The Ladder 2015 Season Thread

[Kodos]

I make a bad habit of losing games I should coast in. And I am throwing interceptions by the bunch recently.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm hoping to get in my game tomorrow evening after work, but if I can't I will definitely be able to get it done on the 4th as I'm off work.

[Kodos]

No problem. Get it in when you can.

[Julio Riddols]

that's what she said

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Julio Riddols

that's what she said

LOL.


Utah didn't put up much of a fight as we won 44-13. Our TE had a very nice game to keep our offense chugging along. Thanks for waiting.

[Kodos]

[Kodos]

We're on to week 11!

[MacroGuru]

Kodos that QB committed and I have a 4 star guy ready to sign as well.

I had a decent week with a couple of commits and I am hoping to pick up some more this week.

[Julio Riddols]

Ooh, looks like I have a late night meeting with NCAA planned tonight.

[Kodos]

Lost out to Boise State on the athlete who was to be my next QB.

[Julio Riddols]

For anyone playing Notre Dame, just put all your fastest guys on the field on defense or the game is over. I didn't have enough speed to even think about matching up with them, and it looked like the game had been put in some sort of juiced mode where the computer players were twice the speed of mine. It was crazy how fast they scored, felt like playing Oregon must feel like to Colorado.

[Kodos]

I had the same experience when I played ND a couple weeks ago. They simply whipped me. I had no chance.

[Julio Riddols]

Yeah, I've never felt that helpless before in this game, no matter how bad my team was.

[gstelmack]

37-35 win over Clemson. We had a hard time stopping their offense, but managed a couple. We had a few decent runs, but otherwise could not get the ground game going. We tried to get in position to kick the winning FG as time expired, but they stuffed the ground game and we gave them a minute left. In 40 seconds they got down to around my 25 but stalled, so we called a timeout with 22 seconds left and that was enough to ice the kicker. Their attempt went wide, we kneeled down, and escaped with the win.

[cartman]

Doubled up Iowa State 56-28. Was happy to see that the DE that was soft USC saw the light and signed with us.

[Kodos]

Beating USC in recruiting is always a real bear. Congratulations!

[MacroGuru]

I will play my game tonight.

[Eaglesfan27]

Ohio State's defense was very tough in the snow, but their offense couldn't get the option game going at all. We win 17-0.

[Kodos]

Another loss for us. Our defense can't do anything right these days.

[MacroGuru]

We roared back with a good old fashioned curb stomping of Wyoming. Fifty Something to Thirty Something.

They scored 2 TDs in the last couple of minutes against my backups and their backups...it was a good solid game all around for us except their QB torched us.

[chesapeake]

Humiliating loss to 0-9 Tennessee at home. I was down 28-0 at halftime, unable to even slow down, much less stop, their running game. My lowest point was giving up a first down on a fake punt on 4th and 12. I got it back to a credible margin, 38-28, by the end of the game, but I was never really in it.

My freshman QB had a good game, going 17-30 for 340 yds and 3 TDs despite 7 dropped passes, including 2 wide open bombs. And, fortunately, I only had 2 recruits at the game, one of which I am already a huge favorite to get.

[Kodos]

[Kodos]

We're on to Week 12.

[cartman]

Wow, I don't think I've seen a rocket towards the top like we've had over the past several weeks. I think it was 4 weeks ago we were unranked, now we are #2 and our QB is leading the Heisman Race.

[Kodos]

Our rocket is going in the opposite direction. Passport to hell!

[MacroGuru]

Nice win over Army with 4 recruits visiting and 2 recruits that were soft. Hopefully this solidifies them.

[gstelmack]

It looked like our game against UCF was going to be a blowout early, as we marched right down the field on the opening kickoff for a TD, running and passing, and then got a pick-6 on their first drive. But then our offense stalled, and they clawed back into it. 14-10 at halftime, then they got a TD to pull ahead 17-14. We had trouble getting a consistent drive going until the 4th, when we punched it in for a 21-17 lead. We held them on fourth on one drive, could not get far with our next, and then held them on 4th-and-goal at our own 5 yard line to preserve the win.

[MacroGuru]

One thing I noticed on the Dynasty website is that my beast of a DE that leads the league in sacks, he isn't showing up.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by MacroGuru

One thing I noticed on the Dynasty website is that my beast of a DE that leads the league in sacks, he isn't showing up.

The criteria it uses for stats appears to be global, so leaders that don't meet whatever minimal set they use to grab defenders in the first place won't show up. I saw this on 12 as well. I think it pulls based on total tackles, so high-INT DBs and high-Sack DLs often don't show.

