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
Friday, October 26, 2018
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.
Friday, October 05, 2018
Week 6: What's a Hoosier?
Standings:
1.) Draper 15-5 (1-4 upset)
2.) Hoying 14-6 (1-4 upset)
3.) Schweinfurth 13-7 (2-3 upset)
3.) Seeberg 13-7 (1-4 upset)
Clever Clever Clever
#19 Texas Longhorns vs. #7 Oklahoma Sooners
Draper: I just don't believe Joe Tessitore. I don't think Texas is back. That being said, this game is weird. OU has been the better team for years, but this game there are years when Texas inexplicably has snake bitten them (see Charlie Strong wearing the golden hat). Murray has been fantastic when not suspended for a drive...interesting how that story got zero legs...but I don't see that changing here. The Horns have been hot lately, but I don't buy it. OU restores faith and reassures us that Texas is not back. UT: 28 -- OU: 42
Hoying: I'm tempted to forgo analysis here and just flip a coin. The Red River Shootout is one of the most upset-heavy rivalries in all of college football, and we don't have to reach too deep into the vault to remember unranked Texas knocking off heavily favored OU in 2013 and 2015 and putting a serious scare into the playoff-bound Sooners last season. All of those Texas teams turned out to be mediocre, so you may want to pump the brakes on the "Texas is back" wagon even if the Longhorns find a way to corral Oklahoma this weekend. Texas (like the West Virginia and Texas Tech teams we featured last week) is getting things done on defense, shutting down a terrible USC offense and a pretty good TCU offense to climb back into the rankings after pooping the bed against Maryland. The Sooners have looked pretty good against the civilian teams on their as-yet awful schedule, but they're in for a rude awakening. Texas Tom doesn't often lose as an underdog. UT: 31 -- OU: 27
Schweinfurth: I don't know which team I am sold less on. Texas lost to Maryland. Oklahoma's best win is Army? FAU? Texas has at least beaten a ranked team in USC. To me this is a coin flip. It seems like every time you pick a team in this rivalry, the other one wins. If nothing else, this game is always entertaining. I'm going to take Oklahoma, only because I feel like Texas has become predictable offensively. I also think Kyler Murray is a better QB than Ehlinger. Again, I can see this game going either way but I have to pick one. UT: 35--OU: 42
Seeberg: Luke warm take: The Longhorns aren't "not back". However, I'm not convinced they're all the way back, either. The burnt orange looked good against a tired TCU and a massively overvalued USC squad, but this is a sizable step up in competition. The only real question here is whether they keep it close enough with the Sooners to stay ranked. My guess is yes, through 2.5 quarters at least. Too much boomer sooner pulling the Conestoga wagon away late. UT: 27--OU: 41
#5 Louisiana State Tigers @ #22 Florida Gators
Draper: Florida is ranked? Really? Like, the Gators? Oh well, that's done now that Coach O is coming to town. I'm happy for Coach O and modestly pleased for Joe Burrow, but I'm a little tired of the fawning over Burrow from Buckeye Nation. He left us. Dead. To. Me. LSU = bad (stupid Les Miles in 2007), UF = worse. Looking at 'on the field play', LSU is significantly better at all phases. It's in the Swamp but that place hasn't been the same since Tebow graduated. This game has been really good in the 2000s...when the teams were both super good. I don't think this will have the same cache. LSU: 20 -- UF: 10
Hoying: You can't make me like either one of these teams, even if someone who doesn't play for Ohio State anymore is their quarterback. I was in Glendale in 2007 and New Orleans in 2008 to watch the Buckeyes' title dreams die at the hands of these megafauna (and I was back in Glendale in 2009 to have my heart broken again, thanks, Texas) and we hates them forever, precious. I gave LSU almost enough credit against Auburn but was too afraid to pull the trigger. Now the Tigers are the safe bet against a Gator team that faceplanted against the only really good team they've played, which was...Kentucky? OK, so it's going to be one of those years in the SEC. And by "one of those years" I mean one where Bama wins in a walk (by a million). But we still have to go through the motions on the rest. A UF loss essentially eliminates them from the East chase, while an LSU win puts them a win over Bama away from essentially locking up the West. That won't happen, but we'll continue to delude ourselves until then. LSU: 20--UF: 17
Schweinfurth: Two more teams I am not sold on. LSU has been rewarded for beating a very overrated Miami team and squeaking by Auburn (who I'm not sold on. Mini rant: if you want me to respect your ranking, play a better out of conference schedule). Florida's best win is Mississippi State? Really? They lost to Kentucky. These SEC teams keep getting propped up by playing no one or playing neutral field games against mid level Power 5 teams. Back to this game. I'll take Burrow and the Tigers. Florida isn't back and will drop back out of the top 25 they just squeaked into this week. LSU: 17--UF: 10
Seeberg: Imagine losing to Kentucky (this is football, remember, not basketball) and still being ranked in early October. Crazier things have happened, or so I'm told. Perhaps a second loss will awaken the pollsters. Jeaux Burreaux and Ceaux. should be able to do enough to keep that horrendously annoying chomping motion at bay. We know both teams can play excellent D, and both teams have trouble, at times, scoring. But the Tigers are far less likely to turn the ball over with Burrow at the helm, and turnovers will likely provide the difference. LSU: 20--UF: 13
#6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ #24 Virginia Tech Hokies
Draper: The Irish should essentially coast to a playoff berth, but the Hokies believe they have a shot at the historical Goliath. Now, Notre Dame is no ODU so VT has a shot in Blacksburg at night. I don't actually think the Hokies are any good, but they believe they are which might be just the ticket. Notre Dame might faceplant at some time this year, but I don't see it here against a backup QB. The Irish march on. ND: 30 -- VT: 17
Hoying: Don't look now, but the new-look Irish are as close as a lock to make the playoff as any other team in America in this young season. There's not another ranked team left on their schedule after this Saturday, and they've been obliterating their competition since swapping out old and busted Brandon Wimbush for new hotness Ian Book. VT has looked rather smashing themselves other than a puzzling loss to an awful, awful team, but not even the magic of Lane Stadium at night can derail the Irish at this point. ND: 34--VT: 20
Schweinfurth: Notre Dame will not be an underdog the rest of the year. Get used to hearing the phrase Undefeated Notre Dame in the Playoff Picture. I roll my eyes at that too, but it's where we are at. If the Irish win out, they are in the CFP. It would be funny if they get left out to a one loss conference champion. Boy the talking heads would explode. Notre Dame is just playing too well to lose this game. Enter Sandman keeps this close for a half. ND: 38--VT:28
