Friday, November 23, 2012

Week 13 Picks: THE Game (and other rivalries)

Standings
1) Schweinfurth  39-10 (5-7 upset)
2) Hoying           34-15 (3-9 upset)
3) Draper            31-18 (3-9 upset)
4) Auer               25-20 (1-10 upset)

Florida Gators @ Florida State Seminoles
Draper: Everyone sees the rankings and thinks this is an easy win for the Gators, but the Noles enter as a 7 point favorite.  The home field advantage of Doak is minimal compared to the Swamp, but the lack of the home-field to the Gators is huge.  The Noles have only one win of note because Clemson is the only good team they've played while the Gators have 3 big wins (TAMU before they figured how to play, home of offenseless LSU, and home vs. South Carolina after they had a huge win).  With that said, Florida has seemed to win games without understanding how.  The defense is solid, but the Noles defense is even better with Carradine and Werner.  I think the Noles will be 'up' for this more than anything and play with nothing held back.  Gaytors fall on the road when they play a solid offensive team.  UF: 13--FSU: 23
Auer: Florida started off hot, got flakey, and is looking to finish strong with an "upset" win in Tallahassee. A lot of frustration has mounted for the Seminoles this season. They were the odds-on favorite to be in the national championship game against the seemingly unbeatable Crimson Tide, then the real FSU showed up and they lost one they shouldn't to NC State (shocker, right?... not really). Florida is poised to claim a spot in the BCS National Championship game, but must win this one against a vengeance-filled, nothing-to-lose Seminole squad playing at home. UF: 24--FSU: 22
Hoying: All you who don't want to see another SEC-SEC title game, root like hell for the Noles in this one.  Yeah, it's a moot point if Notre Dame takes care of business, but a Florida State win derails the conversation before it begins.  This is probably the best match-up of the weekend.  Both teams feature outstanding defense, which could be especially problematic for the weak Gator passing game.  QB Jeff Driskel will be back for the tilt, but how long will he last against a punishing Seminole defense?  Don't write Florida off-their resume matches up well with anyone's-but Florida State has barely been stopped all season, and the Gators don't have the Swamp to help them.  UF: 10--FSU: 17
Schweinfurth: This game is tricky.  The Gators have been good, not great, all season.  Jeff Driskall has managed the offense this year.  The Gator defense is indeed stout and is truly a "Will Muschamp" defense. Florida State has been a bit of a mystery to me all season.  This team has looked like a national championship contender one week, and then a middle of the road ACC team the next.  This game will be a down right slugfest.  Bring your big boy pants for this one.  E.J. Manuel eliminates the Gators from the championship picture.  UF: 10--FSU: 17 

Oregon Ducks @ Oregon State Beavers
Draper: Ducks came up with the most spectacular choke job of the season last week to all but remove them from the National Championship debate (or did they?).  The Ducks will be HUGE fans of UCLA this week, but it's safe to say that a win here will send the Ducks to a BCS bowl.  There's chance this game may be for a BCS game for either team but Oregon State is not nearly as attractive.  The Beavers play solid fundamental football (which doesn't move the dial).  I expect Mariota, Barner, and Thomas (not to mention Kelly) to go crazy in Corvallis.  I don't expect another offensive failure by the Ducks.  Ducks win the Civil War easily. UO: 48--OSU: 17
Auer: Yeah it may be a rivalry, but this one should not be close. State has played a more competitive slate of games, but Oregon has done as they usually do and been a impossible-to-stop avalanche in most games. The Ducks may take a little longer to get rolling, but the result will be the same. UO: 51--OSU: 34
Hoying: Oregon is reeling but their Rose Bowl hopes aren't over yet.  All they need is a win in the Civil War and a Stanford loss to UCLA.  Problem is, they're facing a team brandishing the same brand of tough D that doomed them last weekend.  Oregon State is two heartbreaking losses from being a title contender themselves, carried by their staunch defense and steady QB play from Sean Mannion and Cody Vaz.  There may be some fear that the Beavers now know the formula for smacking the Ducks, but anyone who's been paying attention to Oregon has known it for the last 4 years (ask Boise State, LSU, Ohio State, and Auburn).  Executing is another matter.  I love the Beavers this year, but they've stumbled a bit down the stretch, and I don't think they're quite tough enough to take down the Ducks.  UO: 27--OSU: 20
Schweinfurth: Oh how one game can change the outlook of a season.  Oregon was flat rolling until running into the wall that was Stanford.  The Cardinal made Mariota look like a true freshman for the first time this year and bottled up Barner and Thomas.  The Beavers are very strong on defense and have an offense that can move the ball well enough.  I expect less scoring this week, as the Beavers try to control the clock.  I just don't think the Ducks can be contained two weeks in a row.  UO: 42--OSU: 31

