There won't be a 'Five Thoughts' this week due to a very busy week.
Draper Index1) LSU
2) Oklahoma St
3) Oklahoma
4) Oregon
5) Alabama
6) Arkansas
7) Stanford
8) Boise State
9) Clemson
10) TCU
11) Virginia Tech
12) Nebraska
13) USC
14) South Carolina
15) Michigan State
16) Wisconsin
17) Auburn
18) Georgia
19) Kansas State
20) Penn State
21) Southern Miss
22) Notre Dame
23) Michigan
24) Houston
25) Florida State
My Ballot
1) LSU
2) Oklahoma State
3) Oregon
4) Alabama
5) Oklahoma
6) Arkansas
7) Stanford
8) Clemson
9) Virginia Tech
10) Nebraska
11) Houston
12) Boise State
13) Wisconsin
14) USC
15) Michigan State
16) South Carolina
17) TCU
18) Georgia
19) Southern Miss
20) Florida State
21) Kansas State
22) Penn State
23) Michigan
24) Auburn
25) Georgia Tech
My BCS Projections
BCS National Championship: LSU vs. Oklahoma State
Rose: Wisconsin vs. Oregon
Fiesta: Oklahoma vs. Stanford
Sugar: Alabama vs. Houston
Orange: Clemson vs. West Virginia
I think this is pretty solid right now. If Bedlam goes to OU, swap OU and OSU.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Week 12 Picks--SEC vs. FCS!!!
USC Trojans @ Oregon Ducks
Draper: This probably would have been the Pac 12 Championship Game had the Trojans not been on probation. USC has been one of the few teams in the Pac 12 that plays defense, but I don't think they have the horses to keep up with the Ducks. LaMichael James, Kenyon Barner, and Darren Thomas are playing at a whole new level offensively. Autzen will be rocking and will send the Trojans home for the holidays unfulfilled. USC: 27--UO: 45
Hoying: The Ducks face a potential trap game after surging back into the national title discussion. USC gave Stanford all they could handle, but that contest was in Los Angeles and the Cardinal appear to have been exposed as of late. Interestingly enough, without the NCAA punishment of the Trojans, this could have been the Pac-12 title game. Barkley and Woods have been unstoppable as of late, but this surprisingly effective Duck D will cause them fits. I don't see Oregon stumbling here. USC: 24--UO:41Schweinfurth: The Ducks, coming off the dismantling of Stanford, are firing on all cylinders again and look to have their offensive swagger back. The Trojans see to be trapped in limbo and lost in NCAA purgatory. The Trojan defense has been suspect against some of the better teams, especially spread offenses. Expect another big day out of The Michael. USC, possibly without Robert Woods, will have a difficult time out-scoring the Ducks. USC: 31 -- UO: 52
Oklahoma Sooners@ Baylor Bears
Draper: It's a ranked matchup, but I don't see much contest here. OU is finding their stride while Baylor is finding the slide. Robert Griffin III is a forgotten commodity that will be good for a score or two, but the Sooners have their eyes back on New Orleans. Jones reenters the Heisman race with another big game. OU: 52--Baylor: 27
Hoying: My early season favorite Robert Griffin has tailed a bit as the season has progressed. Oklahoma is capable of letting this one get away from them, as the Bear attack is more potent than Texas Tech's, but don't expect Oklahoma to fall asleep again with a BCS title berth squarely in their sights. The Bears are giving up 36 points per game. Uh oh. Okla: 60--Baylor: 28Schweinfurth: Baylor is having a great season, but the Bears are still the Bears. Oklahoma is starting to roll again and is by far the better team. RG3 puts up some numbers and goes for 4 TDs. Okla: 41 -- Baylor: 28
Kansas State Wildcats @ Texas Longhorns
Draper: Texas is coming off a bad loss to Gary Pinkel (drinky drinky) and the Tigers while KSU lost a thriller to OSU then won a thriller over TAMU. The Wildcats look pretty darn good under Colin Klein while Texas is just....eh. Fozzy Whittaker wakka wakka's for a few scores, but not enough to avoid the dreaded home loss. KSU: 31--UT: 17
Hoying: How about Wildcat QB Collin Klein? This kid threw for 281 yards and added 5 rushing touchdowns in a 4OT thriller over everyone's favorite 1st half team, Texas A&M. That win may be the best among these two teams' combined 14 wins. Meanwhile, Texas is reeling after an embarrassing 17-5 loss at Missouri. Don't expect them to turn it around this week. Bill Snyder's loose skin and...you know the rest...will extend the Wildcats' improbable run for another week. KSU:31--Texas:20Schweinfurth: Like Baylor, Kansas State is having a dream season. Texas on the other hand, is still reeling and trying to find an identity on offense. Kansas' offense is moving the ball every efficiently and Texas will have a rough time stopping them. Texas, even though struggling a bit, should be able to keep up on the scoreboard. Texas will keep them close but, in the end, the Wildcats keep winning. KSU: 45 -- UT: 38
Nebraska Cornhuskers @ Michigan Wolverines
Draper: The loser of this game is more or less out of the B1G title talk so it's all on the line. Both QB's can run, but passing will be an issue. The Black Shirts are starting to play a little defense but the game is in the Big House. With that said, I think the maize and Blue get caught looking ahead to the Buckeye game in which they can end 7 years of failure. Martinez completes 1 more pass than Robinson to keep Nebraska's hope alive to be crushed again by Wisconsin. Neb: 31--UM: 27