Seeberg: I am not a fan of the new-look Golden Domers, in that they're actually, miraculously, finally competent on both sides of the ball (see: what TTUN is attempting to do). A better-than-average defense is now complimented by a better-than-average offense with Ian Book at the helm...I have no idea what took so long to make that change. With minimal resistance the rest of the way, there's just no chance they let a team who lost to Old-Freaking-Dominion ruin their season. That'll happen later against Syracuse. ND: 31--VT: 16
Indiana Hoosiers @ #3 THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: The Bucks return home after a monstrous comeback vs. Penn State. What could go wrong? At least we don't face Iowa this week! This should be a nice return to form for the Scarlet and Gray. I don't see Indiana competing in any aspect of the game...which means they'll probably hang around. "Hang around" may be a bit too strong as I don't expect to be worried at all. This should be a 'get right game' for the line and get Haskins back on track. In addition, working on the running game is a must in these games in which we can afford the work. Defensively, this should be another huge showing for Chase Young. As long as the safeties worked on attack angles this week, no problem. IU: 13--OSU: 45
Hoying: Ah, the crisp October air descends on Ohio Stadium as the 5-0 Buckeyes host the 4-1 Hoosiers. Fun fact: the last time the Buckeyes went 5-0 in the month of September, they went undefeated. The previous two times before that, they went to the national championship game. Now, they didn't actually win a title any of those years, but streaks are made to be broken. Except for the streak of OSU beating Indiana, which is now at 23* after last year's Bloomington blowout. A victory on Saturday would set a new longest win streak*, breaking the record set back from 1960 to 1986. Then Earle lost to them and got fired. Then Coop started 1-1-1 against them and didn't get fired. The early Cooper years were weird. I'm sure you know that he started 0-5-1 against Michigan, but did you know that he had an even more dreaded foe during his early tenure in Columbus? You'd never guess it now, but it was Illinois, who beat him during each of his first five seasons. Where was I going with this? Oh yes, the Buckeyes don't lose to crappy teams anymore. And despite Indiana's mirage of a perfect non-conference start to their season, they are still a crappy team that will struggle to make a bowl. And no matter how banged-up the Buckeyes may be at the moment, they aren't going to struggle to paste the Hoosiers. Not as long as Kevin Wilson's still on staff. OSU: 45--IU: 14
Schweinfurth: Ahh Indiana, the B1G Chaos team. Every year this team puts a scare into the Bucks for a half or three quarters. I remember Iowa from last year. The Bucks won an emotional, come from behind game against the Nittany Kittens and then got smoked on the road. The Bucks are coming of an emotional come from behind win against the Nittany Kittens but are at home this time. This shouldn't be close. Yes the Hoosiers are 4-1, but it's still Indiana. Do I expect another 49-42 game? No. The theme of the week should be limiting the big play on defense while pounding the ball on offense. The last three games have had an Ohio State running back demoralizing the Hoosier defense on the regular. I don't expect Weber to get many touches (rest that foot) so Dobbins should get 15+ carries and hopefully over 150. Haskins returns to form after last week. Indiana doesn't have the personnel to blitz every down like Penn State did. Big plays in the passing game will be there. Indiana will probably score in the first half because of an emotional let down this week. The Bucks should still win going away. OSU: 42--IU: 28
Seeberg: Here come the perennial doormat Hoosiers to town- except Rutgers now has that distinction. IU has played respectable ball the last several years, particularly on offense. Remember, this team put up 2 TDs more against Ball State than Notre Dame did (albeit pre-Ian Book). Concerning the local team, injuries are mounting for the first time in a while for the 2018 Buckeyes, especially on the already-less-than-stellar defensive side of the ball. Jones and Arnette are cleared to play, but I hope they only see minimal action as they continue to get healthy- same for Mike Weber. Regardless of the defensive issues, even in a shootout the Buckeyes would win this one comfortably. I expect, sadly, some chunk plays for IU but trouble sustaining long drives. Enjoy your banana, Indiana. OSU: 49--IU: 17
Upset Special
Draper: Florida State over Miami (I had to)
Hoying: Maryland over Michigan
Schweinfurth: Miss. St. over Auburn
Seeberg: Boston College over NC State
1.) Draper 15-5 (1-4 upset)
2.) Hoying 14-6 (1-4 upset)
3.) Schweinfurth 13-7 (2-3 upset)
3.) Seeberg 13-7 (1-4 upset)
Clever Clever Clever
#19 Texas Longhorns vs. #7 Oklahoma Sooners
Draper: I just don't believe Joe Tessitore. I don't think Texas is back. That being said, this game is weird. OU has been the better team for years, but this game there are years when Texas inexplicably has snake bitten them (see Charlie Strong wearing the golden hat). Murray has been fantastic when not suspended for a drive...interesting how that story got zero legs...but I don't see that changing here. The Horns have been hot lately, but I don't buy it. OU restores faith and reassures us that Texas is not back. UT: 28 -- OU: 42
Hoying: I'm tempted to forgo analysis here and just flip a coin. The Red River Shootout is one of the most upset-heavy rivalries in all of college football, and we don't have to reach too deep into the vault to remember unranked Texas knocking off heavily favored OU in 2013 and 2015 and putting a serious scare into the playoff-bound Sooners last season. All of those Texas teams turned out to be mediocre, so you may want to pump the brakes on the "Texas is back" wagon even if the Longhorns find a way to corral Oklahoma this weekend. Texas (like the West Virginia and Texas Tech teams we featured last week) is getting things done on defense, shutting down a terrible USC offense and a pretty good TCU offense to climb back into the rankings after pooping the bed against Maryland. The Sooners have looked pretty good against the civilian teams on their as-yet awful schedule, but they're in for a rude awakening. Texas Tom doesn't often lose as an underdog. UT: 31 -- OU: 27
Schweinfurth: I don't know which team I am sold less on. Texas lost to Maryland. Oklahoma's best win is Army? FAU? Texas has at least beaten a ranked team in USC. To me this is a coin flip. It seems like every time you pick a team in this rivalry, the other one wins. If nothing else, this game is always entertaining. I'm going to take Oklahoma, only because I feel like Texas has become predictable offensively. I also think Kyler Murray is a better QB than Ehlinger. Again, I can see this game going either way but I have to pick one. UT: 35--OU: 42
Seeberg: Luke warm take: The Longhorns aren't "not back". However, I'm not convinced they're all the way back, either. The burnt orange looked good against a tired TCU and a massively overvalued USC squad, but this is a sizable step up in competition. The only real question here is whether they keep it close enough with the Sooners to stay ranked. My guess is yes, through 2.5 quarters at least. Too much boomer sooner pulling the Conestoga wagon away late. UT: 27--OU: 41
