Not great, Bob.
Offense: B-
So we finally got the running game going...and forgot how to pass. Dwayne Haskins has seemingly started a slow decline in accuracy (very odd...and disconcerting). Honestly, I spent most of the time railing at the playcalling (more to come) but the accuracy issues are a bit concerning. It was certainly nice to see the line opening a few holes here and there, but this was against a bad Nebraska team. The push on 4th and short was still nonexistent and it is HUGE problem for an OSU unit that has (should have) better athletes than 99% of the schools they face. Dobbins and Weber flashed (and finally broke a few tackles!) but growth need to continue.
Defense: C
Let's be clear...Nebraska isn't good. Yet they seemed to move up and down the field with relative ease. There have been a bevy of injuries on this side of the ball (primarily in the secondary) but that's no excuse to look as the Buckeyes have. Teams have figured out how to neutralize the strength of the D-line with quick hitters and draw plays and our coaches haven't adjusted (more later). We don't face a truly dynamic offense for the remainder of the regular season, but the running game of TSUN will be a problem.
Special Teams: I don't remember
Sorry...I don't remember the special teams play of last week which is usually a plus. Instead of making fun of me for my crappy lack of analysis...make fun of Nebraska's kicker for....what this was.
Coaching: D-
This team is devolving. The playcalling is getting worse. There is no ingenuity in design and scheme. It seems as if the coaches are assuming the better athletes will win without help. I don't understand the apathy. Two weeks to improve and Haskins looks worse. Two weeks to gameplan and the playcalling was horrid. The team looks wholly unprepared and I think there may be some questioning of the coaching duties within the ranks as well (no real reason to think this other than the players aren't stupid). The ultimate failure was early in the game on a 3rd and 1. We know the line wasn't successful on getting a push in the past few weeks, but there were 2 attempts to psych the players up and get that yard. Barring that, try to throw the ball (which was usually successful). No. Instead the playcall was a jet sweep with Paris Campbell that the line (predictably) was unable to provide any protection. Loss of 2. Then, to compound matters, we went for it on 4th down in what appeared to be a total reaction to the bad play. "We failed there, but we'll show them by running it down their throat" (with no fight left). Stuffed. Momentum swing. The coaches appeared to be on tilt with the stupidity of the first playcall and the overreaction following. Urban appeared in disbelief when we didn't get it on 4th...but that's been this team the last few weeks. I don't know how some of the brightest minds in coaching seem befuddled at scheming for a 2-6 opponent. It's disturbing to say the least.
Overall: C-
Not great, Bob. Not great. The talent still resides in Columbus in the Scarlet and Gray. We can achieve most of the goals set out at the beginning of the year (sorry, I saw the Bama game and I welcome our new Elephant Overlords and their Commander Satan...er...Saban). To achieve these goals, the mindset and mental aspects of the team/scheme must be improved and they must be improved NOW. Michigan State isn't a great team, but Dantonio has been a thorn in Urban's side. The opponents smell blood in the water. Can the Bucks rally and live up to potential? I sure hope so.
Bonus--Uniforms: BUTT
Stop it. Just stop it. Ohio State doesn't need gimmicks. I don't care if you think they look 'fire emoji'. This is Ohio State. Play for the tradition, play for pride, play for what's come before you and what's coming after. Don't play for stupid looking gimmicky uniforms. Scarlet and Gray are the colors and that's what we should be about. Now...get off my lawn.
Wednesday, November 07, 2018
Friday, November 02, 2018
Week 10: Black Gout
Standings:
1.) Draper 26-10 (1-8 upset)
2.) Hoying 25-11 (1-8 upset)
3.) Seeberg 21-15 (2-7 upset)
4.) Schweinfurth 20-16 (5-4 upset)
To paraphrase a Buckeye legend: road games in October are for pretenders. November is for contenders.
#6 Georgia Bulldogs @ #9 Kentucky Wildcats
Draper: The Kentucky Wildcats in the top 10 again! Congrats to John Calipari on a....wait...this is football? And this is a showdown (potentially) for the SEC East champsionship? Whaaaaaaa????? Mark Stoops has the Wildcats churning as a legit team this year...but they were extremely lucky to take down Mizzou on an untimed down last week. UGA was blasted by LSU, but that was an aberration. I see order being restored in Lexington this week. The Dawgs ascend back to the top of the SEC East. UGA: 27 -- UK: 10
Hoying: Hope you enjoyed last week's appetizer because right here, in Lexington, Kentucky, is the SEC East championship. No, seriously. The winner of this game will have a 1-game lead in the East and tiebreakers over everyone. Is there any reason to believe that the 'Cats aren't going to get run out of their own building? Well, they do have the nation's top scoring defense, never surrendering more than 20 points in a game this season. And they have Westerville's own Benny Snell already closing in on 1,000 yards rushing for the season. But...Florida had a pretty good defense, and they could run the ball a bit, too, and the Dawgs just straight up embarrassed them. Kentucky has had a charmed season to this point, but the dream ends here. UGA: 31--UK: 13
Schweinfurth: Kentucky is having a great season and should make the field this year...of 68 teams that is. Georgia is the better team and are angry. If there is one thing I know it that Dawg H8s everything and everyone. UK barely escaped Mizzou last week. Georgia is on a different level. Good luck. UGA: 35--UK: 14
Seeberg: Can't say I thought I'd ever see the day when an Urban-Meyer-led Ohio State team was looking up in the rankings to Kentucky of all teams. The Wildcats have Urban's national recruiting plan to thank for that, as they continually poach 3-star caliber players from Ohio that might've been scooped up by the Buckeyes in the past. Regardless, a Georgia team that still has an axe to grind after being embarassed by LSU comes calling this week and should put an end to that momentary rankings blip. Any team that barely skates by Missouri has no business hanging with UGA VIII or whatever iteration of bulldog they're on now. Woof woof. UGA: 38--UK: 17
#13 West Virginia Mountaineers @ #17 Texas Longhorns
Draper: Welcome to the Big12 where everything is made up and the points don't matter! Who knows who will be the recipient of a victory when the Big12 Wheel of Destiny spins. Holgo and Will Grier have the Neers rolling, but against whom? The Longhorns were getting routed last week by the Pokes, but rose up to make it a game in a tough road environment. As they return to Darrell K. Royal, I think the coin flips and they get some of that home magic. Ehlinger can match Grier if necessary and the Longhorns have better athletes. It should be a fun game, but the Longhorns emerge. WVU: 27--UT: 38
Hoying: The wheel spins again in the Big 12. First it was Oklahoma's turn to lose, then West Virginia's, then Texas's, and who's on the chopping block next? Well, Oklahoma (see Upset Special below). But one of these teams has to lose as well. The Longhorns showed impressive grit fighting back after getting dominated early by Oklahoma State, something that West Virginia couldn't claim in their embarrassing loss to the Cyclones. Texas has looked like butt in a lot of their games this season, and they're probably still overrated, but this is Texas Tom Herman in a big game against a top opponent. The Horns will bring their A-game this Saturday and do just enough to outperform Will Grier. WVU: 34--UT: 35
Schweinfurth: Remember when everyone thought Texas was back when they beat an Oklahoma team that can't play defense? Yea, that lasted like two weeks. Good try, good effort. Texas is much improved, but so is West Virginia. It's scary when a Big 12 team can play a little defense. Add in Will Grier and that offense and you've got something. I don't think a MENSA membership will save Texas here. WVU: 42--UT: 32
Seeberg: In a year of rampant unpredictability, it's becoming a good assumption that a team that loses poor one week should win the next. Texas Tom is going to put my theory to the test with an excellent WVU offense coming to Austin. I just don't trust the Mountaineers ability to stop...well anyone competent, and any Herman-led offense should be at least that. Go burnt sienna. WVU: 31--UT: 41
#14 Penn State Nittany Lions @ #5 Michigan Wolverines
Draper: Good news: someone will lose. Bad news: someone will win. What to do what to do? I think Michigan is starting to grow a little too big for their britches as the expectations continue to soar in Ann Arbor. The defense is solid as we’ve known, but the offense is so-so. The run game with Higdon is nice, but I’m not sold on Shea Patterson. Penn State will forever be the team that could have been for 2018. McSorley is really good (aside from his punchable face), but outside of that, the talent is somewhat mediocre. With the game in the Big House, there’s really no reason to think a reeling Penn State can take down the Big Bad Wolverines (even if they are listening to all the “rat poison” in the media). Let’s let the Blue get fat on these competitors and hope we can tear it down in Columbus. It’s closer than you might objectively think, but Michigan rolls on. PSU: 17—UM: 24
Schweinfurth: Two teams I love to watch lose. I guess the best part of this game will be watching a team get their playoff hearts ripped out. Unfortunately, I don't think that team will be TUN. Penn State is a on trick pony on offense: Trace McSorely. Add to that the "great" coaching of James Franklin and you have a bona fide loss against an aggressive and very good defense. This game will be closer than the 10 point spread just because Harbooger's offense is still a train wreck. I just wish I could pick both teams to lose. Please just beat the crap out of each other. PSU: 13--UM:17
Seeberg: How the mighty have fallen...and how the formerly mighty have possibly risen. Definitely two teams heading opposite directions at the moment. As previously stated here on Let's Go Bucks, competent quarterback play was literally all Harbaugh needed with that lights-out D to make the maize and blue legitimate conference title and CFP contenders. It's looking more and more like that opening week scare against App State was more indicative of who this Nittany Lion squad is...I just wish this pick wouldn't make Desmond look like he actually knows what he's talking about. After this week, the only thing Penn State students will be able to chant is WE ARE...OUTBACK BOWL BOUND. PSU: 16--UM: 27
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide @ #3 Louisiana State Tigers
Draper: Boy, I'm glad these teams got a bye before this epic showdown. Those SEC schedules 'magically' workout. Everyone's talking about this as the game of the year...and they're probably right. This is the toughest regular season match for Alabama this year by a mile, and Death Valley is no joke...but I just don't see it. OSU fans continually beat the drum on the greatness of Joe Burrow, but I don't see it. Yes, he may be the best LSU quarterback of the last 50 years, but the Tigahs aren't really known for top team QB play. He's serviceable...and that won't get it done against the Tide. LSU's defense is very stout as well....but that won't work against Bama either. I'm guessing the crowd keeps Coach O alive in this game for about a half, then the inexorable certainty of Bama will take over. Bama: 31--LSU: 13
Hoying: BAMA BY A MIL---I mean, finally Bamapocalypse has arrived. And no, I don't mean that the Tide is finally playing a team with a pulse, I mean it's Bamapocalypse for LSU, because they'll be praying for pestilence, war, famine, and death by the time this one is over. Yeah, the Tigers can play some defense. Meet my friend Tua-13.6-yards-per-attempt-Tagovailoa. Yeah, Joe Burrow's made a few clutch throws here and there. He also has a 53.8% completion percentage and has been sacked 18 times. The spread is 14, which might be the difference at the end of the first quarter if Nick Saban is being charitable toward his former school. LSU hasn't beaten Alabama since 2011, and that pissed the Tide off so bad that they swindled their way into the BCS Championship that same year so that they could grind LSU into fine powder. That might've been the best team that LSU has ever had, and the 2018 Tide may be the best team Alabama has ever had (and Alabama has a wee bit of history as an elite program). This may be the only ranked (at season's end) team Alabama plays before the SEC Championship. Do you really think there's a chance the Tide can lose this? Really? Bama: 38--LSU: 16
Schweinfurth: LSU has been a great story so far this year. I do enjoy Coach O as one of the great "character" coaches in the game to day. I mean, who doesn't love the big Cajun? Here's the problem: LSU has to be absolutely perfect to win this game. There is no room for error. This Bama team is just sick and may be one of the best college teams we have seen since Linert, Bush, and company rolled in the early 2000s for USC. I get the sentiment that the Tide hasn't played anyone and I totally agree with that. LSU has to out score Bama and I just don't see it happening. Burrow will turn the ball over at least once and I kind of expect Tua to score at will. Bama: 42--LSU: 17
Seeberg: For those unaware, the unofficial slogan of your Let's Go Bucks writers this year is "Bama by a million." I can't remember a season when one team seemed so clearly better than all the other horses in the proverbial race. Maybe 1995 Nebraska that obliterated #2 Florida 62-24 in the Fiesta Bowl? I don't know. Regardless, this year's Alabama is that dominant. It's Secretariat at the Belmont, requiring a hilariously wide camera shot to get any other contenders in the frame. A million might be a slight exaggeration, but if this is competitive by mid-3rd quarter I'll be shocked. LSU put together their one great game when they dismantled UGA, and even that effort might not win the day anyways. Bama by a...lot. Bama: 41--LSU: 20
Nebraska Cornhuskers @ #10 THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: How will the Buckeyes respond? Let's look at the recent past when OSU was embarrassed by Iowa last year. They returned home and BLASTED #15 MSU 48-3. Will this be different? Probably, but not much. Nebraska has faced adversity all year but has been improving (albeit with a 3rd string QB). OSU has had the Huskers' number of late (by a lot) and no real reason to think that would change. If the offense fixed the red zone woes during the bye week (please?) this should be a rout. No reason Haskins doesn't go for another 400 through the air against a mediocre at best Nebraska D. Get home, get right, on to the next one. Let's hope the worst thing on the field this week are the God-awful black unis. Neb: 27 -- OSU: 52
Hoying: Playing the Huskers at home: good for what ails ya. The Buckeyes have never lost to Nebraska at home, winning the last 3 matchups 62-3, 63-38, and 34-7 (in the Woody Hayes days). This version of Nebraska is even more hapless than usual, as Scott Frost stumbles through year zero of what could, eventually, be a promising turnaround. The Buckeyes have their own problems to fix, of course, but Nebraska isn't a better-than-advertised dangerous opponent waiting to snakebite an unwary adversary. They're just bad. The Buckeyes will give up some points, as per usual, but either a new and improved offense will romp all over the erstwhile Blackshirts, or we might as well clean house midseason and start letting Brutus call the plays. With all their goals still firmly in front of them, now is when we find out how this team intends to finish. Neb: 24--OSU: 48
Schweinfurth: If there is one thing we can count on after an Ohio State loss is a pissed off, wrecking ball of a team. Add to that Nebraska's recent history against the Bucks (exception: the Bauserbomb game) and this game could get really ugly, really fast. I'm counting on that. I do believe this team swept it's issues under the rug because there was a zero in the loss column. Don't get me wrong, all of the issues are not fixed, but with a bye week they should have at least been addressed. Now it's time to get Dobbins and Weber going this week. That emphasis should see about 150 on the ground and less than 400 yards from Haskins. The Huskers will score a couple of times, but I don't expect this to be close after halftime. Neb: 21--OSU: 49
Seeberg: OK gotta get this off my chest. The black jerseys, by themselves, are pretty sweet. The all-black, however, looks mediocre at best, and a black out at high noon is idiotic. Let's not forget, we tried the black out against Penn State before...but passed out red towels to everyone. "How was your day?" "Not bad...fell off the jetway again." Hopefully our marketing/promotions people can hire outside the pool of dumb and dumber in the future. In any event, onto the game. I have minimal faith in our ability to stop a Martinez-led Nebraska offense. Even as we were putting up video game numbers on them in years past (63), they were scoring with relative ease as well (38). I expect this one to be somewhat closer and lower-scoring, but with two angry weeks to prepare it had better not be close for long. And for the love of all things holy can we PLEASE PLEASE PRETTY F---ING PLEASE put Weber and Dobbins in the backfield simultaneously? The decoy quarterback run has not fooled one defensive player/coach in weeks, but that would cause them to lose their collective minds. I'll hope, but won't hold my breath. See you in the 'Shoe. Neb: 24--OSU: 42
Upset Special
Draper: Missouri over Florida
Hoying: Texas Tech over Oklahoma
Schweinfurth: Northwestern over Notre Dame
Seeberg: Cal over Washington State
1.) Draper 26-10 (1-8 upset)
2.) Hoying 25-11 (1-8 upset)
3.) Seeberg 21-15 (2-7 upset)
4.) Schweinfurth 20-16 (5-4 upset)
To paraphrase a Buckeye legend: road games in October are for pretenders. November is for contenders.