Oklahoma State Cowboys @ Oklahoma Sooners
Draper: Bedlam doesn't have the meaning of the past years as neither team is close to National Championship talk.  KSU remains in the drivers seat for the Big 12 driver sheet but the heavily preseason favorite Sooners could sweep in a steal the championship at the buzzer.  The Pokes stand in the way with their dynamic offense.  Norman has been a death trap for many teams in the past, but not so much this year.  I'm riding Mike Gundy to keep the Sooners reeling.  Stoops on the hotseat? OSU: 34--OU: 30
Auer: The Sooner defense showed more than a few holes in their defense last week and if they're not plugged against the Cowboys, this could be a shoot out. Both teams are peaking at the right time, and this could be one of the best games of the day. OSU: 42--OU: 47
Hoying: The Cowboys ended 8 years of futility last year, beating the Sooners to cap getting screwed out of the BCS title game.  The Sooners have underwhelmed as of late, struggling to put away Iowa State, Baylor, and West Virginia after getting walloped by Notre Dame.  The Cowboys are the usual Mike Gundy offensive juggernaut, but their defense has been exposed a bit in their three losses.  And Oklahoma's Landry Jones is more than capable of taking advantage.  I expect this game to look quite like last week's Oklahoma-West Virginia showdown, coming down to a late score or a missed conversion.  Can Bob Stoops really lose 3 games at home in a year?  Not this time.  OSU: 34--OU: 35
Schweinfurth: The Cowboys are still in a rebuild mode after losing most of their offense to the NFL.  The Sooners have most of their offense in tact, for now.  Gotta go with Big Game Bob at home. OSU: 28--OU: 38
  
South Carolina Gamecocks @ Clemson Tigers
Draper: Clemson has been a complete juggernaut since the loss to the Seminoles whereas the Cocks have slowly declined all season (highlighted by the tragic loss of Marcus Lattimore to injury).  I think Sammy Watkins and Tajh Boyd end the season with a HUGE victory over their hated rivals.  Connor Shaw has been pretty decent all year, but after the Lattimore injury, the team is not the same.  The defense is scary good (led by Clowney), but the Clemson offense is way better than all of the offenses in the SEC.  Dabo gets a big win in Death Valley on the way to a BCS bowl (most likely).  SCar: 20--Clem: 31
Auer: Clemson at home against Spurrier's up-and-down Gamecocks? Shouldn't be a contest. The Lattimore-less USC 'Cocks will have a hard time in this one. SCar: 17--Clem: 42
Hoying: Everyone has been all over Clemson as of late, and it's easy to see why.  I mean, just look at that quality win over...Georgia Tech?  Duke?  Ball State?  Clemson teams are notoriously flaky, but this squad hasn't even been given a chance to lose to a reasonably inferior opponent.  The Tigers are a complete and total mirage, and QB Tajh Boyd is about to get a rude awakening at the hands of the Ol' Ball Coach and the battle-tested Gamecocks.  SCar: 28--Clem: 17
Schweinfurth: Every year I make the mistake of picking Clemson in a big game.  Can you fault me?  Look at the offensive talent they have.  That defense though...yuck.  South Carolina on the other hand is sound in both phases.  I've seen enough of Clowney to know that Boyd better wear extra padding.  I learn from my mistakes and the Gamecocks win. SCar: 31--Clem: 28