#5 Louisiana State Tigers @ #22 Florida Gators
Draper: Florida is ranked? Really? Like, the Gators? Oh well, that's done now that Coach O is coming to town. I'm happy for Coach O and modestly pleased for Joe Burrow, but I'm a little tired of the fawning over Burrow from Buckeye Nation. He left us. Dead. To. Me. LSU = bad (stupid Les Miles in 2007), UF = worse. Looking at 'on the field play', LSU is significantly better at all phases. It's in the Swamp but that place hasn't been the same since Tebow graduated. This game has been really good in the 2000s...when the teams were both super good. I don't think this will have the same cache. LSU: 20 -- UF: 10
Hoying: You can't make me like either one of these teams, even if someone who doesn't play for Ohio State anymore is their quarterback. I was in Glendale in 2007 and New Orleans in 2008 to watch the Buckeyes' title dreams die at the hands of these megafauna (and I was back in Glendale in 2009 to have my heart broken again, thanks, Texas) and we hates them forever, precious. I gave LSU almost enough credit against Auburn but was too afraid to pull the trigger. Now the Tigers are the safe bet against a Gator team that faceplanted against the only really good team they've played, which was...Kentucky? OK, so it's going to be one of those years in the SEC. And by "one of those years" I mean one where Bama wins in a walk (by a million). But we still have to go through the motions on the rest. A UF loss essentially eliminates them from the East chase, while an LSU win puts them a win over Bama away from essentially locking up the West. That won't happen, but we'll continue to delude ourselves until then. LSU: 20--UF: 17
Schweinfurth: Two more teams I am not sold on. LSU has been rewarded for beating a very overrated Miami team and squeaking by Auburn (who I'm not sold on. Mini rant: if you want me to respect your ranking, play a better out of conference schedule). Florida's best win is Mississippi State? Really? They lost to Kentucky. These SEC teams keep getting propped up by playing no one or playing neutral field games against mid level Power 5 teams. Back to this game. I'll take Burrow and the Tigers. Florida isn't back and will drop back out of the top 25 they just squeaked into this week. LSU: 17--UF: 10
Seeberg: Imagine losing to Kentucky (this is football, remember, not basketball) and still being ranked in early October. Crazier things have happened, or so I'm told. Perhaps a second loss will awaken the pollsters. Jeaux Burreaux and Ceaux. should be able to do enough to keep that horrendously annoying chomping motion at bay. We know both teams can play excellent D, and both teams have trouble, at times, scoring. But the Tigers are far less likely to turn the ball over with Burrow at the helm, and turnovers will likely provide the difference. LSU: 20--UF: 13
#6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ #24 Virginia Tech Hokies
Draper: The Irish should essentially coast to a playoff berth, but the Hokies believe they have a shot at the historical Goliath. Now, Notre Dame is no ODU so VT has a shot in Blacksburg at night. I don't actually think the Hokies are any good, but they believe they are which might be just the ticket. Notre Dame might faceplant at some time this year, but I don't see it here against a backup QB. The Irish march on. ND: 30 -- VT: 17
Hoying: Don't look now, but the new-look Irish are as close as a lock to make the playoff as any other team in America in this young season. There's not another ranked team left on their schedule after this Saturday, and they've been obliterating their competition since swapping out old and busted Brandon Wimbush for new hotness Ian Book. VT has looked rather smashing themselves other than a puzzling loss to an awful, awful team, but not even the magic of Lane Stadium at night can derail the Irish at this point. ND: 34--VT: 20
Schweinfurth: Notre Dame will not be an underdog the rest of the year. Get used to hearing the phrase Undefeated Notre Dame in the Playoff Picture. I roll my eyes at that too, but it's where we are at. If the Irish win out, they are in the CFP. It would be funny if they get left out to a one loss conference champion. Boy the talking heads would explode. Notre Dame is just playing too well to lose this game. Enter Sandman keeps this close for a half. ND: 38--VT:28
Seeberg: I am not a fan of the new-look Golden Domers, in that they're actually, miraculously, finally competent on both sides of the ball (see: what TTUN is attempting to do). A better-than-average defense is now complimented by a better-than-average offense with Ian Book at the helm...I have no idea what took so long to make that change. With minimal resistance the rest of the way, there's just no chance they let a team who lost to Old-Freaking-Dominion ruin their season. That'll happen later against Syracuse. ND: 31--VT: 16
Indiana Hoosiers @ #3 THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: The Bucks return home after a monstrous comeback vs. Penn State. What could go wrong? At least we don't face Iowa this week! This should be a nice return to form for the Scarlet and Gray. I don't see Indiana competing in any aspect of the game...which means they'll probably hang around. "Hang around" may be a bit too strong as I don't expect to be worried at all. This should be a 'get right game' for the line and get Haskins back on track. In addition, working on the running game is a must in these games in which we can afford the work. Defensively, this should be another huge showing for Chase Young. As long as the safeties worked on attack angles this week, no problem. IU: 13--OSU: 45
Hoying: Ah, the crisp October air descends on Ohio Stadium as the 5-0 Buckeyes host the 4-1 Hoosiers. Fun fact: the last time the Buckeyes went 5-0 in the month of September, they went undefeated. The previous two times before that, they went to the national championship game. Now, they didn't actually win a title any of those years, but streaks are made to be broken. Except for the streak of OSU beating Indiana, which is now at 23* after last year's Bloomington blowout. A victory on Saturday would set a new longest win streak*, breaking the record set back from 1960 to 1986. Then Earle lost to them and got fired. Then Coop started 1-1-1 against them and didn't get fired. The early Cooper years were weird. I'm sure you know that he started 0-5-1 against Michigan, but did you know that he had an even more dreaded foe during his early tenure in Columbus? You'd never guess it now, but it was Illinois, who beat him during each of his first five seasons. Where was I going with this? Oh yes, the Buckeyes don't lose to crappy teams anymore. And despite Indiana's mirage of a perfect non-conference start to their season, they are still a crappy team that will struggle to make a bowl. And no matter how banged-up the Buckeyes may be at the moment, they aren't going to struggle to paste the Hoosiers. Not as long as Kevin Wilson's still on staff. OSU: 45--IU: 14