#6 Georgia Bulldogs @ #9 Kentucky Wildcats
Draper: The Kentucky Wildcats in the top 10 again! Congrats to John Calipari on a....wait...this is football? And this is a showdown (potentially) for the SEC East champsionship? Whaaaaaaa????? Mark Stoops has the Wildcats churning as a legit team this year...but they were extremely lucky to take down Mizzou on an untimed down last week. UGA was blasted by LSU, but that was an aberration. I see order being restored in Lexington this week. The Dawgs ascend back to the top of the SEC East. UGA: 27 -- UK: 10
Hoying: Hope you enjoyed last week's appetizer because right here, in Lexington, Kentucky, is the SEC East championship. No, seriously. The winner of this game will have a 1-game lead in the East and tiebreakers over everyone. Is there any reason to believe that the 'Cats aren't going to get run out of their own building? Well, they do have the nation's top scoring defense, never surrendering more than 20 points in a game this season. And they have Westerville's own Benny Snell already closing in on 1,000 yards rushing for the season. But...Florida had a pretty good defense, and they could run the ball a bit, too, and the Dawgs just straight up embarrassed them. Kentucky has had a charmed season to this point, but the dream ends here. UGA: 31--UK: 13
Schweinfurth: Kentucky is having a great season and should make the field this year...of 68 teams that is. Georgia is the better team and are angry. If there is one thing I know it that Dawg H8s everything and everyone. UK barely escaped Mizzou last week. Georgia is on a different level. Good luck. UGA: 35--UK: 14
Seeberg: Can't say I thought I'd ever see the day when an Urban-Meyer-led Ohio State team was looking up in the rankings to Kentucky of all teams. The Wildcats have Urban's national recruiting plan to thank for that, as they continually poach 3-star caliber players from Ohio that might've been scooped up by the Buckeyes in the past. Regardless, a Georgia team that still has an axe to grind after being embarassed by LSU comes calling this week and should put an end to that momentary rankings blip. Any team that barely skates by Missouri has no business hanging with UGA VIII or whatever iteration of bulldog they're on now. Woof woof. UGA: 38--UK: 17
#13 West Virginia Mountaineers @ #17 Texas Longhorns
Draper: Welcome to the Big12 where everything is made up and the points don't matter! Who knows who will be the recipient of a victory when the Big12 Wheel of Destiny spins. Holgo and Will Grier have the Neers rolling, but against whom? The Longhorns were getting routed last week by the Pokes, but rose up to make it a game in a tough road environment. As they return to Darrell K. Royal, I think the coin flips and they get some of that home magic. Ehlinger can match Grier if necessary and the Longhorns have better athletes. It should be a fun game, but the Longhorns emerge. WVU: 27--UT: 38
Hoying: The wheel spins again in the Big 12. First it was Oklahoma's turn to lose, then West Virginia's, then Texas's, and who's on the chopping block next? Well, Oklahoma (see Upset Special below). But one of these teams has to lose as well. The Longhorns showed impressive grit fighting back after getting dominated early by Oklahoma State, something that West Virginia couldn't claim in their embarrassing loss to the Cyclones. Texas has looked like butt in a lot of their games this season, and they're probably still overrated, but this is Texas Tom Herman in a big game against a top opponent. The Horns will bring their A-game this Saturday and do just enough to outperform Will Grier. WVU: 34--UT: 35
Schweinfurth: Remember when everyone thought Texas was back when they beat an Oklahoma team that can't play defense? Yea, that lasted like two weeks. Good try, good effort. Texas is much improved, but so is West Virginia. It's scary when a Big 12 team can play a little defense. Add in Will Grier and that offense and you've got something. I don't think a MENSA membership will save Texas here. WVU: 42--UT: 32
Seeberg: In a year of rampant unpredictability, it's becoming a good assumption that a team that loses poor one week should win the next. Texas Tom is going to put my theory to the test with an excellent WVU offense coming to Austin. I just don't trust the Mountaineers ability to stop...well anyone competent, and any Herman-led offense should be at least that. Go burnt sienna. WVU: 31--UT: 41
#14 Penn State Nittany Lions @ #5 Michigan Wolverines
Draper: Good news: someone will lose. Bad news: someone will win. What to do what to do? I think Michigan is starting to grow a little too big for their britches as the expectations continue to soar in Ann Arbor. The defense is solid as we’ve known, but the offense is so-so. The run game with Higdon is nice, but I’m not sold on Shea Patterson. Penn State will forever be the team that could have been for 2018. McSorley is really good (aside from his punchable face), but outside of that, the talent is somewhat mediocre. With the game in the Big House, there’s really no reason to think a reeling Penn State can take down the Big Bad Wolverines (even if they are listening to all the “rat poison” in the media). Let’s let the Blue get fat on these competitors and hope we can tear it down in Columbus. It’s closer than you might objectively think, but Michigan rolls on. PSU: 17—UM: 24
Schweinfurth: Two teams I love to watch lose. I guess the best part of this game will be watching a team get their playoff hearts ripped out. Unfortunately, I don't think that team will be TUN. Penn State is a on trick pony on offense: Trace McSorely. Add to that the "great" coaching of James Franklin and you have a bona fide loss against an aggressive and very good defense. This game will be closer than the 10 point spread just because Harbooger's offense is still a train wreck. I just wish I could pick both teams to lose. Please just beat the crap out of each other. PSU: 13--UM:17
Seeberg: How the mighty have fallen...and how the formerly mighty have possibly risen. Definitely two teams heading opposite directions at the moment. As previously stated here on Let's Go Bucks, competent quarterback play was literally all Harbaugh needed with that lights-out D to make the maize and blue legitimate conference title and CFP contenders. It's looking more and more like that opening week scare against App State was more indicative of who this Nittany Lion squad is...I just wish this pick wouldn't make Desmond look like he actually knows what he's talking about. After this week, the only thing Penn State students will be able to chant is WE ARE...OUTBACK BOWL BOUND. PSU: 16--UM: 27
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide @ #3 Louisiana State Tigers
Draper: Boy, I'm glad these teams got a bye before this epic showdown. Those SEC schedules 'magically' workout. Everyone's talking about this as the game of the year...and they're probably right. This is the toughest regular season match for Alabama this year by a mile, and Death Valley is no joke...but I just don't see it. OSU fans continually beat the drum on the greatness of Joe Burrow, but I don't see it. Yes, he may be the best LSU quarterback of the last 50 years, but the Tigahs aren't really known for top team QB play. He's serviceable...and that won't get it done against the Tide. LSU's defense is very stout as well....but that won't work against Bama either. I'm guessing the crowd keeps Coach O alive in this game for about a half, then the inexorable certainty of Bama will take over. Bama: 31--LSU: 13
Hoying: BAMA BY A MIL---I mean, finally Bamapocalypse has arrived. And no, I don't mean that the Tide is finally playing a team with a pulse, I mean it's Bamapocalypse for LSU, because they'll be praying for pestilence, war, famine, and death by the time this one is over. Yeah, the Tigers can play some defense. Meet my friend Tua-13.6-yards-per-attempt-Tagovailoa. Yeah, Joe Burrow's made a few clutch throws here and there. He also has a 53.8% completion percentage and has been sacked 18 times. The spread is 14, which might be the difference at the end of the first quarter if Nick Saban is being charitable toward his former school. LSU hasn't beaten Alabama since 2011, and that pissed the Tide off so bad that they swindled their way into the BCS Championship that same year so that they could grind LSU into fine powder. That might've been the best team that LSU has ever had, and the 2018 Tide may be the best team Alabama has ever had (and Alabama has a wee bit of history as an elite program). This may be the only ranked (at season's end) team Alabama plays before the SEC Championship. Do you really think there's a chance the Tide can lose this? Really? Bama: 38--LSU: 16
Schweinfurth: LSU has been a great story so far this year. I do enjoy Coach O as one of the great "character" coaches in the game to day. I mean, who doesn't love the big Cajun? Here's the problem: LSU has to be absolutely perfect to win this game. There is no room for error. This Bama team is just sick and may be one of the best college teams we have seen since Linert, Bush, and company rolled in the early 2000s for USC. I get the sentiment that the Tide hasn't played anyone and I totally agree with that. LSU has to out score Bama and I just don't see it happening. Burrow will turn the ball over at least once and I kind of expect Tua to score at will. Bama: 42--LSU: 17
Seeberg: For those unaware, the unofficial slogan of your Let's Go Bucks writers this year is "Bama by a million." I can't remember a season when one team seemed so clearly better than all the other horses in the proverbial race. Maybe 1995 Nebraska that obliterated #2 Florida 62-24 in the Fiesta Bowl? I don't know. Regardless, this year's Alabama is that dominant. It's Secretariat at the Belmont, requiring a hilariously wide camera shot to get any other contenders in the frame. A million might be a slight exaggeration, but if this is competitive by mid-3rd quarter I'll be shocked. LSU put together their one great game when they dismantled UGA, and even that effort might not win the day anyways. Bama by a...lot. Bama: 41--LSU: 20
Nebraska Cornhuskers @ #10 THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: How will the Buckeyes respond? Let's look at the recent past when OSU was embarrassed by Iowa last year. They returned home and BLASTED #15 MSU 48-3. Will this be different? Probably, but not much. Nebraska has faced adversity all year but has been improving (albeit with a 3rd string QB). OSU has had the Huskers' number of late (by a lot) and no real reason to think that would change. If the offense fixed the red zone woes during the bye week (please?) this should be a rout. No reason Haskins doesn't go for another 400 through the air against a mediocre at best Nebraska D. Get home, get right, on to the next one. Let's hope the worst thing on the field this week are the God-awful black unis. Neb: 27 -- OSU: 52
Hoying: Playing the Huskers at home: good for what ails ya. The Buckeyes have never lost to Nebraska at home, winning the last 3 matchups 62-3, 63-38, and 34-7 (in the Woody Hayes days). This version of Nebraska is even more hapless than usual, as Scott Frost stumbles through year zero of what could, eventually, be a promising turnaround. The Buckeyes have their own problems to fix, of course, but Nebraska isn't a better-than-advertised dangerous opponent waiting to snakebite an unwary adversary. They're just bad. The Buckeyes will give up some points, as per usual, but either a new and improved offense will romp all over the erstwhile Blackshirts, or we might as well clean house midseason and start letting Brutus call the plays. With all their goals still firmly in front of them, now is when we find out how this team intends to finish. Neb: 24--OSU: 48
Schweinfurth: If there is one thing we can count on after an Ohio State loss is a pissed off, wrecking ball of a team. Add to that Nebraska's recent history against the Bucks (exception: the Bauserbomb game) and this game could get really ugly, really fast. I'm counting on that. I do believe this team swept it's issues under the rug because there was a zero in the loss column. Don't get me wrong, all of the issues are not fixed, but with a bye week they should have at least been addressed. Now it's time to get Dobbins and Weber going this week. That emphasis should see about 150 on the ground and less than 400 yards from Haskins. The Huskers will score a couple of times, but I don't expect this to be close after halftime. Neb: 21--OSU: 49
Seeberg: OK gotta get this off my chest. The black jerseys, by themselves, are pretty sweet. The all-black, however, looks mediocre at best, and a black out at high noon is idiotic. Let's not forget, we tried the black out against Penn State before...but passed out red towels to everyone. "How was your day?" "Not bad...fell off the jetway again." Hopefully our marketing/promotions people can hire outside the pool of dumb and dumber in the future. In any event, onto the game. I have minimal faith in our ability to stop a Martinez-led Nebraska offense. Even as we were putting up video game numbers on them in years past (63), they were scoring with relative ease as well (38). I expect this one to be somewhat closer and lower-scoring, but with two angry weeks to prepare it had better not be close for long. And for the love of all things holy can we PLEASE PLEASE PRETTY F---ING PLEASE put Weber and Dobbins in the backfield simultaneously? The decoy quarterback run has not fooled one defensive player/coach in weeks, but that would cause them to lose their collective minds. I'll hope, but won't hold my breath. See you in the 'Shoe. Neb: 24--OSU: 42
Upset Special
Draper: Missouri over Florida
Hoying: Texas Tech over Oklahoma
Schweinfurth: Northwestern over Notre Dame
Seeberg: Cal over Washington State
Friday, October 26, 2018
Week 9: The Buckeyes Are Off
Standings:
1.) Draper 23-10 (1-7 upset)
1.) Hoying 23-10 (1-7 upset)
3.) Seeberg 20-13 (1-7 upset)
4.) Schweinfurth 18-15 (4-4 upset)
Now that the Buckeyes' recent successful run of games has come to an end, they've wisely chosen to pass on playing this week. Accordingly, we understand your interest in this week's games is secondary at best; we'll try to tone down our writing this week to keep any offensive lines to a minimum. Actually you need not read these picks at all. Or even watch football for that matter. Maybe there's a game you'd like to play, or some calling on friends you'd like to do.