Hoying: The last time these two teams met (2005 Alamo Bowl), the refs missed a crucial call on the final play of the game that let Big Red escape with a victory over Big Blue. This contest may prove to be as exciting. These teams are remarkably similar: both play much better at home and both feature great running QB's that can't really throw. I think the difference in this one will be the toughness of the QB's. Denard has continued to be banged up this season, while Martinez has been able to weather the storm and rely on the rushing attack of Burkhead. Look for Denard to make an early exit and the Huskers to pull out a squeaker. Neb: 24--UM: 23Schweinfurth: This game really shouldn't be close. Michigan's defense is much improved this year (ie. not giving up 40+ points a game) but the talent still isn't quite there. Nebraska has the ability to control the ball and enough talent up front to contain Robinson (if he plays) or Gardner. Neb: 28 -- UM: 17Penn State Nittany Lions @ THE Ohio State Buckeyes
Draper: The allegations continue to pile up in Happy Valley while the suck piles up in Columbus. Penn State is the overachieving team of the year while the Buckeyes are their underachieving counterpart. The return of Posey might mean something if we had a QB who could throw a forward pass. The biggest difference in this game will be the home crowd. In all honesty, without the situation at PSU, I don't think the Buckeyes could overcome the lack of coaching, but present circumstances point to an absolute deflated Lion squad. They'll play hard for 60 minutes, but the home crowd will tip the scales. Buckeyes win a close one. PSU: 17--OSU: 20
Hoying: If you own stock in these two teams, SELL! The Nittany Lions are lucky to still have an operational football team, which is something the Buckeyes arguably don't have (ok, maybe a little harsh). Neither team features a true passing threat, but the Buckeyes will certainly get a boost from returning star WR DeVier Posey, which should allow Braxton to just chuck it in his direction. Look for Braxton to Posey to be a difference maker, and Braxton's crazy legs to save some key conversions, as the Bucks send the Nittany Lions off to their beatdown next week in Madison. PSU: 10-- OSU: 20Schweinfurth: Penn State is a mess but so are the Buckeyes. Penn State has a hard time moving the ball, and they have Moxy this week under center. The Silver Bullets have been flat the last two weeks but have a tendency to get up for bigger games. It's Senior Day in the 'Shoe and the Bucks will certainly come to play. Penn State's D is very good and Ohio State could see 9-10 guys in the box if the wide receivers cannot stretch the field. This one will be low scoring. PSU: 6 -- OSU: 9
Upset Special
Draper: Ole Miss over LSU (kidding), Rutgers over Cincinnati
Hoying: Illinois over Wisconsin (come on!)Schweinfurth: Colorado State over TCU
Draper: This probably would have been the Pac 12 Championship Game had the Trojans not been on probation. USC has been one of the few teams in the Pac 12 that plays defense, but I don't think they have the horses to keep up with the Ducks. LaMichael James, Kenyon Barner, and Darren Thomas are playing at a whole new level offensively. Autzen will be rocking and will send the Trojans home for the holidays unfulfilled. USC: 27--UO: 45
Hoying: The Ducks face a potential trap game after surging back into the national title discussion. USC gave Stanford all they could handle, but that contest was in Los Angeles and the Cardinal appear to have been exposed as of late. Interestingly enough, without the NCAA punishment of the Trojans, this could have been the Pac-12 title game. Barkley and Woods have been unstoppable as of late, but this surprisingly effective Duck D will cause them fits. I don't see Oregon stumbling here. USC: 24--UO:41Schweinfurth: The Ducks, coming off the dismantling of Stanford, are firing on all cylinders again and look to have their offensive swagger back. The Trojans see to be trapped in limbo and lost in NCAA purgatory. The Trojan defense has been suspect against some of the better teams, especially spread offenses. Expect another big day out of The Michael. USC, possibly without Robert Woods, will have a difficult time out-scoring the Ducks. USC: 31 -- UO: 52
Oklahoma Sooners@ Baylor Bears
Draper: It's a ranked matchup, but I don't see much contest here. OU is finding their stride while Baylor is finding the slide. Robert Griffin III is a forgotten commodity that will be good for a score or two, but the Sooners have their eyes back on New Orleans. Jones reenters the Heisman race with another big game. OU: 52--Baylor: 27
Hoying: My early season favorite Robert Griffin has tailed a bit as the season has progressed. Oklahoma is capable of letting this one get away from them, as the Bear attack is more potent than Texas Tech's, but don't expect Oklahoma to fall asleep again with a BCS title berth squarely in their sights. The Bears are giving up 36 points per game. Uh oh. Okla: 60--Baylor: 28Schweinfurth: Baylor is having a great season, but the Bears are still the Bears. Oklahoma is starting to roll again and is by far the better team. RG3 puts up some numbers and goes for 4 TDs. Okla: 41 -- Baylor: 28