Schweinfurth: Ahh Indiana, the B1G Chaos team. Every year this team puts a scare into the Bucks for a half or three quarters. I remember Iowa from last year. The Bucks won an emotional, come from behind game against the Nittany Kittens and then got smoked on the road. The Bucks are coming of an emotional come from behind win against the Nittany Kittens but are at home this time. This shouldn't be close. Yes the Hoosiers are 4-1, but it's still Indiana. Do I expect another 49-42 game? No. The theme of the week should be limiting the big play on defense while pounding the ball on offense. The last three games have had an Ohio State running back demoralizing the Hoosier defense on the regular. I don't expect Weber to get many touches (rest that foot) so Dobbins should get 15+ carries and hopefully over 150. Haskins returns to form after last week. Indiana doesn't have the personnel to blitz every down like Penn State did. Big plays in the passing game will be there. Indiana will probably score in the first half because of an emotional let down this week. The Bucks should still win going away. OSU: 42--IU: 28
Seeberg: Here come the perennial doormat Hoosiers to town- except Rutgers now has that distinction. IU has played respectable ball the last several years, particularly on offense. Remember, this team put up 2 TDs more against Ball State than Notre Dame did (albeit pre-Ian Book). Concerning the local team, injuries are mounting for the first time in a while for the 2018 Buckeyes, especially on the already-less-than-stellar defensive side of the ball. Jones and Arnette are cleared to play, but I hope they only see minimal action as they continue to get healthy- same for Mike Weber. Regardless of the defensive issues, even in a shootout the Buckeyes would win this one comfortably. I expect, sadly, some chunk plays for IU but trouble sustaining long drives. Enjoy your banana, Indiana. OSU: 49--IU: 17
Upset Special
Draper: Florida State over Miami (I had to)
Hoying: Maryland over Michigan
Schweinfurth: Miss. St. over Auburn
Seeberg: Boston College over NC State
Tuesday, October 02, 2018
Grading the Bucks: Week 5 -- Penn State
Oh yeah...that's the stuff. Not only did the Buckeyes rip the heart out of the Penn State faithful, we substantially increased our empire in the College Football Imperialism Map. The map that started at the beginning of the 2017 season shows the immense influence of Buckeye Nation. THE KING IN THE NORTH commands respect!
Offense: B
MVP: K.J. Hill, WR
Overall, this was a very blase performance by the Buckeye offense. Haskins was pedestrian (and in no way deserved B1G Player of the Week) but effective enough. The running game simply could not get churning. In the first half, the line play was atrocious but there was a marked improvement as the game progressed (conditioning?). Major credit to the coaches to dial up the screen game as the line wasn't protecting long enough to allow for deep downfield looks. The WR were all pretty good in this game from Victor to Hill to Campbell. Obviously, Penn State is one of the stronger defenses we'll face this year, but there were a few chinks that TCU exposed that PSU picked at. Still room to improve.
Defense: B+
MVP: Chase Young, DE
Honestly, the defense played quite well. Yes, McSorley was gashing the Bullets on the ground, but the were able to contain the explosive Nittany Lion offense to a reasonable performance in an insanely crazy environment. The linebackers are still not good...but they are improving. Harrison, Werner, and Boreland are consistently getting better every week. I'm very concerned with the speed and awareness of the safeties. The long TD pass was an embarrassment. Pryor took an atrocious angle and was simply not fast enough to make up for his mistake. The lack of speed in the deep secondary has been an issue in a few games this year. Chase Young made a few plays (primarily the earlier 4th down bat down) that were simply amazing. If Bosa gets back, the two top DEs in football are wearing scarlet and gray (been saying it all year--they're monsters).
Special Teams: A
MVP: Drue Chrisman, P
Other than Chase Young, Drue Chrisman was the best player in Scarlet and Gray Saturday. He was excellent at flipping the field in all cases. The punt coverage (and for that matter, the kick coverage) teams were also exceptional. A major boon in a hostile road environment.
Coaching: A-
The preparation for the game was a little questionable. The Buckeyes appeared to be lost at times early on and there was no synchronicity on offense (or defense). The second half adjustments (primarily moving to the screen game) were fantastic. Defensively, the coaches realized if we played a little softer (gave up a few yards to prevent the big play) we were in better shape. The main reason we could afford to not be as aggressive is that the line is so good that they can get home without help...so long as those helpers assist in coverage. The decisions to go on 4th down were pretty solid, but the playcall...eh. Remember all you JT haters that we always knew the call on 4th and 1...but we'd always convert. I wasn't thrilled with the call/execution on 4th down, but the decisions were solid.
Overall: A-
Went into Happy Valley and left with a win. The vaunted 'white-out' now has a losing record. It's an insane environment, but the talent of the Bucks is too much. The biggest goal now is to avoid going all 'Iowa'. I think we learned our lesson. The Bucks will be heavy favorites for the remainder of the year, but let's take it one game at a time.
Offense: B
MVP: K.J. Hill, WR
Overall, this was a very blase performance by the Buckeye offense. Haskins was pedestrian (and in no way deserved B1G Player of the Week) but effective enough. The running game simply could not get churning. In the first half, the line play was atrocious but there was a marked improvement as the game progressed (conditioning?). Major credit to the coaches to dial up the screen game as the line wasn't protecting long enough to allow for deep downfield looks. The WR were all pretty good in this game from Victor to Hill to Campbell. Obviously, Penn State is one of the stronger defenses we'll face this year, but there were a few chinks that TCU exposed that PSU picked at. Still room to improve.
Defense: B+
MVP: Chase Young, DE
Honestly, the defense played quite well. Yes, McSorley was gashing the Bullets on the ground, but the were able to contain the explosive Nittany Lion offense to a reasonable performance in an insanely crazy environment. The linebackers are still not good...but they are improving. Harrison, Werner, and Boreland are consistently getting better every week. I'm very concerned with the speed and awareness of the safeties. The long TD pass was an embarrassment. Pryor took an atrocious angle and was simply not fast enough to make up for his mistake. The lack of speed in the deep secondary has been an issue in a few games this year. Chase Young made a few plays (primarily the earlier 4th down bat down) that were simply amazing. If Bosa gets back, the two top DEs in football are wearing scarlet and gray (been saying it all year--they're monsters).
Special Teams: A
MVP: Drue Chrisman, P
Other than Chase Young, Drue Chrisman was the best player in Scarlet and Gray Saturday. He was excellent at flipping the field in all cases. The punt coverage (and for that matter, the kick coverage) teams were also exceptional. A major boon in a hostile road environment.
