Week 10: Rematch!

Standings
1) Schweinfurth  30-7   (4-5 upset)
2) Hoying           25-12  (3-6 upset)
3) Draper            24-13  (3-6 upset)
4) Auer               20-13  (1-7 upset)

All 4 upset specials happened this week.  Kudos to Auer and Draper for picking top 10 upsets.  Weak sauce by Hoying picking a Vegas favorite (Nebraska over Michigan) and Schweinfurth for picking the pillow fight in Madison (sad but true).

Alabama Crimson Tide @ Louisiana State Tigers
Draper: Here's hoping for a little more scoring this year.  These teams are 2 of the best in the country once again, but LSU is not near the juggernaut that Bama is.  That being said, the Tigers own the longest active home win streak (and it's not close).  LSU has a very good defense (especially the line), but Bama's is better (moreso in the secondary).  This is the first test for Alabama and it's a doozie simply because it's in Death Valley.  I see McCarron managing the game well and tossing enough keep passes for the road team to win this epic battle 2 years in a row.  LSU's offense is just not strong enough to hang. Bama: 20--LSU: 10
Auer: Quite the test awaits the Fightin' Les Miles. AJ McCarron has yet to be intercepted this year, Alabama has yet to lose this year, and LSU has yet to lose at home. Something has got to give. Two of the best defenses in the country clash in this sure-to-be defensive struggle. Bama is a much better team, and will show it. Bama: 21--LSU: 9
Hoying: I think I'm going to throw up in my mouth a little every time I watch this game from now on.  Back to business...Both teams feature stellar defenses, but that's where the similarities end.  Alabama features unsung Heisman-good A.J. McCarron behind center, lighting up every team he faces, while LSU's Zach What-a-burger has the Purple and Geauxld wishing they had Jordan Jefferson's pass accuracy back.  Alabama hasn't really been tested yet (no, Mississippi State), but LSU is slogging through a brutal slate of 5 games against excellent opponents.  Can their battle-tested toughness overcome the enormous talent and coaching gaps?  No.  Just...no.  Bama: 24--LSU: 10
Schweinfurth: To be perfectly honest hear, I really don't think highly of LSU this year.  The Tigers lost a lot on offense when Jordan Jefferson graduated, and that really wasn't all that much to begin with.  LSU is without their best weapon in Tyron Mathieu.  Alabama on the other hand, has to look of a top team.  A.J. McCarron is an efficient, but not great quarterback and the Tide defense is just sick.  I see this game going the same way last year's title game went: lots of 'Bama and not much LSU.  The Bayou helps keep it from being a laugher. Bama: 35--LSU: 9

Oregon Ducks @ University of Southern California Trojans
Draper: The Pac-12 is taking it on the chin for the Trojans recent struggles.  I still believe the Trojans have the talent to compete with the top teams, but they aren't showing it.  Oregon has steamrolled everyone on their schedule thus far (including a Rich Rod Zona team that snake bit the Trojans).  The Duck offense is a finely tuned machine and the defense has really stepped up their game.  The pure athleticism of Barkley and Lee could make this interesting but the flash and zip of the Ducks keep the dream matchup of Oregon/Bama alive.  Beware of a potential rematch in the Pac12 title... OU: 38--USC: 24
Auer: These are the kind of games I love. Teams known for having douchebag players and douchebag coaches... karma's a you know what. USC's season collapsed a few weeks ago, and Lane Kiffin hasn't been able to right the ship yet. Oregon is seemingly an unstoppable offensive juggernaut, and will continue the tour de force this weekend. UO: 58--USC: 32
Hoying: Poor Pac-12, there goes your marquee match-up of the year.  Well, there's always the Civil War...What's wrong with USC?  Everyone's trendy non-SEC preseason #1 has looked downright mediocre this season.  But they're still ranked (why?) so I guess this game has some importance.  Meanwhile, Oregon is once again cramming touchdown after touchdown down their opponents' throats, and this year they have some semblance of a defense to go with it.  The sad part is, the Trojans' defense, the feature that made them stand out in the squishy Pac-12, is...WORSE...than Oregon's.  If USC can play up to their mythical talent level, and throw to Marqise Lee about 20 times, they might have a chance of keeping up.  But I don't see it.  UO: 48--USC: 24
Schweinfurth: Is there a scarier offense in the county than Oregon right now? I don't think so.  Kenjon Barner has been an absolute monster so far this year.  Pair that offense with a defense that at least has a pulse and Oregon is a scary team.  USC can put up some numbers too.  Marquise Lee had himself a day last week (Rich Rod has had the number 9 in his nightmares all week after that display) and Robert Woods is no slouch on the other side.  This game will come down to who can make the defensive stop first.  UO: 42--USC: 38



