Friday, September 15, 2017

Week 3: Army Invades

Standings
1. Draper (5-3, 0-2 upset)
1. Hoying (5-3, 0-2 upset)
3. Schweinfuth (4-4, 0-2 upset)
4. Seeberg (4-4, 0-2 upset)

Clemson Tigers @ Louisville Cardinals
Draper: I remember this as one of the biggest game of last year as Lamar Jackson invaded Death Valley and emerged defeated (likely because they fell asleep during Clemson's bus ride around the stadium).  This game promises much of the same in my mind in terms of hype, but I'm not quite sold on the Cards this year.  Yeah, the defending Champs lost their QB and a ton of talent to the NFL, but it appears they've reloaded and are ready to defend.  Louisville has Lamar Jackson playing at a high level again but I don't know much about the rest of the team.  Allowing Purdue to hang around until the end makes me question how they'll handle the Tigers.  Papa Johns stadium has become a tougher place to play but the Cardinals simply don't have the horses.  The Clemson Dline holds serve and the Tigers keep rolling on.  Clem: 34 -- Lou: 24
Hoying: Last year's titanic struggle in Death Valley decided the course of the ACC Atlantic division, and ultimately the national championship. (Or so it seemed at the time. Louisville decided to sputter a bit down the stretch.) This year's matchup doesn't seem to have quite the hype and I'm not sure why. Lamar Jackson is still making special things happen for Louisville a year after he nearly beat Clemson on his own on the way to a runaway Heisman victory. And Clemson has stayed true to form, getting past a tough Auburn team on the road. I'm intrigued by a lot of angles here: the revenge factor for Louisville, the revenge factor for Jackson personally, the fact that Louisville couldn't block anyone at the end of last year while Clemson sacked Auburn ELEVEN TIMES last week. The smart money seems to point to riding with Clemson until I have a reason not to. But I picked Louisville last year and and I don't regret it. I still believe in Lamar Jackson.  Clem: 31--Lou: 34
Schweinfurth: Lamar Jackson is stating his case for a run at Archie Griffin's record. Seriously, the dude went for 6 total TDs and looked like a man among boys. It's time for his biggest test so far (if not biggest of the season). Can Louisville slow down Clemson's front 4. Auburn learned the hard way last week giving up 11(!) sacks. I'm pretty sure Jackson will be running for his life all game long. Louisville will score, just because Jackson is too dynamic. The Tiger defense is still just too good. Clemsoning Alert Meter for this game (1-10 Dabos): I say 2.5 Dabos. Clem: 35--Lou: 21 
Seeberg:  I'm not entirely sure what to make of this matchup.  With Francois hurt at Florida State, the winner of this game is vaulted into solid favorite status to win the ACC.  The Tigers have replaced basically all of their skill positions on offense, and it showed in a lackluster win against Auburn.  However, they also held Auburn without a touchdown, and Louisville had a curious performance against the mighty (or not) Boilermakers, surrendering 28 points and needing a comeback in the fourth quarter.  In short, I think the Clemson D will be the best unit on the field and hold Lamar Jackson in check enough to get another W.  Clem: 31--Lou:--23

Tennessee Volunteers @ Florida Gators
Draper: Must see viewing eh? Orange colored poo and...orange colored poo.  The Gators looked simply gross vs. the Wolverines.  While we can talk about the Michigan defense (and they are pretty good), Florida hasn't put together a competent offense since Tebow.  It's a little early for the Champions of Life to start their downward fall.  We're still in the 'maybe this is the year they turn the corner' phase (at least until they play Bama.  Playing in the Swamp is never easy, but I think even the Gator faithful are losing their faith.  This used to be a marquee matchup, but now, it's just something to pass time until the real teams play.  UT: 20 -- UF: 10
Hoying: *hurp* Sorry, I just threw up in my mouth a little. Yes, this is a ranked matchup, somehow, even though Florida's only showing this year was rolling over and dying against a Michigan team that was leading Cincinnati 17-14 in the second half at home last week. And the winner will be squarely in the driver's seat in the SEC East (with the loser ready to jump right ahead after the winner drops a few down the stretch). I'm hesitant to ever pick against Florida in this game (or ever believe in Tennessee for, well, anything), but I just can't believe that the Vols are incapable of outscoring...that. UT: 17--UF: 16
Schweinfurth: Even though both teams are ranked, this game is "meh" to me. Florida is awful and can't get out of their own way. Tennessee is still mediocre. Without going to far in depth, this game will be a derp-fest for the ages. UT: 13--UF: 6
Seeberg:  Ah yes, the game that hearkens back to a time when orange-clad SEC teams reigned supreme (that would be the mid-to-late 90s for those of you who didn't know).  In any event, I wouldn't expect this game to look a whole lot prettier than Florida's last effort against TTUN.  The Vols defense isn't THAT good, but the Florida offense is SO bad that it probably won't matter.  Silver lining?  At least the Gators won't be ranked anymore by Monday.  Now go find an actually entertaining game to watch.  UT: 20--UF: 13

