Official College Football Week 11 thread

[cartman]

We might have the greatest slate of Thursday games in college history this week. Here are the matchups of Top 25 teams this weekend:

Oregon at Stanford (Thursday)
Oklahoma at Baylor (Thursday)
LSU at Alabama

[MacroGuru]

Oh hell...you can't forget

BYU @ Wisconsin!

Can't wait for this game! It is now time to see if the Cougars are up for this game.

in the next couple of weeks we are

@Wisconsin
Idaho State
@Notre Dame
@ Nevada

Nice final stretch for us...If we can pul 3 wins out of this one we will be quite happy finishing 9-3 with our toughest schedule in school history. Although I hate the Virginia loss right now...

[Butter]

So, how far does Oregon fall if they lose? 5th? 6th?

[Chief Rum]

UCLA @ Arizona.

This is a very key game for the Bruins. UCLA historically plays very poorly in Tuscon, and the Wildcats look like a sneaky good team, if not great.

UCLA has also not been playing all too well of late. This one opened as a pick-em.

[mauchow]

Yep. Should be a fun one!!! Trying to see if I can get cheap tickets.
Oh hell...you can't forget

BYU @ Wisconsin!

Can't wait for this game! It is now time to see if the Cougars are up for this game.

in the next couple of weeks we are

@Wisconsin
Idaho State
@Notre Dame
@ Nevada

Nice final stretch for us...If we can pul 3 wins out of this one we will be quite happy finishing 9-3 with our toughest schedule in school history. Although I hate the Virginia loss right now...

[MacroGuru]

Yep. Should be a fun one!!! Trying to see if I can get cheap tickets.

I am interested to see how travel to Wisconsin. Our fan base usually travels well. If I could have afforded it this season, I would have wanted to travel for this game, the ND game and out to Utah for Texas and GT...

[tarcone]

I cant believe you missed THE game of the week. Iowas travels to Purdue. I read on Hawkeyenation that tickets could be had for $1.25. Yes the decimal point is in the right spot.

A win here gets Iowa bowl eligible.

[JonInMiddleGA]

So, how far does Oregon fall if they lose? 5th? 6th?

6th if Baylor wins, 5th if Baylor loses.

They'd basically become this week's Stanford, the highest ranked 1-loss team.

[Matthean]

So, how far does Oregon fall if they lose? 5th? 6th?

Too far. This isn't the year to get to the title game with a loss.

[BishopMVP]

6th if Baylor wins, 5th if Baylor loses.

They'd basically become this week's Stanford, the highest ranked 1-loss team.Well, presumably they'd become the 2nd highest ranked 1-loss team after Stanford... although voters have gotten that wrong in the past.

[Matthean]

Nebraska @ Michigan

Only of interest to see who can finish second in the division although Minnesota is lurking. It's really a game of two teams that could be good but are far too flawed to be so. The upside is the game is at home for Michigan. The downside is how much pride they have left after that beat down.

I fully expect LSU vs. 'Bama to be another bloodbath.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Well, presumably they'd become the 2nd highest ranked 1-loss team after Stanford

Yeah, that's what I meant. Not what I said (looking back at it), but it's what I meant ;)

[Passacaglia]

Nebraska @ Michigan

Only of interest to see who can finish second in the division although Minnesota is lurking. It's really a game of two teams that could be good but are far too flawed to be so. The upside is the game is at home for Michigan. The downside is how much pride they have left after that beat down.

I fully expect LSU vs. 'Bama to be another bloodbath.

I thought so too, but if Nebraska wins out, they take the division.

[cartman]

Steve Patterson, not Oliver Luck, is going to be the next AD at Texas.

http://www.utexas.edu/news/2013/11/05/patterson-texas-athletic-director/

[Matthean]

I thought so too, but if Nebraska wins out, they take the division.

I don't see them winning out. State's D is good enough to handle Nebraska's offense, and Nebraska's D is still terrible. I know it is at home but still.

[cartman]

I am interested to see how travel to Wisconsin. Our fan base usually travels well. If I could have afforded it this season, I would have wanted to travel for this game, the ND game and out to Utah for Texas and GT...

2014 schedules just released. BYU in Austin on Sept. 6th, 2014. The Salt Lick awaits. :D

Then Bug and CR, a week later Texas plays UCLA at AT&T Stadium.

[MacroGuru]

2014 schedules just released. BYU in Austin on Sept. 6th, 2014. The Salt Lick awaits. :D

Then Bug and CR, a week later Texas plays UCLA at AT&T Stadium.

Well, guess I better get to saving!

[dawgfan]

Steve Patterson, not Oliver Luck, is going to be the next AD at Texas.

http://www.utexas.edu/news/2013/11/05/patterson-texas-athletic-director/
Obviously I'm asking a hypothetical question here, but if Mack Brown is gone after this year, how open do you think Texas fans would be to Todd Graham?

I postulated a few weeks ago on another board - before I knew Patterson was a candidate for the AD job at Texas - that Graham might be a guy that could end up a strong candidate for Texas given his Texas roots, his history of recruiting in the region, his ease with media intrusion (ASU is one of two programs getting the behind-the-scenes treatment from the P12 Network this year) and his success in various spots.

I admit he wouldn't be one of the first names most Texas fans would think of, but I see a lot of reasons why he might emerge as a strong candidate should the job open up.

[HomerSimpson98]

Todd Graham - hahahahahaaha. hahahahaha

I sure hope so!!!!

[Umbrella]

The ASU beat writer tweeted as part of the agreement that Patterson can't hire anyone from ASU. I have no idea how long that lasts though.

[Chief Rum]

2014 schedules just released. BYU in Austin on Sept. 6th, 2014. The Salt Lick awaits. :D

Then Bug and CR, a week later Texas plays UCLA at AT&T Stadium.

Yup, that one has been circled on the calendar for abit now. I have even given thought to making the trip out there for the game.

[MrBug708]

The ASU beat writer tweeted as part of the agreement that Patterson can't hire anyone from ASU. I have no idea how long that lasts though.

I think that might have been a promise for Texas.

What happens if Graham quits ASU?

[General Mike]

Tuesday Night MACtion anyone?

[Atocep]

Steve Patterson, not Oliver Luck, is going to be the next AD at Texas.

http://www.utexas.edu/news/2013/11/05/patterson-texas-athletic-director/

Which means Rich Rod isn't coming back to Morgantown anytime soon.

[tarcone]

Iowa got a commitment from 4* RB Markel Smith out of Vianny HS in St Louis. Kid ran for 540 yards and 7 TDs against an opponent this season.

[Umbrella]

I think that might have been a promise for Texas.

What happens if Graham quits ASU?

I'm not 100% sure, but I think if he leaves to take another job, part of his contract stipulates that the other school has a big payout to make. Granted, for Texas, it would be chump change.

[BishopMVP]

Tuesday Night MACtion anyone?Despite being a battle for MAC East supremacy, I don't recommend watching unless you want to scout Khalil Mack. Next wednesday's Ball St @ Northern Illinois game should be good.

[cartman]

Horrendous call in the Ohio-Buffalo game last night. This was ruled a safety:

http://nesncom.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/ohio-safety.gif?w=450&h=286

Intentional grounding calls are not reviewable, so the play stood.

[Chief Rum]

I don't get it. How could that be ruled a safety? He doesn't even have the ball when he goes into the end zone.

[Dr. Sak]

Horrendous call in the Ohio-Buffalo game last night. This was ruled a safety:

http://nesncom.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/ohio-safety.gif?w=450&h=286

Intentional grounding calls are not reviewable, so the play stood.

I'm bored at work so I will amuse myself (and hopefully inform you all) and break down the play.

Not to make excuses for the (incorrect) call, but that's a tough one for the referee to make. Intentional Grounding is the only call where the official that actually knows what happens is not the one who drops the flag. The wing official (L or H) comes in to tell the R about the call and R drops the flag at the spot.