Texas A&M Aggies @ Mississippi State Bulldogs
Draper: Mississippi State was exposed last week, but then again, Bama exposes everyone.  The cowbells will be going bananas in Starksville which is not an easy place to play when the Bulldogs are playing well.  That being said, the A&M offense and Johnny Football are running up and down the field against everyone. The record for MSU justifies a high ranking, but the lack of quality wins/opponents are catching up fast.  Aggies get a big SEC road win.  TAMU: 38--MSU:24
Auer: Two teams that just can't get over the hump. A&M is coming off of a 63-21 romp of Auburn, MSU is coming off their first loss of the season. MSU should be able to spring a trap if they're out for redemption this week. A&M is 5-20 in November road games and that alone could spell disaster for the Aggies. TAMU: 28--MSU: 31
Hoying: Texas A&M's athletic director needs to be slapped.  Your team already has to travel to Alabama, Auburn, and Mississippi State, and you schedule road games at lowly SMU and Louisiana Tech?  The upshot of this is that A&M is now playing their 4th road game in the last 5 (and they go to Alabama next week).  Odd thing is, the only game they lost of those five was the one at home (against LSU).  Mississippi State is fresh off getting the Alabama treatment (no shame there) and needs a big win to prove their record isn't a fluke.  Too bad they're a mirage.  Texas A&M is the real deal this season and will easily provide the second gut-punch of MSU's Alabama-A&M-LSU back-to-back combo. TA&M: 31--MSU: 17
Schweinfurth: Which of these two teams is for real?  A&M has held it's own against a brutal SEC road schedule but has lost all of their games against higher ranked teams.  Mississippi State hasn't been tested at all.  Coming off a game against 'Bama, I think the Bulldogs are a beat up group and Johnny Manziel has enough to beat the Dogs.  Watch out for those cowbells though! TAMU: 24--MSU:21



Illinois Fighting Illini @ THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: Illini sucks...that's just a fact.  OSU got a huge road win against the hot Nittany Lions, but no one will confuse PSU for Bama, Oregon, or any real contender.  With that, the Buckeyes seemed to get some needed confidence after the near miss vs. Purdue.  The Silver Bullets (yeah...I'll give them the moniker for now) have been MUCH improved (granted against mediocre competition, but it's a start).  Miller needs to settle and let the game come to him.  We have other weapons and once he is able to utilize them through the passing game and running game, watch out.  This should be a cakewalk (even though the Bucks been exceptionally good at playing to the level of the competition).  Look ahead is a slight worry, but the bye week is a nice buffer.  Thus should be a beatdown.  Ill: 10--OSU: 41
Auer: Echoing my other bloggers, Illinois is horrible, but the Buckeyes have been an up and down, Jekyll and Hyde type of team. One would hope that Braxton has a big game and keeps himself in the Heisman talk. This will be interesting for a half. Ill: 20--OSU: 38
Hoying: Illinois is BAD.  I could end the write-up there, but let's take a look at the Buckeyes, coming off their best win since Nebraska.  The defense has finally figured out how to stop predictable B1G offenses, and Braxton still isn't dead.  Maybe Urban should rest him so he's 100% for Wisconsin.  Ah, but that's what the bye week is for.  Oh, by the way, Illinois is BAD.  Ill: 6--OSU: 34
Schweinfurth: I want to pick Ohio State to blow Illinois out of the water.  I mean, they should right?  The Bullets looked like they were back flying around last week but the offense actually looked, at times, to be a first year offense.  The Buckeyes need to make a statement at home against a bad team.  No more close ones.  I think the Bucks pull away late but we need to see A LOT more out of the passing game.  Expect some 3 and out drives early due to Urban trying to get Braxton throwing the ball a bit more.  This game is closer than the experts think but Urban gets Illibuck for the first time.  Ill: 23--OSU: 41


Upset Special
Draper: Iowa State over Oklahoma
Auer: Okie State over Kansas State
Hoying: Michigan State over Nebraksa
Schweinfurth: TCU over West Virginia

Rankings and Heisman Ballots--post Week 9

Heisman ballots
Draper
1) Collin Klein (QB--KSU)
2) Manti Te'o (LB--Notre Dame)
3) Braxton Miller (QB--Ohio State)

Hoying
1) Collin Klein (QB--KSU)

2) Manti Te'o (LB--Notre Dame)
3) A.J. McCarron (QB--Ala)

Schweinfurth
1) Collin Klein (QB--KSU)
2) Kenjon Barner (RB--Oreg)
3) Braxton Miller (QB--OSU)/Manti Te'O (LB--ND)