Coaching: A-
The preparation for the game was a little questionable. The Buckeyes appeared to be lost at times early on and there was no synchronicity on offense (or defense). The second half adjustments (primarily moving to the screen game) were fantastic. Defensively, the coaches realized if we played a little softer (gave up a few yards to prevent the big play) we were in better shape. The main reason we could afford to not be as aggressive is that the line is so good that they can get home without help...so long as those helpers assist in coverage. The decisions to go on 4th down were pretty solid, but the playcall...eh. Remember all you JT haters that we always knew the call on 4th and 1...but we'd always convert. I wasn't thrilled with the call/execution on 4th down, but the decisions were solid.
Overall: A-
Went into Happy Valley and left with a win. The vaunted 'white-out' now has a losing record. It's an insane environment, but the talent of the Bucks is too much. The biggest goal now is to avoid going all 'Iowa'. I think we learned our lesson. The Bucks will be heavy favorites for the remainder of the year, but let's take it one game at a time.
Friday, September 28, 2018
Week 5: Come to Penn Staaaate!
Standings:
1.) Draper 10-5 (1-3 upset)
1.) Hoying 10-5 (1-3 upset)
2.) Schweinfurth 9-6 (2-2 upset)
2.) Seeberg 8-7 (1-3 upset)
That Team Up North may still, as always, be Ohio State's one true rival, but that team out east (no, not you Rutgers) has been the Bucks' best matchup over the last two seasons. Now the non-rivalry is renewed, and this time with no stupid alternate uniforms (although I'm not sure that's a good thing: Ohio State is 4-0 against Penn State over the last 5 seasons when wearing stupid alternates, and 0-1 when not).
#12 West Virginia Mountaineers @ #25 Texas Tech Red Raiders
Draper: Will Grier is the Heisman flavor of the month not named Tu'a or Dwayne (honestly, it's the distant 3rd but you know...). I expect this to be another shootout as we're accustomed to with the Big 12 standards. Dana Holgorson should be able to keep the scoreboard ticking up in quick fashion while Kliff "Gosling" Kingsberry finally has a little spark of life in Lubbock. Lean on the Neers at this point because the Red Raiders are more likely the bigger mirage. WVU will crash and burn soon enough, but Tech is flying a bit too close to the sun. WVU: 48 -- TT: 28
Hoying: Ah, classic Big 12, getting it done on...defense? Yes, the #1 scoring defense in the country can be found in Morgantown, WV after the 'Neers shut down Kansas State, Youngstown State, and Tennessee. And one week after surrendering 49 points to the Houston Cougars, Tech went into Stillwater and stonewalled the Cowboys, holding them to 17 points and zero (!) in the second half. Of course, they had the luxury of facing first-year starter Taylor Cornelius instead of OkSU institution Mason Rudolph, but now Will Grier is coming to town with a bit more formidable attack. Should we expect the dams to burst this Saturday? One would hope so; Tech is putting up over 50 a game and Grier is aspiring to Haskins-esque QB play. But Ole Miss was able to slow down the Red Raiders a bit in week 1 and WVU will do it again. WVU: 41--TT: 34
Schweinfurth: The Red Raiders have taken residence in their normal 20-25 ranking range. Unfortunately, I have not had enough time to watch the Big 12 outside of the TCU game. I do know that WVU has looked like a legitimate Big 12 championship contender (and the WVU/OU game will be fun). Will Grier is tearing it up and I just don't think Texas Tech has the defense to slow him down. WVU: 45--TT: 28
Seeberg: Ah yes, Texas Tech has entered the rankings after beating Oklahoma State on the road. A solid win to be sure, but now they face what is essentially OkSt version 2.0 in West Virginia. Will Grier and Co. are lighting it up as usual, and one week of solid defense per season is typically all any Big 12 squad can muster. Back to Earth, Red Raiders. WVU: 42-- TTU: 27
#7 Stanford Cardinal @ #8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Draper: Stanford won a game they had no business winning with super boring football that lulled the opponent to sleep? You don't say! It's almost like we've seen this story before. Now, is Notre Dame for real? I'm honestly not sure. They beat Michigan which is a nice win, but not spectacular and looked pedestrian in their other games. I'd like to go for boring David Shaw but this is exactly the game that Stanford loses that kicks them out of the national spotlight. Actually, it seems that whenever ND or Stanford get some steam, this is the game that crushes them. Notre Dame has plenty of time to face plant, but Stanford and the weak Pac 12 offers fewer opportunities. The Irish are BACK (for another week) while the Cardinal spends the next 7 games whining that they deserve a chance. Stan: 17--ND: 27
Hoying: I told you the Cardinal would win last week. Never a doubt (at least once they got back to playing Stanford football). Now they're tasked with stopping the new-look Irish O featuring Ian Book (5 yards) behind center. Lost in Book's coming out party was the fact that ND gave up 27 to Wake Forest, a team that scored all of 23 against Tulane a few weeks ago. Not that the Stanford offense poses much a threat; the run game has gone bye-bye even with Heisman once-hopeful Bryce Love leading the fold. The safe pick would be Notre Dame but I have an odd feeling that they're due for a clunker. Stan: 24 -- ND: 21
Schweinfurth: I went to bed last Saturday and Oregon was handling Stanford. That was apparently a mistake. That was a great comeback by a very good football team. The question I have, how much did that comeback take out of the Cardinal. That was an emotional conference game. This game, while it has emotion, means more for Notre Dame than the Cardinal. A loss here by the Irish and you can kiss any talk of the playoffs good bye. (Want a better chance? Join a freaking conference!) I wish this game was earlier so I could watch. Until Brian Kelly proves he can win a game like this, I'll take the other team. Stan: 28--ND: 24
Seeberg: Another week, another "I have no clue what to make of this Pac-12 team" game. Stanford was dead to rights against Oregon before the Ducks shrank on the national stage- again- like a wool sweater in the dryer. Notre Dame, like Stanford, has a formidable D, but the Ducks shredded that D for nearly three quarters. Suddenly, the golden domers might be able to score it as well, benching Wimbush in favor of Ian Book, who posted a tidy 325 passing yards in hanging more than half a hundred on a reasonably competent Wake Forest defense. That plus home field advantage is enough for me to believe the Irish will keep on pretending to be a CFP contender. Stan: 20--ND: 28
#20 Brigham Young Cougars @ #11 Washington Huskies
Draper: It was fun watching BYU beat Wisconsin....really fun. But Washington has an actual semblance of an offense. I think both teams will score, but Washington is simply the better team. Browning is a head case, but I expect him to perform at home. The Cougs weren't fazed in Madison, but the lack of a consistent Badger passing game was a huge boon. Washington has better athletes to pull away late. BYU: 24 -- UW: 38
Hoying: After scraping by Arizona in week 1 and being edged by California in week 2, BYU's conference tour continues in Seattle. I don't really think BYU is any good; their reputation is entirely founded on catching a super-overrated Wisconsin team napping. Yes, yes, I know there's another overrated UW team right in front of them, but the Huskies won't be fooled. BYU: 17 -- UW: 31
Schweinfurth: Which one of these teams is for real? BYU is still riding high after out muscling Wisconsin. Washington looked pretty good against what appears to be a decent Auburn team. Jake Browning has more experience in big games like this so I'll take the Huskies. BYU: 27--UW: 35