#9 Florida Gators vs. #7 Georgia Bulldogs
Draper: Sorry everyone, even though the Dawgs took a lickin’ last game, I see a massive resurgence vs. the Gators in the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. The Gators have been surprisingly....good...this year. I certainly didn’t see that coming, but Georgia arguably has the second best talent in the land and it will show in Jacksonville. The Gators believe they are ‘back’, but Smart and company will end the talks of a return to greatness. UF: 13–UGA:30
Hoying: So continues the Great Kentucky Chase of 2018. Who's keeping pace and who's gearing up to fight for the Bloomin' Onion in the Outback Bowl? Conventional wisdom seems to put the Dawgs on top. Just two weeks ago everyone was salivating to see Bama and Georgia back in the playoff together after clashing at 12-0 apiece in the SEC title game. Unfortunately Georgia has been exposed as the hackfrauds that they are after getting dismantled by LSU in Death Valley. Florida has a semi-competent QB for the first time since Will Grier out of town, and that appears to have been the only piece holding them back from relevance. But are they really good enough to beat Georgia? Turnovers were the key to the Gators taking down LSU, and I don't see Jake Fromm having the kind of day Joe Burrow had in the Swamp a few weeks ago. Dawgs close. UF: 20--UGA: 24
Schweinfurth: It's actually a party this year! It's been a while since this game has meant as much. I am impressed as to how quickly Dan Mullen turned the Gators around. I didn't expect them to turn around this quickly. Which is why I'm going with the Dawgs. Georgia is a flawed team, but everyone with the exception of Bama is flawed. I just don't think Florida is back yet, but they are close. UF: 31--UGA: 35
Seeberg: Wait, the Gators are in the top 10?? Well at least that mistake will be short-lived as they have to visit an angry UGA squad. I wouldn't expect the same lousy output from the offensive side of the ball this weekend. Bulldogs stay in the coveted CFP conversation. UF: 13--UGA: 27
#18 Iowa Hawkeyes @ #17 Penn State Nittany Lions
Draper: This game is really, really tough. Iowa has quietly put together a nice little run on the season while Penn State has been pretty mediocre for a so-called “great team”. Losses to MSU and OSU are excusable, but they aren’t taking the next step as expected. Iowa always seems to be the team to win when they are coming from nowhere and no one expects it. While no one expects it here, I think the Lions right the ship. McSorley and company are the better team top to bottom, and I think this is a get right game at home. I expect either a barn burner or a PSU blowout. Iowa: 27–PSU: 28
Hoying: Remember when everyone thought Penn State was good? Why did we think that again? Because they stopped Ohio State from running the ball? Because they blew out Pitt and Illinois? Meanwhile, Iowa is a late collapse against Wisconsin from making their first run at an undefeated regular season since 2015. Their defense is a legitimate threat, and let's not forget that the Hawkeyes were a play away from beating Penn State last season, even with Saquon Barkley. The Lions are coming apart at the seams, and I don't expect this skid to end until their rivalry with Rutgers is renewed in late November. Iowa: 27--PSU: 24
Schweinfurth: I'm not sold on either of these teams. Penn State has relied on the big play to put up points and seems to struggle when forced to drive the field. Iowa is a tight end heavy, defensive team devoid of any real playmakers. Still, Iowa has a tendency to step up at big times and Kirk Ferentz is a much better in game coach than mister "run zone read on fourth and five." Penn State has the fire power to keep it close, but Iowa just grinds the Nittany Kitties into dust. Iowa: 17--PSU: 14
Seeberg: State College has really been Not-So-Happy Valley lately, with the Lions dropping two straight to OSU and MSU before cranking out a super weak win at Indiana. Don't expect their luck to change anytime soon, either. Trace McSor-loser is reeling as of late, and the Hawkeye defense are licking their chops to make him and the suddenly pedestrian PSU offense their next victim. Iowa pulls out the road win. Iowa: 27--PSU: 23
#14 Washington State Cougars @ #24 Stanford Cardinal
Draper: Another interesting game that doesn’t reeeeeally matter. I’m going to bite again because I love Mike Leach, even on the Paloose. These are the games that Stanford usually wins because everyone assumes they’re done and they keep winning because they won’t go away. I just can’t quit you Mike Leach. I love the ingenuity and the pass heavy offense. Stanford will try to slow the game down and frustrate the Cougs, but I think they (want them to?) keep rolling here. Stanford finally shows the true colors and their bid for a Pac12 title is essentially gone. WSU: 31–Stan:27
Hoying: Hey, is it 2002? No, it can't be, Ohio State's defense is terrible. But Washington State is still in a conference race well into October, doing their impression of a better version of Ohio State (all passing, no rushing). But they haven't played a team of Purdue's caliber yet. That ends this week, when they meet a Stanford team that is...also all passing and no rushing? Typical West Coast, just being weird for the sake of weird. The Cardinal haven't really done anything but punk Herm Edwards since Bryce Love went down, getting blown out by Notre Dame and Utah. Wazzu usually faceplants in a game like this about this time of year, but Stanford's not good enough to beat them at their own game. WSU: 38--Stan: 24
Schweinfurth: Where did the Cougs come from? Seriously, these guys weren't even considered as a PAC-12 contender to start the year, but here we are. Stanford just hasn't looked right all year and Bryce Love has been less than spectacular. The Cardinal wide outs and tight ends are huge and will give the Cougar defensive back nightmares all game long. The difference is the Mike Leach offense putting up a ton of points. WSU: 42--Stan: 27
Seeberg: Come on, are we actually fooling ourselves into thinking that Washington State is the real deal? Winning with College Gameday in town is one thing, but going on the road to Stanford (and their 100 screaming fans) is a bit taller order. Stanford gets back on track in the Pac-12 North hunt with a big win. WSU: 28--Stan: 34
Upset Special
Draper: Navy over Notre Dame
Hoying: Florida State over Clemson
Schweinfurth: Northwestern over Wisconsin
Seeberg: California over Washington
1.) Draper 23-10 (1-7 upset)
1.) Hoying 23-10 (1-7 upset)
3.) Seeberg 20-13 (1-7 upset)
4.) Schweinfurth 18-15 (4-4 upset)
Now that the Buckeyes' recent successful run of games has come to an end, they've wisely chosen to pass on playing this week. Accordingly, we understand your interest in this week's games is secondary at best; we'll try to tone down our writing this week to keep any offensive lines to a minimum. Actually you need not read these picks at all. Or even watch football for that matter. Maybe there's a game you'd like to play, or some calling on friends you'd like to do.
#9 Florida Gators vs. #7 Georgia Bulldogs
Draper: Sorry everyone, even though the Dawgs took a lickin’ last game, I see a massive resurgence vs. the Gators in the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. The Gators have been surprisingly....good...this year. I certainly didn’t see that coming, but Georgia arguably has the second best talent in the land and it will show in Jacksonville. The Gators believe they are ‘back’, but Smart and company will end the talks of a return to greatness. UF: 13–UGA:30
Hoying: So continues the Great Kentucky Chase of 2018. Who's keeping pace and who's gearing up to fight for the Bloomin' Onion in the Outback Bowl? Conventional wisdom seems to put the Dawgs on top. Just two weeks ago everyone was salivating to see Bama and Georgia back in the playoff together after clashing at 12-0 apiece in the SEC title game. Unfortunately Georgia has been exposed as the hackfrauds that they are after getting dismantled by LSU in Death Valley. Florida has a semi-competent QB for the first time since Will Grier out of town, and that appears to have been the only piece holding them back from relevance. But are they really good enough to beat Georgia? Turnovers were the key to the Gators taking down LSU, and I don't see Jake Fromm having the kind of day Joe Burrow had in the Swamp a few weeks ago. Dawgs close. UF: 20--UGA: 24
Schweinfurth: It's actually a party this year! It's been a while since this game has meant as much. I am impressed as to how quickly Dan Mullen turned the Gators around. I didn't expect them to turn around this quickly. Which is why I'm going with the Dawgs. Georgia is a flawed team, but everyone with the exception of Bama is flawed. I just don't think Florida is back yet, but they are close. UF: 31--UGA: 35
Seeberg: Wait, the Gators are in the top 10?? Well at least that mistake will be short-lived as they have to visit an angry UGA squad. I wouldn't expect the same lousy output from the offensive side of the ball this weekend. Bulldogs stay in the coveted CFP conversation. UF: 13--UGA: 27
#18 Iowa Hawkeyes @ #17 Penn State Nittany Lions
Draper: This game is really, really tough. Iowa has quietly put together a nice little run on the season while Penn State has been pretty mediocre for a so-called “great team”. Losses to MSU and OSU are excusable, but they aren’t taking the next step as expected. Iowa always seems to be the team to win when they are coming from nowhere and no one expects it. While no one expects it here, I think the Lions right the ship. McSorley and company are the better team top to bottom, and I think this is a get right game at home. I expect either a barn burner or a PSU blowout. Iowa: 27–PSU: 28
Hoying: Remember when everyone thought Penn State was good? Why did we think that again? Because they stopped Ohio State from running the ball? Because they blew out Pitt and Illinois? Meanwhile, Iowa is a late collapse against Wisconsin from making their first run at an undefeated regular season since 2015. Their defense is a legitimate threat, and let's not forget that the Hawkeyes were a play away from beating Penn State last season, even with Saquon Barkley. The Lions are coming apart at the seams, and I don't expect this skid to end until their rivalry with Rutgers is renewed in late November. Iowa: 27--PSU: 24
Schweinfurth: I'm not sold on either of these teams. Penn State has relied on the big play to put up points and seems to struggle when forced to drive the field. Iowa is a tight end heavy, defensive team devoid of any real playmakers. Still, Iowa has a tendency to step up at big times and Kirk Ferentz is a much better in game coach than mister "run zone read on fourth and five." Penn State has the fire power to keep it close, but Iowa just grinds the Nittany Kitties into dust. Iowa: 17--PSU: 14
Seeberg: State College has really been Not-So-Happy Valley lately, with the Lions dropping two straight to OSU and MSU before cranking out a super weak win at Indiana. Don't expect their luck to change anytime soon, either. Trace McSor-loser is reeling as of late, and the Hawkeye defense are licking their chops to make him and the suddenly pedestrian PSU offense their next victim. Iowa pulls out the road win. Iowa: 27--PSU: 23
#14 Washington State Cougars @ #24 Stanford Cardinal
Draper: Another interesting game that doesn’t reeeeeally matter. I’m going to bite again because I love Mike Leach, even on the Paloose. These are the games that Stanford usually wins because everyone assumes they’re done and they keep winning because they won’t go away. I just can’t quit you Mike Leach. I love the ingenuity and the pass heavy offense. Stanford will try to slow the game down and frustrate the Cougs, but I think they (want them to?) keep rolling here. Stanford finally shows the true colors and their bid for a Pac12 title is essentially gone. WSU: 31–Stan:27
Hoying: Hey, is it 2002? No, it can't be, Ohio State's defense is terrible. But Washington State is still in a conference race well into October, doing their impression of a better version of Ohio State (all passing, no rushing). But they haven't played a team of Purdue's caliber yet. That ends this week, when they meet a Stanford team that is...also all passing and no rushing? Typical West Coast, just being weird for the sake of weird. The Cardinal haven't really done anything but punk Herm Edwards since Bryce Love went down, getting blown out by Notre Dame and Utah. Wazzu usually faceplants in a game like this about this time of year, but Stanford's not good enough to beat them at their own game. WSU: 38--Stan: 24
Schweinfurth: Where did the Cougs come from? Seriously, these guys weren't even considered as a PAC-12 contender to start the year, but here we are. Stanford just hasn't looked right all year and Bryce Love has been less than spectacular. The Cardinal wide outs and tight ends are huge and will give the Cougar defensive back nightmares all game long. The difference is the Mike Leach offense putting up a ton of points. WSU: 42--Stan: 27
Seeberg: Come on, are we actually fooling ourselves into thinking that Washington State is the real deal? Winning with College Gameday in town is one thing, but going on the road to Stanford (and their 100 screaming fans) is a bit taller order. Stanford gets back on track in the Pac-12 North hunt with a big win. WSU: 28--Stan: 34
Upset Special
Draper: Navy over Notre Dame
Hoying: Florida State over Clemson
Schweinfurth: Northwestern over Wisconsin
Seeberg: California over Washington
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Grading the Bucks: Week 8--Purdue
Well, that sucked. There's very little positive to talk about here so let's go.