Top 25
Draper
1. Kansas State
2. Notre Dame
3. Alabama
4. Oregon
5. LSU
6. Georgia
7. Florida State
8. Florida
9. Ohio State
10. South Carolina
11. Louisville
12. Clemson
13. Texas A&M
14. Oregon State
15. Stanford
16. Oklahoma
17. Nebraska
18. Texas Tech
19. Mississippi State
20. Louisiana Tech
21. Arizona
22. USC
23. West Virginia
24. Boise State
25. Toledo

Hoying
1. Kansas State
2. Alabama
3. Notre Dame
4. Oregon
5. Ohio State
6. Florida
7. LSU
8. Georgia
9. Florida State
10. Louisville
11. Oregon State
12. South Carolina
13. Clemson
14. Mississippi State
15. Oklahoma
16. Texas Tech
17. Texas A&M
18. Stanford
19. Nebraska
20. Louisiana Tech
21. Toledo
22. Kent State
23. Rutgers
24. West Virginia
25. Boise State

Schweinfurth
1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. Kansas State
4. Notre Dame
5. LSU
6. Georgia
7. Florida State
8. Florida
9. Ohio State
10. Clemson
11. Louisville
12. Oregon State
13. South Carolina
14. Texas A&M
15. Stanford
16. Oklahoma
17. Texas Tech
18. Mississippi St
19. Nebraska
20. USC
21. West Virginia
22. Louisiana Tech
23. Rutgers
24. Texas
25. Arizona

Grading the Bucks: PSU

Nice win in a tough environment.  Credit where credit is due, this is game showed me more maturity which is a huge plus going forward.

Offense: B+
We still have work to do.  I know I'm a broken record, but this offense, while far better than last year, is still very raw.  Miller showed what makes him special, but also showed what makes him so frustrating to watch.  His 1 yard TD run was spectacular and video-game-esque....but let's not forget about his inability to throw a decent pass.  Once he becomes a semi-competent passer...look out! I was quite impressed with the PSU defense who really showed up and brought the lumber.  Hyde never really got going, but Braxton's feet made the difference.  Also, a Stoneburner sighting was a pleasant surprise.  Miller needs to learn to go through his progression and get away from the progression of 1) Smith, 2) Smith, 3) run.  While he is the most dynamic player, the QB option that we run is not nearly as effective as it could be because Braxton refuses to hand the ball off (and the defense is figuring it out).  PSU stuffed those read options until Braxton handed the ball off and it completely stifled them--they couldn't fathom the handoff.  I know I'm tough on Braxton, but that's because I KNOW he has the physical skills to be one of the best of all time.  He just needs to embrace the expectations and keep chipping away.  What if he connects on those screens, slants, and bombs? The ridiculous runs won't be needed to pull away.  He's been the starter for over a year; it's time to step up a become the mature leader the offense needs...not just the best player on the team.

Defense: A-
PSU is not an exceptionally dynamic offense, but McGloin has been extremely efficient.  The Bullets seemed to come back as they shut him down cold and made the Lions (finally) look like the sanctions have hit.  Shazier was spectacular (maybe he should keep 48) with a pick 6 and multiple key plays.  Roby had a good (not great) game in which he showed his mastery of the Malcolm Jenkins defense (get burnt, make amazing recovery to break up the pass, rinse, repeat).  The line jammed up the middle and Boren/LBs looked reasonably confident in their abilities.  Don't go crazy, Penn State isn't Oregon, but this was definitely a step in the right direction.

Special Teams: D
Another blocked punt...that cannot happen.  Total momentum was given over to the Lions in a tough environment due to a breakdown in blocking (I think Zack Boren blocked outside in rather than inside out).  Can't let Buchanan off the hook as he takes a week to get those punts off.  On the road, a fundamentally sound kicking game is of paramount importance (see Indiana).  Everything else on special teams was so-so, but that giant blackeye (3 blocked punts already!!) really hurts this unit.

Coaching: B+
Bland offensive playcalling again, yet effective.  I thought the defensive gameplan was finally effective so I'll give them credit.  Get Braxton comfortable throwing the ball on offense (the quick slant is a very effective and simple play that I still haven't seen nearly enough).  More creativity is always what I want rather than the 'Go be good, Braxton!' offense we see now.

Overall: B+
Penn State was a lot of fool's gold so let's bring it down to earth.  They aren't great, but the Buckeye's played well as a whole.  Beating PSU doesn't make us ready for Bama, but that is a very tough place to play.  Good for the Bucks; keep it rolling.