The referee lost his cushion and probably wasn't thinking of the potential of it being grounding however, his L or H should help him with it. The QB is the R's key and he is under major duress, which brings into play the potential for a roughing the passer. Watching this play the R seems to have a oh sh*t moment with being run over and worrying about the QB being hit (in the head by #45) and totally loses the spot.

The L is responsible for spots on sacks and unless there is trips formation, his key is the tackle therefore he should already be looking in the backfield. So what should have happened was the L who signalled that the pass did not cross the LOS (and/or no WR in the area) should have at least talked to the Referee as to where he thought the spot of the foul was located.

In the end it was a breakdown of crew communication, however, the Referee will talk the brunt of this call because it was "his call".

[digamma]

I don't understand why this isn't a review situation. We review to see if a player has crossed the line of scrimmage before throwing the ball. We review to see if a spot is correct or whether a player has crossed the goal line. Why is this play not reviewable?

[Matthean]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TVUbCnsZyws" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[tarcone]

Im surprised there werent more cheap shots in that video.

[Matthean]

Brady Hoke can fix Michigan Wolverines - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9936259/brady-hoke-fix-michigan-wolverines)

Rather spot on. Lewan might not even make All-Big Ten at this point. I know the Big Ten network left him off their list of all-conference guys at the halfway point. Gardner has talent, but I would expect more out of a guy who's a junior.

[Galaxy]

I don't understand why this isn't a review situation. We review to see if a player has crossed the line of scrimmage before throwing the ball. We review to see if a spot is correct or whether a player has crossed the goal line. Why is this play not reviewable?

Maybe because he they thought he threw it away to avoid the safety?

[digamma]

Maybe because he they thought he threw it away to avoid the safety?

That's not the rule.

[Balldog]

A lot of confidence in Hoke considering he only had 3 winning seasons in his 8 years of head coaching and not even winning a conference championship before coming to Michigan.

Hoke has done a good job of restoring the brand but on the field leaves a lot to be desired.

[Butter]

If Jason Whitlock is 100% behind Brady Hoke, then I am 110% behind him.

That said, I fully expect Michigan to somehow put it all together and make the OSU game a fight. But we'll see.

[jbergey22]

We might have the greatest slate of Thursday games in college history this week. Here are the matchups of Top 25 teams this weekend:

Oregon at Stanford (Thursday)
Oklahoma at Baylor (Thursday)
LSU at Alabama

Indeed. I wish they would have Thursday night games like this more often. Wonder if Stanford can give Oregon fits again this year. It wouldnt seem so on paper but last year it felt the same way.

[jbergey22]

Oh hell...you can't forget

BYU @ Wisconsin!

Can't wait for this game! It is now time to see if the Cougars are up for this game.

in the next couple of weeks we are

@Wisconsin
Idaho State
@Notre Dame
@ Nevada

Nice final stretch for us...If we can pul 3 wins out of this one we will be quite happy finishing 9-3 with our toughest schedule in school history. Although I hate the Virginia loss right now...

This is an interesting game. Why was is scheduled for now? Id like to see BYU win but that atmosphere in Madison is hard to overcome.

[jbergey22]

UCLA @ Arizona.

This is a very key game for the Bruins. UCLA historically plays very poorly in Tuscon, and the Wildcats look like a sneaky good team, if not great.

UCLA has also not been playing all too well of late. This one opened as a pick-em.

UCLA matches up well with them Id think. Carey is a stud but the UCLA defense is fast so I guess if mostly falls on UCLA moving the ball on the Arizona defense which I think favors UCLA.

[jbergey22]

Obviously I'm asking a hypothetical question here, but if Mack Brown is gone after this year, how open do you think Texas fans would be to Todd Graham?

I postulated a few weeks ago on another board - before I knew Patterson was a candidate for the AD job at Texas - that Graham might be a guy that could end up a strong candidate for Texas given his Texas roots, his history of recruiting in the region, his ease with media intrusion (ASU is one of two programs getting the behind-the-scenes treatment from the P12 Network this year) and his success in various spots.

I admit he wouldn't be one of the first names most Texas fans would think of, but I see a lot of reasons why he might emerge as a strong candidate should the job open up.

I think Texas would not accept a Graham hiring at all. Texas is a program that gets pretty much any coach they want and I dont see Graham as being that guy.

[gstelmack]

Uh oh, Nick Saban with the "totally committed to Alabama" quote. Looks like he's gone, probably to Texas?

[MacroGuru]

Hey Wisconsin guys,

I am hearing conflicting reports of your WR and LB that are injured. I know the LB is probably going to play but is not 100%, what about Abberderis, is he going to play and is he 100%?

Right now we have our starting FS and SS both coming back from getting knocked out in the Boise State game, but they have cleared all protocols and should be ready to go. We lost one of our starting ILB to a knee injury.

Offensively, we lost JD Falsev due to an accident at a water park on a team outing during the bye week. He broke his hand as he slipped and fell. Other than that, we are healthy across the board there.

I am amped up about this game. It's probably one of BYU's biggest road games in a while (The last I feel was OU @ Jerry's world in 09)

[cartman]

Close your eyes for a moment, and imagine what this thread would look like if it wasn't Texas that the Saban rumor was connected to, but rather another school, one not from the state of Texas, and once a member of the Big 12.

[HomerSimpson98]

Better yet, what if the rumors were PINKEL going to Texas and not Saban?

[cartman]

Better yet, what if the rumors were PINKEL going to Texas and not Saban?

Damn, you let the cat out of the bag. My sources tell me that he is really the only coach on the Longhorns radar.

[Matthean]

Uh oh, Nick Saban with the "totally committed to Alabama" quote. Looks like he's gone, probably to Texas?

Why move on to a downgrade of a position?

[jbergey22]

Why move on to a downgrade of a position?

Alabama is no slouch of a program but when he came in it had a few down years. Texas on the other hand is the right in the heart of the largest talent pool in the nation. Personally, what I think Saban could do at Texas would be unfair.

[BishopMVP]

Why move on to a downgrade of a position?Because people stop appreciating you and have unrealistically high expectations after your 3rd national championship? Why not go be a savior and win a title at a 3rd school? I think we can all agree that if Saban goes to Texas it's a question of how long until he's in his first title game, not whether he can make it.

[dawgfan]

Alabama is no slouch of a program but when he came in it had a few down years. Texas on the other hand is the right in the heart of the largest talent pool in the nation. Personally, what I think Saban could do at Texas would be unfair.
Not only that, no program in the country matches Texas when it comes to revenue. Alabama does very well and ranks third in that category, bringing in nearly $82M for the 2011-12 time period, but Texas is tops with nearly $104M.

Perhaps the new SEC TV deals will equalize things, but then again those figures are also before the Big-12 got new deals.

Alabama is obviously one of the top jobs in the country, but so is Texas.

[BishopMVP]

So Jaboo plays without his contacts in? Is he playing with house rules so he doesn't dominate too much? Jameis Winston of Florida State Seminoles says squinting is 'a habit' - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9941415/jameis-winston-florida-state-seminoles-says-squinting-habit)

[digamma]

Close your eyes for a moment, and imagine what this thread would look like if it wasn't Texas that the Saban rumor was connected to, but rather another school, one not from the state of Texas, and once a member of the Big 12.

Close your eyes for a moment, and imagine what this thread would look like if there were a couple of rather large Thursday night games to discuss... ;)

[digamma]

And dola...

I honestly don't know what to make of the games tonight. I want to say both big offenses roll, but Stanford seems to have Oregon's number and OU-Baylor is, well, OU-Baylor.

[cartman]

I can't wait for kickoff of both games

[HomerSimpson98]

Yeah tonight is going to be delicious.

I'm looking forward to Baylor playing a decent defense and I am really hoping OU gives them a kick in the teeth just so all these pretty boy baptists can go back to their little corner of the Interwebs. But hey, the tarp is off!! Way to go guys.

And something tells me that the Tree knocks off the Ducks again. Looking for another instant classic here.

Friday could be a rough morning.

[Crapshoot]

And dola...