Offense: F
This gameplan (see the coaching section) is simply baffling. We have (arguably) the most talented passer in the history of Ohio State...and we continue to throw weird screens and inexplicably run QB draws. Honestly, we have plus athletes at QB, RB, and WR....but the offensive line downgrades everyone. This is one of the worst offensive lines I've seen at OSU. We hear the mantra of building inside out, and boy does that ring true here. Haskins has been able to work through it...somewhat...but his numbers would put Tu'a to shame if he had that Bama line. The running backs are supremely talented but they can't get through with no protection. Also, their will seems to have diminished when they know help isn't coming shown by the lack of broken tackles lately. Putting up 6 meaningful points against Purdue....that can't happen. The redzone offense is a dumpster fire and something needs to change. When the O-line of OSU can't push PURDUE back for 1 freaking yard, there is a major issue.
Defense: D+
Defense, while bad, wasn't the reason for the loss. They played well against a pretty strong Purdue offense until the 4th. Honestly, I was going to give them a B until they threw in the towel and quit in the 4th quarter (when the game was honestly still in reach...barely). The D-line is the plus unit here, but offenses nullify the pass rush with the west cost dink and dunk. There's enough tape out there for teams to exploit this weakness. The secondary was OK, but not good by any stretch. Also, discipline (in every phase--see coaching) is a MAJOR problem.
Special Teams: F
Haubeil missed a kick which, while it sucked, wasn't the driving problem. A running into the punter AND a later roughing the punter penalty is inexcusable. I honestly don't understand this mentality on punts. A more conservative approach is needed. The gain of the block punt (low probability) is completely overshadowed (with this team) by the negative of a penalty (reasonably high probability).
Coaching: BUTT
This team wasn't ready. They weren't set up for success and that's on the coaches. They're undisciplined and show no signs of want to improve. That's on the coaches. 2 drives were directly extended due to idiotic penalties (roughing passer & punter). 2 drives were directly ruined by stupid penalties (false starts on 3rd and short--Prince). Talk about major swings in momentum. The roughing the passer killed all thought of a comeback and the false starts put the team in a hole on good drives. How can a team like OSU not gain a yard with the athletes in scarlet and gray? Ridiculous. How can we see a major upgrade in passing ability/efficiency and squander it to no end? By the way, I also said last year that JT wasn't prepared to match his skill set. Somehow the coaches were handed a ferrari and still can't figure it out with Haskins. Now, it's odd to complain here when Haskins has 3 of the top 4 passing yardage games in OSU history, but this is a combination of a changing game, playing from behind (what?), and simply his supreme ability. Haskins is the most talented passer I've seen at OSU and while he's breaking records, I still think he's criminally underutilized. Ryan Day was scheming for Haskins skillset. It appears that Urban is trying to make Haskins fit his spread scheme, and it's not the right fit.
Overall: F-
For some reason, OSU likes to go big when they fall. This is a faceplant of epic proportions only rivaled by last year's Iowa game (emerging pattern?). The good news: they usually rebound with a vengeance. I do think that Urban is going to take a long hard look at his future in the mirror and decide what path to take. Note: I do not advocate firing (arguably) the most successful coach in OSU history, but I think he's kicking around the idea of retirement again with all the 'stuff' swirling from the offseason, the red flags from the past few years, and simply the fact that coaching takes an enormous toll. Once again, I do NOT advocate releasing Urban as the Buckeyes track record over his tenure is easily in the top 3 in the country. Obviously, Bama is 1 and Clemson/OSU are 2/3, but for fans to get their pitchforks out, is just ridiculous. When you say there is one school you'd definitely trade with and no one else, you can't be super upset. Hopefully, this was a bump in the road. No one wants to say it so I guess I will. Win out (tall order with this team) and you're still in the playoff. And then....Bama by a million (copyright Steven Hoying).
Offense: F
This gameplan (see the coaching section) is simply baffling. We have (arguably) the most talented passer in the history of Ohio State...and we continue to throw weird screens and inexplicably run QB draws. Honestly, we have plus athletes at QB, RB, and WR....but the offensive line downgrades everyone. This is one of the worst offensive lines I've seen at OSU. We hear the mantra of building inside out, and boy does that ring true here. Haskins has been able to work through it...somewhat...but his numbers would put Tu'a to shame if he had that Bama line. The running backs are supremely talented but they can't get through with no protection. Also, their will seems to have diminished when they know help isn't coming shown by the lack of broken tackles lately. Putting up 6 meaningful points against Purdue....that can't happen. The redzone offense is a dumpster fire and something needs to change. When the O-line of OSU can't push PURDUE back for 1 freaking yard, there is a major issue.
Defense: D+
Defense, while bad, wasn't the reason for the loss. They played well against a pretty strong Purdue offense until the 4th. Honestly, I was going to give them a B until they threw in the towel and quit in the 4th quarter (when the game was honestly still in reach...barely). The D-line is the plus unit here, but offenses nullify the pass rush with the west cost dink and dunk. There's enough tape out there for teams to exploit this weakness. The secondary was OK, but not good by any stretch. Also, discipline (in every phase--see coaching) is a MAJOR problem.
Special Teams: F
Haubeil missed a kick which, while it sucked, wasn't the driving problem. A running into the punter AND a later roughing the punter penalty is inexcusable. I honestly don't understand this mentality on punts. A more conservative approach is needed. The gain of the block punt (low probability) is completely overshadowed (with this team) by the negative of a penalty (reasonably high probability).
Coaching: BUTT
This team wasn't ready. They weren't set up for success and that's on the coaches. They're undisciplined and show no signs of want to improve. That's on the coaches. 2 drives were directly extended due to idiotic penalties (roughing passer & punter). 2 drives were directly ruined by stupid penalties (false starts on 3rd and short--Prince). Talk about major swings in momentum. The roughing the passer killed all thought of a comeback and the false starts put the team in a hole on good drives. How can a team like OSU not gain a yard with the athletes in scarlet and gray? Ridiculous. How can we see a major upgrade in passing ability/efficiency and squander it to no end? By the way, I also said last year that JT wasn't prepared to match his skill set. Somehow the coaches were handed a ferrari and still can't figure it out with Haskins. Now, it's odd to complain here when Haskins has 3 of the top 4 passing yardage games in OSU history, but this is a combination of a changing game, playing from behind (what?), and simply his supreme ability. Haskins is the most talented passer I've seen at OSU and while he's breaking records, I still think he's criminally underutilized. Ryan Day was scheming for Haskins skillset. It appears that Urban is trying to make Haskins fit his spread scheme, and it's not the right fit.
Overall: F-
For some reason, OSU likes to go big when they fall. This is a faceplant of epic proportions only rivaled by last year's Iowa game (emerging pattern?). The good news: they usually rebound with a vengeance. I do think that Urban is going to take a long hard look at his future in the mirror and decide what path to take. Note: I do not advocate firing (arguably) the most successful coach in OSU history, but I think he's kicking around the idea of retirement again with all the 'stuff' swirling from the offseason, the red flags from the past few years, and simply the fact that coaching takes an enormous toll. Once again, I do NOT advocate releasing Urban as the Buckeyes track record over his tenure is easily in the top 3 in the country. Obviously, Bama is 1 and Clemson/OSU are 2/3, but for fans to get their pitchforks out, is just ridiculous. When you say there is one school you'd definitely trade with and no one else, you can't be super upset. Hopefully, this was a bump in the road. No one wants to say it so I guess I will. Win out (tall order with this team) and you're still in the playoff. And then....Bama by a million (copyright Steven Hoying).
Friday, October 19, 2018
Week 8: Hammer Into Anvil
Standings:
1.) Draper 19-9 (1-6 upset)
1.) Hoying 19-9 (1-6 upset)
3.) Seeberg 17-11 (1-6 upset)
4.) Schweinfurth 16-12 (4-3 upset)
Congratulations on surviving Chaos Week 2018. Your reward: a quartet of ranked matchups ranging from close to home to the Oregon Territory, and the Buckeyes' second true road test of the year.
#6 Michigan Wolverines @ #24 Michigan State Spartans
Draper: Can the Wolverines get that elusive win over a ranked team on the road (finally)? I'm leaning yes...but what an asterisk against a #24 team. I really have no faith in the Spartans this year. Every game I've seen of the Spartans play this year has been a total disaster. I truly have no clue what happened vs. PSU last week. Michigan looked great against Wisconsin, although I don't know what that means exactly. Shea Patterson was fine and I think he'll be just fine again. More importantly, Karan Higdon is playing quite well and I think they get it done (but I still don't care. UM: 20--MSU: 10
Hoying: Monkey #1 off Jim Harbaugh's back: the Wolverines finally beat a top 15 opponent for the first time since beating Wisconsin (again) back in 2016. But if Monkey #1 was Tiny Kong, then Monkey #2 is Donkey Kong: trying to beat a ranked opponent on the road. The Wolverines haven't this under Jim Harbaugh, nor under Brady Hoke, nor under Rich Rodriguez, not since beating Brady Quinn's Notre Dame back in September 2006. So should the Maize and Blue faithful be worried? Eh...no. Michigan State kind of sucks this year. They got their annual snakebite out of the way last week, taking down Penn State. But, they kind of suck; the offense doesn't work in either capacity and the defense is nothing special either, stymieing of Penn State notwithstanding. The Wolverines, on the other hand, are slowly turning into the death machine we were promised three years ago, with an elite defense, a great running game, and a Krenzel-esque QB who distinguishes himself by not being total garbage like the typical Michigan signal caller under Ol' Khaki. Are they elite? Well, no, but only one team is this year (no prizes for guessing who). But they're certainly good enough to take out years of frustration on Little Brother. UM: 27--MSU: 10
Schweinfurth: Michigan on the road against a ranked team...nothing more needs to be said. UM: 17--MSU: 20
Seeberg: Sparty...yes? Michigan State turned in a vintage performance last week, turning their game at Happy Valley into a boring slogfest and winning with a late score (see: 2015 vs. Ohio State). I must admit, seeing Penn State fans sad on TV is, for me, the new seeing UM fans sad, as that has become pretty ubiquitous of late. At least until this year. As previously stated here on this site, the Wolverines finally appear to have a competent offense to go with their typically elite D. Sparty will still be up for this game even after their big win, but the adrenaline can only carry them so far, as the khaki devil gets at least one rivalry win this season. UM: 31--MSU: 21
#16 North Carolina State Wolfpack @ #3 Clemson Tigers
Draper: NC State may be undefeated, but does anyone care? No. Clemson got right against Wake, and while State is certainly better, they aren't that good. Clemson returns to the friendly confines of Death Valley and the 400 yard bus ride and should take care of business. I know nothing about NC State this year, but Clemson is still the team in the ACC. Put em at home, and the only chance is to take out all viable QBs (see: Syracuse game). I don't think NC State has Chubb anymore so lean on the Tigers. The best chance for the Wolfpack is when Clemson gets caught looking ahead to the Noles...nevermind. NCSU: 10--Clem: 27
Hoying: Here you have it, folks, the last battle of unbeatens until the playoff, potentially (nobody cares about you, AAC). Just as we all suspected, it's Clemson versus...NC State? Weren't they last year's flash in the pan? And I mean a quick flash, like 8000 shutter speed. But here they are, at 5-0, which I would normally say is a bit of a mirage since they got rained out of the West Virginia game earlier this year. But the 'Neers may have exposed themselves last weekend, so maybe the Pack just got hosed out of what would have appeared to be a quality win. Whatever. Clemson is clicking on a whole different level at the moment, as long as their QBs aren't all injured (or transferred out). NC State's anemic ground game (gulp) will finally catch up to them as the Tigers get their statement win of the season and cruise toward the playoff. NCSU: 10--Clem: 24
Schweinfurth: NCSU: 7--Clem: 35
Seeberg: Ah yes, the yearly, east-coast version of "is Texas back?". "Is NC State for real?" We know they've been churning out high-level QBs for a decade plus now, but not much else. Their MO is to play the big games close but do something colossally idiotic late, something so bad it could cause them to lose to lesser teams, much less one with a defensive line like Clemson's that rivals the Bucks' D-line even at full strength (RIP Buckeye Bosas- man were they good, wish they had more brothers). There's just no way the Wolfpack can string together four well-played quarters, which is an absolute necessity to win in Death Valley. NCSU: 13--Clem: 24
#22 Mississippi State Bulldogs @ #5 Louisiana State Tigers
Draper: Spin the wheel of random ranked matchups in the SEC. They all cannibalize each other and no one knows if they're any good. Joe Burrow got the HUGE win against the Dawgs last week (when does LSU leave home?) and Georgia is far....FAR better than Mississippi State. Nick Fitzpatrick is a nice dual threat QB, but the Tigers are too solid top to bottom. The Bulldogs were also tenderized by the Tide last week. Coach O and the Tigers take out the dogs and get ready to be served up as a sacrifice on the altar of Nick Satan...er.. Saban in the near future. MSU: 17--LSU: 27