Stanford Cardinal @ UCLA Bruins
Draper: Stanford comes off a huge OT win over the Ducks on a major high.  UCLA would be well served to completely tank this game and save it up for a rematch with the Cardinal (I don't see them beating a refocused Duck squad), but I don't think Jim Mora will take his foot off the pedal after ending the football monopoly in LA.  Johnathan Franklin and Brett Hundley have been spectacular all season.  The Stanford D left it all on the field vs. the Ducks which gives the Bruins something for which to prepare.  Need to make up some ground, and I don't believe in the Cardinal so Bruins it is! Stan: 23 UCLA: 24
Auer: After both teams pulled surprising upsets last week, this game has actually garnered some interest. The Stanford D faces a tough test with the UCLA O, and this game should come down to the wire. Stan: 34--UCLA: 26
Hoying: This game is the reason I hate conference championship games.  UCLA could literally not show up to this game, come back 6 days later, and play the same opponent for the Pac-12 Championship.  No one looks at the NFL during week 17 and says, "Wow, it was fun to see that playoff-bound team play their second string."  Let's hope there's enough pride left in the college game for UCLA to actually put in an effort in this one.  But come on, does anyone expect UCLA to be better motivated than Stanford here?  Really?  Stan: 28--UCLA: 17
Schweinfurth: Both of these teams are coming off huge upset wins.  Stanford's defense was excellent against the Ducks and UCLA did just enough to hold on last week.  With that said, I have to go with the defense that has looked the best all year.  Stan: 17--UCLA: 10

Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ USC Trojans
Draper: The Domers have navigated their difficult schedule admirably, but there has been a few too many close calls.  I've watch ND a lot this year, and they astound me how they keep winning.  Many talk about how KSU was living on the edge, but ND barley beat Purdue, MSU, Stanford, and Pitt (Stanford being the only decent team).  Manti T'eo has been nice, but not deserving of the extreme hype.  USC provides a unique challenge as they have a truly elite offense (yes, OU had a good offense, but not elite).  The backup QB provides a major issue for the Trojans, but the Irish can't matchup up with receivers of Troy.  UCLA was able to beat USC in a shootout, but I don't see ND winning a shootout.  Low scoring favors the Domers, but I expect a shootout where the Notre Dame defense is exposed a bit.  Look out for another SEC/SEC title game....sigh.  ND: 24--USC: 28
Auer: The Irish travel out west for what was expected to be the biggest game of the weekend. Matt Barkley got hurt and made this much more likely to be a competitive game. USC has some very talented players, but I don't believe they have the TEAM aspect that Notre Dame has shown this year. I hate it, but ND really shouldn't lose this one. ND: 20--USC: 19
Hoying: So USC is without its "Heisman caliber" quarterback.  It's not like they were lighting up the world with him.  And besides, as long as Marqise Lee is still running around in the secondary, it doesn't really matter who's tossing the ball his way.  Meanwhile, the Irish are sporting the nation's top scoring defense against one of the nation's toughest schedules.  But can they handle the pressure of being #1?  Maybe more importantly, can Lane Kiffin avoid letting his Trojans completely crumble?  1. Yes.  2. No.  ND: 27--USC: 21
Schweinfurth: I really didn't know what to make of this game...then Barkley got hurt.  Marqise Lee is my Heisman favorite but there is a problem.  He is a wide receiver.  This means someone has to throw the ball.  That someone is a red shirt freshman starting his first game against one of the top defensive units.  Yea, that will go well.  The only thing SC has going for them is home field.  That won't be enough.  Man, I hate waking up to the ND fight song on Mondays (thanks Golic). ND: 28--USC: 24