Seeberg: BYU is ranked. This is fool's gold kids. Hornibrook always plays like hot garbage against one inferior opponent each year, and this time it bit the Badgers where it hurts. The Huskies are still the Pac-12's best chance at a CFP berth, and they won't get caught napping after the Cougars' win last week. U-Dub big. BYU: 17--UW: 38
#19 Oregon Ducks @ #24 California Golden Bears
Draper: I saw a little of Oregon last week and they looked pretty solid...until they crapped themselves. I haven't seen Cal but QB-U (2 NFL starters!) has been putting points on the board. I think points will be had in spades here, but the Ducks are more talented. Quack. Ore: 48 -- Cal: 38
Hoying: OK, sometimes you get a bad beat. Sometimes you kick a pylon and then stretch for a yard you don't really need, and everyone inexplicably second-guesses your decision not to take a knee when you can't really run out the clock yet. It doesn't make you a bad team. Is Cal a bad team? I don't know; as stated above, they did beat BYU. And they even have a win over a Power 5 team: North Carolina! The Tar Heels looked pretty good this week, right? The Ducks are away from home for this one, but the home fans don't really pack the house in the Bay area. As long as Oregon doesn't let the Stanford bungling beat them two weeks in a row, they should be fine. Ore: 45--Cal: 27
Schweinfurth: Oregon had a rough week last week. I don't see this offense going dormant for the second half again like last week. They are just too talented. I haven't watched any of Cal this year, but from what I understand, this game should be a shootout. Ore: 45--Cal: 38
Seeberg: Ah yes, Oregon, take two. After botching their chance to re-enter national legitimacy last week, they're likely to stomp whomever they play next. Those highlighter jersey combos have to stay in the national discussion somehow. Ore: 45--Cal: 31
#4 THE Ohio State University Buckeyes @ #9 Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions
Draper: Take the over...of course when you think that, it usually means the opposite but here we are! Another game in which points will be scored in droves, not necessarily due to bad defense but moreso because of good offense. Last week was very odd as PSU almost pooped the bed against Illinois before an explosion of points occurred in the 4th. I don't read too much into that (on either side) except that OSU will be able to put up points and yards in this one. It comes down to the Buckeyes ability to stop the run up the middle (poor thus far) and get to McSorley before he chucked the 500 balls deep. The loss of Bosa looms large, but it's not as bad as everyone thinks. Cooper and Young are both fantastic edge rushers and Jones wreaks havoc at tackle. Unfortunately, they need support from the linebackers to stop the run in this game. I have no true worries concerning Haskins and the Buckeye offense. Yeah, this is Haskins first true road start but he got some great experience in Ann Arbor last year that will serve him well. Hope that Weber is at full speed to continue the 2-headed RB approach. No doubt in my mind that OSU is the better team. Can they escape Happy Valley with a win? I think it will be (surprisingly) comfortable. OSU: 52 -- PSU: 38
Hoying: Remember the 90's? When it seemed like the home team won this game every year (unless you're taking Bobby Hoying and Eddie George on the road in 1995)? Happy Valley hasn't been quite as intimidating lately. Yes, there was the block heard round the world in 2016 announcing Penn State's return to relevance, and yes, the 2014 game went to double OT, but one has to look back all the way to 2005 to find Ohio State's last loss in State College before 2016. And 2016 was a total fluke: Penn State got a few touchdowns on some deep jump balls but McSorley had an awful day and the PSU offense struggled in general to get anything going. Lost in last year's thrilling comeback was the dirty secret that the Lions couldn't really move the ball in Columbus, either, relying once again on jump balls that could have just as easily been ruled interceptions (and some early literal and figurative fumbles by the Gray and Gray). I'm looking for reasons not to pick the Bucks in this one and I just don't see them. The LB play has continued to be poor but I don't put any greater faith in the Penn State D. Haskins isn't going to be a deer in the headlights after staying frosty up in last year's comeback in Ann Arbor. Even if Weber is tweaked, Dobbins has been fine and will run wild if the Nits key on Dwayne. Stupid fluky crap is always a possibility, but the odds say go with the road team. OSU: 31 -- PSU: 24
Schweinfurth: Win special teams. Please. If there is a punt or FG block, it needs to happen by the Buckeyes. If there is a kick returned for a TD, it needs to happen by a Buckeye. Don't believe me? Look at the last two years. I put myself through the misery of watching the 2016 game. Ohio State DOMINATED that game until the Lions blocked a punt. With that said, this Buckeye team is much more talented than that 2016 team. This Penn State team is not. Everyone is making a big deal about Penn State's explosive offense. Please take into account that these numbers have come against App St., Pitt, Kent St. and Illinois. Those are some juggernaut defenses there. Yes, Ohio State's numbers came against Oregon St., Buttgers, Tulane, oh and a very good TCU team. Here's the thing, McSorely's deep ball is very interceptable and Ohio State actually has guys that can run with the Lion's receivers. Ohio State's D-Line is the best Penn St. will see all year and I'm still not sold on their offensive line. Beaver Stadium is one of the most intimidating atmospheres I have ever witnessed and that impact is real. Add to the fact that weird things always happen in this game. I think this one goes similar to the TCU game where Penn St. keeps it close for 3 quarters, but Dobbins and Weber are going to grind that defense into a fine white powder. OSU: 42--PSU: 31
Seeberg: Every time I think about this game, a new angle tries to coerce me into picking a different team. "The Buckeyes can't really stop anybody" "Yeah but neither can Penn State!" "Our rushing attack has dwindled significantly in recent weeks" "Yeah but Penn State can barely kick a field goal". Here's a terrifying stat: Ohio State's starting linebackers made EXACTLY ZERO TACKLES last week. That should be literally impossible. I also find it amusing that, in the breakdown of this game, the local paper gave the QB edge to Penn State, not the team with a QB who is currently the second betting favorite to win the Heisman. If Haskins plays as well as he did against TCU- and there's no reason to think he won't, considering TCU's defense is better- we should score enough points to put this one to bed when combined with turnover-prone McSorley. IF McSorley keeps the ball in the navy and white's hands, we may be in trouble, but I just don't see it. Bucks get a solid statement win in not-so-happy valley. OSU: 38--PSU: 28
Upset Special
Draper: Kansas State over Texas
Hoying: Ole Miss over LSU
Schweinfurth: Syracuse over Clemson
Seeberg: Pitt over UCF
1.) Draper 10-5 (1-3 upset)
1.) Hoying 10-5 (1-3 upset)
2.) Schweinfurth 9-6 (2-2 upset)
2.) Seeberg 8-7 (1-3 upset)
That Team Up North may still, as always, be Ohio State's one true rival, but that team out east (no, not you Rutgers) has been the Bucks' best matchup over the last two seasons. Now the non-rivalry is renewed, and this time with no stupid alternate uniforms (although I'm not sure that's a good thing: Ohio State is 4-0 against Penn State over the last 5 seasons when wearing stupid alternates, and 0-1 when not).
