The Ladder 2016 Season Thread

[Julio Riddols]

That means we ought to be bowling too. Texas Tech at their place is never fun, but we blitzed and gambled defensively and it paid off enough to give us the win. I find that when we play ball control we tend to close games out better and it helps hide our lack of depth. I think next week we play the team right behind us in the standings at home with a good chunk of visiting prospects. Might have to start Antwan Miller in that game, since he has been far and away the better QB for us this season.

[gstelmack]

It took an interception in the endzone in overtime, but we managed to avoid the upset to 0-10 Tennessee.

[cartman]

Traveled to Red Stick to play LSU and left town with a 42-28 win. Held them on a 4th quarter drive that would have made things interesting.

[Eaglesfan27]

I might need extra time. Work is brutal this week due to renovations on our inpatient unit.

[Kodos]

No problem.

[chesapeake]

No bowl for Duke this year. I got down 35-0 to Florida and couldn't make it back. The killer was a fumble inside the Florida 20 that was returned for a TD when I was only down by 14 and the game was still well within reach. I'm not sure we will stay up in the conference if I can't eke out one more win.

[Kodos]

Uh-oh. I think that would be our first human demotion.

[Eaglesfan27]

Today was worst day of my career.. Really bad week at work (none of it my fault) and two more days to go. Won't get to play game (or hook up Xbox one) until Monday morning when I am off more than likely.

[MacroGuru]

Army gave us run for our money. The option game worked against us for the first half. Then we went on lock down in the 2nd half. I couldn't generate a run game and I lost my starting RB for 4 weeks but we held out for the win.

Undefeated still!

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Today was worst day of my career.. Really bad week at work (none of it my fault) and two more days to go. Won't get to play game (or hook up Xbox one) until Monday morning when I am off more than likely.

Ugh. As always, real life comes first. No problem waiting. Not sure when I'm going to get my game in either.

[Kodos]

I'm thinking I probably won't be able to get my game in until Tuesday night.

[Eaglesfan27]

Playing mine now. Hopefully about to crush Fresno State.

[Eaglesfan27]

We struggled early with our starting HB out and then our offense struggled even more as our star WR went out early in the game. However, our defense scored first on a pick 6 to give us a 7-0 lead. We moved the ball but failed to finish drives and went into halftime only up 10-7.

In the 3rd quarter, our 2nd WR stepped up with a few catches and we umped to a 20-10 lead. They quickly marched down the field to make it 20-17 early in the 4th. The key play of the game was when our 3rd string HB made a few nice cuts and a juke to get a 38 yard TD that gave us a 27-17 lead.

We barely held on for the 27-24 win as they scored late in the 4th quarter and our 3rd string WR caught the onside kick.

[Kodos]

[Kodos]

Welcome to Week 13!

The season is winding down. IU has a big showdown with #3 MSU in Bloomington. Whoever wins will likely punch their ticket to the Big East championship game. In the MAC, Buffalo has climbed into the Top 10!



=============== #1 USC Trojans (11-0) ===============
Last week, USC won 27-24 against Fresno State (4-6).
This week, the Trojans are idle.
In recruiting news, the following USC targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) LG George Hughes has committed to USC

=============== #2 Rice Owls (10-1) ===============
Last week, Rice won 42-28 against LSU (5-5).
This week, the Owls will host Oklahoma (4-6).
In recruiting news, the following Rice targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) MLB Bryan Harvey has committed to Oregon
- (****) TE Dwayne McDowell has committed to Utah
- (*****) QB Dan Harris has committed to Rice

=============== #8 Indiana Hoosiers (8-2) ===============
Last week, Indiana won 28-23 against Purdue (4-6).
This week, the Hoosiers will host #3 Michigan State (8-1).
In recruiting news, the following Indiana targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) DT Shawn Gibson has committed to Indiana
- (****) WR Todd Austin has committed to Indiana

=============== #10 Buffalo Bulls (9-0) ===============
Last week, Buffalo won 42-25 against Army (6-3).
This week, the Bulls travel to Amherst to face the UMass Minutemen (4-5).
In recruiting news, the following Buffalo targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) CB Ricky Simon has committed to Buffalo
- (*****) QB Dan Harris has committed to Rice

=============== Florida Atlantic Owls (7-2) ===============
Last week, Florida Atlantic won 28-10 against Troy (5-3).
This week, the Owls travel to Miami to face the FIU Golden Panthers (6-3).
In recruiting news, the following Florida Atlantic targets have announced their decisions:
- (**) P Andrew West has committed to Florida Atlantic
- (***) LE Dustin Parker has committed to Florida Atlantic
- (***) DT Shaun Johnson has committed to Florida Atlantic

=============== UTSA Roadrunners (7-3) ===============
Last week, UTSA won 41-34 against Texas Tech (2-8).
This week, the Roadrunners will host Houston (7-3).
In recruiting news, the following UTSA targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) DT Shawn Gibson has committed to Indiana
- (***) LE Mike Ferguson has committed to UTSA

=============== South Florida Bulls (6-4) ===============
Last week, South Florida won 28-21 against Tennessee (0-11).
This week, the Bulls will host #25 Virginia (6-3).
In recruiting news, the following South Florida targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) RT E.J. Rush has committed to South Florida


=============== Duke Blue Devils (3-6) ===============
Last week, Duke lost 35-21 against Florida (6-4).
This week, the Blue Devils will host #12 Georgia (7-3).
In recruiting news, the following Duke targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) MLB Bryan Harvey has committed to Oregon
- (*****) WR Colby Seward has committed to TCU
- (****) ROLB Jamal Phillips has committed to Duke
- (***) LT Ken Nichols has committed to Duke

[Julio Riddols]

- (****) DT Shawn Gibson has committed to Indiana

BAAAAAH..