M!ch!g@n Wolverines @ THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: This is it.  11-0 (even with a team that isn't elite in my opinion) is nice, but it's all for naught if we can't finish.  The Wolverines enter with a new QBat the helm which has actually bolstered their passing attack.  Brady Hoke certainly has Blue Nation believing...but Urban Meyer has done the same with Buckeye Nation.  Braxton needs to play better than last week and feed the beast in Carlos Hyde. Send these seniors out in the right way.  This is the LAST time they'll ever sport the scarlet and gray and they deserve nothing but the best.  Simon, Hankins, Roby and the resurgent LB corps show up to stifle the Wolverines and Miller, Hyde and Stoneburner win going away to add that asterisk onto whichever team wins the crystal ball.  GO BUCKS!! BEAT BLUE!! UM: 13--OSU: 31
Auer: Unfortunately Michigan realized that Denard was more useful as a RB than a QB that threw about 50 interceptions per game. Urban Meyer will be looking to win-over the rest of the Buckeye faithful with a win tomorrow afternoon in frigid Columbus, and will need Braxton, Carlos, and oh yeah Simon and Hankins to come through in a big way to shutdown the Wolverine attack and send out the embattled seniors as winners. Lose tomorrow and Urban's (and his entire staff) ability to lead this team to future success remains a question mark, because 11-1 is great, except when that 1 comes against the evil Maize and Blue. UM: 21--OSU: 27
Hoying: 11-0 is nice, but since the loss in Ann Arbor last year and the imposition of the postseason ban, only one game has been on Buckeye Nation's mind.  These teams are similar in a number of ways, featuring good defenses and dynamic quarterback play.  However, Corn and Blue's defense ranks better against the pass, while the Silver Bullets focus on stopping the run.  Since neither team throws the ball, this gives the advantage to the Buckeyes.  The game may come down to Miller's decision making.  If he can play smart, not turn the ball over, and remember to hand the ball off to Hyde a few times, the Bucks should roll.  Start the streak again and leave Brady Hoke crying in his Fruity Pebbles.  Not OSU: 17--OSU: 31
Schweinfurth: This is the game at the end of the world (season).  I have been looking forward to this game since Devan Smith dropped the winner last year.  Urban lives and breathes this rivalry.  He has said it himself.  I get that scUM is gonna roll out 2 QBs and they have had success with it...against Iowa and Minnesota.  Yea.  Those are good teams...NOT.  I have faith that, when Denard touches the ball, he will be greeted rather rudely by Shazier or Simon.  On offense, you will not see another game like last week.  The meat chicken defense couldn't stop Braxton last year and they won't stop him this year either.  If they do, Carlos will be waiting in the wings.  Hyde gets his 1,000 yards, Brax runs for 150 and throws for 250 more.  Jon Simon eats Denard's insides for Thanksgiving desert with a side of Gardner as Brady Hoke drools while watching on.  He may need to channel his inner Matt Foley after this one.  scUM: 21--OSU: 43 (Urban goes for two late)


Upset Special
Draper: TCU over Texas
Auer: Pitt over Rutgers
Hoying: Georgia Tech over Georgia
Schweinfurth: Washington State over Washington

The AP National Title - What Needs to Happen

With undefeated teams dropping all around the country, it appears that the pipe dream of an Associated Press national title as a consolation prize for a 12-0 season is inching closer and closer.  The only undefeated team left (besides Ohio State) is Notre Dame, so if they lose and we win, we have it in the bag, right?  Not so fast.  As you have undoubtedly noticed, 1-loss Alabama and Georgia have moved ahead of the Buckeyes, even though both teams have similar resumes to Ohio State.  This teaches us that the AP voters (1) believe the hype that playing in the SEC is like playing in the NFL, (2) have no faith at all in the B1G, and (3) really don't want an ineligible team to win the title.

So, is our situation completely hopeless?  Not quite.  If there's a wide gulf between the Ohio State and the BCS champion, the voters will have a tough time justifying denying the Buckeyes the #1 spot.  Let's take a look at the possible roadblocks to unseating Ohio State at the top, in order of decreasing threat.

Notre Dame

The Irish are undefeated, they played a tougher schedule than Ohio State, and if they win out, they'll be unanimously chosen as the champion.  If you really want Ohio State to be the AP champ, then you desperately want Notre Dame to lose to USC tomorrow.  Why?  Because even if they go to the BCS championship and get drilled, that's going to be quite the quality win on the resume of the #2 BCS team.  And the voters may keep a regular-season undefeated Notre Dame over a regular-season undefeated Ohio State anyway.
BEWARE: even if Notre Dame loses to USC, if they somehow manage to win the title game (could happen, keep reading), Ohio State would still be shut out of the AP title.

What needs to happen: Notre Dame loses to USC on Nov 24.
What would help: Notre Dame loses their BCS bowl.

Alabama

The voters apparently didn't see Alabama lose at home to Texas A&M 2 weeks ago, as the Tide are still ranked ahead of the Buckeyes.  Beating Auburn, Georgia, and whoever their title opponent would be isn't going to change anyone's mind, so Alabama needs to lose, and the sooner, the better.  Auburn beating Alabama would be a once-in-a-lifetime upset, so Buckeye Nation needs to pin their hopes on Georgia in the SEC title game, who the voters don't seem to love quite as much.  Again, the Tide could lose in the title game, but this would give a huge boost to whoever beats them.

What needs to happen: Alabama loses to Georgia in the SEC Championship.
What would help: Alabama loses to Auburn (ideal), or Alabama loses the BCS title game.