#12 West Virginia Mountaineers @ #25 Texas Tech Red Raiders
Draper: Will Grier is the Heisman flavor of the month not named Tu'a or Dwayne (honestly, it's the distant 3rd but you know...). I expect this to be another shootout as we're accustomed to with the Big 12 standards. Dana Holgorson should be able to keep the scoreboard ticking up in quick fashion while Kliff "Gosling" Kingsberry finally has a little spark of life in Lubbock. Lean on the Neers at this point because the Red Raiders are more likely the bigger mirage. WVU will crash and burn soon enough, but Tech is flying a bit too close to the sun. WVU: 48 -- TT: 28
Hoying: Ah, classic Big 12, getting it done on...defense? Yes, the #1 scoring defense in the country can be found in Morgantown, WV after the 'Neers shut down Kansas State, Youngstown State, and Tennessee. And one week after surrendering 49 points to the Houston Cougars, Tech went into Stillwater and stonewalled the Cowboys, holding them to 17 points and zero (!) in the second half. Of course, they had the luxury of facing first-year starter Taylor Cornelius instead of OkSU institution Mason Rudolph, but now Will Grier is coming to town with a bit more formidable attack. Should we expect the dams to burst this Saturday? One would hope so; Tech is putting up over 50 a game and Grier is aspiring to Haskins-esque QB play. But Ole Miss was able to slow down the Red Raiders a bit in week 1 and WVU will do it again. WVU: 41--TT: 34
Schweinfurth: The Red Raiders have taken residence in their normal 20-25 ranking range. Unfortunately, I have not had enough time to watch the Big 12 outside of the TCU game. I do know that WVU has looked like a legitimate Big 12 championship contender (and the WVU/OU game will be fun). Will Grier is tearing it up and I just don't think Texas Tech has the defense to slow him down. WVU: 45--TT: 28
Seeberg: Ah yes, Texas Tech has entered the rankings after beating Oklahoma State on the road. A solid win to be sure, but now they face what is essentially OkSt version 2.0 in West Virginia. Will Grier and Co. are lighting it up as usual, and one week of solid defense per season is typically all any Big 12 squad can muster. Back to Earth, Red Raiders. WVU: 42-- TTU: 27
#7 Stanford Cardinal @ #8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Draper: Stanford won a game they had no business winning with super boring football that lulled the opponent to sleep? You don't say! It's almost like we've seen this story before. Now, is Notre Dame for real? I'm honestly not sure. They beat Michigan which is a nice win, but not spectacular and looked pedestrian in their other games. I'd like to go for boring David Shaw but this is exactly the game that Stanford loses that kicks them out of the national spotlight. Actually, it seems that whenever ND or Stanford get some steam, this is the game that crushes them. Notre Dame has plenty of time to face plant, but Stanford and the weak Pac 12 offers fewer opportunities. The Irish are BACK (for another week) while the Cardinal spends the next 7 games whining that they deserve a chance. Stan: 17--ND: 27
Hoying: I told you the Cardinal would win last week. Never a doubt (at least once they got back to playing Stanford football). Now they're tasked with stopping the new-look Irish O featuring Ian Book (5 yards) behind center. Lost in Book's coming out party was the fact that ND gave up 27 to Wake Forest, a team that scored all of 23 against Tulane a few weeks ago. Not that the Stanford offense poses much a threat; the run game has gone bye-bye even with Heisman once-hopeful Bryce Love leading the fold. The safe pick would be Notre Dame but I have an odd feeling that they're due for a clunker. Stan: 24 -- ND: 21
Schweinfurth: I went to bed last Saturday and Oregon was handling Stanford. That was apparently a mistake. That was a great comeback by a very good football team. The question I have, how much did that comeback take out of the Cardinal. That was an emotional conference game. This game, while it has emotion, means more for Notre Dame than the Cardinal. A loss here by the Irish and you can kiss any talk of the playoffs good bye. (Want a better chance? Join a freaking conference!) I wish this game was earlier so I could watch. Until Brian Kelly proves he can win a game like this, I'll take the other team. Stan: 28--ND: 24
Seeberg: Another week, another "I have no clue what to make of this Pac-12 team" game. Stanford was dead to rights against Oregon before the Ducks shrank on the national stage- again- like a wool sweater in the dryer. Notre Dame, like Stanford, has a formidable D, but the Ducks shredded that D for nearly three quarters. Suddenly, the golden domers might be able to score it as well, benching Wimbush in favor of Ian Book, who posted a tidy 325 passing yards in hanging more than half a hundred on a reasonably competent Wake Forest defense. That plus home field advantage is enough for me to believe the Irish will keep on pretending to be a CFP contender. Stan: 20--ND: 28
#20 Brigham Young Cougars @ #11 Washington Huskies
Draper: It was fun watching BYU beat Wisconsin....really fun. But Washington has an actual semblance of an offense. I think both teams will score, but Washington is simply the better team. Browning is a head case, but I expect him to perform at home. The Cougs weren't fazed in Madison, but the lack of a consistent Badger passing game was a huge boon. Washington has better athletes to pull away late. BYU: 24 -- UW: 38
Hoying: After scraping by Arizona in week 1 and being edged by California in week 2, BYU's conference tour continues in Seattle. I don't really think BYU is any good; their reputation is entirely founded on catching a super-overrated Wisconsin team napping. Yes, yes, I know there's another overrated UW team right in front of them, but the Huskies won't be fooled. BYU: 17 -- UW: 31
Schweinfurth: Which one of these teams is for real? BYU is still riding high after out muscling Wisconsin. Washington looked pretty good against what appears to be a decent Auburn team. Jake Browning has more experience in big games like this so I'll take the Huskies. BYU: 27--UW: 35
Seeberg: BYU is ranked. This is fool's gold kids. Hornibrook always plays like hot garbage against one inferior opponent each year, and this time it bit the Badgers where it hurts. The Huskies are still the Pac-12's best chance at a CFP berth, and they won't get caught napping after the Cougars' win last week. U-Dub big. BYU: 17--UW: 38
#19 Oregon Ducks @ #24 California Golden Bears