I honestly don't know what to make of the games tonight. I want to say both big offenses roll, but Stanford seems to have Oregon's number and OU-Baylor is, well, OU-Baylor.

On campus, headed over now. Honestly, I expect Oregon to win, and by 10 at least - the Stanford offense is simply not setup to play from behind, and David Shaw makes Rush Limbaugh look like a liberal. It will be a pleasant surprise if it goes any other way, especially with Ben Gardner being injured last week.

[jbergey22]

Yeah tonight is going to be delicious.

I'm looking forward to Baylor playing a decent defense and I am really hoping OU gives them a kick in the teeth just so all these pretty boy baptists can go back to their little corner of the Interwebs. But hey, the tarp is off!! Way to go guys.

And something tells me that the Tree knocks off the Ducks again. Looking for another instant classic here.

Friday could be a rough morning.

I am kind of hoping for a Baylor vs Oregon bowl game. I am not sure if it could actually happen but the total in that game might cross into 3 digit territory. I cant imagine either team being held under 50 with how fast them teams run plays.

[cartman]

There aren't going to be too many people missing Floyd Casey Stadium when it is closed after this season. There are high school stadiums better than that place.

[Matthean]

I am kind of hoping for a Baylor vs Oregon bowl game. I am not sure if it could actually happen but the total in that game might cross into 3 digit territory. I cant imagine either team being held under 50 with how fast them teams run plays.

Baylor has put up 3 points and given up a safety against the first real team they have faced. I wouldn't bet too much on them scoring a bunch on the Ducks.

[panerd]

Better yet, what if the rumors were PINKEL going to Texas and not Saban?

Nah Pinkel and Briles will just continue to pick up more talented athletes that Texas passes on.

[mauchow]

Top of the 5th and it's 5 to 3 Sooners leading.

[jbergey22]

Baylor has put up 3 points and given up a safety against the first real team they have faced. I wouldn't bet too much on them scoring a bunch on the Ducks.

Plenty of game left. With Seastrunk, Reese, Goodley, and Petty I dont see scoring being much of an issue.

[mauchow]

At a quick glace it looks like Michigan's uniforms(Ducks).

[cartman]

Plenty of game left. With Seastrunk, Reese, Goodley, and Petty I dont see scoring being much of an issue.

24-5 Baylor at halftime.

[mauchow]

Top of the 5th and it's 5 to 3 Sooners leading.

That baseball score quickly ended......

[cartman]

Nah Pinkel and Briles will just continue to pick up more talented athletes that Texas passes on.

That Texas pipeline is drying up for Mizzou. Only signed 4 guys from Texas in the last class, and only 2 verbals for 2014's class.

[jbergey22]

That baseball score quickly ended......

College Football Stats - College FB Team Plays per Game on TeamRankings.com (http://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/stat/plays-per-game)

Some teams play so fast now they are getting almost 1.5X more snaps per game than slower paced teams. Its almost like playing a football game of 90 minutes now instead of 60. Holding Oregon or Baylor under 30 would take one heck of a defensive effort.

[Lathum]

Time to see what Oregon is made of

[cartman]

Baylor's defense has been impressive

[BishopMVP]

Baylor has put up 3 points and given up a safety against the first real team they have faced. I wouldn't bet too much on them scoring a bunch on the Ducks.Nothing like judging a team based of 5 drives, when 1.5 of them were successful (FG, missed FG). Can we write off Oregon's offense since they're being shutout 25 minutes in? :)

[mauchow]

23 rushes in the first half for Gafney. Wow.

[jbergey22]

It is just crazy how well Stanford plays these Ducks.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I don't think there's any such thing as a safe lead against Oregon ... but Stanford sure has put themselves in position for the upset.

[Matthean]

Nothing like judging a team based of 5 drives, when 1.5 of them were successful (FG, missed FG). Can we write off Oregon's offense since they're being shutout 25 minutes in? :)

I'm just saying it might be a little early to say how many points Baylor would score considering they are finally playing their first team with a pulse and to imply Baylor and Oregon could score 100+.

[Matthean]

I don't think there's any such thing as a safe lead against Oregon ... but Stanford sure has put themselves in position for the upset.

Is it really an upset when it keeps happening? Oregon continues to prove they are nothing more than a paper tiger.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Is it really an upset when it keeps happening? Oregon continues to prove they are nothing more than a paper tiger.

When one team is positioned for a possible national title much better than the other, yeah, I'd say that's an upset.

[SirFozzie]

The good news for FSU is that Oregon is being dumped out of the national title picture.

The bad news for FSU is Baylor and Stanford are making claims for being IN the national picture.

[jbergey22]

I'm just saying it might be a little early to say how many points Baylor would score considering they are finally playing their first team with a pulse and to imply Baylor and Oregon could score 100+.

I guess I dont feel it is too early at all to make that statement. Since they both play fast they will each run around 90-100 plays. With them 2 offenses running that many plays I have little doubt the score would reach triple digits. Baylor has scored 70 4 times already this year.

I guess we could look and see how many times either of the two teams have been held under 50 the past 2 years. I am sure the number is very small.

I think we can agree Alabama again has a top defense and once they got into a run and gun game with Texas A&M that game ended up with over 90 points. It is just ridiculous how fast some of these teams play not so much the defenses they face. Baylor is usually running out the clock in the 2nd half and still putting up 70s.

[MizzouRah]

Better yet, what if the rumors were PINKEL going to Texas and not Saban?

Maybe Pinkel to Rhode Island or Saban to Utah?

[Matthean]

When one team is positioned for a possible national title much better than the other, yeah, I'd say that's an upset.

So the exact same thing keeps happening again. :D

The good news for FSU is that Oregon is being dumped out of the national title picture.

The bad news for FSU is Baylor and Stanford are making claims for being IN the national picture.

Stanford isn't jumping enough teams to matter unless those teams also lose. This is the problem with the Pac-10 right now. There is always one loss in there that shouldn't be.

[BishopMVP]

I'm just saying it might be a little early to say how many points Baylor would score considering they are finally playing their first team with a pulse and to imply Baylor and Oregon could score 100+.And I'm saying we can all watch Oregon getting shut out and know they're better than they're showing... so to write Baylor's offense off based on 3 early stops by Oklahoma was even more premature - as evidenced by the 5 TD's and 2 FG attempts in their next 8 drives against a top 10 team. This Baylor offense has really good athletes (although Reese and Martin might be injured) and the system works - they've been putting up points for 3-4 years now.

[Matthean]

Can we write off Oregon's offense since they're being shutout 25 minutes in? :)

(looks around)

Yes. :D

[jbergey22]

(looks around)

Yes. :D

Yes the offense has been bad as well. But they cant get the ball from Stanford either so both parts of their game are flawed tonight. Stanford is just taking the air out of the ball so well tonight and not letting Oregon get in any rhythm.

[MrBug708]

The Pac12 is still the only conference that will a actively screw its best team out of a title game

[bhlloy]

Still not seeing anything like an NFL QB in Mariota's game. You can argue he might be similar to Kaepernick but I don't think he has the arm strength, and his accuracy and pocket presence is nothing like you want to see in an NFL prospect

[BishopMVP]

The good news for FSU is that Oregon is being dumped out of the national title picture.

The bad news for FSU is Baylor and Stanford are making claims for being IN the national picture.If FSU (and Alabama) wins out, they're in the title game, and both deservedly so. Things will get interesting if one of those two does - I think undefeated Baylor has the edge over undefeated Ohio State and 1-loss Stanford/Oregon/FSU/Alabama, but all those teams would be close. Too bad the 4-team playoff doesn't start this year.

[BishopMVP]

Still not seeing anything like an NFL QB in Mariota's game. You can argue he might be similar to Kaepernick but I don't think he has the arm strength, and his accuracy and pocket presence is nothing like you want to see in an NFL prospectArm strength is there I think - he underthrew that early deep ball, but he's had plenty of zip on is passes. The problem like you said is accuracy, especially when he's on the run or feeling pressure.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Question: is Baylor's defense better than thought? Or was Oklahoma just that inept against it once they got behind? I mean, they gave up one score basically, Oklahoma isn't that bad.