Kansas State Wildcats @ Texas Longhorns
Draper: Texas is coming off a bad loss to Gary Pinkel (drinky drinky) and the Tigers while KSU lost a thriller to OSU then won a thriller over TAMU. The Wildcats look pretty darn good under Colin Klein while Texas is just....eh. Fozzy Whittaker wakka wakka's for a few scores, but not enough to avoid the dreaded home loss. KSU: 31--UT: 17
Hoying: How about Wildcat QB Collin Klein? This kid threw for 281 yards and added 5 rushing touchdowns in a 4OT thriller over everyone's favorite 1st half team, Texas A&M. That win may be the best among these two teams' combined 14 wins. Meanwhile, Texas is reeling after an embarrassing 17-5 loss at Missouri. Don't expect them to turn it around this week. Bill Snyder's loose skin and...you know the rest...will extend the Wildcats' improbable run for another week. KSU:31--Texas:20Schweinfurth: Like Baylor, Kansas State is having a dream season. Texas on the other hand, is still reeling and trying to find an identity on offense. Kansas' offense is moving the ball every efficiently and Texas will have a rough time stopping them. Texas, even though struggling a bit, should be able to keep up on the scoreboard. Texas will keep them close but, in the end, the Wildcats keep winning. KSU: 45 -- UT: 38
Nebraska Cornhuskers @ Michigan Wolverines
Draper: The loser of this game is more or less out of the B1G title talk so it's all on the line. Both QB's can run, but passing will be an issue. The Black Shirts are starting to play a little defense but the game is in the Big House. With that said, I think the maize and Blue get caught looking ahead to the Buckeye game in which they can end 7 years of failure. Martinez completes 1 more pass than Robinson to keep Nebraska's hope alive to be crushed again by Wisconsin. Neb: 31--UM: 27
Hoying: The last time these two teams met (2005 Alamo Bowl), the refs missed a crucial call on the final play of the game that let Big Red escape with a victory over Big Blue. This contest may prove to be as exciting. These teams are remarkably similar: both play much better at home and both feature great running QB's that can't really throw. I think the difference in this one will be the toughness of the QB's. Denard has continued to be banged up this season, while Martinez has been able to weather the storm and rely on the rushing attack of Burkhead. Look for Denard to make an early exit and the Huskers to pull out a squeaker. Neb: 24--UM: 23Schweinfurth: This game really shouldn't be close. Michigan's defense is much improved this year (ie. not giving up 40+ points a game) but the talent still isn't quite there. Nebraska has the ability to control the ball and enough talent up front to contain Robinson (if he plays) or Gardner. Neb: 28 -- UM: 17Penn State Nittany Lions @ THE Ohio State Buckeyes
Draper: The allegations continue to pile up in Happy Valley while the suck piles up in Columbus. Penn State is the overachieving team of the year while the Buckeyes are their underachieving counterpart. The return of Posey might mean something if we had a QB who could throw a forward pass. The biggest difference in this game will be the home crowd. In all honesty, without the situation at PSU, I don't think the Buckeyes could overcome the lack of coaching, but present circumstances point to an absolute deflated Lion squad. They'll play hard for 60 minutes, but the home crowd will tip the scales. Buckeyes win a close one. PSU: 17--OSU: 20
Hoying: If you own stock in these two teams, SELL! The Nittany Lions are lucky to still have an operational football team, which is something the Buckeyes arguably don't have (ok, maybe a little harsh). Neither team features a true passing threat, but the Buckeyes will certainly get a boost from returning star WR DeVier Posey, which should allow Braxton to just chuck it in his direction. Look for Braxton to Posey to be a difference maker, and Braxton's crazy legs to save some key conversions, as the Bucks send the Nittany Lions off to their beatdown next week in Madison. PSU: 10-- OSU: 20Schweinfurth: Penn State is a mess but so are the Buckeyes. Penn State has a hard time moving the ball, and they have Moxy this week under center. The Silver Bullets have been flat the last two weeks but have a tendency to get up for bigger games. It's Senior Day in the 'Shoe and the Bucks will certainly come to play. Penn State's D is very good and Ohio State could see 9-10 guys in the box if the wide receivers cannot stretch the field. This one will be low scoring. PSU: 6 -- OSU: 9
Upset Special
Draper: Ole Miss over LSU (kidding), Rutgers over Cincinnati
Hoying: Illinois over Wisconsin (come on!)Schweinfurth: Colorado State over TCU
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Grading the Bucks--Week 11 Purdue
Editor's Note: Sorry for the delay but I'm still recovering from the horror in West Lafayette as it took me this long to find my way out.