Another note on the web site: since they moved on to 14, I'm getting more frequent errors trying to recruit, and am abandoning the site for recruiting. If I lose out on that tackle to Duke because of this, I'll be ticked...

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

Another note on the web site: since they moved on to 14, I'm getting more frequent errors trying to recruit, and am abandoning the site for recruiting. If I lose out on that tackle to Duke because of this, I'll be ticked...

I had one of those the other day too. Didn't make the connection.

[Eaglesfan27]

BYU with a 3-6 record at USC, should be no problem, right? Not so fast, my friend! We spotted BYU 21 points on 3 pick 6's by the middle of the 3rd quarter and our freshman mobile QB goes down for the game with an abdominal strain. We get a 28-21 lead to start the 4th, but BYU gets plays that for the first time makes me wonder if the CPU cheats to help their comebacks. ;-) First it was a catch by their TE in triple coverage. Then, an across the body throw down field 30 yards for another big play. Before I know it, BYU has their first offense TD of the game and we are tied at 28. I march down the field but get stuffed and settle for a FG. They have more improbable plays after we shut down their offense for 3 quarters and get into FG range and tie the game with 28 seconds. I try desperately to get into FG range to win it, but they manage to keep us just far enough out that it isn't even worth trying. We go into OT.

Suddenly, their QB is Steve Young reincarnated with scrambles and throws to keep scoring TD after TD. We go into the the 3rd OT tied at 45. They hold us to a FG. They are marching inside the 10 for the game winning throw. Their QB scrambles left... throws to their TE... and our safety dives in front of the play and intercepts it to seal the win! We win a nail-biter 48-45.

[Kodos]

We definitely get some crazy games in this league.

And I believe that there are times where the CPU decides it is going to win, and there is little that you can do about it.

[gstelmack]

Homefield seems bigger in this version, as does early performance / momentum. Players definitely seem to get on hot and cold streaks, as do teams.

[Julio Riddols]

Whew.. Barely took care of Western Kentucky. After how we played early in the year, we've really taken a step back since. Those close losses took a toll on our young guys I guess. Also forgot I lost my starting QB last week for the rest of the season, so this week it was all on the shoulders of an even more raw freshman and he was shaky but made one huge throw when we really needed it in the 4th quarter down 17-10 and it proved to be the turning point.

[chesapeake]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

Another note on the web site: since they moved on to 14, I'm getting more frequent errors trying to recruit, and am abandoning the site for recruiting. If I lose out on that tackle to Duke because of this, I'll be ticked...

Don't give up on such a useful, convenient recruiting method just because of one minor flub! I'm sure it is all better today.

As for our game, after our Durham Debacle against Tennessee last week, we played much better on the road against Virginia Tech. We got a pick 6 on the first play from scrimmage and kept in control the entire game. They scored a TD with 6 seconds left to close to 28-21 but we stayed calm and recovered the onside kick for the win.

[Kodos]

[cartman]

Held on for a 31-24 win over Okie State. Had a comfortable 28-10 lead midway through the 3rd quarter, when they started their comeback. I kicked a FG to make it 31-24. Got a pick with about 30 seconds to go to squash any chance they had of taking the game to OT.

[Kodos]

Welcome to Week 13!


=============== #1 Maryland Terrapins (10-0) ===============
Last week, Maryland won 24-13 against Wake Forest (6-4).
This week, the Terrapins travel to Tallahassee to face the Florida State Seminoles (3-7).
In recruiting news, the following Maryland targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) CB Richard Roth has committed to Maryland


=============== #2 Rice Owls (10-0) ===============
Last week, Rice won 31-24 against Oklahoma State (7-3).
This week, the Owls travel to Dallas to face the SMU Mustangs (5-4).
In recruiting news, the following Rice targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) DT Joe Adams has committed to Rice


=============== #3 USC Trojans (10-1) ===============
Last week, USC won 48-45 against BYU (3-7).
This week, the Trojans are idle.


=============== Duke Blue Devils (8-2) ===============
Last week, Duke won 28-21 against Virginia Tech (5-6).
This week, the Blue Devils travel to Atlanta to face the #6 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-2).
In recruiting news, the following Duke targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) RT Jon Gay has committed to Duke
- (****) TE Waylon Carter has committed to LSU


=============== Indiana Hoosiers (6-4) ===============
Last week, Indiana won 24-10 against Purdue (3-7).
This week, the Hoosiers travel to East Lansing to face the #14 Michigan State Spartans (9-1).
In recruiting news, the following Indiana targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) WR R.J. Miller has committed to Indiana


=============== South Florida Bulls (6-4) ===============
Last week, South Florida won 21-17 against UCF (4-7).
This week, the Bulls travel to Charlottesville to face the Virginia Cavaliers (5-5).
In recruiting news, the following South Florida targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) RT Jon Gay has committed to Duke