The computers have loved Stanford more than Baylor to this point but the Bears SOS will get steadily better from here on out. That seems like enough to push them ahead of Stanford by the end of the year even if the Cardinal do win tonight.

[jbergey22]

Question: is Baylor's defense better than thought? Or was Oklahoma just that inept against it once they got behind? I mean, they gave up one score basically, Oklahoma isn't that bad.

The computers have loved Stanford more than Baylor to this point but the Bears SOS will get steadily better from here on out. That seems like enough to push them ahead of Stanford by the end of the year even if the Cardinal do win tonight.

I think Baylors defense is a bit underrated based on the past but I also think Oklahoma isnt anything special this year. Blake Bell has a lot of flaws as a QB.

Baylor still has a lot to prove with some more difficult games coming up.

[bhlloy]

Arm strength is there I think - he underthrew that early deep ball, but he's had plenty of zip on is passes. The problem like you said is accuracy, especially when he's on the run or feeling pressure.

Yeah I don't think he has a weak arm, but I also don't think he has a gun like Kapernick has, which made him such an intriguing prospect. Maybe I'm underselling him but every time I see him putting up silly stats it's his receivers making a lot of plays

EDIT - and I'm not saying he's not worth a high-ish pick based on upside. But I see a lot of places have him as a top 5 pick, which I don't see at all.

[Kodos]

Stanford has been a thing of beauty tonight. Love watching them kick Oregon's ass.

[tarcone]

I thought Baylor was for real. This confirms it.
I didnt think Oregon was this beatable. Wow. Stanford just manhandling them.

[Matthean]

Still not seeing anything like an NFL QB in Mariota's game. You can argue he might be similar to Kaepernick but I don't think he has the arm strength, and his accuracy and pocket presence is nothing like you want to see in an NFL prospect

2014 NFL Mock Draft: Marcus Mariota leaps ahead of Teddy Bridgewater as No. 1 pick - NFL - Sporting News (http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-10-30/2014-mock-draft-teddy-bridgewater-marcus-mariota-clowney-hundley?eadid=EL/SICOM)

[SirFozzie]

Oh my, this game is getting weird...

[chadritt]

I want to watch but Oregon only started scoring the moment I switched over...

[kingfc22]

Oh my, this game is getting weird...

Getting even weirder

[bhlloy]

Yeesh, this could be an all time collapse

[Matthean]

It would have been interesting to see how pollsters would have reacted had Oregon won.

[bhlloy]

I still think it's interesting to see how the last 5 mins play into the pollsters mind, given how many quality one win teams could be left. Holding Oregon to 7 and winning by 20+ superficially looks a lot better than winning by 6, even though it shouldn't

[Matthean]

I still think too many undefeated teams will remain for it to matter. FSU and OSU alone have rather tame schedules to finish off.

[dawgfan]

Arm strength is there I think - he underthrew that early deep ball, but he's had plenty of zip on is passes. The problem like you said is accuracy, especially when he's on the run or feeling pressure.
This game has been an aberration. He's been accurate most of the season, and was deadly accurate when I saw him in person.

[MrBug708]

Brett McMurphy ✔ @McMurphyESPN

Stanford will now have 4 wins vs. Sagarin Top 20 teams. Bama, FSU, Baylor, Ohio State have 3 - combined

[BishopMVP]

(looks around)

Yes. :DYou seem real quick to dismiss high-scoring teams. I've been on that side before when people were talking about Oregon's offense a couple years ago like it couldn't be stopped, but they're still really good offenses. A lot of their absurd PPG stats come from running faster plays so they get more possessions, but part of it is having higher points per possession. We saw Stanford execute a perfect game plan to counteract the first (literally averaging over 5 minutes per drive, which is equally absurd) while also getting a couple lucky breaks on the fumble bounces and Ikpre-Olomu's INT waved off on a borderline PI. When it comes to the second, even the best college and pro offenses of all time can roll snake eyes a few times in a row, and when you only get 8 possessions in a game that'll kill you.This game has been an aberration. He's been accurate most of the season, and was deadly accurate when I saw him in person.I really haven't seen many other full games from him, just highlights and parts of a couple. I still think he's a good prospect, but there were a number of throwing mechanics breakdowns, bad footwork and poor pocket awareness tonight. Another guy who's still an unfinished product, and I'm not sure how much he'll learn if he comes back to Oregon for another year - they seem to get so much space that he's not really forced to make tight throws from the pocket under pressure - usually either the quick easy throws are there or he can get outside the pocket and get receivers open by quite a few yards due to his scrambling threat.

[Crapshoot]

Holy shit, what an ending, but that was pure fucking domination. Complete blast. I think Stanford has a case to go to #3 (ahead of Ohio St), but Bug is right - the difficulty of the PAC-12 is immense compared to that of the SEC, to say nothing of the cupcakes in the Big 10.

[jbergey22]

I really haven't seen many other full games from him, just highlights and parts of a couple. I still think he's a good prospect, but there were a number of throwing mechanics breakdowns, bad footwork and poor pocket awareness tonight. Another guy who's still an unfinished product, and I'm not sure how much he'll learn if he comes back to Oregon for another year - they seem to get so much space that he's not really forced to make tight throws from the pocket under pressure - usually either the quick easy throws are there or he can get outside the pocket and get receivers open by quite a few yards due to his scrambling threat.

I think you hit the nail on the head here. The talent is certainly there but the consistency is lacking. He will make an unbelievable throw and follow it up with one 10 feet over a WRs head. I think Kaepernick is a very good comparison with Mariota having a higher ceiling.

[CU Tiger]

College Football Stats - College FB Team Plays per Game on TeamRankings.com (http://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/stat/plays-per-game)

Some teams play so fast now they are getting almost 1.5X more snaps per game than slower paced teams. Its almost like playing a football game of 90 minutes now instead of 60. Holding Oregon or Baylor under 30 would take one heck of a defensive effort.

It's been interesting the last 3 years since OC Chad Morris came to Clemson. He harps an only 3 stats, in order:
- Number of Offensive snaps/game
- "Balls in Jeopardy" (a self created stat inclusive of an appointed staff member whose sole job is to track this during a game AND for upcoming opponents comprised of fumbles, interceptions, fumbles recovered by own team, bobbled snaps and hand offs and tipped passes and dropped INTs)
- Rushing yards per game.

Morris has said repeatedly that 80 plays is the minimum acceptable number and references both the increased opportunities to score, but also the increased opportunity to show additional formations and "window dressing" both to open up later in game chances AND to put more on film for future opponents.

If I were playing any of these pace based offenses I would never snap the ball with more than 5 seconds on the clock, just to break their rythm.

[CU Tiger]

The good news for FSU is that Oregon is being dumped out of the national title picture.

The bad news for FSU is Baylor and Stanford are making claims for being IN the national picture.

Stanford with 1 loss is a long shot, I'd think.
Baylor is solidly in there.

This is where we need a playoff as based on resume Oregon's loss is "better" than Stanford's so plenty of computers will still rank Oregon ahead of Stanford...

Now if you want your head to explode imagine a world where a 1 loss Mizzou beats a no loss Bama in the SEC title game leaving a 1 loss SEC champ and a 1 loss Bama, both required by secret by laws wrote down in the bowels of history to get a BCS title game birth.

[Butter]

Brett McMurphy ✔ @McMurphyESPN

Stanford will now have 4 wins vs. Sagarin Top 20 teams. Bama, FSU, Baylor, Ohio State have 3 - combined

Stanford also lost to Utah. If they hadn't, I would say they deserve to be #1 right now. But they didn't. Based on yesterday, I would rank Baylor ahead of Stanford. Plus, the Sagarin had Stanford as #9 before last night's game. They will move up some, but they won't jump everyone in the computers.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Stanford also lost to Utah. If they hadn't, I would say they deserve to be #1 right now. But they didn't. Based on yesterday, I would rank Baylor ahead of Stanford. Plus, the Sagarin had Stanford as #9 before last night's game. They will move up some, but they won't jump everyone in the computers.

