Standings
1) Draper 4-0 (1-0 upset)
1) Hoying 4-0 (0-1 upset)
1) Schweinfurth 4-0 (0-1 upset)
South Carolina Gamecocks @ Georgia Bulldogs
Draper: The Gamecocks always seem to have Mark Richt's number. This is a very interesting game which can help answer the eternal question about scheduling big games. Will the Dogs be banged up after the clash in Clemson or will the experience help push them to victory? South Carolina was somewhat lackluster in their opener, but Clowney should step up on the big stage. I saw something from Todd Gurley that leads me to have faith in the home team this week. The Cocks didn't look particularly impressive against UNC, but they'll step up. The hedges make the difference. SoCar: 17--UGA: 20
Hoying: Last year I picked Georgia to win and they got flattened, courtesy of Clowney & Co. thoroughly disrupting the Bulldog offense. Marcus Lattimore isn't around anymore to anchor the Gamecock rushing attack, but most of the other pieces are still in place for both teams, minus a great deal of Georgia's personnel on defense. Someday, Bulldog QB Aaron Murray will have a shining moment to justify the hype he receives, but it can't happen with the entire South Curalina line pounding him between the hedges. SoCar: 27--UGA: 16
Schweinfurth: Man did Georgia get beat up by Clemson last week or what? That game took a lot out of the Bulldogs and this will make the game interesting. Georgia has the superior offense and Gurley is a magne. Clowney will have a bit more success this week with maybe a sack or two. After seeing him gassed on the sideline, one has to wonder if Clowny can stand up to a big time offensive line. SoCar: 20--UGA: 28
Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ Michigan Wolverines
Draper: Historically, this game was of huge importance, but it's still not back to close to the level of the past. Devin Taylor looked good in week 1 as did Tommy Rees but they were against subpar teams. I really don't know how this game will turn out as these teams are fairly well matched. Therefore, I'll lean to the home team. Expect a shootout. ND: 34--UM: 38
Hoying: How sad that such a fantastic rivalry will have to go on hiatus after next year's matchup. Notre Dame and Michigan will only have, like, 26 rivals apiece now. It's hard to see Corn and Blue blowing this one at home without Shoelace the Invisible Oatmeal Muncher tossing his usual 3 picks. However, Irish QB Tommy Rees has the potential to carve up a SEVERELY overrated Wolverine secondary if he remembers not to suck. Too bad he won't. Fred beats Barney and reclaims his Fruity Pebbles. ND: 20--UM: 28
Schweinfurth: Hey look, it's the rivalry Mark May grew up watching (or not). Brian Kelly stirred up the natives by going John Cooper on the rivalry between these too. In a way, this will be a proving grounds for both teams. Is Devan Gardner the real deal and is Tommy Rees still an interception machine. Both quarterbacks will play well and both will throw a few picks. This one goes back and forth. ND: 35--UM: 38
Florida Gators @ Miami Hurricanes
Draper: This game is simply on the list to round out the games. Florida is the far superior team and it shouldn't be close. Miami is still trying to get back to prominence, but they still have a ways to go. Florida had a solid week one win over Toledo, but I don't expect a whole lot out of them this year. Driscoll will lead the Gators to an easy instate win. UF: 38--UM: 17
Hoying: The greatest property of games like this is the necessary loss by one of these teams. The 'Canes dodged a major bullet in the offseason due to the NCAA bungling their investigation, but they still haven't recovered from their falI from the ranks of the elite at the hands of our beloved Bucks 11 years ago. I have the feeling we'll all be gradulating the Gators for being the finer athletic school by the time this laugher is over. UF: 24--UM: 13
Schweinfurth: I honestly don't know much about either team outside of Muschamp's personal vendetta against Urban Meyer and the U got off easy. Florida has the better defense so I'll let it ride on them. UF: 24--UM: 7
San Diego State Aztecs @ THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: Last week was a convincing win, but there is still much work to be done. The Aztecs, on the other hand, had a complete disaster losing to Eastern Illinois. SDSU was certainly looking forward to OSU, but there is no excuse. Braxton will continue to improve, but the focus of the game will be watching the defense and the impact of having a full roster. The return of Roby and full time Shazier will be very important to the future. This should be another blowout that tells us nothing. SDSU: 10--OSU: 55