Offense: D
Yuck, Yuck, Yuck. Much of the blame falls on the coaching staff and the play calls, but let's not let the players off the hook. On pure talent, the Buckeyes should have won easily against a terrible team in Purdue. Braxton Miller is not a good quarterback...now. He has exceptional running ability but his decision making and passing ability are horrendous (no coaching helps his regression). He holds the ball way too long. The receivers popped open deep downfield on seemingly every play and he Bauserman'd the ball way over their head. The running game was doing nothing. While I know that Purdue had 15 people in the box, it shouldn't have mattered. It's Purdue. The offensive line was not blowing people off the ball like they did against Wisconsin (what?). Shugarts was sorely missed even with the false starts. Only thing saving the offense from an F was the coaches burying them.
Defense: D+
Can anyone make a tackle? The 1st half was just horrendous with players out of position and seemingly confused on every play. The 2nd half wasn't much better, but at least we only game up 3 points. This week's secondary scapegoat is Bradley Roby who was beaten on almost every play of the half. Our secondary is horrendous and has been all year, but the opponent picks on a different weak link every week (Bryant, Howard, etc.). The line did their best, but the ball was out of the QB's hands within about 3 seconds every play--seems like other coaches watch tape and realize that once you get past the front four, it's easy pickins. 3rd and 12 in OT and you give up a wide open pass? I know the QB is running backwards 30 yards, but cover someone. Tackling must improve. I know there must be some talent there, but we didn't see it on Saturday.
Special Teams: D
Even after the worst performance by a Buckeye team, we still had a shot to win...just kick a PAT. Of course, that didn't even work. Punting was tough with the wind and coverage was fine. I don't blame Basil for the missed FG as it was about 50 yards. The PAT is just unacceptable. One great drive to steal a win....and you fail on the kick. I don't know who's fault it was (line, Basil, holder, etc.) and I don't care. It didn't cost us the game as we should have never been in that situation, but it adds to the list of failures.
Coaching: F-----
And we come to the gorilla in the room. All the talk that Fickell deserves another year is officially dead. I have NEVER seen a more poorly coached game in my life. I was in West Lafayette and focused on the sideline. Only one coach...ONE!!...ever got his troops together and coached them up during the game. Mike Vrabel. The others felt it was their duty to stare vacantly at the other units failing on the field without working to fix the problems occurring. They're running hurry up to the outside? Then adjust! Don't keep gettign beat and assume it will change. Underwood (Shugarts replacement) was getting destroyed. On the sideline, he sat alone with no coaches or offensive leaders (if we had them) coaching him up. Just a total failure from top to bottom. Then there's the playcalling. NOTE TO BOLLMAN: THE FOLLOWING PLAYS ARE INDEED LEGAL: SLANT, SWING, SCREEN, QB DRAW, QB SNEAK. Why keep running Dave and bomb when they aren't working (one because of the defense loading up and one because the QB is incompetent). We ran one....one swing to the RB and the OSU fans in the crowd marveled that it worked. Of course it did and it always will with this system because WE NEVER CALL IT. My mother saw a quick slant in the NE/NYJ game on Sunday night and asked why OSU never calls that play (I'm not joking, this actually happened). Perhaps OSU should hire her to be offensive coordinator even though she has no idea what half the positions are. It would be a major step up. Also, the 4th and 1 in OT. Go for it, Luke. This is OSU. We're bigger, nastier, meaner, and stronger. Challenge the line and run a QB sneak with your enormous QB. Don't hand it off, don't kick, don't drop back: smash them in the mouth. Bollman: your QB is the most explosive runner on the team in space, why run the wildcat with Jordan Hall? You can run QB draws and get more yards (see 3rd and a mile twice on the last drive when the play broke down). I could go on forever, but it's abundantly clear that this whole staff will be gone at the first opportunity. Fair or not to Fickell, it is what it is. Bollman may have cost him the job with his incompetence.