Hoying: Didn't we just do this? I feel like we just keep shuffling around the SEC West teams until we find the week's ranked matchup. Whom does Alabama play this week? Oh right, nobody, cause Bama ain't played nobody yet, Pawwwwwl. Maybe they'll be my upset pick this wee....ahahahahahaha. So let's see, LSU vs. MSU. The Bulldogs were in a nosedive until the other tailspinner in the SEC, Auburn blew right past them and crashed first, so MSU got to limp along for a week before getting destroyed by the rest of their schedule. Starting with LSU. There's a possibility for a letdown here after blowing out Georgia (!), and I don't think the Tigers are reeeeallly as good as they looked last week. But this is no look-ahead game; LSU is on a bye next week, so they can afford to turn their whole focus on this matchup. By the way, the MVP for LSU is whoever set up this schedule. Georgia, MSU, and Alabama, three games in a row, all at home? With the bye week right before Bama? I know, the schedule as a whole is brutal, leading off with Miami and getting their annual Florida crossover game, but still. Way to set LSU up for a victory this week. MSU: 17--LSU: 20
Schweinfurth: MSU: 13--LSU: 31
Seeberg: Hmmm, LSU coming off a big win. We've been bit by this before, watching them get dumped in the Swamp after crushing Ole Miss. The win against Georgia came surprisingly easy, however, and may not have taken as much out of the TIgers as anticipated. Keeping on the 1-loss track, coupled with a hopeful upset over Bama (not likely) gives us Burreaux vs. Haskins in the playoff, which would be just absurdly poetic, possibly the only thing better than watching our 3rd string QB win a national title would be watching our top 2 QBs each lead a team to the CFP. Lose this one, though, and all that's out the window. What gives me solace is that the Bulldogs are also coming off a big win, shutting down Auburn last week. Sorry Clanga, no back-to-back big wins for you. MSU: 20--LSU: 31
#12 Oregon Ducks @ #25 Washington State Cougars
Draper: You did it Washington State! After literally 15 years of begging for Gameday to come to Pullman with Old Crimson, they have arrived. Granted, the crew will leave as soon as the show is over to go see a random Ohio State game, but they did come there....under protest. I love love love Mike Leach as the readers (reader?) of this blog know. The mad scientist continually reinvents the game (see some weird sideways snaps that arrived earlier this year). I'm not buying into the Ducks this year (which is likely a mistake), but I'm hearing all this talk about Herbert going number one in the NFL draft (watch out for Haskins) and I don't think he's very good. Honestly, this is one of the biggest games in Pullman history that isn't an Apple Cup. I get burned every time, but I'm a child that doesn't learn from past mistakes...Arrrrr MATEY! Mike Leach gets the win and the Pac12 falls further into obscurity. Ore: 41--WSU: 45
Hoying: Ugh, they're still ranking Pac-12 teams. And visiting them with national college football shows even though they're at best the 4th most interesting game of the week. I'm pretty sure the Pac-12 died when Pete Carroll left for the Seahawks. Or when he committed all those violations at USC and torpedoed the program before he left. Anyway, Oregon is one stupid comeback away from being unbeaten and Washington State is one blocked field goal and an overtime away from the same, so I guess we should take this write-up seriously. How can we compare these two teams? They both played San Jose State, and they both blew the Spartans out (don't let the Oregon score fool you), so they're both better than a really, really awful team? I don't know. Ducks QB Justin Herbert is supposed to be the next big thing in the NFL, but this is college, baby, and you're not going to out-throw Mike Leach. Gardner Minshew is one of two QBs with more yards than Haskins, and the pirate ship is as on-course as it's ever been, mateys. Ducks suffer a letdown loss and the Cougs press onward in the hunt for their first-ever division title. Ore: 31--WSU: 34
Schweinfurth: Ole' Crimson is going home! Ore: 45--WSU: 38
Seeberg: Well, this game is the rub for me. I trusted the Ducks twice, was rewarded once, but was also forced to watch between my fingers at their epic collapse against Stanford. On the other side of this one, despite a pretty 5-1 record and roughly 87,000 passing yards, the Cougars may just be a mirage, having lost to a down USC squad and mustering just 28 points the next week in a narrow win at home against a ho-hum Utah team. Oregon got the big-game monkey off their back beating the Huskies last week, and it should carry over against the Pac-12s version of Little Brother. Ducks win a fun one. Ore: 42--WSU: 34
#2 THE Ohio State University Buckeyes @ Purdue Boilermakers
Draper: Is this the biggest trap game in Ohio State History (since last year's Iowa game)? I got a feeling about this game, and it's just weird...in a good way. I know we get everyone's best shot, but everyone has clicked against us recently. Some of that is due to a defense and O-line that simply aren't as good as we have been used to recently, but sometimes the planets have aligned for the opponents. I'm feeling a correction coming. Purdue is one of the highest variance teams in the entire country. They are ABSOLUTELY capable of winning this game....or being BLASTED. I'm going with the latter. If some of those early attacks fall flat (all it takes are some drops/incompletions/turnovers) and the Bucks offense does their job, this could be over by half. Purdue's staple is their offense but the defense isn't good. Dwayne Haskins, your table is ready. Bucks step up early and never let up. This may be a crazy homer pick, but while I am nervous, I expect something to fall in our favor this week. The spread is still 13 which is odd in this spot which means the wiseguys know something we don't. Haskins take over the top spot in the Heisman rankings (?) and the Bucks pull away and never look back. The defense wants to show they can take care of business without Nick Bosa. OSU: 58-- Pur: 23
Hoying: I am terrified of this game. The Buckeyes have been playing fast and loose (in a bad way) these past few weeks, including at Penn State, and while the final tallies haven't shown it (except against Penn State), the victories have been a bit too close for comfort. The Boilermakers, after spending September gagging away games they should have won, have been more or less obliterating the teams in their path, unleashing a scary new offense behind QB David Blough. He's no Haskins, but do you implicitly trust trust the Silver Bullets at the moment? True, they only gave up 14 against Minnesota, but some timely turnovers covered up the fact that they were getting gashed again (hello, 2006). Ross-Ade will be, well, not "rocking" per se, but more excited than usual, so the Bucks can't afford to come out flat, particularly on offense. Don't worry too much about the running game; everybody and their brother has been selling out to stop it (400 yards through the air doesn't happen in a vacuum, especially since there's no air in a vacuum), but Haskins will need to be great again if the Bucks are going to make it to the bye week unscathed. He will be. Just enough. (N.B. The spread is currently around 13, which strikes me as way, way too high. But the last two times I thought that were for Michigan State last year and Nebraska in 2016. Do with that what you will.) OSU: 35--PU: 34
Schweinfurth: Go Bucks! OSU: 49--Pur: 28
Seeberg: The more I think about this game, the more I remember two things. One: West Lafayette is just...ugh. Nothing to do, nowhere to go, and fans so hilariously convinced of their relevance that it's literally guilt-inducing to laugh about it. And two: Somehow our football dreams have died there (or at least been on life support *cough* 2002 *cough*) far more times than I care to admit. Stat #1 that makes this game disconcerting- we literally could not run the ball against the likes of Minnesota, even at home. Stat #2- The Buckeyes are 117th nationally in giving up plays of 25+ yards (I know, I know, I was surprised too that there are a dozen teams worse). Stat #3- Purdue leads the Big Ten in plays of 25+ yards. Make no mistake, David Blough can throw it- and is now taking care of the ball as well- and Rondale Moore is an elite playmaker at the college level. The return, and hopefully near 100% health, of Malik Harrison and others on D should help, but this one feels like a high-scoring game that will be closer than the double-digit spread indicates. The only thing that gives me comfort is that I have more faith in the Dwayne-train than I have lack of faith in the Silver Bullets...but by an ever-slimming margin. Bucks, don't prove me wrong. OSU: 38--PU: 30
Upset Special
Draper: Colorado over Washington (picking upsets last suck)
Hoying: Vanderbilt over Kentucky
Schweinfurth: Maryland over Iowa
Seeberg: TCU over Oklahoma
1.) Draper 19-9 (1-6 upset)
1.) Hoying 19-9 (1-6 upset)
3.) Seeberg 17-11 (1-6 upset)
4.) Schweinfurth 16-12 (4-3 upset)
Congratulations on surviving Chaos Week 2018. Your reward: a quartet of ranked matchups ranging from close to home to the Oregon Territory, and the Buckeyes' second true road test of the year.
#6 Michigan Wolverines @ #24 Michigan State Spartans
Draper: Can the Wolverines get that elusive win over a ranked team on the road (finally)? I'm leaning yes...but what an asterisk against a #24 team. I really have no faith in the Spartans this year. Every game I've seen of the Spartans play this year has been a total disaster. I truly have no clue what happened vs. PSU last week. Michigan looked great against Wisconsin, although I don't know what that means exactly. Shea Patterson was fine and I think he'll be just fine again. More importantly, Karan Higdon is playing quite well and I think they get it done (but I still don't care. UM: 20--MSU: 10
Hoying: Monkey #1 off Jim Harbaugh's back: the Wolverines finally beat a top 15 opponent for the first time since beating Wisconsin (again) back in 2016. But if Monkey #1 was Tiny Kong, then Monkey #2 is Donkey Kong: trying to beat a ranked opponent on the road. The Wolverines haven't this under Jim Harbaugh, nor under Brady Hoke, nor under Rich Rodriguez, not since beating Brady Quinn's Notre Dame back in September 2006. So should the Maize and Blue faithful be worried? Eh...no. Michigan State kind of sucks this year. They got their annual snakebite out of the way last week, taking down Penn State. But, they kind of suck; the offense doesn't work in either capacity and the defense is nothing special either, stymieing of Penn State notwithstanding. The Wolverines, on the other hand, are slowly turning into the death machine we were promised three years ago, with an elite defense, a great running game, and a Krenzel-esque QB who distinguishes himself by not being total garbage like the typical Michigan signal caller under Ol' Khaki. Are they elite? Well, no, but only one team is this year (no prizes for guessing who). But they're certainly good enough to take out years of frustration on Little Brother. UM: 27--MSU: 10
Schweinfurth: Michigan on the road against a ranked team...nothing more needs to be said. UM: 17--MSU: 20
Seeberg: Sparty...yes? Michigan State turned in a vintage performance last week, turning their game at Happy Valley into a boring slogfest and winning with a late score (see: 2015 vs. Ohio State). I must admit, seeing Penn State fans sad on TV is, for me, the new seeing UM fans sad, as that has become pretty ubiquitous of late. At least until this year. As previously stated here on this site, the Wolverines finally appear to have a competent offense to go with their typically elite D. Sparty will still be up for this game even after their big win, but the adrenaline can only carry them so far, as the khaki devil gets at least one rivalry win this season. UM: 31--MSU: 21
#16 North Carolina State Wolfpack @ #3 Clemson Tigers
Draper: NC State may be undefeated, but does anyone care? No. Clemson got right against Wake, and while State is certainly better, they aren't that good. Clemson returns to the friendly confines of Death Valley and the 400 yard bus ride and should take care of business. I know nothing about NC State this year, but Clemson is still the team in the ACC. Put em at home, and the only chance is to take out all viable QBs (see: Syracuse game). I don't think NC State has Chubb anymore so lean on the Tigers. The best chance for the Wolfpack is when Clemson gets caught looking ahead to the Noles...nevermind. NCSU: 10--Clem: 27
Hoying: Here you have it, folks, the last battle of unbeatens until the playoff, potentially (nobody cares about you, AAC). Just as we all suspected, it's Clemson versus...NC State? Weren't they last year's flash in the pan? And I mean a quick flash, like 8000 shutter speed. But here they are, at 5-0, which I would normally say is a bit of a mirage since they got rained out of the West Virginia game earlier this year. But the 'Neers may have exposed themselves last weekend, so maybe the Pack just got hosed out of what would have appeared to be a quality win. Whatever. Clemson is clicking on a whole different level at the moment, as long as their QBs aren't all injured (or transferred out). NC State's anemic ground game (gulp) will finally catch up to them as the Tigers get their statement win of the season and cruise toward the playoff. NCSU: 10--Clem: 24
Schweinfurth: NCSU: 7--Clem: 35
Seeberg: Ah yes, the yearly, east-coast version of "is Texas back?". "Is NC State for real?" We know they've been churning out high-level QBs for a decade plus now, but not much else. Their MO is to play the big games close but do something colossally idiotic late, something so bad it could cause them to lose to lesser teams, much less one with a defensive line like Clemson's that rivals the Bucks' D-line even at full strength (RIP Buckeye Bosas- man were they good, wish they had more brothers). There's just no way the Wolfpack can string together four well-played quarters, which is an absolute necessity to win in Death Valley. NCSU: 13--Clem: 24
#22 Mississippi State Bulldogs @ #5 Louisiana State Tigers
Draper: Spin the wheel of random ranked matchups in the SEC. They all cannibalize each other and no one knows if they're any good. Joe Burrow got the HUGE win against the Dawgs last week (when does LSU leave home?) and Georgia is far....FAR better than Mississippi State. Nick Fitzpatrick is a nice dual threat QB, but the Tigers are too solid top to bottom. The Bulldogs were also tenderized by the Tide last week. Coach O and the Tigers take out the dogs and get ready to be served up as a sacrifice on the altar of Nick Satan...er.. Saban in the near future. MSU: 17--LSU: 27
Hoying: Didn't we just do this? I feel like we just keep shuffling around the SEC West teams until we find the week's ranked matchup. Whom does Alabama play this week? Oh right, nobody, cause Bama ain't played nobody yet, Pawwwwwl. Maybe they'll be my upset pick this wee....ahahahahahaha. So let's see, LSU vs. MSU. The Bulldogs were in a nosedive until the other tailspinner in the SEC, Auburn blew right past them and crashed first, so MSU got to limp along for a week before getting destroyed by the rest of their schedule. Starting with LSU. There's a possibility for a letdown here after blowing out Georgia (!), and I don't think the Tigers are reeeeallly as good as they looked last week. But this is no look-ahead game; LSU is on a bye next week, so they can afford to turn their whole focus on this matchup. By the way, the MVP for LSU is whoever set up this schedule. Georgia, MSU, and Alabama, three games in a row, all at home? With the bye week right before Bama? I know, the schedule as a whole is brutal, leading off with Miami and getting their annual Florida crossover game, but still. Way to set LSU up for a victory this week. MSU: 17--LSU: 20