They were 5th in the computers coming in to last night with ranks of
6,5,5,4,9,9

It might be enough to pass tOSU, but I imagine Baylor will actually close the computer gap on them over the next several weeks as their SOS improves.

[Butter]

The Pac12 is still the only conference that will a actively screw its best team out of a title game

Not sure what this means. Though I did enjoy watching Glasses Ref last night.

[mauchow]

Yeah, they'd be in if it were the 4 Team Playoff... but that's the supposed "beauty" of college football that people talked about. Where's the beauty in having an early season loss dictate that you will not get to play the NCG? There isn't.

There needs to be an 8 (or 16!) team playoff but for now I will be happy with 4 because its better than what they've got for this year. And this year would have been amazing to have a 4-team playoff. Can Obama make that happen?

[MizzouRah]

Ohio St. plays nobody.. so I can't see them being in any discussion. :)

FSU definitely should be thanking Stanford, Bama still plays a couple of good teams.. will be interesting for sure.

[panerd]

Brett McMurphy ✔ @McMurphyESPN

Stanford will now have 4 wins vs. Sagarin Top 20 teams. Bama, FSU, Baylor, Ohio State have 3 - combined

By season's end (top 25 since McMurphy conviently wanted to leave 2 Big 12 teams off that were 21 and 23)...

Alabama: A&M, LSU, Auburn, Mizzou/USC (SEC title game)
FSU: Clemson
Baylor: Oklahoma,OK State, Texas
OSU: Wisconsin, Mich State (Big 10 title game)

Standford's schedule was just front loaded. It will all work itself out like it does every year. (Plus Texas Tech, K-State, Ole Miss, and Miami should move into the top 25 by the end of the season)

[CU Tiger]

FSU has Miami and still has Florida left...Miami will certainly be top 25, no?

[Butter]

Interesting that Ohio State and Baylor have a common opponent this year... Buffalo, whose only 2 losses were to OSU and BU.

OSU beat them 40-20, while Baylor won 70-13.

[Butter]

FSU has Miami and still has Florida left...Miami will certainly be top 25, no?

Assuming Miami goes to the ACC Champ. Game from that side, which is far from certain. But they did already play them once, and doubt they will fall all the way out of the Top 25.

[JonInMiddleGA]

(Plus Texas Tech, K-State, Ole Miss, and Miami should move into the top 25 by the end of the season)

Which top 25 are we talking about?
BCS? Sagarin? Sagarin Pure ELO (which is what the BCS uses)?

(I single out Sagarin since that's what McMurphy used for his quote)

[panerd]

Which top 25 are we talking about?
BCS? Sagarin? Sagarin Pure ELO (which is what the BCS uses)?

(I single out Sagarin since that's what McMurphy used for his quote)

Sagarin. I was going off the original quote. They are 26, 28, 29, 30 and there are some teams that are going to fall out.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Sagarin. I was going off the original quote. They are 26, 28, 29, 30 and there are some teams that are going to fall out.

Fair enough, it just kinda hit me how variable a phrase like "Top 25" could actually be & sorta picked out that post to highlight the point.

Sagarin Pure ELO has Northern Illinois at #4.
Sagarin (vanilla) has Northern Illinois at #46.

[panerd]

Yeah, they'd be in if it were the 4 Team Playoff... but that's the supposed "beauty" of college football that people talked about. Where's the beauty in having an early season loss dictate that you will not get to play the NCG? There isn't.

There needs to be an 8 (or 16!) team playoff but for now I will be happy with 4 because its better than what they've got for this year. And this year would have been amazing to have a 4-team playoff. Can Obama make that happen?

The beauty is you don't lose to Utah or you don't make the national title game in front of teams that don't lose any games.

[panerd]

Fair enough, it just kinda hit me how variable a phrase like "Top 25" could actually be & sorta picked out that post to highlight the point.

Sagarin Pure ELO has Northern Illinois at #4.
Sagarin (vanilla) has Northern Illinois at #46.

Yeah my point was Alabama will either lose or be legit, OH State will actually be somewhat legit, Baylor will be legit, and FSU is about the only unbeaten that would be questionable but the way they blew out Clemson and if they beat Miami twice they seem legit also. Stanford just happened to play its tougher games earlier and lost to Utah.

[CU Tiger]

Yeah my point was Alabama will either lose or be legit, OH State will actually be somewhat legit, Baylor will be legit, and FSU is about the only unbeaten that would be questionable but the way they blew out Clemson and if they beat Miami twice they seem legit also. Stanford just happened to play its tougher games earlier and lost to Utah.

And I guess I am questioning why OHST is legit and FSU is questionable?

FSU has played 3 Top 25 teams (at the time they played) and crushed them all. (Maryland, Clemson, Miami)

Ive only seen 4 national title winners play in person in my life. ( well allegedly 5 but I dont remember 80 UGa or 81 Clemson)

93 FSU
99 FSU
Cam's Auburn
11 Bama..

And I belive this years FSU team could play with any of the 4, and dominate the middle 2.

I honestly think if FSU had a better strategic mastermind than Jimbo they would have Saban this year. Unfortunately I think Saban would eb the difference maker

[panerd]

And I guess I am questioning why OHST is legit and FSU is questionable?

FSU has played 3 Top 25 teams (at the time they played) and crushed them all. (Maryland, Clemson, Miami)

Ive only seen 4 national title winners play in person in my life. ( well allegedly 5 but I dont remember 80 UGa or 81 Clemson)

93 FSU
99 FSU
Cam's Auburn
11 Bama..

And I belive this years FSU team could play with any of the 4, and dominate the middle 2.

I honestly think if FSU had a better strategic mastermind than Jimbo they would have Saban this year. Unfortunately I think Saban would eb the difference maker

Using Sagarin only like the original tweet. I would go in this order right now... Bama/FSU/Baylor/OSU but that is from watching the games and with some obvious bias. I was just saying using the reasoning of a computer ranking they still are all legit except for FSU unless Miami climbs back up there.

[CU Tiger]

gotcha..sorry reading comprehension fail

[panerd]

gotcha..sorry reading comprehension fail

No worries. I wasn't exactly clear in my original post. I do think that a lot of people are blowing off Ohio State these last two years implying going undefeated for 2 seasons in the Big Ten is nothing. It's not like Northern Illinois who plays two of the middle of the road teams in the Big Ten and is praised. They have actually beat some legit teams and haven't had a hiccup. I have been making some money ATS with them this year.

[dawgfan]

I really haven't seen many other full games from him, just highlights and parts of a couple. I still think he's a good prospect, but there were a number of throwing mechanics breakdowns, bad footwork and poor pocket awareness tonight. Another guy who's still an unfinished product, and I'm not sure how much he'll learn if he comes back to Oregon for another year - they seem to get so much space that he's not really forced to make tight throws from the pocket under pressure - usually either the quick easy throws are there or he can get outside the pocket and get receivers open by quite a few yards due to his scrambling threat.
Keep in mind he was playing on a sprained MCL last night too. He certainly needs some polish, but the physical tools are definitely there.

[cartman]

https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1452477_10151750295228015_913001365_n.jpg

[tarcone]

I just was at ESPN and was looking at the B1G football page. They had tickets available for the Iowa/Purdue game.
Prices for tickets were starting at 95 CENTS. Yes, thats right. Less then a buck.
Wow. Im tempted to drive to W. Lafayette tomorrow.

[Kodos]

Purdue football commands the big bucks!

[mckerney]

I just was at ESPN and was looking at the B1G football page. They had tickets available for the Iowa/Purdue game.
Prices for tickets were starting at 95 CENTS. Yes, thats right. Less then a buck.
Wow. Im tempted to drive to W. Lafayette tomorrow.

Woah, don't drive all the way out there to get ripped off by scalpers. Those tickets aren't worth a penny over 30¢.

[Matthean]

You seem real quick to dismiss high-scoring teams.