Offense: D
Yuck, Yuck, Yuck. Much of the blame falls on the coaching staff and the play calls, but let's not let the players off the hook. On pure talent, the Buckeyes should have won easily against a terrible team in Purdue. Braxton Miller is not a good quarterback...now. He has exceptional running ability but his decision making and passing ability are horrendous (no coaching helps his regression). He holds the ball way too long. The receivers popped open deep downfield on seemingly every play and he Bauserman'd the ball way over their head. The running game was doing nothing. While I know that Purdue had 15 people in the box, it shouldn't have mattered. It's Purdue. The offensive line was not blowing people off the ball like they did against Wisconsin (what?). Shugarts was sorely missed even with the false starts. Only thing saving the offense from an F was the coaches burying them.
Defense: D+
Can anyone make a tackle? The 1st half was just horrendous with players out of position and seemingly confused on every play. The 2nd half wasn't much better, but at least we only game up 3 points. This week's secondary scapegoat is Bradley Roby who was beaten on almost every play of the half. Our secondary is horrendous and has been all year, but the opponent picks on a different weak link every week (Bryant, Howard, etc.). The line did their best, but the ball was out of the QB's hands within about 3 seconds every play--seems like other coaches watch tape and realize that once you get past the front four, it's easy pickins. 3rd and 12 in OT and you give up a wide open pass? I know the QB is running backwards 30 yards, but cover someone. Tackling must improve. I know there must be some talent there, but we didn't see it on Saturday.
Special Teams: D
Even after the worst performance by a Buckeye team, we still had a shot to win...just kick a PAT. Of course, that didn't even work. Punting was tough with the wind and coverage was fine. I don't blame Basil for the missed FG as it was about 50 yards. The PAT is just unacceptable. One great drive to steal a win....and you fail on the kick. I don't know who's fault it was (line, Basil, holder, etc.) and I don't care. It didn't cost us the game as we should have never been in that situation, but it adds to the list of failures.
Coaching: F-----
And we come to the gorilla in the room. All the talk that Fickell deserves another year is officially dead. I have NEVER seen a more poorly coached game in my life. I was in West Lafayette and focused on the sideline. Only one coach...ONE!!...ever got his troops together and coached them up during the game. Mike Vrabel. The others felt it was their duty to stare vacantly at the other units failing on the field without working to fix the problems occurring. They're running hurry up to the outside? Then adjust! Don't keep gettign beat and assume it will change. Underwood (Shugarts replacement) was getting destroyed. On the sideline, he sat alone with no coaches or offensive leaders (if we had them) coaching him up. Just a total failure from top to bottom. Then there's the playcalling. NOTE TO BOLLMAN: THE FOLLOWING PLAYS ARE INDEED LEGAL: SLANT, SWING, SCREEN, QB DRAW, QB SNEAK. Why keep running Dave and bomb when they aren't working (one because of the defense loading up and one because the QB is incompetent). We ran one....one swing to the RB and the OSU fans in the crowd marveled that it worked. Of course it did and it always will with this system because WE NEVER CALL IT. My mother saw a quick slant in the NE/NYJ game on Sunday night and asked why OSU never calls that play (I'm not joking, this actually happened). Perhaps OSU should hire her to be offensive coordinator even though she has no idea what half the positions are. It would be a major step up. Also, the 4th and 1 in OT. Go for it, Luke. This is OSU. We're bigger, nastier, meaner, and stronger. Challenge the line and run a QB sneak with your enormous QB. Don't hand it off, don't kick, don't drop back: smash them in the mouth. Bollman: your QB is the most explosive runner on the team in space, why run the wildcat with Jordan Hall? You can run QB draws and get more yards (see 3rd and a mile twice on the last drive when the play broke down). I could go on forever, but it's abundantly clear that this whole staff will be gone at the first opportunity. Fair or not to Fickell, it is what it is. Bollman may have cost him the job with his incompetence.
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