Hoying: Coming into the season, some looked at Ohio State's Wisconsin-esque non-conference slate and pointed to this weekend as the trap game to watch out for. Look out, Buckeyes, it's everybody's second-favorite too-good-for-the-AAC team, the team that pushed Ohio State to the brink of defeat in 2001 and 2003. . . and then they got blasted at home by a BAD 1-AA school. This game is more properly characterized as a nice tune-up for Cal (although, do we really need to tune-up for Cal and their skinny twig QB?). Roby and Barnett will get a chance to energize the Silver Bullets against a team that threw 63 passes and 4 INTs last week, and we might just learn whether Khalil Mack was really that good or if Taylor Decker is really that hapless. Buckeyes win BIG or Buckeye Nation gets restless. SDSU: 9--OSU: 63
Schweinfurth: Everyone is talking about a lackluster performance last week. In reality, the Bucks just went to sleep and got conservative after the first quarter (why show your playbook when the game isn't in doubt). Taylor Decker did struggle a bit at right tackle, but not as bad as what was initially perceived). With that said, I expect Urban to send a message that taking the foot off the gas pedal is unacceptable. Braxon will have more called runs this week. The addition of Roby will be big for Bullets. I expect this one to be over by the end of the first quarter and we get some sweet Kenny G in the fourth quarter. SDSU: 13--OSU:48
Upset Special
Draper: Buffalo over Baylor
Hoying: BYU over Texas
Schweinfurth: Western Kentucky over Tennessee
Thursday, September 05, 2013
Five Thoughts from the Week that Was
1) The days of the big boys shutting out the little sisters of the poor are rapidly diminishing.
Offenses have evolved such that it is nearly impossible to hold anyone to fewer than 10 points, no matter the discrepancy in talent. The dink-and-dunk offense has led to nullifying great defensive line play and the penalties are such in favor of the offense, the shutouts have left us (for the most part). Yes, Wisconsin got one this weekend...against a team that just joined FBS and they still needed some luck). Oregon held 'powerhouse' Nicholls State to 3, but that was a lower level team. Look at the bevy of FCS schools that took down FBS teams (even a ranked one). This was unthinkable 5-10 years ago (except for Michigan). The playing field is starting to be leveled, not to the point of equality, but definitely to the point of less embarrassment.
2) Home field is so important in college
Look at the Georgia/Clemson game. Talent was reasonably comparable, and the difference was a botched snap on a gimme field goal. Death Valley is an extremely tough place to play (3rd loudest I've been to--1) Swamp, 2) Shoe) and it showed under the lights. Pro football just doesn't have the same ridiculous atmosphere. When in doubt, go with the home team.
3) Todd Gurley, Khalil Mack, Jadaveon Clowney, Teddy Bridgewater...some are NFL ready before 3 years.
I hate suggesting reducing the requirement for college players, but it may be time. Not because they need money (you know my opinion on that), but because some are ready to compete at the next level. How Khalil Mack ended up in Buffalo still stuns me. Bridgewater may not be bulky enough, but Clowney would compete in the NFL right now. Also, Todd Gurley is certainly no 'girly-man' after what I saw against Clemson. Maybe it's time to consider the number of years removed from high school for the NFL draft and reduce it to 2 (it will never go away). All the football camps and the higher level of high school football leads to earlier maturation in a football sense. They aren't mature enough (physically or emotionally) when leaving high school, but the football acumen is maturing more quickly.
4) Jameis Winston is good....really good.
It was one game, but Winston is a ball player. My biggest takeaway was that he wasn't afraid to 'throw his receiver open'. This is a skill that separates the elite from the very good. Of course, he's not Tom Brady at this point, but the level of trust with his receivers and confidence in his arm is off the charts for a freshman. Compare him to Terrelle Pryor. Pryor had more physical gifts, but he always avoided throws until his receiver broke open. This is why he was never considered a great passer. Winston won't complete every pass all year and this mentality leads to more interceptions, but he's going to be fun to watch for the next couple years.
