Let's be clear: this game really meant nothing. OSU dominated from the first snap, but that was partially due to good execution and primarily due to a poor opponent. This was a game where a blowout means nothing, a close win elicits worry, and a loss is an instant death sentence. Onto the letter grades.
Offense: A-
How can I give this offense anything but an A+?!?!? 66 pts?!? Remember Tressel? Calm down and don't forget that Kent State plain sucks. I will give JT an A+ because he was phenomenal. The RBs and OLine looked good as well. The problem is that I can't give an A+ or even an A with the receiver play. They weren't terrible, but there were some terrible plays. Two dropped touchdowns that were dropped in beautifully by Barrett (one to Smith and one to Thomas) are inexcusable (see last week vs. VT--looking at you Smith). Barrett is clearly a more polished passer than Miller was even last year. Give him time (and catch a freaking ball), and the Bucks will do just fine.
Defense: A
Ok, I will say 0 is 0. A shutout in the game of football today is very difficult and should be recognized even against an inferior opponent. I want to highlight the play of Darron Lee and Tyvis Powell as they were very good. The screwup yet again of Noah Spence appeared to have no ill effects. I'll give credit where credit is due. Let's see if they can play sound against Cincinnati.
Special Teams: C-
Boy, I had no clue how to grade this unit but I simply have to downgrade them for some mistakes. No missed kicks is a positive but there were 3 issues:
1) Another shanked punt by Johnston (what happened to him?)
2) Blocking a punt (YAY) then recovering (YAY) then fumbling it back (....really...REALLY?!?!) and giving the Flashes a first down.
3) Marshall getting stopped on the kickoff return...BY THE FREAKING PUNTER!!
These all deserve a hearty 'C'Mon Man?!?'
Coaching: A-
The Oline is the problem, so we saw some intermediate and short passes....GENIUS! Finally, the playcalling matched the personnel. I think I actually saw a slant thrown in. Defensive playcalling and film study was clearly effective as the scoreboard shows. Going for it on 4th down was a little questionable late in the game, but I can understand letting the backups get some reps. Playing a weak opponent hides a lot of issues, but I think some steps were taken in the right direction. Why the downgrade to A-. This is purely due to VT...Tech losing at home to ECU makes me question the coaching and prep work from two weeks ago. That stings. Yes, they coached well today, but that score makes me angry thinking about the suck 2 weeks ago so I move em down.
Overall: A
Let's be honest, the downgrades were for little individual issues. At the end of the day, this was a complete game with a complete blowout. An A grade is nice, but let's do it when it matters. Keep the train rolling. I guarantee a Bucks non-loss this week (although I've heard 'bye week' has a new coach).
Showing posts with label Kent State. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kent State. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Friday, September 12, 2014
Week 3 - I Just Figured Something Out, Beavis...huh huh...This Sucks
Standings
1) Schweinfurth 4-4 (1-1 upset)
1) Draper 4-4 (1-1 upset)
1) Hoying 4-4 (0-2 upset)
1) Seeberg 4-4 (0-2 upset)
In case you missed this past weekend's action, here's a quick recap:
1. Michigan was shut out for the first time in 30 years, losing by 31.
2. Michigan State and Ohio State flirted with competence before losing by multiple scores.
3. Purdue was crushed at home by a MAC team that almost lost to Chattanooga.
4. Northwestern lost at home to another MAC team.
5. Iowa needed two touchdowns in the game's final 3:00 to avoid losing to yet another MAC team.
6. Nebraska needed a last-minute touchdown to avoid overtime with a D1-AA school.
7. Maryland needed a fourth-quarter comeback to beat an AAC team that went 2-10 last year.
8. Illinois needed a fourth-quarter comeback to beat a C-USA team at home (actually not bad for Illinois).
9. Penn State, Rutgers, Wisconsin, and Minnesota managed to avoid crapping the bed.
10. Indiana didn't play.
All in all, not a banner day for the conference that we play in. It sucked more than anything has ever sucked before. We at Let's Go Bucks! are not SEC hive-minders, but we understand that a poor conference perception might limit Ohio State's chances to make the inaugural College Football Playoff after they win their next 11 games.
With that out of the way, let's turn to the snore-fest that is Week 3. The B1G conference season kicks off on the east coast, two blue-chip programs meet in Norman, and the presumptive SEC East favorites butt heads (huh huh).