UCLA Bruins @ Memphis Tigers
Draper: When I asked my cobloggers for a 4th game, this is what came up...woof.  While Hurricane Irma postponed the Noles and Canes, we get the Bruins and MORE Tigers.  Honestly, no real clue about these teams except that Josh Rosen guy is pretty good.  I'll ride with the Wizards of Westwood (seriously, they're travelling to Memphis?) UCLA: 38 -- Mem: 20
Hoying: Finally, the real marquee matchup of the week. Which UCLA do we get the see? The one that got pantsed by A&M in the first half or the one making Josh Rosen look like a god among men? Or both again? Well, probably the second. Yeah. UCLA: 45--Mem: 27
Schweinfurth: This game comes down to one player: Josh Rosen. He plays for UCLA and that's enough to pick the Bruins.
UCLA: 38--Mem: 21
Seeberg:  Way to go, Bruins, scheduling one of those SUPER tough home and homes with a marquee program.  Oh, wait a minute, this isn't basketball.  Why is this game happening again?  Your guess is as good as mine, but I guess a good(?) road win never hurt anybody.  Bruins roll.  UCLA: 49--Mem: 24

Army Black Knights @ THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: Guess what Buckeye Nation...this game is going to drive. you. crazy.  I do believe that we'll see the offense get a little fat on the backs of the poor West Point defenders.  Dobbins and Weber should both eclipse 100 and I wouldn't be shocked if JT does as well.  I also expect 250 through the air and decent (not great offensive showing for the next 3 'get-right' weeks.  The defensive side is going to be interesting.  The good news is that Army has thrown 2 passes this year (2 FREAKING PASSES) so the defensive secondary should have to be too concerned with the air raid.  But the option just plain sucks to defend.  I can easily see Army running for 300+ yards and driving the Buckeye fans crazy as defenders look stupid.  Here's a heads up, we're gonna look stupid sometimes because that's what the option does to defenses when run correctly.  It's going to be very frustrating, but the Bucks win easy.  Army: 17 -- OSU: 52
Hoying: After a lifeless effort in last year's playoff, the Ohio State coaches promised that this time...WOULD BE DIFFERENT! BUT IT'S NOT DIFFERENT AT ALL, IS IT, STEVE? Week 3 once again provides the Buckeye faithful with more questions than answers, and unfortunately this week will tell us nothing. Yeah, we'll probably run all over Army's defense, and yeah, they'll probably run all over us with their dang triple option, and we'll break a few more big ones than they do and that'll be the difference. It would be nice to see if JT and Zone Six could connect a few times this week against Army's limited secondary talent, or else the heat is really going to get turned up. Army: 14--OSU: 38
Schweinfurth: Why, oh why, do you schedule a service academy in the middle of the non-conference schedule (or ever really). Nothing good ever comes out of these games. Cut blocks are no joke and you have to prepare a special game plan just to stop the triple option. The defensive line is good, but they have to be patient or will get taken out of the play quickly. This game is really more about the offense for me. Dear coaching staff, you have two great RBs...GIVE THEM THE DAMN BALL!!! Let's see if the coaching staff learned their lesson from last week and actually tries to run some different, more creative plays. There is no longer any room for error. Buckeyes put up points, but this game is close at halftime. Army: 14--OSU: 28
Seeberg:  The odd part about last week's effort is that it actually did provide the answers to the Buckeyes' offensive woes.  Just hammer the ball with Dobbins, Weber, Barrett and Co. until they crowd the box, THEN try to throw.  Using the pass to set up the pass (again) made no sense in week one and it made no sense in week two.  I have no idea what Kevin Wilson is being paid but I'll gladly take 1/3 of his salary to call more running plays.  In any event, I doubt this game will be a complete run away as Army's triple option will play keep away with the ball and drain the clock (to their benefit).  The only question is whether or not ANYbody can run Urban's offense and feature the RB and not the QB run or the never-open short-to-intermediate passing routes.  We won't find out until the B1G season gets going again, so let's just get this W, stay healthy, and move on.  Army: 17--OSU: 38

Upset Special
Draper: CLANGA over LSU
Hoying: Texas over USC
Schweinfurth: Air Force over TTUN (Go Falcons)
Seeberg:  Central Michigan over Syracuse

Monday, September 11, 2017

Grading the Bucks: Week 2 -- Oklahoma

Buck Yuck.  Let's get to it.