Georgia

Georgia is perched at #3 in the AP despite having one quality win: Florida.  Few people seriously believe the Dawgs are going to win their last 3 games, so they're not going to be a long-term threat to Ohio State's title hopes.  However, we need them to do as much damage as possible on their way down, and that includes kicking things off with a loss against Georgia Tech on Saturday.  It's a long shot, since the Jackets have only won 1 of their last 11 against Georgia, but a Georgia Tech win this weekend and a Georgia win next weekend would do wonders for the Buckeye title chances.

What needs to happen: Georgia loses to Georgia Tech on Nov. 24.
What would help: Georgia loses to Alabama (if Auburn beats Alabama), or Georgia loses the BCS title game.

Florida

I know, Oregon is above Florida in the AP Poll, but if Notre Dame loses this weekend and Florida gets past Florida State, they're passing the Buckeyes on the way to the BCS title game, period.  This presents an obvious solution: Florida must lose to the 'Noles.  Not only will this prevent another SEC-SEC title game (barf) but it would remove the Gators as a threat to a Buckeye title.  If the Gators beat the 'Noles, there's no SEC Championship game trap, since Georgia already clinched the division, so our only remaining hope would be a loss in their BCS game.

What needs to happen: Florida loses to Florida State on Nov. 24.
What would help: Florida loses their BCS game.

Oregon

Now we're starting to get into the less certain threats.  The voters aren't enamored with the Pac-12 at the same level as SEC, but they do love the flashy Oregon offense.  If Oregon can sneak into the Pac-12 title game and somehow make the BCS title game (or even just blast the B1G champ in the Rose Bowl), the voters would be hard-pressed not to move the Ducks above the Bucks.  The easiest solution is for the Ducks is to lose to Oregon State in Corvallis, and the Beavers are good enough to do it.  If UCLA beats Stanford this weekend, an Oregon loss to UCLA in the Pac-12 Championship would also do the trick.  At any rate, if the Ducks don't win the Pac-12, they're probably not a threat to pass the Buckeyes.

What needs to happen: Oregon loses to Oregon State, or Oregon loses to UCLA in Pac-12 Championship.
What would help: Stanford beats UCLA and shuts Oregon out of Pac-12 Championship, or Oregon loses BCS game.

Florida State

True, Kansas State is ranked higher and has played a much, much better schedule.  Even so, if Florida State beats Florida this week, they'll have 2 quality wins far outpacing anything the Wildcats have done, and would probably pass the 'Cats in the AP.  A seemingly easy fix is for Florida State to lose to the Gators, but the Gators are the far more serious threat.  A better solution is for FSU to lose to Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship game (GT is my new favorite team).  Florida State making it to the title game and losing would not be as disastrous as a 1-loss SEC team doing it.

What needs to happen: Florida State loses to Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship.
What would help: Florida State loses in their BCS game (losing to Florida would NOT help).

Kansas State

The shine is off the apple in Manhattan, Kansas.  The voters are going to have a hard time believing in Kansas State again after Baylor's whooping.  Unfortunately, there's no Big 12 title game, so there's only one more opportunity for K-State to lose before appearing in a BCS game.  However, if the 6 teams above are all out of the way, we'd be safe having the Wildcats go to the BCS Championship and lose.

What needs to happen: Kansas State loses to Texas on Dec. 1.
What would help: Kansas State loses in the BCS Championship Game.

Minor Threats

I have faith that the voters will not put a 2-loss SEC team ahead of an undefeated Ohio State, especially if they play Kansas State, Oregon, or another 2-loss SEC team in the BCS Championship.  The only 1-loss teams left from BCS conferences are Louisville (no), Rutgers (no), and Clemson.  Clemson has zero quality wins as of now, and even if they defeat South Carolina, I have trouble believing that a 1-loss ACC team that didn't even win their own division can move above an undefeated B1G team.


But, of course, I'm getting ahead of myself.  One result this weekend means more than all these (and all other) games this year.