Georgia Bulldogs @ South Carolina Gamecocks
Draper: Two words: Todd Gurley. SEC folk want to tout the toughness of the Gamecocks, but nothing on the field has supported that. The Dawgs, however, are led by a grown a$$ man in Todd Gurley who look absolutely beastly in week 1 over a tough Clemson team. It's in Columbia, but A&M handles the Cocks in their house. I expect UGA to follow suit and cruise to a fairly easy win. UGA: 48--SCar: 20
Hoying: I know, faithful readers, you'd rather hear our thoughts on the weekend's showdown between two undefeated SEC teams, Kentucky and Florida. But the inconsequential AP still inexplicably has South Carolina ranked after getting spanked by Kenny Football and a newly-functioning Aggie defense, so you'll have to suffer through this analysis instead. After their aforementioned loss, Cocky almost laid another egg against their directional rival, East Carolina. The Bulldogs looked fantastic in their only showing this season, dominating Clemson behind Todd Gurley and an imposing O-line (sigh). I imagine this game will play out about as you'd expect. UGA: 45--SCar: 24
Schweinfurth: We can keep this one short. South Carolina was exposed by TAMU. Yes, that was a spread system vs. a pro system but the Dawgs have the Gurley man. I fully expect Georgia to hop out to an early lead and not look back. UGA: 38--SCar: 17
Seeberg: On the surface, this looks like a solid game. Two ranked, divisional SEC foes doing battle. Unfortunately looks (and rankings) can be deceiving. The Gamecocks are still ranked solely because voters were slightly uncomfortable taking them from #9 all the way out after their debacle against A&M. Thankfully, that won't be an issue after this week. Gurley, Mason & Co. will pull away after the SC home crowd keeps them in it early. UGA: 41--SCar: 21
Penn State Nittany Lions @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Draper: Blech...scraping the bottom of the barrel here. This matchup faces the 2 programs with the most impressive out of conference wins for the B1G (UCF and Washington State....yeah....). Can Hackenburg not suck it up like he did last week? I'd say yes. I have no faith that the undefeated juggernaut of the State School of New Jersey will continue to press on. Why is this a thing? Thanks Jim Delany. PSU: 34--RSUNJ: 20
Hoying: Ah, Big Ten football the way it was meant to be played: between the flagship state programs of two original American colonies. Good news: the B1G will get a victory out of this game. Better news (or not): the NCAA burned a chicken's entrails and decided not to care anymore about child molestation negligence, paving the way for a brighter future for Penn State football, chock full of bowl appearances and full scholarship rosters. The Nittany Lions sport the most extreme road win of the young season, beating a Bortles-less UCF in...Ireland...but they've looked terribly one-dimensional so far, relying far too heavily on QB Christian Pick, er, Hackenberg. The Scarlet Knights don't feature a great pass defense, but they showed great balance in wins against Washington State and Howard (don't laugh). Let's see how long Rutgers' B1G reign of terror can last (spoiler alert: next four conference games are against Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska, and Wisconsin). PSU: 20--RSUNJ: 24
Schweinfurth: It's time for Rutgers to become B1G. This is time for Franklin and Freeze to work on that grudge match that's been brewing in the off season as well. The Knights are going to come hard at the Penn State O-Line to rattle Hackenberg. If Hackenberg stays vertical, the Lions will pull of the win. PSU: 28--RSUNJ: 24
Seeberg: Fifteen years ago, this would have been a pretty rude welcome to the B1G for the Scarlet Knights. Now, however, the Lions have been tamed somewhat. An upset by Rutgers is a distinct possibility here, but the Nittanys will be buoyed by the recent news that they can actually head to a bowl this year (what're they calling the Alamo Bowl now? Still, better than spending the Christmas holiday in Happy Valley, the most misnomered place in the known universe). Hack-a-Shaqberg avoids just enough disasters to squeak out a win. PSU: 20--RSUNJ: 13
Tennessee Volunteers @ Oklahoma Sooners
Draper: I expect this to be another blood bath. OU has absolutely demolished their first 2 foes and UT was simply OK. Where is this game? Norman? Good God. Stoops should have no problem with the Vols at home. Knight has looked fantastic. Expect the Sooner Schooner to get tired out early. UT: 17--OU: 41
Hoying: Oklahoma entered the 2014 season as an overwhelming favorite to storm through the B12G and secure a spot in the playoffs. The Sooners have looked the part so far, plastering Louisiana Tech and Tulsa by a combined score of 100-23. Will the undefeated Volunteers provide a stiffer test? Last year's squad also started 2-0, then got shellacked by Oregon on the way to a 5-7 skid of a season. A trip to Norman this Saturday won't be any more forgiving. UT: 17--OU: 38
Schweinfurth: This is an SEC suck team versus one of the best teams in the country. It's gonna show too. Big Game Bob has the best QB in this game and that offense is gonna make a SEC defense look like swiss cheese. Oklahoma in a rout. UT: 10--OU: 45
Seeberg: Ah yes, my alma mater- at least for my master's degree. The Vols have been supposedly on the upswing for years, yet have middled around .500 for nearly a decade now. This looked like a banner matchup when it was scheduled in probably 2008 or so, but now OU is still solid and UT has fallen by the wayside. UT has some skill talent, but their O-line is as inexperienced as tOSU, and we all saw what happened there. Boomer Sooner big. UT: 13--OU: 42
Kent State Golden Flashes @ THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: Time to bounce back. KSU is just what the doctor ordered. The O-line should not (and better not!) have any problems here. Time to work on fundamentals and get back to winning individual battles. If this is close, time to panic in Columbus. The defensive line should absolutely smoke the Flashes and harry the QB all day. JT throws for 250+, Zeke/Marshall/Wilson run for 150+ and the d shuts it down. Big bounceback win that really means nothing. KSU: 10--OSU: 48
Hoying: How bad was last week? Our offensive line was embarrassed so completely that one of the linemen quit the team. Fortunately, our beloved Bucks get a chance to regroup against a truly awful squad. Dr. Lou's alma mater has already lost to D-1A newcomer South Alabama and an Ohio team that got blasted by Kentucky. Look for the Buckeyes to try to establish the run with anybody but Barrett, given that they only have about 5 or 6 running backs from which to choose. Look for the receivers to bring their hands closer together when the ball arrives, to better counteract the downward force the Earth puts on it. Look for the D-line to play containment and get a few stops on third down. Look for signs this team won't end up 7-6 after a bowl loss to a MAC school. KSU: 10--OSU: 38
Schweinfurth: Man I did not see that one coming last week. We all knew the offensive line would be a work in progress but 7(!) sacks. That is just horrendous. What also worries me is the offensive play calling. It's like the coaching staff writes scripts the entire game and won't deviate from that plan. This has been going on for the last two years, it's just Braxton and El Guapo masked the issues. Herman and Urban need to make adjustments other than throw bombs to a wide out who dropped every thing thrown at him. The Silver Bullets will be fine. The play calling on first and second down was great...third down was same old, same old. Time to bring some pressure and get in the QB's face. There is talent there, it just needs to be put in a better place to succeed. I expect these changes to be made. An inferior opponent will help that as well and give that offensive line time to gel. I feel bad for the Golden Flashes. Urban's boys are mad as hell and are going to take that anger out on the rest of the teams on the Buckeye schedule. KSU: 14--OSU: 52
Seeberg: Well, despite how horrendous we looked for 3.25 quarters or so last week, we were STILL within one possession with the ball with less than two minutes to play. There is another silver lining: The D-line looked much more solid than in the Navy run-game gashing we took the first week. J.T. Barrett actually handled himself reasonably well- it's not his fault we couldn't seem to run a single screen pass, or slant, or 5-yard out, or any pass play not requiring a 7-step drop for that matter. At this time last year, this game could have been a bit scary with Dri Archer running the ball and returning kicks. He's gone, and the Golden Flashes are pretty flashless again. Urban's message to the team after the loss? That tOSU can still accomplish everything it set out to at 11-1. With no discernable threats on the schedule until PSU in late October, it is still not out of the realm of possibility. OSU: 38--KSU: 13
Upset Special
Draper: UCF over Missouri
Hoying: Iowa State over Iowa
Schweinfurth: Central Michigan over Syracuse
Seeberg: UMass over Vanderbilt
1) Schweinfurth 4-4 (1-1 upset)
1) Draper 4-4 (1-1 upset)
1) Hoying 4-4 (0-2 upset)
1) Seeberg 4-4 (0-2 upset)
In case you missed this past weekend's action, here's a quick recap:
1. Michigan was shut out for the first time in 30 years, losing by 31.
2. Michigan State and Ohio State flirted with competence before losing by multiple scores.
3. Purdue was crushed at home by a MAC team that almost lost to Chattanooga.
4. Northwestern lost at home to another MAC team.
5. Iowa needed two touchdowns in the game's final 3:00 to avoid losing to yet another MAC team.
6. Nebraska needed a last-minute touchdown to avoid overtime with a D1-AA school.
7. Maryland needed a fourth-quarter comeback to beat an AAC team that went 2-10 last year.
8. Illinois needed a fourth-quarter comeback to beat a C-USA team at home (actually not bad for Illinois).
9. Penn State, Rutgers, Wisconsin, and Minnesota managed to avoid crapping the bed.
10. Indiana didn't play.
All in all, not a banner day for the conference that we play in. It sucked more than anything has ever sucked before. We at Let's Go Bucks! are not SEC hive-minders, but we understand that a poor conference perception might limit Ohio State's chances to make the inaugural College Football Playoff after they win their next 11 games.
With that out of the way, let's turn to the snore-fest that is Week 3. The B1G conference season kicks off on the east coast, two blue-chip programs meet in Norman, and the presumptive SEC East favorites butt heads (huh huh).
Georgia Bulldogs @ South Carolina Gamecocks
Draper: Two words: Todd Gurley. SEC folk want to tout the toughness of the Gamecocks, but nothing on the field has supported that. The Dawgs, however, are led by a grown a$$ man in Todd Gurley who look absolutely beastly in week 1 over a tough Clemson team. It's in Columbia, but A&M handles the Cocks in their house. I expect UGA to follow suit and cruise to a fairly easy win. UGA: 48--SCar: 20
Hoying: I know, faithful readers, you'd rather hear our thoughts on the weekend's showdown between two undefeated SEC teams, Kentucky and Florida. But the inconsequential AP still inexplicably has South Carolina ranked after getting spanked by Kenny Football and a newly-functioning Aggie defense, so you'll have to suffer through this analysis instead. After their aforementioned loss, Cocky almost laid another egg against their directional rival, East Carolina. The Bulldogs looked fantastic in their only showing this season, dominating Clemson behind Todd Gurley and an imposing O-line (sigh). I imagine this game will play out about as you'd expect. UGA: 45--SCar: 24
Schweinfurth: We can keep this one short. South Carolina was exposed by TAMU. Yes, that was a spread system vs. a pro system but the Dawgs have the Gurley man. I fully expect Georgia to hop out to an early lead and not look back. UGA: 38--SCar: 17
Seeberg: On the surface, this looks like a solid game. Two ranked, divisional SEC foes doing battle. Unfortunately looks (and rankings) can be deceiving. The Gamecocks are still ranked solely because voters were slightly uncomfortable taking them from #9 all the way out after their debacle against A&M. Thankfully, that won't be an issue after this week. Gurley, Mason & Co. will pull away after the SC home crowd keeps them in it early. UGA: 41--SCar: 21
Penn State Nittany Lions @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Draper: Blech...scraping the bottom of the barrel here. This matchup faces the 2 programs with the most impressive out of conference wins for the B1G (UCF and Washington State....yeah....). Can Hackenburg not suck it up like he did last week? I'd say yes. I have no faith that the undefeated juggernaut of the State School of New Jersey will continue to press on. Why is this a thing? Thanks Jim Delany. PSU: 34--RSUNJ: 20
Hoying: Ah, Big Ten football the way it was meant to be played: between the flagship state programs of two original American colonies. Good news: the B1G will get a victory out of this game. Better news (or not): the NCAA burned a chicken's entrails and decided not to care anymore about child molestation negligence, paving the way for a brighter future for Penn State football, chock full of bowl appearances and full scholarship rosters. The Nittany Lions sport the most extreme road win of the young season, beating a Bortles-less UCF in...Ireland...but they've looked terribly one-dimensional so far, relying far too heavily on QB Christian Pick, er, Hackenberg. The Scarlet Knights don't feature a great pass defense, but they showed great balance in wins against Washington State and Howard (don't laugh). Let's see how long Rutgers' B1G reign of terror can last (spoiler alert: next four conference games are against Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska, and Wisconsin). PSU: 20--RSUNJ: 24
Schweinfurth: It's time for Rutgers to become B1G. This is time for Franklin and Freeze to work on that grudge match that's been brewing in the off season as well. The Knights are going to come hard at the Penn State O-Line to rattle Hackenberg. If Hackenberg stays vertical, the Lions will pull of the win. PSU: 28--RSUNJ: 24
Seeberg: Fifteen years ago, this would have been a pretty rude welcome to the B1G for the Scarlet Knights. Now, however, the Lions have been tamed somewhat. An upset by Rutgers is a distinct possibility here, but the Nittanys will be buoyed by the recent news that they can actually head to a bowl this year (what're they calling the Alamo Bowl now? Still, better than spending the Christmas holiday in Happy Valley, the most misnomered place in the known universe). Hack-a-Shaqberg avoids just enough disasters to squeak out a win. PSU: 20--RSUNJ: 13