5) Johnny Manziel will screw up again...and soon.
The focus is on Johnny Manziel thumbing his nose at the NCAA and being a symbol for defiant skill. While many cower at the specter of Johnny Football and what he may do to the system, we need to remember who we're dealing with: an entitled spoiled brat that thinks he's untouchable. What does this mean? He's about to screw up....again. This is a pattern of behavior that doesn't show any signs of slowing. Just wait, he'll shoot himself in the foot.
Offenses have evolved such that it is nearly impossible to hold anyone to fewer than 10 points, no matter the discrepancy in talent. The dink-and-dunk offense has led to nullifying great defensive line play and the penalties are such in favor of the offense, the shutouts have left us (for the most part). Yes, Wisconsin got one this weekend...against a team that just joined FBS and they still needed some luck). Oregon held 'powerhouse' Nicholls State to 3, but that was a lower level team. Look at the bevy of FCS schools that took down FBS teams (even a ranked one). This was unthinkable 5-10 years ago (except for Michigan). The playing field is starting to be leveled, not to the point of equality, but definitely to the point of less embarrassment.
2) Home field is so important in college
Look at the Georgia/Clemson game. Talent was reasonably comparable, and the difference was a botched snap on a gimme field goal. Death Valley is an extremely tough place to play (3rd loudest I've been to--1) Swamp, 2) Shoe) and it showed under the lights. Pro football just doesn't have the same ridiculous atmosphere. When in doubt, go with the home team.
3) Todd Gurley, Khalil Mack, Jadaveon Clowney, Teddy Bridgewater...some are NFL ready before 3 years.
I hate suggesting reducing the requirement for college players, but it may be time. Not because they need money (you know my opinion on that), but because some are ready to compete at the next level. How Khalil Mack ended up in Buffalo still stuns me. Bridgewater may not be bulky enough, but Clowney would compete in the NFL right now. Also, Todd Gurley is certainly no 'girly-man' after what I saw against Clemson. Maybe it's time to consider the number of years removed from high school for the NFL draft and reduce it to 2 (it will never go away). All the football camps and the higher level of high school football leads to earlier maturation in a football sense. They aren't mature enough (physically or emotionally) when leaving high school, but the football acumen is maturing more quickly.
4) Jameis Winston is good....really good.
It was one game, but Winston is a ball player. My biggest takeaway was that he wasn't afraid to 'throw his receiver open'. This is a skill that separates the elite from the very good. Of course, he's not Tom Brady at this point, but the level of trust with his receivers and confidence in his arm is off the charts for a freshman. Compare him to Terrelle Pryor. Pryor had more physical gifts, but he always avoided throws until his receiver broke open. This is why he was never considered a great passer. Winston won't complete every pass all year and this mentality leads to more interceptions, but he's going to be fun to watch for the next couple years.
5) Johnny Manziel will screw up again...and soon.
The focus is on Johnny Manziel thumbing his nose at the NCAA and being a symbol for defiant skill. While many cower at the specter of Johnny Football and what he may do to the system, we need to remember who we're dealing with: an entitled spoiled brat that thinks he's untouchable. What does this mean? He's about to screw up....again. This is a pattern of behavior that doesn't show any signs of slowing. Just wait, he'll shoot himself in the foot.
Tuesday, September 03, 2013
Grading the Bucks--Week 1: Buffalo
Offense: B+
OSU started the 2013 season with an explosive first quarter in which the offense was clicking on all cylinders. Then the wall was hit. Don't get me wrong, Khalil Mack is an absolute beast that will play on Sunday, but I felt there was a complete let down after the first quarter. Miller's passes looked crisp and much improved, but he was quick to escape the pocket (and not run downfield) when pressure loomed. Jordan Hall looked very strong, but the interior offensive line blocked very well. Taylor Decker needs to get a lot better (even though Bell was most of his issue). The interception was a total brainfart on Miller's part and the fumble by Wilson was a growing pain, but the turnovers were second to the subexplosive burst after the first quarter. I'd like to see more of Devin Smith in the passing game as well. Buffalo couldn't defend the deep pass...go to the well.