=============== Buffalo Bulls (5-4) ===============
Last week, Buffalo won 38-17 against Army (5-4).
This week, the Bulls will host UMass (2-7).
In recruiting news, the following Buffalo targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) RG Christian Pickens has committed to Buffalo
- (***) TE J.R. Jenkins has committed to Buffalo


=============== UTSA Roadrunners (4-6) ===============
Last week, UTSA won 20-17 against Western Kentucky (4-5).
This week, the Roadrunners travel to Greenville to face the #8 ECU Pirates (8-1).
In recruiting news, the following UTSA targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) P Marcus Hagen has committed to Miami
- (***) RE Jake White has committed to UTSA


=============== Florida Atlantic Owls (2-7) ===============
Last week, Florida Atlantic lost 45-35 against Troy (6-3).
This week, the Owls will host Minnesota (2-9).
In recruiting news, the following Florida Atlantic targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) QB Jeff Fuller has committed to Florida Atlantic
- (***) SS David Mirvil has committed to Minnesota
- (***) ROLB Kyle Jones has committed to Florida Atlantic

[Kodos]

Wow. I didn't think we had a chance against #14 Michigan State, but we stole one on the road, 44-34. It was a wild game. We had a 103-yard interception return for a TD, we recovered a muffed punt that set up a TD when we had fallen behind early, we gave up a 99-yard passing TD, and we lost a fumbled punt return as well. It was just back and forth all game. We won the fourth quarter 17-3 and finally had a little room to breath at the end. This helped redeem what has been a pretty crappy season of late. Now we control our own destiny as far as getting to the Big East Championship game. If we beat Boston College next week, we're in.

[cartman]

It looked like my undefeated season was going to come to an end. SMU jumped all over us early, and it was 17-0 midway through the 2nd quarter. But then my team woke up and we reeled off 42 unanswered to take control of the game. Final score ended up being 49-24.

[gstelmack]

Ugh, Duke did steal Gay back. That's okay, it was a tight race, and I'll never know if the web glitch caused it. The only real question I have on that is whether the first 50 minutes of the call counted and only the 6th action (where the glitch occurred) got dropped, or if the entire call is wasted if anything happens during it. I do know I'm done trusting their site.

[CU Tiger]

A week of mixed emotions..
We finally got our soft QB committ Jeff Fuller to firm up his pledge and while he is no all amrican, our staff thinks he's a 65 which would make him tied with a pair of JRs currently on the roster as the most talented QB on our team...clearly he has the upside and I hpe he shows out in the summer and contends for a starting job next year.

Secondly we are ecstatic to secure a committment from ROLB Kyle Jones. THe national services only rate him as a 3 star prospect, however having scouted him fully we think a star or two are missing from his billing. Our staff rates him as a 74 right now. Making him the highest rated player on our Defense before he ever arives on campus!

Then came the game, with no less than 9 recruits in for an offivial visit...what a weird game.

We moved Freshman RB Pierre Wheley to the starter as he has clearly earned it in recent weeks moving from spark plug to backbone of our rushing game. Unfortunately early in the 1st quarter he damaged his achillies and is out for an undetermined length of time.

We moved the ball at will early but sputtered out and punted to the Gophers. They promptly gashed my D as they drove down the field however we stiffened up and held them to a FG.

Our Freshman returner (another starting lineup change for this game) fumbled the ensuing KO and we recovered at the 3.

Undeterred we drove down the field only to fmble the ball inside the 5. This time through aggresive blitzing we shut down the gophers rushign attack, and had them set to punt on 4th and 17...we were going for the block when they pulled the whoopsie on us and the punter threw a long Touchdown strike.

We took the ball but could get nothing going this time and before we knew it Minnesota had kicked another FG to lead 13-0

We quickly answered to make is 13-7, held strong on Defense and got the ball late int he 2nd quarter determined to go up by half. We were driving good and on a PA had a man well behind the entire D...however despite trying to throw the ball 40 yards downfield our unpressured QB only threw it 25 and it was picked off.

The half ended uneventfully and the Gophers got the ball to start the third. An apparent 3 and out by my D was unrailed by a face mask on 3rd down giving them a 1st, then we held them to punt. Not to be tricked by their shenanigans I played Punt Man Safe coverage on 4th and 19...but it didnt matter..their Punter should play QB ans he threaded the needle to a triple covered man who drug three defenders an additional 4 yards to maintain the drive. I Soon found myself down 16-7.

A coughed up fumble and it was 19-7.

Finally we got it clicking and scored a nice td to make it 19-14. Only for the gophers to answer with a 1 play 70 yard drive for a TD 26-14. I quickly answered myself with a 1 play drive 26-21.