Tennessee Volunteers @ Oklahoma Sooners
Draper: I expect this to be another blood bath. OU has absolutely demolished their first 2 foes and UT was simply OK. Where is this game? Norman? Good God. Stoops should have no problem with the Vols at home. Knight has looked fantastic. Expect the Sooner Schooner to get tired out early. UT: 17--OU: 41
Hoying: Oklahoma entered the 2014 season as an overwhelming favorite to storm through the B12G and secure a spot in the playoffs. The Sooners have looked the part so far, plastering Louisiana Tech and Tulsa by a combined score of 100-23. Will the undefeated Volunteers provide a stiffer test? Last year's squad also started 2-0, then got shellacked by Oregon on the way to a 5-7 skid of a season. A trip to Norman this Saturday won't be any more forgiving. UT: 17--OU: 38
Schweinfurth: This is an SEC suck team versus one of the best teams in the country. It's gonna show too. Big Game Bob has the best QB in this game and that offense is gonna make a SEC defense look like swiss cheese. Oklahoma in a rout. UT: 10--OU: 45
Seeberg: Ah yes, my alma mater- at least for my master's degree. The Vols have been supposedly on the upswing for years, yet have middled around .500 for nearly a decade now. This looked like a banner matchup when it was scheduled in probably 2008 or so, but now OU is still solid and UT has fallen by the wayside. UT has some skill talent, but their O-line is as inexperienced as tOSU, and we all saw what happened there. Boomer Sooner big. UT: 13--OU: 42
Kent State Golden Flashes @ THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: Time to bounce back. KSU is just what the doctor ordered. The O-line should not (and better not!) have any problems here. Time to work on fundamentals and get back to winning individual battles. If this is close, time to panic in Columbus. The defensive line should absolutely smoke the Flashes and harry the QB all day. JT throws for 250+, Zeke/Marshall/Wilson run for 150+ and the d shuts it down. Big bounceback win that really means nothing. KSU: 10--OSU: 48
Hoying: How bad was last week? Our offensive line was embarrassed so completely that one of the linemen quit the team. Fortunately, our beloved Bucks get a chance to regroup against a truly awful squad. Dr. Lou's alma mater has already lost to D-1A newcomer South Alabama and an Ohio team that got blasted by Kentucky. Look for the Buckeyes to try to establish the run with anybody but Barrett, given that they only have about 5 or 6 running backs from which to choose. Look for the receivers to bring their hands closer together when the ball arrives, to better counteract the downward force the Earth puts on it. Look for the D-line to play containment and get a few stops on third down. Look for signs this team won't end up 7-6 after a bowl loss to a MAC school. KSU: 10--OSU: 38
Schweinfurth: Man I did not see that one coming last week. We all knew the offensive line would be a work in progress but 7(!) sacks. That is just horrendous. What also worries me is the offensive play calling. It's like the coaching staff writes scripts the entire game and won't deviate from that plan. This has been going on for the last two years, it's just Braxton and El Guapo masked the issues. Herman and Urban need to make adjustments other than throw bombs to a wide out who dropped every thing thrown at him. The Silver Bullets will be fine. The play calling on first and second down was great...third down was same old, same old. Time to bring some pressure and get in the QB's face. There is talent there, it just needs to be put in a better place to succeed. I expect these changes to be made. An inferior opponent will help that as well and give that offensive line time to gel. I feel bad for the Golden Flashes. Urban's boys are mad as hell and are going to take that anger out on the rest of the teams on the Buckeye schedule. KSU: 14--OSU: 52
Seeberg: Well, despite how horrendous we looked for 3.25 quarters or so last week, we were STILL within one possession with the ball with less than two minutes to play. There is another silver lining: The D-line looked much more solid than in the Navy run-game gashing we took the first week. J.T. Barrett actually handled himself reasonably well- it's not his fault we couldn't seem to run a single screen pass, or slant, or 5-yard out, or any pass play not requiring a 7-step drop for that matter. At this time last year, this game could have been a bit scary with Dri Archer running the ball and returning kicks. He's gone, and the Golden Flashes are pretty flashless again. Urban's message to the team after the loss? That tOSU can still accomplish everything it set out to at 11-1. With no discernable threats on the schedule until PSU in late October, it is still not out of the realm of possibility. OSU: 38--KSU: 13
Upset Special
Draper: UCF over Missouri
Hoying: Iowa State over Iowa
Schweinfurth: Central Michigan over Syracuse
Seeberg: UMass over Vanderbilt
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Week 14 Picks: Lots of NOT undefeated teams playing...