Schweinfurth: MSU: 13--LSU: 31
Seeberg: Hmmm, LSU coming off a big win. We've been bit by this before, watching them get dumped in the Swamp after crushing Ole Miss. The win against Georgia came surprisingly easy, however, and may not have taken as much out of the TIgers as anticipated. Keeping on the 1-loss track, coupled with a hopeful upset over Bama (not likely) gives us Burreaux vs. Haskins in the playoff, which would be just absurdly poetic, possibly the only thing better than watching our 3rd string QB win a national title would be watching our top 2 QBs each lead a team to the CFP. Lose this one, though, and all that's out the window. What gives me solace is that the Bulldogs are also coming off a big win, shutting down Auburn last week. Sorry Clanga, no back-to-back big wins for you. MSU: 20--LSU: 31
#12 Oregon Ducks @ #25 Washington State Cougars
Draper: You did it Washington State! After literally 15 years of begging for Gameday to come to Pullman with Old Crimson, they have arrived. Granted, the crew will leave as soon as the show is over to go see a random Ohio State game, but they did come there....under protest. I love love love Mike Leach as the readers (reader?) of this blog know. The mad scientist continually reinvents the game (see some weird sideways snaps that arrived earlier this year). I'm not buying into the Ducks this year (which is likely a mistake), but I'm hearing all this talk about Herbert going number one in the NFL draft (watch out for Haskins) and I don't think he's very good. Honestly, this is one of the biggest games in Pullman history that isn't an Apple Cup. I get burned every time, but I'm a child that doesn't learn from past mistakes...Arrrrr MATEY! Mike Leach gets the win and the Pac12 falls further into obscurity. Ore: 41--WSU: 45
Hoying: Ugh, they're still ranking Pac-12 teams. And visiting them with national college football shows even though they're at best the 4th most interesting game of the week. I'm pretty sure the Pac-12 died when Pete Carroll left for the Seahawks. Or when he committed all those violations at USC and torpedoed the program before he left. Anyway, Oregon is one stupid comeback away from being unbeaten and Washington State is one blocked field goal and an overtime away from the same, so I guess we should take this write-up seriously. How can we compare these two teams? They both played San Jose State, and they both blew the Spartans out (don't let the Oregon score fool you), so they're both better than a really, really awful team? I don't know. Ducks QB Justin Herbert is supposed to be the next big thing in the NFL, but this is college, baby, and you're not going to out-throw Mike Leach. Gardner Minshew is one of two QBs with more yards than Haskins, and the pirate ship is as on-course as it's ever been, mateys. Ducks suffer a letdown loss and the Cougs press onward in the hunt for their first-ever division title. Ore: 31--WSU: 34
Schweinfurth: Ole' Crimson is going home! Ore: 45--WSU: 38
Seeberg: Well, this game is the rub for me. I trusted the Ducks twice, was rewarded once, but was also forced to watch between my fingers at their epic collapse against Stanford. On the other side of this one, despite a pretty 5-1 record and roughly 87,000 passing yards, the Cougars may just be a mirage, having lost to a down USC squad and mustering just 28 points the next week in a narrow win at home against a ho-hum Utah team. Oregon got the big-game monkey off their back beating the Huskies last week, and it should carry over against the Pac-12s version of Little Brother. Ducks win a fun one. Ore: 42--WSU: 34
#2 THE Ohio State University Buckeyes @ Purdue Boilermakers
Draper: Is this the biggest trap game in Ohio State History (since last year's Iowa game)? I got a feeling about this game, and it's just weird...in a good way. I know we get everyone's best shot, but everyone has clicked against us recently. Some of that is due to a defense and O-line that simply aren't as good as we have been used to recently, but sometimes the planets have aligned for the opponents. I'm feeling a correction coming. Purdue is one of the highest variance teams in the entire country. They are ABSOLUTELY capable of winning this game....or being BLASTED. I'm going with the latter. If some of those early attacks fall flat (all it takes are some drops/incompletions/turnovers) and the Bucks offense does their job, this could be over by half. Purdue's staple is their offense but the defense isn't good. Dwayne Haskins, your table is ready. Bucks step up early and never let up. This may be a crazy homer pick, but while I am nervous, I expect something to fall in our favor this week. The spread is still 13 which is odd in this spot which means the wiseguys know something we don't. Haskins take over the top spot in the Heisman rankings (?) and the Bucks pull away and never look back. The defense wants to show they can take care of business without Nick Bosa. OSU: 58-- Pur: 23
Hoying: I am terrified of this game. The Buckeyes have been playing fast and loose (in a bad way) these past few weeks, including at Penn State, and while the final tallies haven't shown it (except against Penn State), the victories have been a bit too close for comfort. The Boilermakers, after spending September gagging away games they should have won, have been more or less obliterating the teams in their path, unleashing a scary new offense behind QB David Blough. He's no Haskins, but do you implicitly trust trust the Silver Bullets at the moment? True, they only gave up 14 against Minnesota, but some timely turnovers covered up the fact that they were getting gashed again (hello, 2006). Ross-Ade will be, well, not "rocking" per se, but more excited than usual, so the Bucks can't afford to come out flat, particularly on offense. Don't worry too much about the running game; everybody and their brother has been selling out to stop it (400 yards through the air doesn't happen in a vacuum, especially since there's no air in a vacuum), but Haskins will need to be great again if the Bucks are going to make it to the bye week unscathed. He will be. Just enough. (N.B. The spread is currently around 13, which strikes me as way, way too high. But the last two times I thought that were for Michigan State last year and Nebraska in 2016. Do with that what you will.) OSU: 35--PU: 34
Schweinfurth: Go Bucks! OSU: 49--Pur: 28
Seeberg: The more I think about this game, the more I remember two things. One: West Lafayette is just...ugh. Nothing to do, nowhere to go, and fans so hilariously convinced of their relevance that it's literally guilt-inducing to laugh about it. And two: Somehow our football dreams have died there (or at least been on life support *cough* 2002 *cough*) far more times than I care to admit. Stat #1 that makes this game disconcerting- we literally could not run the ball against the likes of Minnesota, even at home. Stat #2- The Buckeyes are 117th nationally in giving up plays of 25+ yards (I know, I know, I was surprised too that there are a dozen teams worse). Stat #3- Purdue leads the Big Ten in plays of 25+ yards. Make no mistake, David Blough can throw it- and is now taking care of the ball as well- and Rondale Moore is an elite playmaker at the college level. The return, and hopefully near 100% health, of Malik Harrison and others on D should help, but this one feels like a high-scoring game that will be closer than the double-digit spread indicates. The only thing that gives me comfort is that I have more faith in the Dwayne-train than I have lack of faith in the Silver Bullets...but by an ever-slimming margin. Bucks, don't prove me wrong. OSU: 38--PU: 30
Upset Special
Draper: Colorado over Washington (picking upsets last suck)
Hoying: Vanderbilt over Kentucky
Schweinfurth: Maryland over Iowa
Seeberg: TCU over Oklahoma
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Grading the Bucks: Week 7-- Minnesota
No Buckeye Nation...the sky isn't falling.
In a week that saw 4 top ten teams fall (albeit to mostly ranked competition) and a few more struggle mightily (looking at you ND and Texas), the Buckeyes won by 16 points. Was it comfortable? Not really. Was it more comfortable than more than half of the top 25? Definitely. We should all know by now that there is Alabama and the rest at this point, so stop acting like the world is over after every 10 run given up. The other team is trying to win too!
Offense: B-
Co-MVPs: Dwayne Haskins, QB and K.J. Hill, WR
The run game just isn't working, and that is a major concern. The reason? The O-line isn't getting it done. Prince was beaten like a drum in the second half (although that seems to be an aberration on the season) and there is no push at all in short yardage situations. The 3rd and 4th and shorts are seriously concerning when the athletes in Scarlet and Gray are much more physically dominant. From the bad to the good: Haskins has been phenomenal for essentially every game outside of PSU (and he was ok there). The receiving corps has also improved, but no one makes me feel more secure than KJ Hill. Don't look now, but I think he's at least a top 2 round pick in the NFL. I watched the game on replay because watching it on my phone (which I did off and on at Cedar Point) wasn't enough. Whenever a big 3rd down needed to be converted, the safety blanket of KJ Hill was used and he delivered. He needs to start getting some more press.
Defense: C+
MVP: ?
The concern is the same as every week. The interior line run defense is lacking and the linebackers aren't good enough to fill the gaps. Werner was ok but too many simple slant routes repeatedly burning us (on back to back to back plays). The gap discipline on run defense is also suspect. The performance wasn't awful like everyone would have you believe, but it wasn't great. The turnovers help, but the team also forced those (so they get credit). We need a Ryan Shazier to fill the middle of the field up, but they don't grow on trees :(.
Special Teams: A
MVP: Blake Haubeil, K
Wow. The most impressive performance (perhaps outside of Hill and Haskins) was turned in by the flawless stand-in performance of Blake Haubeil who was 3 for 3 in surprise FG kicking duties. Most impressive in a reasonably close game.
Coaching: B
Overall, the team bent but didn't break. The playcalling was still iffy in certain situations but overall just fine. On a second watch of the game, the Buckeye offense moved the ball really well for te most part but always seemed to hit a wall (usually on an incomplete pass, run for 1, incomplete pass series). The runs for nothing are just killing the momentum and the lack of push makes short yardage playcalling a nightmare (unless you have JT...). The defense manned up when needed under Schiano but you could tell he had to beg and cajole to get the necessary effort. I wish the players were more self-motivated in those instances.
Overall: B-
That may be too harsh given the eye-popping numbers and performances by Haskins lately (and only 14 points given up on D), but there were come warts. Next week SCREAMS trap game so here's hoping we can scheme around the warts. I have faith that talent will win out if put in a position to win....here's hopin'.
In a week that saw 4 top ten teams fall (albeit to mostly ranked competition) and a few more struggle mightily (looking at you ND and Texas), the Buckeyes won by 16 points. Was it comfortable? Not really. Was it more comfortable than more than half of the top 25? Definitely. We should all know by now that there is Alabama and the rest at this point, so stop acting like the world is over after every 10 run given up. The other team is trying to win too!
Offense: B-
Co-MVPs: Dwayne Haskins, QB and K.J. Hill, WR
The run game just isn't working, and that is a major concern. The reason? The O-line isn't getting it done. Prince was beaten like a drum in the second half (although that seems to be an aberration on the season) and there is no push at all in short yardage situations. The 3rd and 4th and shorts are seriously concerning when the athletes in Scarlet and Gray are much more physically dominant. From the bad to the good: Haskins has been phenomenal for essentially every game outside of PSU (and he was ok there). The receiving corps has also improved, but no one makes me feel more secure than KJ Hill. Don't look now, but I think he's at least a top 2 round pick in the NFL. I watched the game on replay because watching it on my phone (which I did off and on at Cedar Point) wasn't enough. Whenever a big 3rd down needed to be converted, the safety blanket of KJ Hill was used and he delivered. He needs to start getting some more press.
Defense: C+
MVP: ?
The concern is the same as every week. The interior line run defense is lacking and the linebackers aren't good enough to fill the gaps. Werner was ok but too many simple slant routes repeatedly burning us (on back to back to back plays). The gap discipline on run defense is also suspect. The performance wasn't awful like everyone would have you believe, but it wasn't great. The turnovers help, but the team also forced those (so they get credit). We need a Ryan Shazier to fill the middle of the field up, but they don't grow on trees :(.
Special Teams: A
MVP: Blake Haubeil, K
Wow. The most impressive performance (perhaps outside of Hill and Haskins) was turned in by the flawless stand-in performance of Blake Haubeil who was 3 for 3 in surprise FG kicking duties. Most impressive in a reasonably close game.
Coaching: B
Overall, the team bent but didn't break. The playcalling was still iffy in certain situations but overall just fine. On a second watch of the game, the Buckeye offense moved the ball really well for te most part but always seemed to hit a wall (usually on an incomplete pass, run for 1, incomplete pass series). The runs for nothing are just killing the momentum and the lack of push makes short yardage playcalling a nightmare (unless you have JT...). The defense manned up when needed under Schiano but you could tell he had to beg and cajole to get the necessary effort. I wish the players were more self-motivated in those instances.
Overall: B-
That may be too harsh given the eye-popping numbers and performances by Haskins lately (and only 14 points given up on D), but there were come warts. Next week SCREAMS trap game so here's hoping we can scheme around the warts. I have faith that talent will win out if put in a position to win....here's hopin'.
Friday, October 12, 2018
Week 7: Minnesota Router
Standings:
1.) Draper 17-7 (1-5 upset)
1.) Hoying 17-7 (1-5 upset)
3.) Schweinfurth 15-9 (3-3 upset)
3.) Seeberg 15-9 (1-5 upset)
Life is good in Buckeye Nation. Ohio State is 6-0 (bowl eligible!) and one of Wisconsin and Michigan has to lose this week. I would advise you all to savor this, but let's be real, there's virtually a zero percent chance that anything takes a turn for the worse (tempting fate) until at least the release of the first playoff rankings on October 30. You can start savoring then, when the Buckeyes debut at #2 (behind you-know-million).