We held them to a punt following several first downs (including ANOTHER fake punt. This time I was prepared and sent my Dime coverage out, so the personal protector rushed for 8 yards and the first down) and began our 2 minute offense with 2:20 or so on the clock.

A 16 yard run caught them of guard, and we followed it up with a 10 yarder for good measure. Then a quick 5 yard out pattern and things were looking good. QB couldnt find an open man on 2nd and 5 so he ws forced to throw it away. On 3rd and 5 we hit a nice out for the apparent 1st down, but wait. The damn zebra int he booth determined my WR did not get a foot down in bounds...so we were forced to go for it on 4th down. I called a nice combo levels route with the TE running a streak while the FB follows in for a nice intermediate dump over the middle. The FB was hiding under the zone for an easy 8 yard gain but the TE was streaking down the field all alone. A nice touch pass hit him right in the hands and he could walk into the end zone....only he dropped it. We turned the ball over on downs with no timeouts (having used them to get the ball back on the last drive) and the AI kneeled it out.

All in all I couldnt stop them consistently but basically moved the ball at will. Averaging over 5 ypc with no runs over 16 yards. But 3 fake field goals in one game? Wow.

Oh well maybe the recruits can see why we need them so badly.

[Julio Riddols]

ECU looks like a hell of a team. This should be interesting.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by Julio Riddols

ECU looks like a hell of a team. This should be interesting.

I had a great game with them in week 1, losing 42-41.

[Julio Riddols]

We played our small school hearts out and fought tooth and nail in this one with our backup QB and a rag tag bunch of nobodies and almost pulled out a miracle. Down 42-21 with 4 minutes left, we had basically given up and were just trying to make something happen with some consistency.. Well, our freshman backup who didn't even know who the receivers were half the game came through with a touchdown pass. Ok, big deal, a little garbage time scoring. Well, our defense comes out and forces a 3 and out and we get it back with about 2 minutes left. We drive quickly, scoring with 42 seconds left on a 4th down pass. We have 2 timeouts left and 42 seconds on the clock. Do we try an onside or somehow try and get the ball back in that short of a space for a hail mary? We onside kick.

THEY MISHANDLE IT!

Oh man, my freshman QB has us on the brink of a huge comeback! We have 42 seconds and 2 timeouts. My mind is frantic with delight and trying to scheme at the same time.. Well, a short completion followed by an incompletion, followed by a sack leaves us at 4th and 10. Not good. Things are desperate. We had to use one of our timeouts and there are now only 23 seconds left. Whats this? The QB is hurt too? FUCK. So now we have to bring in our 3rd string QB. At UTSA, he is our backup RB, a former QB who is a much better runner than passer.. He comes in for one of the biggest plays in team history. We need to at least convert this 4th down..

He takes the snap, stands tall, and delivers a beautiful post pattern before being creamed. It is complete to our slot guy, inside the opponents 45. We call a timeout and call 4 verticals, hoping for one more miracle...


And it is thrown short, picked and returned for 6.

Only one more week until we are through the dark times and can hopefully start winning. I can feel us on the cusp. We should have beaten 2 ranked teams this year and we hung in there with another, almost pulling out a huge comeback. We also had that bad borderline A.I. cheating loss to UTEP. So frustratingly close to having a bowl eligible season this year.

I want to play all the same teams I lost to again next year if possible. The passion for revenge burns in me like the heat of a thousand suns.

[Kodos]

I can commiserate with you CU. I had a game where they did three fake punts against me, all successful. The thing is, on the first one, I had called a man-safe coverage. On the next two, I had my regular defense on the field. Didn't matter. They converted every time. Sometimes the computer just wants to win.

[MacroGuru]

UMass came into town and went up on us 10 - 0 pretty quickly. We then decided to stop toying with them and started smacking them around.

Lost our starting QB for the game with a concussion and a backup RB for 4 weeks due to a torn pectoral.

We ended up winning by a lot and are now Bowl eligible.

We managed to land a 4* G and a 3* TE.

[gstelmack]

Crushed by Virginia, mainly because my receivers decided not to catch much of anything. Any contact was an incompletion, plus several big drops when they were untouched, including an open streak route for a TD that landed in the receiver's hands. We could not generate any consistent offense thanks to this.

[chesapeake]

I had a hard-fought game against Georgia Tech in Atlanta which I managed to win 15-13, thanks to a FG as time ran out. Have I mentioned how much I hate the 'ice the kicker' feature?

I was the last one to play, so the week is ready to run.

[Kodos]

Cool.

Do others hate "ice the kicker" too? I know that I have a very low success rate when it is employed against me.