Standings
1) Schweinfurth 45-11 (6-7 upset)
2) Hoying 40-16 (3-10 upset)
3) Draper 33-23 (4-9 upset)
4) Auer 31-22 (2-10 upset)
Louisville Cardinal @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Big East--defacto)
Draper: Big East de-facto championship...woo. Preseason, I had these teams pillow-fighting it out (no, really I did) for the Orange Bowl (or maybe even the Sugar if the Flashes shock the world). These teams are supremely mediocre, but I like Teddy Bridgewater (which is why I picked Louisville preseason). Bridgewater is banged up, but I'm riding the preseason pick...also, I couldn't be as bad this week as I was last week, right?...RIGHT? LVille: 27--Rutgers: 24
Auer: Both teams coming in 9-2, both coming off of a puzzling loss. Rutgers couldn't get things going against lowly Pitt and Louisville just barely fell to UConn in triple overtime. Louisville however is coming off of two straight losses, the previous to an even-worse-than-Pitt, Syracuse. I'll stick with the future Big Ten conference member here. LVille: 20--Rutgers 31
Hoying: A few weeks ago, this looked like a possible match-up of middleweight undefeateds, but some losses to crappy teams have dulled this a bit. The good news is the league championship for the conference that no one wants to be in is still up for grabs. I picked Rutgers preseason as the Big East champ and their terrific defense will prove to be too much for Bridgewater and company. Sorry, Charlie Strong, maybe you'll get hired away when you can finish a season. LVille: 17--Rutgers: 20
Schweinfurth: We get this game in the spirit of the B1G/ACC Challenge. Kinda. Both teams are floundering down the stretch after starting off very well. This one seems to come down to Teddy Bridgewater. If he plays, the Cardinals win. If not, I'll take the Knights. L'Ville: 35--Rutgers 24
Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (MAC)
Draper: This is just here because I find it amusing that the MAC champion has a very real chance of making a BCS bowl (even after almost returning an interception for a safety...). Darrell Hazell has worked wonders in Kent and will be off to greener pastures VERY soon. I'm not surprised after he taught us WR technique at OSU. Need proof, look what happened to OSU WRs when he left. Go Coach Hazell! NIU: 31--KSU: 34
Auer: KSU has been a stunner all season after they shocked the college football world during opening weekend. The shock to the world you ask? The player who returned a punt the wrong way was indeed a pride of KSU Golden Flash. Haven't watched anything else of either team honestly. This could go either way, but I'll go with the hot hand. NIU: 35--KSU: 31
Hoying: Imagine if Northern Illinois could have held on against Iowa, or if Kent State would've actually showed up against Kentucky (Kentucky? Really?), the winner of this game could be undefeated and headed to a BCS bowl. Wait, a one-loss MAC champ might go to the BCS anyway? Yeesh. Both teams have been playing good football against bad teams, but only Kent State has a quality win, beating Rutgers in Piscataway. I expect that experience to serve them well here, as the Golden Flashes win their first MAC championship game. NIU: 30--KSU: 34
Schweinfurth: I really haven't watch much MACtion this year, so I can't give much insight. I'll Hazel and the Flashes. NIU: 31--KSU: 38
UCLA Bruins @ Stanford Cardinal (Pac 12)
Draper: An epic battle between preseason juggernauts Oregon and USC should be really really excit....wait, WHAT? Stanford and who???? Oh boy, these games just get better and better. Actually, this isn't a bad game because the D of Stanford has been very good and UCLA can score. Unstoppable force vs. immoveable object? Go with the immoveable object. Stanford chokes Hundley and Franklin into submission preventing another UCLA home date in Pasadena. UCLA: 20--Stan: 31
Auer: This one wasn't close last week and it won't be again. UCLA was in a very peculiar situation last week as a win would have sent the Bruins to Oregon this week, but instead a loss set the match-up with Stanford. Kind of a "pick your poison" situation it seems. UCLA looked lethargic last week, and more than likely won't see much success this week. The positive? The winner only has to play the Big Ten Champion. UCLA: 17--Stan: 42
Hoying: Didn't we just see this game? Despite the perverse incentive setup of last week's game, I didn't get the feeling that UCLA wasn't trying against Stanford. They just weren't as good. Now the game gets a reboot with the Cardinal as the home team. I expect more of the same. UCLA: 17--Stan: 35 (Same score)
Schweinfurth: Well, this one's interesting. It seems we get a rematch from last week this week. Stanford proved against Oregon that they have one of the best defenses in the nation. Defense wins championships. I'll take Stanford this time. UCLA: 13--Stan: 24
Florida State Seminoles vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (ACC)
Draper: Another season with high expectations ends in bitter disappointment for the Noles (fool me once...). EJ Manuel has been a yo-yo all year and the defense actually got pounded last week. The loss of Tank Carradine sucks but FSU is still far more talented than 6-6 GTech. The option attack of the Ramblin Wreck is no fun to prepare for (thanks for the magnanimous bowl ban Canes...) but the speed on the Nole defense should be enough to contain it. FSU has trounced most inferior opponents so I think they'll do the same here en route to Miami...for the wrong game. The loss of Coach Mark Stoops to Kentucky has the makings of a possible upset (FSU lost Mark Richt to UGA and laid a monster egg in the NC vs. OU), but I thing the Noles roll to the Orange Bowl. FSU: 38--GT: 13
Auer: Jesus, Georgia Tech's division must be awful if they are playing for the ACC Title... or maybe just everyone in their division is facing a postseason bowl ban... too soon? FSU: 52--GT: 21
Hoying: Coming into this game, Florida State has one quality win, and it's not a great one. No matter the result in the ACC Championship Game, Florida State will still have one quality win. The conference title is the Noles' for the taking, if they're properly motivated to take it. FSU played a better opponent last week and actually put up a fight, while the Tech rambled and wrecked all over the field, much like the rest of the Coastal division. This shouldn't be close. FSU: 45--GT: 10