#2 Georgia Bulldogs @ #13 Louisiana State Tigers
Draper: LSU took the surprising L in Gainsville, but I they are a solid team with an absolutely brutal schedule. Coach O has actually turned the team into a contender this year. Georgia has been quite impressive this year...against the Little Sisters of the Poor. Regardless, I have faith that the Dawgs are the better team (and they only need to get up for 2 games a year--bonus!). The Tigas are a tough out in Death Valley, but Kirby Smart has Jake Fromm State Farm playing extremely efficiently. The environment will be rocking, but the Dawgs will quiet the Bayou and prepare for Bama (in 7 weeks). UGA: 21--LSU: 17
Hoying: Yes, yes, we know that [team you hate in the playoff chase] ain't played nobody yet, but I, as a dispassionate observer of the game, am here to inform you that it is in fact Georgia that has played nobody to date. South Carolina? Snore. Vanderbilt? Not so much. LSU, in contrast, been through the wringer already during the first half of the season, and they've performed more or less admirably. Unfortunately, now begins a brutal three game home stand featuring the #1 and #2 teams in the country, and Mississippi State. Preparing for Bama will be no problem (just steel yourself for losing by a million), so the Tigers can turn their full attention on upgrading their signature win of the year from Mark Richt's new team to his old one. Too bad they're not quite good enough to get the job done. UGA: 28 -- LSU: 21
Schweinfurth: LSU's best wins right now are against Miami and Auburn. Both of which have shown to be meh. Georgia has played??? To be honest, I am not sold on either of these teams. Everyone seems very high on Burrow, and he has been alright, but he is not starting at Ohio State for a reason. In reality, I like Jake Fromm to lead his team better than Burrow. Sorry Tigers, but you are looking at dropping three in a row (including Bama next week). UGA: 35--LSU: 24
Seeberg: Off a loss, playing at home, The LSU Burreauxs will be highly motivated in this one, which they'll need against Bama East. I realize the Swamp is still a semi-intimidating place to play, but only putting up 19 points against the Gators is a bad sign as Georgia has too much skill to be held beneath the high 20s/low 30s. Sadly, Joey doesn't have enough talent around him to match that type of scoring. UGA: 31--LSU: 20
#7 Washington Huskies @ #17 Oregon Ducks
Draper: The Ducks are getting a ton of love from the national media...but I don't really know why. I'm hearing people are talking about Justin Herbert as the #1 pick...again, I don't know why. After the stinker of a game the Huskies put up in week 1 (it was close but a boring game), they've been playing just fine. I actually have faith in their defense (huh?). Jake Browning and Chris Peterson march into Autzen and take a firm stranglehold on the Pac12 North. UW: 41--Ore: 27
Hoying: Is it time to write the Pac-12 out of the playoff already? The only teams in the league with fewer than two losses are Colorado (no), Washington State (lol), and Oregon and Washington. One of them is getting knocked out of the chase on Saturday, and if the other one's Oregon, they're probably going to skid to a few more losses in the weeks ahead. Yes, losing to Stanford was fluky garbage, but so is Stanford itself these days. And don't blame the loss of Bryce Love; if you're Stanford and your brand is smash mouth big boy football, you'd better have at least one backup running back. And I didn't see Mr. Love making many leaping catches while the Cardinal were storming back in the second half in Eugene. The bottom line: Jake Browning is going to shred a suspect Duck secondary and Oregon won't score enough against a tough Husky D to keep up. The Pac-12 survives for another week to be the smelly kid at the CFP dance that nobody wants to be stuck with. UW: 34--Ore: 24
Schweinfurth: The Pac-12 as a whole right now is a joke with the exception of Washington. A tough week one matchup will have any team reeling. Oregon has shown themselves to be mentally weak. Seriously, how do you blow that lead to Stanford? This is the last ride for Jake Browning and company and Gary Peterson knows it. Washington wins and reminds everyone where the Ducks belong. UW: 42--Ore: 28
Seeberg: This is a matchup of who I truly believe are the two best teams in the Pac-12, minus 1.5 horrendous quarters from the Ducks against Stanford a few weeks back. Remember, Stanford still needed overtime to pull that one out, but the home-field advantage in Autzen isn't what it used to be for Highlighter Jersey U. The Ducks did manage to right the ship last week at Cal, but unfortunately Cal is essentially Washington Lite: They score it well, just not as well as the Huskies, and their defense is a level or two more mediocre than Washington's as well. It smells like lots of points, but the Ducks just don't have the confidence to close it out. Huskies late. UW: 38--Ore: 31
#15 Wisconsin Badgers @ #12 Michigan Wolverines
Draper: This is a major clash of top 15 foes...and I don't really care. I don't see either of these teams making any noise in a playoff run (mostly because they aren't named Bama). Wisconsin is the usual brooding fat guy team with Jonathan Taylor smashing it up the middle and Michigan just sucks (on offense). The Michigan defense will be the difference under the lights (barf) in Ann Arbor (double barf). This is definitely the game in which I want them both to lose, but the Wolverines are just a little better top to bottom. UW: 14 -- UM: 17
Hoying: Last year the Badgers had a pretty easy walk to 12-0 and a spot in the B1G Championship, missing Ohio State and Penn State and getting a depleted Michigan team to visit Camp Randall. Not so this year; the Wolverines are back and as nasty as ever, and a trip to Happy Valley follows as well, not to mention the BYU juggernaut that out-Badgered the Badgers back in September. I don't foresee John O'Korn popping up for Michigan anytime this weekend, although the only reason he played last year in this game was that Wisconsin knocked Peters out of the game. I'm not saying that I'm rooting for Shea Patterson to get injured, but that may be the only hope UW has in this one. Jonathan Taylor will struggle to find room to run, the Michigan D will choke the life out of the Wisconsin O, and Michigan will score just enough to get by. UW: 17--UM: 24
Schweinfurth: Are either of these teams good? Well, both defenses are good. The two offenses are just power run teams that are going to bash each other's heads in. The Wolverine offense still doesn't have much of an identity and wont' use Shea Patterson to his full capability. I'm okay with that because the offense is simple and not very dynamic. We all know what the Badgers are. Harbaugh is pretty good against ranked teams at home, but I just don't think Michigan's offense can make enough plays. This is an ugly, ugly game. UW: 13--UM: 7
Seeberg: I just...I just don't know if I can take either of these squads seriously yet. Or, for that matter, if a win over the other makes the victorious team worthy of serious consideration. Either way though it's a step in the right direction. At the beginning of the year I would've taken the Badgers by two scores, but combining Jonathan Taylor's sophomore slump with Shea Patterson's legitimately competent QB play and things flip. Plus I absolutely cannot pick a team that lost to BYU at home when ranked in the top five. You know, the same BYU that got destroyed by four touchdowns at Washington. Wolverines win a less-than-appealing game to watch. UW: 13--UM: 20
Minnesota Golden Gophers @ #3 THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: Da Gophers roll into the Shoe with ideas of upset...well, not really...let's say, keeping it close in their heads. PJ Fleck and Co. had some high expectations but a steady dose of reality slams the door quickly. Haskins needs to continue to sling the rock, but not falter under pressure. The good news is that I don't anticipate a ton of pressure. This is a nice get-right stretch upcoming for the O-line and the Buckeye ground game. Keep scheming to the talents of the team and we'll be fine, but use this time to refine the game. Defense certainly needs to shore up that secondary, and again, Minnesota, Purdue (sort of), and Nebraska provide the 'get-right' opportunity. What is needed is a nod back to the Tulane game. Step on the throat and never look back. I expect the Bucks to make quick work and move on. Minnesota isn't nothing...but they're close. UM: 17--OSU:48
Hoying: After a semi-impressive 3-0 start, PJ has rowed the boat ashore (hallelujah) over the last two weeks, getting waxed by Iowa and...Maryland?...as the injuries continue to pile up. It's a genuine shame that Antoine Winfield's son won't get to suit up and take the field in Ohio Stadium, but also a bullet dodged. Not that Haskins needs any help in a year that would see him as a Heisman frontrunner if a certain Hawaiian cyborg weren't spraying TDs all over the field for everyone's favorite inevitable doomsday machine. OK, so the Buckeye defense may have a few lapses from time to time. Doesn't matter; Minnesota doesn't score. Slightly more worrying is that the Gophers are no slouches on run D. Hopefully the Buckeyes work on getting Dobbins into a groove so this team can produce something resembling offensive balance. Don't worry about padding Dwayne's Heisman stats; that's a fool's chase unless the Buckeyes can start finding a way to win games by more than a million. Shore up your week points, get the W, and get ready to move on to West Lafayette for ABC's prime time game of the week (???????). UM: 10--OSU: 52
Schweinfurth: Row, row, row your boat, gently into Ohio Stadium to get your rear end handed to you. I think the biggest intrigue is the 400 lb monster the Gophers are starting at left tackle. Welcome to the B1G, meet Chase Young. This game shouldn't be close, and should never be in doubt. The Buckeyes are two weeks away from that emotional Penn State game and should be more rested and focused. I really believe that was 90% of the issues we saw last week. This is the game to work on the secondary, tackling, and the run game. Haskins will get his numbers, but watch for Weber and Dobbins to get 200+ this week. I really do think there will be a concerted effort to run the ball. Win the game, don't get hurt, and move on. UM: 13--OSU: 49
Seeberg: After weeks of pushing for our beloved Buckeyes to FINALLY establish a run game, I've given up. Get Haskins 500 yards every 3 quarters and get him that beautiful stiff-arm trophy. In any case, this game was much more worrisome a few weeks ago before the injury bug decimated the Gophers, who are down their starting RB, playing a walk-on freshman QB, and their best player period in Antoine Winfield, Jr. is also out. Would love to see the D limit the big plays this week and the offense to get over half-a-hundo again. I expect both to happen as this squad hasn't played a complete game this side of Rutgers (which barely counts) all year. Bucks early, Bucks often. UM: 17: OSU: 56
Upset Special
Draper: Vanderbilt over Florida
Hoying: Baylor over Texas
Schweinfurth: Tennessee over Auburn
Seeberg: Memphis over UCF
1.) Draper 17-7 (1-5 upset)
1.) Hoying 17-7 (1-5 upset)
3.) Schweinfurth 15-9 (3-3 upset)
3.) Seeberg 15-9 (1-5 upset)
Life is good in Buckeye Nation. Ohio State is 6-0 (bowl eligible!) and one of Wisconsin and Michigan has to lose this week. I would advise you all to savor this, but let's be real, there's virtually a zero percent chance that anything takes a turn for the worse (tempting fate) until at least the release of the first playoff rankings on October 30. You can start savoring then, when the Buckeyes debut at #2 (behind you-know-million).