It's easy to dismiss them when they keep not winning titles. Oregon's recent track record against top tier physical teams is...not good. If everything holds, 'Bama vs. FSU will keep the trend of physical teams winning the titles while so many people drool over spread offenses.

[jbergey22]

It's easy to dismiss them when they keep not winning titles. Oregon's recent track record against top tier physical teams is...not good. If everything holds, 'Bama vs. FSU will keep the trend of physical teams winning the titles while so many people drool over spread offenses.

Auburn won it in 2010. FSU is more of a spread team these days with one of the best freshmen QBs Ive ever seen.

[BishopMVP]

It's easy to dismiss them when they keep not winning titles. Oregon's recent track record against top tier physical teams is...not good. If everything holds, 'Bama vs. FSU will keep the trend of physical teams winning the titles while so many people drool over spread offenses.Not every "spread" team is all finesse - it's not just U Houston with Ware/Klingler or Mike Leach at Texas Tech anymore. Was Auburn a spread team when they won the national title? Are Urban Meyer's teams? If anything, the only coaches that have a decent track record against Saban/Alabama are spread teams (Urban Meyer, Gus Malzahn, Kevin Sumlin). A&M beat Alabama by jumping all over them in the 1st quarter last year, Alabama thought they had a good response to it, Saban/Smart spent all offseason tweaking it and focusing on it, and they gave up 600 yards and 42 points - that's not a fad or a fluke. (Yes, a lot of it was due to having 2 elite players in Manziel and Mike Evans, but that's what spread offenses are designed to do - get your best athletes matched up 1v1 in space, or have defenses spend so much extra focus on them that you have a numbers advantage somewhere else.)

Oregon is a little too much east-west for my tastes, which is why I think disciplined, physical defenses that set the edge and keep contain can slow them down a lot. It's easier said than done because they have some of the best athletes in the country running them, but if you can contain those stretch runs it can really eliminate the big plays from Oregon's offense. The reason why I love the Baylor attack is that it accentuates the vertical threat with its route tree (and the option to go deep almost every Baylor receiver has every play), while basically eliminating any possible deception or disguise by the defense with its incredibly wide WR splits. Literally every play as a defense you're forced into 2 on 2 coverage with no safety help on at least one side of the field or you're outnumbered at the point of attack and they'll use a power running game. They're not spreading teams out like the Run N' Shoot to beat them with quick slants and WR screens, they're a power running team (49 carries per game - for 300 yards) that uses passes (31 per game) as a big play threat that can rip off chunk plays when the defense cheats up. Going into last night Texas A&M had 32 plays >30 yards in 9 games (3.6 per game), Oregon had 35 in 8 (4.4) and Baylor had 43 in only 7 (6.1 per game).

And finally, there's no question Alabama and Florida State are the two best teams right now, but its not because they have some special formula for "physical toughness" - it's because they're loaded with 4* and 5* athletes, especially on the O-line and defense. Maybe you can attack Oregon a little for valuing speed too much at the expense of strength, but you can't really blame 95% of the country. Yeah, you're unlikely to beat Alabama using a spread offense, but you're sure as hell not going to do it by lining up and trying to run down their throat unless your name is LSU or Florida. I think Baylor does have one of the two best offenses in the country (with Texas A&M), but just like A&M (or, really, Oregon last night considering Stanford was 15-22 on 3rd down) I think they would lose to those teams because their defense would be exposed just a little too much. I don't write off Briles chances of ever winning a national title at Baylor since he's really upped their recruiting since RGIII's Heisman, but I'd be real intrigued to see what he could do with UT's resources (and he'd have to be on the shirt list to replace Mack Brown, especially if he can run up some points in their matchup later this month.)

[Buccaneer]

My son, who hasn't missed ESPN's GameDay in years - getting up really early every Saturday morning - wanted me to watch the segment about the guy visiting every Division 1 college football stadium on gameday (he has 2 to go), which is something up my alley. Anyway, the reporter asked the question to the viewers if you could only visit one stadium on gameday, what would it be? I asked my son what it would be and he gave me that look like it was a dumb question. His answer? Clemson, of course. Would not have guessed that.

[Lathum]

My son, who hasn't missed ESPN's GameDay in years - getting up really early every Saturday morning - wanted me to watch the segment about the guy visiting every Division 1 college football stadium on gameday (he has 2 to go), which is something up my alley. Anyway, the reporter asked the question to the viewers if you could only visit one stadium on gameday, what would it be? I asked my son what it would be and he gave me that look like it was a dumb question. His answer? Clemson, of course. Would not have guessed that.

I think I would have to say LSU. I have heard the overall experience is awesome. We toyed with going a few years beck when UW played there but didn't do it.

BYU would be a close second, the scenery looks awesome.

I highly recommend a game at Husky Stadium for anyone inclined.

[CU Tiger]

i approve of that response, good boy :D

[MrBug708]

Florida State hasn't had a 1K rusher since 1996? That's pretty crazy..

[SirFozzie]

Stat of the Now:

Wake Forest has completed 8 of 10 passes against Florida State..

2 to Wake Forest Receivers... 6 to FSU Defenders.

That's mind boggling.

[mauchow]

WI and BYU time!

[Eaglesfan27]

USC looking really good in jumping to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.

[MrBug708]

I think USC has better depth than Cal does on D. The players really do enjoy playing for Ogre. Perhaps he should get a strong look at the HC spot? :)

[Matthean]

Michigan working on a full blown meltdown. Their OL disintegrated against one of the worst defenses in the country, and Michigan has done little on defense. 10-0 Nebraska. You know it is bad when the fans are already booing on your second play on offense.

[bhlloy]

I think USC has better depth than Cal does on D. The players really do enjoy playing for Ogre. Perhaps he should get a strong look at the HC spot? :)

If SC has better depth with the 20 or so healthy scholarship players available on D, that's pretty damning.

[Eaglesfan27]

If SC has better depth with the 20 or so healthy scholarship players available on D, that's pretty damning.

:D

[MrBug708]

If SC has better depth with the 20 or so healthy scholarship players available on D, that's pretty damning.

At one point, they had two scholarship players available in the seconary

[Chief Rum]

If SC has better depth with the 20 or so healthy scholarship players available on D, that's pretty damning.

I am not sure what their situation is like now, but when Cal played UCLA last month, they were missing something like 8 of their original projected 11 D starters and most of those were out longterm.

So it's actually conceivable their depth on D rivals USC's depth.

[cuervo72]

Maryland and Syracuse are both ass.

[Matthean]

I don't get why Gardner eats the ball and takes the sack in pretty much every single situation even when outside of the pocket.

[mauchow]

Huge score for Wisconsin going into halftime. 17-3.

[bhlloy]

There are 18 players on Cal's injury report and 15 on USC's. Big whoop. Does seem like Cal is hit harder on the defensive side of the ball but probably not enough to offset the loss of 15+ scholarships.

[MrBug708]

Hard to feel sorry for USC when they choose not to use all of their scholarships last year :)

[Eaglesfan27]

Regardless of the depth of Cal, Buck Allen is a bad man! Haven't seen any back this exciting at USC since Reggie.

[MrBug708]

Don't you mean Dillion Baxter? :)

[Solecismic]

I don't get why Gardner eats the ball and takes the sack in pretty much every single situation even when outside of the pocket.

Because he's a slow decision maker and has been told 1,000 times not to turn the ball over any more.

I remember saying the OL would be OK after a couple of games early this season. I was as wrong about that assessment as anything I've ever said about football. This OL is simply terrible. I know Lewan has all the measurables and plenty of highlights, but it has to hurt his chances of going in the top half of the first round.

[Solecismic]

Each week, a new low with this team. There's just no excuse for this performance on offense. Every single player on the field on offense, every coach, every member of the support staff failed today.

I'm going to assume, from his shaky running, that Devin Gardner really was too injured from last week to be on the field today.

And, please, let's end this stupid experiment with un-retired retired numbers. Tom Harmon? Right.