Schweinfurth: The Yellow Jackets should thank Miami for taking another postseason ban. With that said, Florida State is the much better team and that defense is tough to run against. I expect the 'Noles to bounce back and shut down the triple option. FSU: 45--GT: 10
Texas Longhorns @ Kansas State Wildcats
Draper: KSU is out of the ultimate prize thanks to a clunker vs. Baylor, but they can still capture a nice consolation prize in the Fiesta Bowl and a Big 12 Championship by beating the Longhorns. Texas is another team that has disappointed this year with their talent, but a win here would be great for momentum. This game is all about Collin Klein. He can return to frontrunner Heisman status, but he has to have a spectacular game. I think Bill Snyder has enough respect for his players that, given the chance, he will do everything possible to accentuate the positives of Optimus Klein. KState clamps down at home and takes home the Big 12 title in a bittersweet fashion...if only....UT: 20--KSU: 31
Auer: The Longhorns seem to be a shell of their former team and will more than likely continue to implode... or will they? KSU is playing for next to nothing and will still be playing on New Year's day or in the BCS even with a loss. UT is coming together at the right time and could make this one interesting. UT: 24--KSU: 20
Hoying: Fun fact: Kansas State hasn't lost to Texas since their last Big 12 title, when Ell Roberson led the Wildcats against Ohio State in 2003. This game will be very telling for the future of Kansas State. The big prize is out of the picture, but a Fiesta Bowl bid would be an amazing accomplishment for a team that looked so helpless without Methuselah at the reins. Make no mistake, K-State is the much better team here, especially since the Horns haven't solved their QB controversy, even after 11 games. Home team, better team, and yes, better coach give 'Cats the victory and Big 12 title. UT: 16--KSU: 31
Schweinfurth: So it sounds like we get Case McCoy this week. Between he and Ash, I think McCoy is the better QB. K-State is tough at home. I'm looking for another Big 12 shootout. UT: 35--KSU: 42
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Wisconsin Badgers* (B1G)
Draper: The Buckeyes roll in on a monster high as they prepare for the last big hurdle before the Irish....wait, what? Postseason bans are stupid (I've always said this--not just because my team has one). The 3rd place in the Leaders Badgers* take on the Legends champ Nebraska for the right to go to Pasadena. The Huskers have the better team (by far in my opinion), but the Badgers* will try to (somewhat) defend their preseason favorite status. Martinez will play well, as will Montee Ball, but the diversified Husker attack will outplay the more traditional Badger* ground and pound. Nebraska win the B1G in their second season, but no one will care since the 'banned' Buckeyes trounced them earlier. Everyone knows the real B1G title is in Cbus. Neb: 38--UW: 24
Auer: Nebraska is BY FAR the better team here but will they show it? UW does have MontAE Ball.... maybe he'll change the pronunciation of his name again? Taylor Martinez could give an early launch to a 2013 Heisman Campaign... and probably will go off against the Badgers. Neb: 48--UW: 35
Hoying: If you've watched Nebraska carefully since they've joined the B1G, you've noticed they have terrific mojo in Lincoln but usually look completely lost on the road. While this isn't a true road game, it's much closer to Wisconsin, and the Badgers will be out for blood after losing so many close games, including the heartbreaker in Lincoln early this season. If this one goes to overtime, it's a sure Badger loss, but perhaps the big doofus will go for 2 late and pull out the victory. No Ryan Shazier to provide late game heroics here. Neb: 24--UW: 25
Schweinfurth: Another rematch game. Nebraska dominated the first match up despite all the turnovers in the first half. Wisconsin can run it with Montee (call me Montay) Ball but is otherwise one dimensional. I'll take the Huskers for their first B1G Championship. Neb: 52--UW: 35
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Georgia Bulldogs
Draper: The SEC championship has a very sexy matchup of preseason favorites. The winner is certain to face off with the Irish in Miami for the crystal ball. The resumes of these teams are severely lacking (Bama beat LSU, lost to TAMU and UGA beating UF and losing to SoCar in games vs. top 15 opponents). The schedules were extremely favorable in SEC play for these teams which is a big reason why they're here. Florida, LSU, SoCar, and TAMU are arguably as good as these teams, but the tougher schedule in which they played each other, knocked them out. That being said, this is Saban's chance to return to the spotlight. UGA is generally flaky on the big stage. The defensive talent in this game is spectacular, but while I think UGA may have better players, Bama has the better team. Tide roll to another title shot in a slugfest. Bama: 23--UGA: 17
Auer: (Write up coming later) Bama: 28--UGA: 13
Hoying: Who wants to go to Miami and get thumped by the Irish? (wait...) Nick Saban's technique of killing 10 kittens for each mistake his team makes (I'm assuming) seems to have motivated his team back to the world-beater status they held before the LSU game, while Georgia is on a tear of their own over their last 5 games. Aaron Murray and "Gur-shall" are good enough to make the Tide pay, but Alabama seems to be playing sounder football, and Saban shines in games like these. Bama: 20--UGA: 13
Schweinfurth: I haven't watched much of the Bulldogs this year. However, I know 'Bama can run the ball and Lacy is a battering ram. The Tide defense learned from the A&M game. Look for Bama to go for 2 in a row in January. Bama: 28--UGA: 13
Upset Special
Draper: Nevada over Boise State
Auer: Uconn over Cincy
Hoying: Wisconsin over Nebraska (there aren't a lot of games not picked above)
Schweinfurth: TCU over Oklahoma
1) Schweinfurth 45-11 (6-7 upset)