Offense: D+
Well, that was disappointing.  JT has yet to show the improvement in accuracy, the receivers are still great athletes that can't get open, the running backs are fine but have cobwebs on them, and the Oline is suspect.  Did that cover it all?  Don't get me wrong, OU is a very good team, but the inept nature of this offense just should happen.  I haven't figured out how the receivers as a group seem to be absolutely stagnant.  They look completely unenthused.  No effort in breaking to get open or continuing a play.  It seems like they check in, run the route prescribed (sometimes), then simply sit down and watch.  This leads to the immense vitriol on Mr. Barrett.  I don't think he deserves the hate, but he does certainly need to improve his own game by quite a bit.  Is the lack of a downfield passing game because: a) JT can't throw it, b) the receivers can't catch it/get open, c) the coaches don't call it because they don't like it, or d) the coaches don't call it because of a) and b).  I tend to lean more to choices b and c (with a little a and d thrown in), but it would be nice just to give it a whirl once in a while.  Need ten yards? You can bet we're getting some stupid swing pass to the boundary.  I honestly don't know what JT is capable of because we never see it (maybe because the coaches know more) but if we trust these 'mega-recruit' receivers, wouldn't we be chucking it up a lot more?  Notice, I didn't say much about the running backs...it's almost like I forgot about them....like our coaching staff.

Defense: C+
This unit is getting ripped every which way from Sunday, but I'll be honest, they exceeded my expectations for this game.  The Sooner offense is very good and Mayfield is a top QB in the nation.  Most of the secondary is in the NFL so I fully expected a point total in the 30s.  They overachieved in that that staved off the Sooner attack pretty well until the end.  Yes, they caught some breaks with turnovers and missed FGs, but they also created some of those breaks with hard hitting and a bend but don't break mentality.  They certainly let up in the 2nd half, but the offense wasn't giving them anything to work with.  The Dline was great as always, but the secondary showed their youth.  The linebackers have been MIA this year as well.  They'll improve over time, but this was a tough opponent for a secondary as green as this early in the year.

Special Teams: A-
Let's look on the bright side: the punting and field goal units looked great!  I have no clue how Urban has recruited these punters when he traditionally punts less than most teams, but I'm liking what I see.  Nuremburger was solid on FGs as well which is a welcome change.  My only beef is an Urban staple of kicking off short attempting to start inside the 25 on defense.  It's a risky strategy that hasn't worked out that well this year (in my opinion).  OU started between the 30 and 40 with the potential of more far too often.  Take the start at the 25 and move on.

Coaching: F
Herein lies my major beef with this game.  I've seen little to no strides at wide receiver, quarterback, or offensive line in a few years which is a real issue.  Also, when it comes to offensive gameplan, I have no clue what is happening.  The spread offense loves the lateral pass, but not at the abandonment of everything downfield.  We don't even attempt slant routes or go routes for that matter more than once a game...and they usually work (if the receivers could catch).  At the very least, I'm willing to waste a down to expand the depth of the defense from time to time.  Does anyone remember that we have 2 stellar backs? Dobbins and Weber were effective when they got the ball, but the amount of carries was almost nonexistent.  Completely inexcusable when the downfield passing game is stagnant.  I'm tired of nothing but stretch passes to the boundary and QB runs on every freaking play.  They have value, but only when there is a little variety...AND WE HAVE THE WEAPONS TO PROVIDE VARIETY!!  In fact, there are times when I yearn for the days of the walrus because he never forgot we had a running back.  Many a steady dose of "Dave" is when this team needs--and our receivers may not be able to catch, but they can block their tails off.  Defensively, the story is different with a new secondary every year.  They need to scheme a little better for the checkdowns but that will come with time.  My major issue is with the lack of any semblance of offensive identity and desire with this team.  Senior QB, stud running backs, receivers who may not have started but played significant time last year...we should see more.

Overall: D-
The special teams saved the F, but there is work to do.  I do remember the last time the Buckeyes lost their home opener, they hoisted the trophy in January.  Many have said that was a different team, but after that VT loss, these same complaints reigned supreme 3 years ago.  I have to have faith that things will improve.  The next 3 games provide a lot of options to get better (although this week is going to be eminently frustrating for Buckeye Nation due to the option), but we need to start seeing development to come close to achieving our goals for the year.