel that Ohio State and Baylor are close to Oregon's, Bama's, and Florida State's level. It'll be interesting to see what will happen if we get three or maybe four of these teams being undefeated heading into bowl season. As much controversy as the BCS has endured over its tenure, it has lucked out considerably when it comes to debate about the best teams. I think this year would be the most controversial by far.

[Spence]

I don't think Ohio State or Baylor are there yet. I'm hoping the Buckeyes get there. There is a talent on defense, but it has to gel to get past at complete team.

[Duke1632]

I don't think Ohio State or Baylor are there yet. I'm hoping the Buckeyes get there. There is a talent on defense, but it has to gel to get past at complete team.

Out of curiosity, what was your thought just before the 2010 Rose Bowl? Personally, I thought Oregon would beat Ohio St. pretty easily, but I was wrong. I think most people thought the same thing back then, but I didn't get the opportunity to get your sage observations, or any from those with substantial Bucks insight like you. It might be interesting to compare your views then to now, even if both teams look a bit stronger than then.

This also serves as a segue into a question I've wanted to ask about Ohio State and Baylor. I definitely defer to Spence's superior knowledge, but what are the primary factor(s) for why CCR 125 clearly do not have the same reservations about those two teams? Even more specific, why did Ohio State leap from 5 to 2 after playing a team that would not appear to have much relevance? It's got to be some stat, like maybe total yards differential, and I'd sure like to know.

That aside, we'll be able to let reality determine Baylor's mettle in the next few weeks. Those Oklahoma teams sure look good, even if I've often failed to give them their due this year.

[Eric]

Personally I think that Oklahoma is going to get steamrolled by 25+. OU has a good secondary, but Baylor's vertical game is a completely different animal. Baylor can also make Oklahoma one-dimensional. I'm not sure if people realize how good Baylor might actually be. Oklahoma State is the one team I think on Baylor's schedule that has a good shot to beat the Bears since they are balanced enough offensively.