Defense: B
For how green this defense was, it was not that bad. For most of the day, the defense had one returning starter (Bryant--Shazier was out for a good portion). Overall, they did fine against the dink and dump offense. This dump off offense is the great equalizer which Buffalo utilized fairly well. Nuetz is a very good receiver that just pushed Armani Reeves around. That will happen with the youth. The defense gave up 13 points...not that bad, especially with the short field given up by the questionable coaching decisions.
Special Teams: B
Philly Brown woke up some echoes of Ray Small (not a good thing). He couldn't seem to catch the ball cleanly which was so frustrating. Wilson looked very explosive on his big kick return which leads to great thoughts for the future. No missed kicks. The punter needs a little more distance, but the hangtime was fantastic.
Coaching: B-
Most love it, but I hate it...no reason to go for 2, 2x against Buffalo. Stop it. The ONLY argument is to get it on film and try it in a real game. Still, it's Buffalo. More frustrating was the 4th down call on our side of the field with a solid lead. Going for it is fun and exciting, but sometimes, it's just not the right call. That was one of those times. Offense is exciting, but the defensive players have to be angry about being put behind the eight ball with the lead. I know that I'm contradicting myself since it's Buffalo and we should beat them off the ball, but that's asking a lot, especially with Mack on the other side of the ball.
Overall: B
Solid win; plenty of teachable moments; exactly what a coach desires. The Bucks will be fine, but don't pretend we've learned anything of real value yet. Lots of season remains.
OSU started the 2013 season with an explosive first quarter in which the offense was clicking on all cylinders. Then the wall was hit. Don't get me wrong, Khalil Mack is an absolute beast that will play on Sunday, but I felt there was a complete let down after the first quarter. Miller's passes looked crisp and much improved, but he was quick to escape the pocket (and not run downfield) when pressure loomed. Jordan Hall looked very strong, but the interior offensive line blocked very well. Taylor Decker needs to get a lot better (even though Bell was most of his issue). The interception was a total brainfart on Miller's part and the fumble by Wilson was a growing pain, but the turnovers were second to the subexplosive burst after the first quarter. I'd like to see more of Devin Smith in the passing game as well. Buffalo couldn't defend the deep pass...go to the well.
Defense: B
For how green this defense was, it was not that bad. For most of the day, the defense had one returning starter (Bryant--Shazier was out for a good portion). Overall, they did fine against the dink and dump offense. This dump off offense is the great equalizer which Buffalo utilized fairly well. Nuetz is a very good receiver that just pushed Armani Reeves around. That will happen with the youth. The defense gave up 13 points...not that bad, especially with the short field given up by the questionable coaching decisions.
Special Teams: B
Philly Brown woke up some echoes of Ray Small (not a good thing). He couldn't seem to catch the ball cleanly which was so frustrating. Wilson looked very explosive on his big kick return which leads to great thoughts for the future. No missed kicks. The punter needs a little more distance, but the hangtime was fantastic.
Coaching: B-
Most love it, but I hate it...no reason to go for 2, 2x against Buffalo. Stop it. The ONLY argument is to get it on film and try it in a real game. Still, it's Buffalo. More frustrating was the 4th down call on our side of the field with a solid lead. Going for it is fun and exciting, but sometimes, it's just not the right call. That was one of those times. Offense is exciting, but the defensive players have to be angry about being put behind the eight ball with the lead. I know that I'm contradicting myself since it's Buffalo and we should beat them off the ball, but that's asking a lot, especially with Mack on the other side of the ball.
Overall: B
Solid win; plenty of teachable moments; exactly what a coach desires. The Bucks will be fine, but don't pretend we've learned anything of real value yet. Lots of season remains.
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