[Matthean]

14 sacks and -69 yards rushing in two weeks. OL can't block. WRs don't come back to help their QB. QB eats the ball instead of throwing it away. All basic fundamental things a coach covers and here we are after 9 games, and they can't even do the simple things. Next two weeks will be interesting to see what Michigan wants out of its season. OSU points to being a massacre.

[mauchow]

Both teams left opportunities on the field and it was a well fought game. The Badgers D held Hill in check until the final moments and that was the difference. A silly non holding / PI call waved off may have made a little difference but in the end the Badgers pull out a solid 27-17 win. One of two good wins?

Hopefully we can get some respect finally and closer to top 14 and a chance for a BCS Bowl Game.

[Bobble]

My son, who hasn't missed ESPN's GameDay in years - getting up really early every Saturday morning - wanted me to watch the segment about the guy visiting every Division 1 college football stadium on gameday (he has 2 to go), which is something up my alley. Anyway, the reporter asked the question to the viewers if you could only visit one stadium on gameday, what would it be? I asked my son what it would be and he gave me that look like it was a dumb question. His answer? Clemson, of course. Would not have guessed that.

Hawaii. Wait! Is there a stadium on Mars or in that castle from Holy Grail with all the chicks? Castle Anthrax? No? Then Hawaii.

[tarcone]

Iowa beats up Purdue, 38-14. Ran the ball down their throat.
Iowa sits at 6-4 with a game against Michigan and then at Nebraska.
I see those as winnable games.

8-4 would be nice.

[JPhillips]

I don't understand the plan for Gardner. Yeah, he's turnover prone, but he's also at his most dangerous when he's running. Having him drop back isn't working, so why not give him freedom and see what happens?

edit: I don't see why he can't play like Braxton Miller.

[mauchow]

I get to watch Bama blow out LSU while flipping it very occasionally to ND getting beat by Pitt... while I read Game of thrones. Sounds like a great Saturday night.

[Marmel]

Maryland and Syracuse are both ass.

Cuse is less ass.
Actually, I cannot figure out the Cuse defense. They got toasted by Northwestern, Clemson and GTech, but in the other games they hit like an NFL squad and it is clearly the strength of the team. They are one of the hardest hitting teams I have ever watched, outside of those 3 bad games. Anyhow, they are 5-4 and clinch bowl eligibilty next week when they shock the world! :D

Points allowed per game:
17
48
0
17
49
10
56
0
3

Obviously those 3 big numbers are the 3 best teams they have played.

[mauchow]

UNBELIEVABLE Fumble. The fullback, Copeland fumbles as he looked like he could have walked into the endzone but #11 made an unbelievable whack at the ball to knock it loose as he was about a foot from scoring.. Bama ball. Wow. LSU looked good on that drive though.

[mauchow]

LSU looked good on that drive though.

THat drive? Not so much... lol

[Matthean]

I don't understand the plan for Gardner. Yeah, he's turnover prone, but he's also at his most dangerous when he's running. Having him drop back isn't working, so why not give him freedom and see what happens?

edit: I don't see why he can't play like Braxton Miller.

They don't want him to get hurt.

[mauchow]

LSU the better team so far. Bama lucky it's not 14-3.

[Matthean]

LSU the better team so far. Bama lucky it's not 14-3.

Uh, ok. Whatever you say.

[mauchow]

Uh, ok. Whatever you say.

Well, it was that way early on.. a little different now :)

[Desnudo]

That is one large police officer. Les Miles guarded by 5 police officers during the halftime interview

[mauchow]

The Badgers will make a nice move this week in the CPU Polls.. Average ranking right now in the CPU Polls is 32.5. My guess for tomorrow? 23-24.

[MrBug708]

If only you could have beaten ASU ;)

[JPhillips]

They don't want him to get hurt.

Behind that line he isn't any safer dropping back.

It just seems like they are trying to force Gardner to do something he has a small chance of doing well.

[mauchow]

If only you could have beaten ASU ;)

They'd be hovering somewhere in the Top 10 right now :(

If they don't get a BCS Bowl if they finish 10-2 I'm going to be very sad.

[PilotMan]

So my FCS, NDSU Bison have an 18 game winning steak now. It's not like we've been playing patsies either. The Mountain Valley Conference is arguably one of the toughest in the FCS. This week's game coming up against Youngstown State, on the road will be a tough test, to be sure.

I think we've already locked up a playoff spot, but the question now is can we snag home field all the way through the tournament?

[cartman]

Hell of a game in Morgantown. Went to OT, Texas scored a TD on their possession, then stop the Mountaineers 4 times from the 5 yard line to get the 47-40 win.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Verily LSU, do not meddle in the affairs of contenders, for thou art crunchy and goeth well with ketchup

[MrBug708]

UCLA using Myles Jack on offense. A true freshmen, is starting at OLB and basically crushed Arizona on defense on a 90 yard drive

He might be the best RB in the state of California. (Yes, hyperbole but dude is crushing it going both ways)

[Atocep]

Hell of a game in Morgantown. Went to OT, Texas scored a TD on their possession, then stop the Mountaineers 4 times from the 5 yard line to get the 47-40 win.

Great game

Would have been a pretty good year in Morgantown if we had a quarterback.

[Matthean]

They'd be hovering somewhere in the Top 10 right now :(

If they don't get a BCS Bowl if they finish 10-2 I'm going to be very sad.

ND currently losing to Pitt might help.

[Matthean]

It just seems like they are trying to force Gardner to do something he has a small chance of doing well.

And thus the summation of the Hoke era.

[Swaggs]

Great game

Would have been a pretty good year in Morgantown if we had a quarterback.

It is really frustrating to me that we cannot seem to find more than "project" quarterbacks these last few seasons. You would think, with Geno Smith throwing 500+ times the past two years for over 70 TDS, that we could pull in a top 15 or 20 QB in one of the past 2-3 recruiting cycles.

[sovereignstar v2]

So my FCS, NDSU Bison have an 18 game winning steak now. It's not like we've been playing patsies either. The Mountain Valley Conference is arguably one of the toughest in the FCS. This week's game coming up against Youngstown State, on the road will be a tough test, to be sure.

I think we've already locked up a playoff spot, but the question now is can we snag home field all the way through the tournament?

*cough* Missouri Valley *cough*

:cool:

Just read they lost Grant Olson for the season. Besides Brock Jensen that is probably the most detrimental loss possible.

[EagleFan]

Not a bad stat line in the UCLA game....

7 tackles and 1 fumble recovery as a linebacker and 6 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown as a running back.

[MrBug708]

Not a bad stat line in the UCLA game....

7 tackles and 1 fumble recovery as a linebacker and 6 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown as a running back.

Dude is a straight stud. I'm naming my kid after him

He also had a pick on a play that was called back due to a bad PI call

[jbergey22]

These Refs must have some serious coin on Arizona. UCLA has been getting screwed the entire second half.

[MrBug708]

Arizona fan feels like they were screwed all game...haha

[jbergey22]

Arizona fan feels like they were screwed all game...haha

The interception they called the interference on was beyond ridiculous. Then they go on to wait until Hundley picks up the first down to throw the flag and call holding. These guys are making it obvious.

[mauchow]

I get to watch Bama blow out LSU while flipping it very occasionally to ND getting beat by Pitt... while I read Game of thrones. Sounds like a great Saturday night.

2 outta 3 qint bad (didn't get to reading...). I know tha Bama game wasn't really a blwoout but score says so. :)

[jbergey22]

The interception they called the interference on was beyond ridiculous. Then they go on to wait until Hundley picks up the first down to throw the flag and call holding. These guys are making it obvious.

Wow, I guess Arizona ended up being a 2 point fav so maybe it wasnt fixed:) Either way the pass interference call was bad.