Draper: I saw a little of Oregon last week and they looked pretty solid...until they crapped themselves. I haven't seen Cal but QB-U (2 NFL starters!) has been putting points on the board. I think points will be had in spades here, but the Ducks are more talented. Quack. Ore: 48 -- Cal: 38
Hoying: OK, sometimes you get a bad beat. Sometimes you kick a pylon and then stretch for a yard you don't really need, and everyone inexplicably second-guesses your decision not to take a knee when you can't really run out the clock yet. It doesn't make you a bad team. Is Cal a bad team? I don't know; as stated above, they did beat BYU. And they even have a win over a Power 5 team: North Carolina! The Tar Heels looked pretty good this week, right? The Ducks are away from home for this one, but the home fans don't really pack the house in the Bay area. As long as Oregon doesn't let the Stanford bungling beat them two weeks in a row, they should be fine. Ore: 45--Cal: 27
Schweinfurth: Oregon had a rough week last week. I don't see this offense going dormant for the second half again like last week. They are just too talented. I haven't watched any of Cal this year, but from what I understand, this game should be a shootout. Ore: 45--Cal: 38
Seeberg: Ah yes, Oregon, take two. After botching their chance to re-enter national legitimacy last week, they're likely to stomp whomever they play next. Those highlighter jersey combos have to stay in the national discussion somehow. Ore: 45--Cal: 31
#4 THE Ohio State University Buckeyes @ #9 Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions
Draper: Take the over...of course when you think that, it usually means the opposite but here we are! Another game in which points will be scored in droves, not necessarily due to bad defense but moreso because of good offense. Last week was very odd as PSU almost pooped the bed against Illinois before an explosion of points occurred in the 4th. I don't read too much into that (on either side) except that OSU will be able to put up points and yards in this one. It comes down to the Buckeyes ability to stop the run up the middle (poor thus far) and get to McSorley before he chucked the 500 balls deep. The loss of Bosa looms large, but it's not as bad as everyone thinks. Cooper and Young are both fantastic edge rushers and Jones wreaks havoc at tackle. Unfortunately, they need support from the linebackers to stop the run in this game. I have no true worries concerning Haskins and the Buckeye offense. Yeah, this is Haskins first true road start but he got some great experience in Ann Arbor last year that will serve him well. Hope that Weber is at full speed to continue the 2-headed RB approach. No doubt in my mind that OSU is the better team. Can they escape Happy Valley with a win? I think it will be (surprisingly) comfortable. OSU: 52 -- PSU: 38
Hoying: Remember the 90's? When it seemed like the home team won this game every year (unless you're taking Bobby Hoying and Eddie George on the road in 1995)? Happy Valley hasn't been quite as intimidating lately. Yes, there was the block heard round the world in 2016 announcing Penn State's return to relevance, and yes, the 2014 game went to double OT, but one has to look back all the way to 2005 to find Ohio State's last loss in State College before 2016. And 2016 was a total fluke: Penn State got a few touchdowns on some deep jump balls but McSorley had an awful day and the PSU offense struggled in general to get anything going. Lost in last year's thrilling comeback was the dirty secret that the Lions couldn't really move the ball in Columbus, either, relying once again on jump balls that could have just as easily been ruled interceptions (and some early literal and figurative fumbles by the Gray and Gray). I'm looking for reasons not to pick the Bucks in this one and I just don't see them. The LB play has continued to be poor but I don't put any greater faith in the Penn State D. Haskins isn't going to be a deer in the headlights after staying frosty up in last year's comeback in Ann Arbor. Even if Weber is tweaked, Dobbins has been fine and will run wild if the Nits key on Dwayne. Stupid fluky crap is always a possibility, but the odds say go with the road team. OSU: 31 -- PSU: 24
Schweinfurth: Win special teams. Please. If there is a punt or FG block, it needs to happen by the Buckeyes. If there is a kick returned for a TD, it needs to happen by a Buckeye. Don't believe me? Look at the last two years. I put myself through the misery of watching the 2016 game. Ohio State DOMINATED that game until the Lions blocked a punt. With that said, this Buckeye team is much more talented than that 2016 team. This Penn State team is not. Everyone is making a big deal about Penn State's explosive offense. Please take into account that these numbers have come against App St., Pitt, Kent St. and Illinois. Those are some juggernaut defenses there. Yes, Ohio State's numbers came against Oregon St., Buttgers, Tulane, oh and a very good TCU team. Here's the thing, McSorely's deep ball is very interceptable and Ohio State actually has guys that can run with the Lion's receivers. Ohio State's D-Line is the best Penn St. will see all year and I'm still not sold on their offensive line. Beaver Stadium is one of the most intimidating atmospheres I have ever witnessed and that impact is real. Add to the fact that weird things always happen in this game. I think this one goes similar to the TCU game where Penn St. keeps it close for 3 quarters, but Dobbins and Weber are going to grind that defense into a fine white powder. OSU: 42--PSU: 31
Seeberg: Every time I think about this game, a new angle tries to coerce me into picking a different team. "The Buckeyes can't really stop anybody" "Yeah but neither can Penn State!" "Our rushing attack has dwindled significantly in recent weeks" "Yeah but Penn State can barely kick a field goal". Here's a terrifying stat: Ohio State's starting linebackers made EXACTLY ZERO TACKLES last week. That should be literally impossible. I also find it amusing that, in the breakdown of this game, the local paper gave the QB edge to Penn State, not the team with a QB who is currently the second betting favorite to win the Heisman. If Haskins plays as well as he did against TCU- and there's no reason to think he won't, considering TCU's defense is better- we should score enough points to put this one to bed when combined with turnover-prone McSorley. IF McSorley keeps the ball in the navy and white's hands, we may be in trouble, but I just don't see it. Bucks get a solid statement win in not-so-happy valley. OSU: 38--PSU: 28
Upset Special
Draper: Kansas State over Texas
Hoying: Ole Miss over LSU
Schweinfurth: Syracuse over Clemson
Seeberg: Pitt over UCF
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