2) Hoying 40-16 (3-10 upset)
3) Draper 33-23 (4-9 upset)
4) Auer 31-22 (2-10 upset)
Louisville Cardinal @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Big East--defacto)
Draper: Big East de-facto championship...woo. Preseason, I had these teams pillow-fighting it out (no, really I did) for the Orange Bowl (or maybe even the Sugar if the Flashes shock the world). These teams are supremely mediocre, but I like Teddy Bridgewater (which is why I picked Louisville preseason). Bridgewater is banged up, but I'm riding the preseason pick...also, I couldn't be as bad this week as I was last week, right?...RIGHT? LVille: 27--Rutgers: 24
Auer: Both teams coming in 9-2, both coming off of a puzzling loss. Rutgers couldn't get things going against lowly Pitt and Louisville just barely fell to UConn in triple overtime. Louisville however is coming off of two straight losses, the previous to an even-worse-than-Pitt, Syracuse. I'll stick with the future Big Ten conference member here. LVille: 20--Rutgers 31
Hoying: A few weeks ago, this looked like a possible match-up of middleweight undefeateds, but some losses to crappy teams have dulled this a bit. The good news is the league championship for the conference that no one wants to be in is still up for grabs. I picked Rutgers preseason as the Big East champ and their terrific defense will prove to be too much for Bridgewater and company. Sorry, Charlie Strong, maybe you'll get hired away when you can finish a season. LVille: 17--Rutgers: 20
Schweinfurth: We get this game in the spirit of the B1G/ACC Challenge. Kinda. Both teams are floundering down the stretch after starting off very well. This one seems to come down to Teddy Bridgewater. If he plays, the Cardinals win. If not, I'll take the Knights. L'Ville: 35--Rutgers 24
Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (MAC)
Draper: This is just here because I find it amusing that the MAC champion has a very real chance of making a BCS bowl (even after almost returning an interception for a safety...). Darrell Hazell has worked wonders in Kent and will be off to greener pastures VERY soon. I'm not surprised after he taught us WR technique at OSU. Need proof, look what happened to OSU WRs when he left. Go Coach Hazell! NIU: 31--KSU: 34
Auer: KSU has been a stunner all season after they shocked the college football world during opening weekend. The shock to the world you ask? The player who returned a punt the wrong way was indeed a pride of KSU Golden Flash. Haven't watched anything else of either team honestly. This could go either way, but I'll go with the hot hand. NIU: 35--KSU: 31
Hoying: Imagine if Northern Illinois could have held on against Iowa, or if Kent State would've actually showed up against Kentucky (Kentucky? Really?), the winner of this game could be undefeated and headed to a BCS bowl. Wait, a one-loss MAC champ might go to the BCS anyway? Yeesh. Both teams have been playing good football against bad teams, but only Kent State has a quality win, beating Rutgers in Piscataway. I expect that experience to serve them well here, as the Golden Flashes win their first MAC championship game. NIU: 30--KSU: 34
Schweinfurth: I really haven't watch much MACtion this year, so I can't give much insight. I'll Hazel and the Flashes. NIU: 31--KSU: 38
UCLA Bruins @ Stanford Cardinal (Pac 12)
Draper: An epic battle between preseason juggernauts Oregon and USC should be really really excit....wait, WHAT? Stanford and who???? Oh boy, these games just get better and better. Actually, this isn't a bad game because the D of Stanford has been very good and UCLA can score. Unstoppable force vs. immoveable object? Go with the immoveable object. Stanford chokes Hundley and Franklin into submission preventing another UCLA home date in Pasadena. UCLA: 20--Stan: 31
Auer: This one wasn't close last week and it won't be again. UCLA was in a very peculiar situation last week as a win would have sent the Bruins to Oregon this week, but instead a loss set the match-up with Stanford. Kind of a "pick your poison" situation it seems. UCLA looked lethargic last week, and more than likely won't see much success this week. The positive? The winner only has to play the Big Ten Champion. UCLA: 17--Stan: 42
Hoying: Didn't we just see this game? Despite the perverse incentive setup of last week's game, I didn't get the feeling that UCLA wasn't trying against Stanford. They just weren't as good. Now the game gets a reboot with the Cardinal as the home team. I expect more of the same. UCLA: 17--Stan: 35 (Same score)
Schweinfurth: Well, this one's interesting. It seems we get a rematch from last week this week. Stanford proved against Oregon that they have one of the best defenses in the nation. Defense wins championships. I'll take Stanford this time. UCLA: 13--Stan: 24
Florida State Seminoles vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (ACC)
Draper: Another season with high expectations ends in bitter disappointment for the Noles (fool me once...). EJ Manuel has been a yo-yo all year and the defense actually got pounded last week. The loss of Tank Carradine sucks but FSU is still far more talented than 6-6 GTech. The option attack of the Ramblin Wreck is no fun to prepare for (thanks for the magnanimous bowl ban Canes...) but the speed on the Nole defense should be enough to contain it. FSU has trounced most inferior opponents so I think they'll do the same here en route to Miami...for the wrong game. The loss of Coach Mark Stoops to Kentucky has the makings of a possible upset (FSU lost Mark Richt to UGA and laid a monster egg in the NC vs. OU), but I thing the Noles roll to the Orange Bowl. FSU: 38--GT: 13
Auer: Jesus, Georgia Tech's division must be awful if they are playing for the ACC Title... or maybe just everyone in their division is facing a postseason bowl ban... too soon? FSU: 52--GT: 21
Hoying: Coming into this game, Florida State has one quality win, and it's not a great one. No matter the result in the ACC Championship Game, Florida State will still have one quality win. The conference title is the Noles' for the taking, if they're properly motivated to take it. FSU played a better opponent last week and actually put up a fight, while the Tech rambled and wrecked all over the field, much like the rest of the Coastal division. This shouldn't be close. FSU: 45--GT: 10