#2 Georgia Bulldogs @ #13 Louisiana State Tigers
Draper: LSU took the surprising L in Gainsville, but I they are a solid team with an absolutely brutal schedule. Coach O has actually turned the team into a contender this year. Georgia has been quite impressive this year...against the Little Sisters of the Poor. Regardless, I have faith that the Dawgs are the better team (and they only need to get up for 2 games a year--bonus!). The Tigas are a tough out in Death Valley, but Kirby Smart has Jake Fromm State Farm playing extremely efficiently. The environment will be rocking, but the Dawgs will quiet the Bayou and prepare for Bama (in 7 weeks). UGA: 21--LSU: 17
Hoying: Yes, yes, we know that [team you hate in the playoff chase] ain't played nobody yet, but I, as a dispassionate observer of the game, am here to inform you that it is in fact Georgia that has played nobody to date. South Carolina? Snore. Vanderbilt? Not so much. LSU, in contrast, been through the wringer already during the first half of the season, and they've performed more or less admirably. Unfortunately, now begins a brutal three game home stand featuring the #1 and #2 teams in the country, and Mississippi State. Preparing for Bama will be no problem (just steel yourself for losing by a million), so the Tigers can turn their full attention on upgrading their signature win of the year from Mark Richt's new team to his old one. Too bad they're not quite good enough to get the job done. UGA: 28 -- LSU: 21
Schweinfurth: LSU's best wins right now are against Miami and Auburn. Both of which have shown to be meh. Georgia has played??? To be honest, I am not sold on either of these teams. Everyone seems very high on Burrow, and he has been alright, but he is not starting at Ohio State for a reason. In reality, I like Jake Fromm to lead his team better than Burrow. Sorry Tigers, but you are looking at dropping three in a row (including Bama next week). UGA: 35--LSU: 24
Seeberg: Off a loss, playing at home, The LSU Burreauxs will be highly motivated in this one, which they'll need against Bama East. I realize the Swamp is still a semi-intimidating place to play, but only putting up 19 points against the Gators is a bad sign as Georgia has too much skill to be held beneath the high 20s/low 30s. Sadly, Joey doesn't have enough talent around him to match that type of scoring. UGA: 31--LSU: 20
#7 Washington Huskies @ #17 Oregon Ducks
Draper: The Ducks are getting a ton of love from the national media...but I don't really know why. I'm hearing people are talking about Justin Herbert as the #1 pick...again, I don't know why. After the stinker of a game the Huskies put up in week 1 (it was close but a boring game), they've been playing just fine. I actually have faith in their defense (huh?). Jake Browning and Chris Peterson march into Autzen and take a firm stranglehold on the Pac12 North. UW: 41--Ore: 27
Hoying: Is it time to write the Pac-12 out of the playoff already? The only teams in the league with fewer than two losses are Colorado (no), Washington State (lol), and Oregon and Washington. One of them is getting knocked out of the chase on Saturday, and if the other one's Oregon, they're probably going to skid to a few more losses in the weeks ahead. Yes, losing to Stanford was fluky garbage, but so is Stanford itself these days. And don't blame the loss of Bryce Love; if you're Stanford and your brand is smash mouth big boy football, you'd better have at least one backup running back. And I didn't see Mr. Love making many leaping catches while the Cardinal were storming back in the second half in Eugene. The bottom line: Jake Browning is going to shred a suspect Duck secondary and Oregon won't score enough against a tough Husky D to keep up. The Pac-12 survives for another week to be the smelly kid at the CFP dance that nobody wants to be stuck with. UW: 34--Ore: 24
Schweinfurth: The Pac-12 as a whole right now is a joke with the exception of Washington. A tough week one matchup will have any team reeling. Oregon has shown themselves to be mentally weak. Seriously, how do you blow that lead to Stanford? This is the last ride for Jake Browning and company and Gary Peterson knows it. Washington wins and reminds everyone where the Ducks belong. UW: 42--Ore: 28
Seeberg: This is a matchup of who I truly believe are the two best teams in the Pac-12, minus 1.5 horrendous quarters from the Ducks against Stanford a few weeks back. Remember, Stanford still needed overtime to pull that one out, but the home-field advantage in Autzen isn't what it used to be for Highlighter Jersey U. The Ducks did manage to right the ship last week at Cal, but unfortunately Cal is essentially Washington Lite: They score it well, just not as well as the Huskies, and their defense is a level or two more mediocre than Washington's as well. It smells like lots of points, but the Ducks just don't have the confidence to close it out. Huskies late. UW: 38--Ore: 31
#15 Wisconsin Badgers @ #12 Michigan Wolverines
Draper: This is a major clash of top 15 foes...and I don't really care. I don't see either of these teams making any noise in a playoff run (mostly because they aren't named Bama). Wisconsin is the usual brooding fat guy team with Jonathan Taylor smashing it up the middle and Michigan just sucks (on offense). The Michigan defense will be the difference under the lights (barf) in Ann Arbor (double barf). This is definitely the game in which I want them both to lose, but the Wolverines are just a little better top to bottom. UW: 14 -- UM: 17
Hoying: Last year the Badgers had a pretty easy walk to 12-0 and a spot in the B1G Championship, missing Ohio State and Penn State and getting a depleted Michigan team to visit Camp Randall. Not so this year; the Wolverines are back and as nasty as ever, and a trip to Happy Valley follows as well, not to mention the BYU juggernaut that out-Badgered the Badgers back in September. I don't foresee John O'Korn popping up for Michigan anytime this weekend, although the only reason he played last year in this game was that Wisconsin knocked Peters out of the game. I'm not saying that I'm rooting for Shea Patterson to get injured, but that may be the only hope UW has in this one. Jonathan Taylor will struggle to find room to run, the Michigan D will choke the life out of the Wisconsin O, and Michigan will score just enough to get by. UW: 17--UM: 24
Schweinfurth: Are either of these teams good? Well, both defenses are good. The two offenses are just power run teams that are going to bash each other's heads in. The Wolverine offense still doesn't have much of an identity and wont' use Shea Patterson to his full capability. I'm okay with that because the offense is simple and not very dynamic. We all know what the Badgers are. Harbaugh is pretty good against ranked teams at home, but I just don't think Michigan's offense can make enough plays. This is an ugly, ugly game. UW: 13--UM: 7
Seeberg: I just...I just don't know if I can take either of these squads seriously yet. Or, for that matter, if a win over the other makes the victorious team worthy of serious consideration. Either way though it's a step in the right direction. At the beginning of the year I would've taken the Badgers by two scores, but combining Jonathan Taylor's sophomore slump with Shea Patterson's legitimately competent QB play and things flip. Plus I absolutely cannot pick a team that lost to BYU at home when ranked in the top five. You know, the same BYU that got destroyed by four touchdowns at Washington. Wolverines win a less-than-appealing game to watch. UW: 13--UM: 20
Minnesota Golden Gophers @ #3 THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: Da Gophers roll into the Shoe with ideas of upset...well, not really...let's say, keeping it close in their heads. PJ Fleck and Co. had some high expectations but a steady dose of reality slams the door quickly. Haskins needs to continue to sling the rock, but not falter under pressure. The good news is that I don't anticipate a ton of pressure. This is a nice get-right stretch upcoming for the O-line and the Buckeye ground game. Keep scheming to the talents of the team and we'll be fine, but use this time to refine the game. Defense certainly needs to shore up that secondary, and again, Minnesota, Purdue (sort of), and Nebraska provide the 'get-right' opportunity. What is needed is a nod back to the Tulane game. Step on the throat and never look back. I expect the Bucks to make quick work and move on. Minnesota isn't nothing...but they're close. UM: 17--OSU:48
Hoying: After a semi-impressive 3-0 start, PJ has rowed the boat ashore (hallelujah) over the last two weeks, getting waxed by Iowa and...Maryland?...as the injuries continue to pile up. It's a genuine shame that Antoine Winfield's son won't get to suit up and take the field in Ohio Stadium, but also a bullet dodged. Not that Haskins needs any help in a year that would see him as a Heisman frontrunner if a certain Hawaiian cyborg weren't spraying TDs all over the field for everyone's favorite inevitable doomsday machine. OK, so the Buckeye defense may have a few lapses from time to time. Doesn't matter; Minnesota doesn't score. Slightly more worrying is that the Gophers are no slouches on run D. Hopefully the Buckeyes work on getting Dobbins into a groove so this team can produce something resembling offensive balance. Don't worry about padding Dwayne's Heisman stats; that's a fool's chase unless the Buckeyes can start finding a way to win games by more than a million. Shore up your week points, get the W, and get ready to move on to West Lafayette for ABC's prime time game of the week (???????). UM: 10--OSU: 52
Schweinfurth: Row, row, row your boat, gently into Ohio Stadium to get your rear end handed to you. I think the biggest intrigue is the 400 lb monster the Gophers are starting at left tackle. Welcome to the B1G, meet Chase Young. This game shouldn't be close, and should never be in doubt. The Buckeyes are two weeks away from that emotional Penn State game and should be more rested and focused. I really believe that was 90% of the issues we saw last week. This is the game to work on the secondary, tackling, and the run game. Haskins will get his numbers, but watch for Weber and Dobbins to get 200+ this week. I really do think there will be a concerted effort to run the ball. Win the game, don't get hurt, and move on. UM: 13--OSU: 49
Seeberg: After weeks of pushing for our beloved Buckeyes to FINALLY establish a run game, I've given up. Get Haskins 500 yards every 3 quarters and get him that beautiful stiff-arm trophy. In any case, this game was much more worrisome a few weeks ago before the injury bug decimated the Gophers, who are down their starting RB, playing a walk-on freshman QB, and their best player period in Antoine Winfield, Jr. is also out. Would love to see the D limit the big plays this week and the offense to get over half-a-hundo again. I expect both to happen as this squad hasn't played a complete game this side of Rutgers (which barely counts) all year. Bucks early, Bucks often. UM: 17: OSU: 56
Upset Special
Draper: Vanderbilt over Florida
Hoying: Baylor over Texas
Schweinfurth: Tennessee over Auburn
Seeberg: Memphis over UCF
Tuesday, October 09, 2018
Grading the Bucks: Week 6 -- Indiana
Calm. Down. Seriously: Calm. Down. Buckeye Nation is in a tizzy after a 23 point win over Indiana. Was the game ugly for much of it? Sure. Have we played significantly better football against better and worse opponents? Of course. But these games happen and you just work through it. Clearly the defense has issues that will persist (more later) and the offensive line has a few problems, but the team is just fine. No, the Buckeyes aren't the wagon that Bama is, but we're far from in disaster territory. Take it from a Seminole fan who won the National Championship the year before the Buckeyes: they'd kill to be in our shoes. We are whining about being in the 2nd tier (Bama stands alone...for now) with a great shot at the playoff and a title. Fix the problems and march on.
Offense: B+
MVP: Dwayne Haskins, QB
Not a great showing, but not awful. The running game just isn't working (a big concern), but the passing game is healthy as ever. The O-line was the cause of the fluky INT's and that certainly needs cleaning, but the WR have been progressing nicely. The TD by Victor is one of the nicest TDs you'll see this year (college or pro). I wonder if the return of Brandon Bowen (coming soon) will lead to more success on the ground. Buckeye Nation needs to remember that the success of the run game in year's past was due in major part to Joe Thomas Barrett IV. The threat of the running QB in an Urban offense is lethal, but Haskins doesn't have that dimension. His passing makes up for it (nearly breaking the OSU passing yardage in a game record), but the lack of ability to convert a 3rd or 4th and 1 is very concerning for the offensive line (JT hid a lot of warts in that area). Many Buckeye fans hated the simplistic QB Power that was run on EVERY 3rd and short last year, but he always converted....that dimension is conspicuously absent. This means success on 1st and 2nd down is of more paramount importance. No room for falling behind the sticks.
Defense: D+
MVP: eh.....Pete Werner, LB
On the plus side, the linebackers didn't suck...too much. Missed tackles were incredibly frustrating earlier on but that improved as the game progressed. There is certainly a concern about the health of Malik Harrison and Jonathan Cooper. The pass rush didn't get home which is a major concern for the young secondary, but I attribute that in part to the refs. Chase Young looked was being manhandled on every snap (fistfuls of jersey everywhere) and nary a call to be had (almost felt like we were playing Wisconsin!). Kudos to IU for the game plan of 'can't beat em, holdem and hope the refs don't catch you (or care)'. It was tough on the line to consistently get pressure but be denied due to uncalled fouls. Regardless, the secondary was simply poor on most dimensions. Once Pryor got into the groove in the 2nd half (after the bogus targeting call vs. Penn State) he started playing pretty well. There will be growing pains in the secondary all year, but I see flashes (sadly flashes of failure too). This team will be featured in shootouts most week so it's time to grin and bear it.
Special Teams: B
Nothing to note here. No missed kicks and only 2 punts (net average 41). Fine, but nothing special.
Coaching: C
The team didn't seem prepared on either side of the ball either. They were outschemed on both sides as well. As most Buckeye games, the talent wore down the opposition and the Bucks pulled away, but I was disappointed with the lackluster playcalling, the confusion on defense, and the relatively small improvement as the game progressed. After getting punched in the mouth early, I thought the defense would man-up and play with some pride, but they seemed sleepy in the secondary until midway through the second half. The coaches need to get these players fired up. The upcoming schedule is blah upcoming so lack of motivation is the enemy.
Overall: B-
The defense can't do this all year. There needs to be more consistent pressure or more sound play in the secondary. Haskins has been great as have the receivers, but the running game and big uglies aren't getting it done consistently. The big snake trap of a game is Purdue at night, but don't overlook the Gophers. The Buckeyes are everyone's Superbowl. No days off but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Offense: B+
MVP: Dwayne Haskins, QB
Not a great showing, but not awful. The running game just isn't working (a big concern), but the passing game is healthy as ever. The O-line was the cause of the fluky INT's and that certainly needs cleaning, but the WR have been progressing nicely. The TD by Victor is one of the nicest TDs you'll see this year (college or pro). I wonder if the return of Brandon Bowen (coming soon) will lead to more success on the ground. Buckeye Nation needs to remember that the success of the run game in year's past was due in major part to Joe Thomas Barrett IV. The threat of the running QB in an Urban offense is lethal, but Haskins doesn't have that dimension. His passing makes up for it (nearly breaking the OSU passing yardage in a game record), but the lack of ability to convert a 3rd or 4th and 1 is very concerning for the offensive line (JT hid a lot of warts in that area). Many Buckeye fans hated the simplistic QB Power that was run on EVERY 3rd and short last year, but he always converted....that dimension is conspicuously absent. This means success on 1st and 2nd down is of more paramount importance. No room for falling behind the sticks.
Defense: D+
MVP: eh.....Pete Werner, LB
On the plus side, the linebackers didn't suck...too much. Missed tackles were incredibly frustrating earlier on but that improved as the game progressed. There is certainly a concern about the health of Malik Harrison and Jonathan Cooper. The pass rush didn't get home which is a major concern for the young secondary, but I attribute that in part to the refs. Chase Young looked was being manhandled on every snap (fistfuls of jersey everywhere) and nary a call to be had (almost felt like we were playing Wisconsin!). Kudos to IU for the game plan of 'can't beat em, holdem and hope the refs don't catch you (or care)'. It was tough on the line to consistently get pressure but be denied due to uncalled fouls. Regardless, the secondary was simply poor on most dimensions. Once Pryor got into the groove in the 2nd half (after the bogus targeting call vs. Penn State) he started playing pretty well. There will be growing pains in the secondary all year, but I see flashes (sadly flashes of failure too). This team will be featured in shootouts most week so it's time to grin and bear it.
Special Teams: B
Nothing to note here. No missed kicks and only 2 punts (net average 41). Fine, but nothing special.
Coaching: C
The team didn't seem prepared on either side of the ball either. They were outschemed on both sides as well. As most Buckeye games, the talent wore down the opposition and the Bucks pulled away, but I was disappointed with the lackluster playcalling, the confusion on defense, and the relatively small improvement as the game progressed. After getting punched in the mouth early, I thought the defense would man-up and play with some pride, but they seemed sleepy in the secondary until midway through the second half. The coaches need to get these players fired up. The upcoming schedule is blah upcoming so lack of motivation is the enemy.
Overall: B-
The defense can't do this all year. There needs to be more consistent pressure or more sound play in the secondary. Haskins has been great as have the receivers, but the running game and big uglies aren't getting it done consistently. The big snake trap of a game is Purdue at night, but don't overlook the Gophers. The Buckeyes are everyone's Superbowl. No days off but I wouldn't have it any other way.
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