OHIO STATE MUST BEAT BLUE!  GO BUCKS!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Rankings and Heisman Ballots (Post Week 12)


Heisman Ballots:
Draper

1) Collin Klein (QB--KSU)
2) Johnny Manziel (QB--Texas A&M)
3) Marqise Lee (WR--USC)


Hoying
1) Collin Klein (QB--KSU)
2) Johnny Manziel (QB--Texas A&M)  Remember, he sucked against LSU and Florida.
3) Marqise Lee (WR--USC)

Schweinfurth
1) Marqise Lee (WR--USC He's the most dominant player right now)
2) Collin Klein (QB--KSU)
3) Johnny Manziel (QB-TAMU

Top 25 Rankings:
Draper
1. Notre Dame
2. Ohio State
3. Alabama
4. Kansas State
5. Florida
6. Georgia
7. Florida State
8. LSU
9. Stanford
10. Oregon
11. Texas A&M
12. South Carolina
13 Clemson
14. Oklahoma
15. Nebraska
16. Oregon State
17. UCLA
18. Oklahoma State
19. Louisville
20. Rutgers
21. Kent State
22. Michigan
23. Texas
24. Utah State
25. Northwestern


Hoying
1. Notre Dame
2. Ohio State
3. Florida
4. Alabama
5. Kansas State
6. Georgia
7. LSU
8. Stanford
9. Texas A&M
10. Oregon (look at their resume, no quality wins)
11. Florida State
12. South Carolina
13. Clemson
14. Oklahoma
15. Oregon State
16. UCLA
17. Nebraska
18. Texas
19. Kent State
20. Rutgers
21. Louisville
22. Oklahoma State
23. Michigan
24. Utah State
25. Northwestern

Schweinfurth
1. Notre Dame
2. Ohio State
3. Alabama
4. Oregon
5. Georgia
6. Florida State
7. Kansas State
8. Florida
9. Clemson

10. LSU

11. South Carolina
12. Oregon State
13. Texas A&M
14. Oklahoma
15. Stanford
16. UCLA
17. Nebraska
18. Texas
19. Louisville
20. Rutgers
21. Oklahoma State
22. Kent State
23. That School Up North (I physically can't type it...)

24.Washington
25. Boise State

Monday, November 19, 2012

Grading the Bucks: Wisconsin

Survive and advance

Offense: C+
By far, Braxton's worse game as an offensive leader.  No explosion, poor decision making, overthrown balls, and no runs that were worth anything were rampant in this matchup.  Carlos Hyde once again performed admirably especially considering the disdain Miller shows for handing the ball off.  Hyde was the explosion we needed...but Tom Herman and Braxton Miller decided to restrict his carries.  As we near The Game, we need to install a wrinkle known as the 'I formation' and let the O-line and Carlos go to work against the overrated UM defense.  The creativity needs to be turned up a notch for this one (no we haven't been 'saving good offense' for M!ch!g@n).  Stoneburner's drop on the early 3rd down was a huge confidence killer for Braxton but a starting QB for nearly 2 years can't get rattled after a drop.  Time to step up to the plate and move to the next level.  12-0 may not mean a Championship this year, and the schedule may suck, but this team has a chance to be the 6th Buckeye team of all time to go undefeated.

Defense: A-/B+
Rarely will I upgrade a team for a single sequence of plays, but that goalline stand was exceptional--barring a spectacular play by the O-lineman, Bryant is in the endzone and this game never touches OT.  The defense played fairly well but Montee Ball got a bit too much. Yes, he's a great back, but there were some poor tackles attempted as well.  The UW O-line had many plays in which Ball was 5 yards downfield before he was touched.  The secondary let a team with no passing attack and a QB with 7 career attempts move the ball down the field throwing the ball which is unacceptable.  That being said, the linebackers have improved by leaps and bounds (Shazier, Sabino, and Boren) and Jon Simon is finally living up to preseason expectations over the last few weeks.

Special Teams: A
Hey! No blocked punts!!  Wooo!!  Orhian Johnson made a special play on the punt team saving the ball from the endzone with a diving bat on the first punt, setting the tone.  Corey Brown made the play that set the tone, housing the punt in the 1st half with a spectacular shiver move and knifing up field.  Not much to poo-poo here.  Let's do that again!

Coaching: B
Defensive gameplan was pretty good, but I was still very upset with the offensive scheme.  Hopefully, Braxton can be coached up more effectively when things don't go his way early.  Urban and Tom Herman need to focus this week on encouraging Miller to hand the ball off periodically on the veer plays (if only to keep the defense honest) and work on quicker decision making.  The scrambling in the pocket and confusion is something that should be taken care of in practice.

Overall: B
The defense and special teams had great games, but the offensive blah was enough to be a bit discouraging.  That being said, a win in Camp Randall is a big time win any year.  Now the preseason is over...time for the regular season.  GO BUCKS! BEAT BLUE!!