Schweinfurth: The Yellow Jackets should thank Miami for taking another postseason ban. With that said, Florida State is the much better team and that defense is tough to run against. I expect the 'Noles to bounce back and shut down the triple option. FSU: 45--GT: 10
Texas Longhorns @ Kansas State Wildcats
Draper: KSU is out of the ultimate prize thanks to a clunker vs. Baylor, but they can still capture a nice consolation prize in the Fiesta Bowl and a Big 12 Championship by beating the Longhorns. Texas is another team that has disappointed this year with their talent, but a win here would be great for momentum. This game is all about Collin Klein. He can return to frontrunner Heisman status, but he has to have a spectacular game. I think Bill Snyder has enough respect for his players that, given the chance, he will do everything possible to accentuate the positives of Optimus Klein. KState clamps down at home and takes home the Big 12 title in a bittersweet fashion...if only....UT: 20--KSU: 31
Auer: The Longhorns seem to be a shell of their former team and will more than likely continue to implode... or will they? KSU is playing for next to nothing and will still be playing on New Year's day or in the BCS even with a loss. UT is coming together at the right time and could make this one interesting. UT: 24--KSU: 20
Hoying: Fun fact: Kansas State hasn't lost to Texas since their last Big 12 title, when Ell Roberson led the Wildcats against Ohio State in 2003. This game will be very telling for the future of Kansas State. The big prize is out of the picture, but a Fiesta Bowl bid would be an amazing accomplishment for a team that looked so helpless without Methuselah at the reins. Make no mistake, K-State is the much better team here, especially since the Horns haven't solved their QB controversy, even after 11 games. Home team, better team, and yes, better coach give 'Cats the victory and Big 12 title. UT: 16--KSU: 31
Schweinfurth: So it sounds like we get Case McCoy this week. Between he and Ash, I think McCoy is the better QB. K-State is tough at home. I'm looking for another Big 12 shootout. UT: 35--KSU: 42
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Wisconsin Badgers* (B1G)
Draper: The Buckeyes roll in on a monster high as they prepare for the last big hurdle before the Irish....wait, what? Postseason bans are stupid (I've always said this--not just because my team has one). The 3rd place in the Leaders Badgers* take on the Legends champ Nebraska for the right to go to Pasadena. The Huskers have the better team (by far in my opinion), but the Badgers* will try to (somewhat) defend their preseason favorite status. Martinez will play well, as will Montee Ball, but the diversified Husker attack will outplay the more traditional Badger* ground and pound. Nebraska win the B1G in their second season, but no one will care since the 'banned' Buckeyes trounced them earlier. Everyone knows the real B1G title is in Cbus. Neb: 38--UW: 24
Auer: Nebraska is BY FAR the better team here but will they show it? UW does have MontAE Ball.... maybe he'll change the pronunciation of his name again? Taylor Martinez could give an early launch to a 2013 Heisman Campaign... and probably will go off against the Badgers. Neb: 48--UW: 35
Hoying: If you've watched Nebraska carefully since they've joined the B1G, you've noticed they have terrific mojo in Lincoln but usually look completely lost on the road. While this isn't a true road game, it's much closer to Wisconsin, and the Badgers will be out for blood after losing so many close games, including the heartbreaker in Lincoln early this season. If this one goes to overtime, it's a sure Badger loss, but perhaps the big doofus will go for 2 late and pull out the victory. No Ryan Shazier to provide late game heroics here. Neb: 24--UW: 25
Schweinfurth: Another rematch game. Nebraska dominated the first match up despite all the turnovers in the first half. Wisconsin can run it with Montee (call me Montay) Ball but is otherwise one dimensional. I'll take the Huskers for their first B1G Championship. Neb: 52--UW: 35
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Georgia Bulldogs
Draper: The SEC championship has a very sexy matchup of preseason favorites. The winner is certain to face off with the Irish in Miami for the crystal ball. The resumes of these teams are severely lacking (Bama beat LSU, lost to TAMU and UGA beating UF and losing to SoCar in games vs. top 15 opponents). The schedules were extremely favorable in SEC play for these teams which is a big reason why they're here. Florida, LSU, SoCar, and TAMU are arguably as good as these teams, but the tougher schedule in which they played each other, knocked them out. That being said, this is Saban's chance to return to the spotlight. UGA is generally flaky on the big stage. The defensive talent in this game is spectacular, but while I think UGA may have better players, Bama has the better team. Tide roll to another title shot in a slugfest. Bama: 23--UGA: 17
Auer: (Write up coming later) Bama: 28--UGA: 13
Hoying: Who wants to go to Miami and get thumped by the Irish? (wait...) Nick Saban's technique of killing 10 kittens for each mistake his team makes (I'm assuming) seems to have motivated his team back to the world-beater status they held before the LSU game, while Georgia is on a tear of their own over their last 5 games. Aaron Murray and "Gur-shall" are good enough to make the Tide pay, but Alabama seems to be playing sounder football, and Saban shines in games like these. Bama: 20--UGA: 13
Schweinfurth: I haven't watched much of the Bulldogs this year. However, I know 'Bama can run the ball and Lacy is a battering ram. The Tide defense learned from the A&M game. Look for Bama to go for 2 in a row in January. Bama: 28--UGA: 13
Upset Special
Draper: Nevada over Boise State
Auer: Uconn over Cincy
Hoying: Wisconsin over Nebraska (there aren't a lot of games not picked above)
Schweinfurth: TCU over Oklahoma
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