[MrBug708]

That was a pretty pathetic non-face masking call they missed

[CU Tiger]

Cuse is less ass.
Actually, I cannot figure out the Cuse defense. They got toasted by Northwestern, Clemson and GTech, but in the other games they hit like an NFL squad and it is clearly the strength of the team. They are one of the hardest hitting teams I have ever watched, outside of those 3 bad games. Anyhow, they are 5-4 and clinch bowl eligibilty next week when they shock the world! :D

Points allowed per game:
17
48
0
17
49
10
56
0
3

Obviously those 3 big numbers are the 3 best teams they have played.

Honestly neither team is trash.
Maryland if it had anything close to healthy is IMHO a better team than CUSE right now by a substantial margin. The thing with CUSE is they love to send pressure and play zero coverage. Against a team with fast WR and an accurate QB they do not have the back end for that to work. If teams insist on running against them, or if they can cover long enough for the cavalry to arrive they are tough.

[tarcone]

I didnt watch the UCLA/Arizona game. But from posts here, I wonder if the NCAA should investigate the PAC 12 officials. Of course, after the investigation they will suspend the Missouri Valleys officials.

[jbergey22]

I didnt watch the UCLA/Arizona game. But from posts here, I wonder if the NCAA should investigate the PAC 12 officials. Of course, after the investigation they will suspend the Missouri Valleys officials.

They should try and do something. Sometimes I wonder if Pac-12 officials even know the rules. What ever happened to the crew that cost Wisconsin a chance at the game winning FG? Hopefully, they arent still working?

[MrBug708]

Of course they are

[mauchow]

Oh they're working.. they screwed another game up pretty badly.

[MrBug708]

USC is getting gameday.

The more Ogre wins, the more likely he won't be back.

[PilotMan]

*cough* Missouri Valley *cough*

:cool:


I said that! Sure I did! Of course I said that. Anything else would have been stupid.

[SirFozzie]

And now we have the College Football version of the Dolphins situation, and this time a player got sent to the hospital after the players were allegedly told to deal with a troublemaker however they wanted but to "leave it in the lockerroom"

Report: Cal locker-room brawl sends RB Fabiano Hale to hospital | Campus Union - SI.com (http://college-football.si.com/2013/11/05/cal-locker-room-brawl-player-hospitalized-fabiano-hale/?sct=obnetwork)

[JonInMiddleGA]

And now we have the College Football version of the Dolphins situation, and this time a player got sent to the hospital after the players were allegedly told to deal with a troublemaker however they wanted but to "leave it in the lockerroom"

Report: Cal locker-room brawl sends RB Fabiano Hale to hospital | Campus Union - SI.com (http://college-football.si.com/2013/11/05/cal-locker-room-brawl-player-hospitalized-fabiano-hale/?sct=obnetwork)

What more believable, apparently troublesome freshman & family (with possible dollar signs in eyes) or university officials?

[SirFozzie]

What more believeable, college kids given permission to torment a fellow teammate for making them do extra training taking it too far, or conflicting statements from the university?

At this point, I'm going to start referring to Jon as Colonel Jessup from "A Few Good Men"

[cartman]

Bad news for the Longhorns after last night's game. Chris Whaley and Johnathan Gray are out for the rest of the season. Whaley's knee injury did look bad during the game, but Gray's looked at first like it was some sort of calf injury. Turns out it was an Achilles. Those are two key guys to lose going into the last three games of the season.

Texas Longhorns RB Johnathan Gray, DT Chris Whaley out for season - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9957679/texas-longhorns-rb-johnathan-gray-dt-chris-whaley-season)

[JonInMiddleGA]

What more believeable, college kids given permission to torment a fellow teammate for making them do extra training taking it too far, or conflicting statements from the university? At this point, I'm going to start referring to Jon as Colonel Jessup from "A Few Good Men"

Comes down to credibility ... and a freshman RB who has issues making it to training has none afaic. I trust college officials quite little, I just trust 18 y/o who can't even live up to a free ride even less.

[molson]

Anyhow, they are 5-4 and clinch bowl eligibilty next week when they shock the world! :D


Well hell, if Syracuse wins out, Clemson loses to Georgia Tech and South Carolina, and Florida St. loses to Florida, that puts Syracuse in the ACC championship game with a shot at a BCS Bowl!

But seriously, as has been the case for the last decade or so, the BBVA Compass bowl or whatever would constitute a very successful season for the Orange.

[Atocep]

Bad news for the Longhorns after last night's game. Chris Whaley and Johnathan Gray are out for the rest of the season. Whaley's knee injury did look bad during the game, but Gray's looked at first like it was some sort of calf injury. Turns out it was an Achilles. Those are two key guys to lose going into the last three games of the season.

Texas Longhorns RB Johnathan Gray, DT Chris Whaley out for season - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9957679/texas-longhorns-rb-johnathan-gray-dt-chris-whaley-season)

Gray's was weird, but it looked like he immediately knew something bad happened. Whaley I figured was done for the year as soon as I saw what happened. Very unfortunate. :(

[Atocep]

It is really frustrating to me that we cannot seem to find more than "project" quarterbacks these last few seasons. You would think, with Geno Smith throwing 500+ times the past two years for over 70 TDS, that we could pull in a top 15 or 20 QB in one of the past 2-3 recruiting cycles.

5th youngest team in the country this year and something like 36 players return from the 2 deep next year. It's not going to matter one bit if the quarterback position isn't settled.

I've heard good things about Childress, but I've also heard the coaches are always working to keep him motivated because he's a "do you know who my dad is?" kid. Next season probably rides on him locking down the starting job because Millard doesn't have the arm strength to play BCS level football, Trickett seems like a bad fit for the air raid, and Crest isn't going to be ready.

[Swaggs]

5th youngest team in the country this year and something like 36 players return from the 2 deep next year. It's not going to matter one bit if the quarterback position isn't settled.

I've heard good things about Childress, but I've also heard the coaches are always working to keep him motivated because he's a "do you know who my dad is?" kid. Next season probably rides on him locking down the starting job because Millard doesn't have the arm strength to play BCS level football, Trickett seems like a bad fit for the air raid, and Crest isn't going to be ready.

I'm still holding out hope for a Russell Wilson-like, non-Trickett, transfer. :)

I think we would have been better off going with Milliard this season (and particularly after Childress went down) and game planning around his weaknesses. He can't run or throw, but he seems like the best option. How sad is that?

[MrBug708]

And now we have the College Football version of the Dolphins situation, and this time a player got sent to the hospital after the players were allegedly told to deal with a troublemaker however they wanted but to "leave it in the lockerroom"

Report: Cal locker-room brawl sends RB Fabiano Hale to hospital | Campus Union - SI.com (http://college-football.si.com/2013/11/05/cal-locker-room-brawl-player-hospitalized-fabiano-hale/?sct=obnetwork)

Old news

[Butter]

They'd be hovering somewhere in the Top 10 right now :(

If they don't get a BCS Bowl if they finish 10-2 I'm going to be very sad.

You're kidding right?

[mauchow]

You're kidding right?

Not one bit.

[Thomkal]

Been bummed all weekend because Coastal Carolina has fallen from the ranks of the unbeaten. :( Yep they lost to rival Charleston Southern 31-26. It wasn't as close as the score might lead you to. Charleston Southern dominated for most of the game, leading 24-6 at the half, and 31-6 with about 12 minutes left in the third. Coastal then staged a comeback, getting within 5 with just over 6 minutes left in the game. CSU never let Coastal get the ball back however. :(

So not only did CSU take control of the Big South, they might have knocked Coastal out of the playoffs (again!). Likely they still make it though given their record and the fact that Charleston is also ranked. CSU still has two losable games in the conference yet however, while Coastal only has lowly Presbyterian. Looks like right now Coastal would win the tiebreakers if Charleston does lose one of the games however.

totally bummed :(

[mauchow]

Not one bit.

I should have said I will be disgusted if we are out of Top 14 of BCS.

[Matthean]

I should have said I will be disgusted if we are out of Top 14 of BCS.

At worst I would have them just outside of the Top 10. I see no reason for them to be outside of the Top 14 if they only had a loss. Minnesota's surprise run will help because the other two games won't. I'm not sure Wisconsin can move up roughly three spots per win though.