I was keeping up with you too, I thought.. Oh well.

Enjoy it while it lasts though, because UTSA is going to be a recruiting pain in the ass next year.

[gstelmack]

Nice RT signing for us. Need a few more quality players like that.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by Julio Riddols

- (****) DT Shawn Gibson has committed to Indiana

BAAAAAH..

I was keeping up with you too, I thought.. Oh well.

Enjoy it while it lasts though, because UTSA is going to be a recruiting pain in the ass next year.

There were a couple of pitches that I was just pounding your team with. Probably made all the difference.

[cartman]

Just need to TCB against Zero U.

[Julio Riddols]

Originally Posted by Kodos

There were a couple of pitches that I was just pounding your team with. Probably made all the difference.

Yeah, once I saw him leaning with the soft commit to IU I figured he would likely be gone.. That and I have signed 2 DT's already. He would have been the clear cut starter though. Oh well, next man up.

We came out and started slow against Houston at home, but made a tactical decision to go for interceptions and tackle very aggressively, which seemed to get our players pumped. Ended up with 5 picks in the game and slowly overtook Houston when their D got tired, then pulled away in the 4th to finish em off 38-20. 8-3 now, and we will be in the CUSA championship game with a chance to get promoted to a top conference. Looking forward to that.. Next week hopefully we can edge into the top 25. I think we deserve it.

[CU Tiger]

ANOTHER WIN FOR FAU!!!

Wow from cellar to stellar We are the greatest ever, bring on the 72 Dolphins.


Just kidding. Sorry I slipped into MBBF mode there.

Did win 42-30 but that included a last second TD by me.
Really strange game and glad to over come the fix that was against me. My top RB had 117 yards rushing (making him 3rd in the country now) but they came all in the first quarter as he was injured for the game after only 6 carries. As was my 2nd and 3rd string RB. Had to rely on my 4th string RB....my top TE was also lost for the season as was my starting senior WR.

But we kept digging and now have a 2 game lead in our conference with 1 game left to play, essentially wrapping it up if my math is right.

[Eaglesfan27]

USC is done recruiting for the week.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

ANOTHER WIN FOR FAU!!!

Wow from cellar to stellar We are the greatest ever, bring on the 72 Dolphins.


Just kidding. Sorry I slipped into MBBF mode there.

Did win 42-30 but that included a last second TD by me.
Really strange game and glad to over come the fix that was against me. My top RB had 117 yards rushing (making him 3rd in the country now) but they came all in the first quarter as he was injured for the game after only 6 carries. As was my 2nd and 3rd string RB. Had to rely on my 4th string RB....my top TE was also lost for the season as was my starting senior WR.

But we kept digging and now have a 2 game lead in our conference with 1 game left to play, essentially wrapping it up if my math is right.

Congrats!

[CU Tiger]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Congrats!

After I dispatch of Shula's boys...Im coming to LA looking for you as well.

[gstelmack]

Our first half against #25 Virginia featured them missing 2 FGs and us throwing a pick where the receiver actually caught the ball, got hit immediately, it popped out, and a DB grabbed it just before it hit the ground. The result was a 10-10 tie. In the second half we got the running game going finally, and were able to mix passes and runs to get a 20-10 lead before our starting QB got knocked out with a concussion. The defense stayed steady, and our backup (who is just about as good, but he fumbles if anyone breathes on him) lead a TD drive that he finished with a nice outside scramble where no one breathed on him.

They got a late TD drive to make it moderately interesting, but we recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock for a 27-17 win.

[Kodos]

All right! We beat #3 MSU 20-7 to put us in the driver's seat for the Big East Championship game. The game was glitching (guys were freezing on the field), so I was very afraid it would freeze at some point, but I got the game finished and safely uploaded. Whew!

[chesapeake]

A shocking win for Duke against #12 Georgia. For whatever reason, everything clicked for us and we dominated from start to finish for a surprisingly easy 21-7 win. Unfortunately, it will have no effect on whether we stay in the SEC or not. A loss to West Virginia next week would send us back down.

[Eaglesfan27]

Just a quick reminder - I will be out of town at Disney for the next week. I'll be able to get my next game in on the 9th.

[MacroGuru]

UMass took us tied into the 4th qtr then we were able to open it up on them by getting a turnover and quick striking. It was a hard fought battle in the snow that saw their all star RB rattle off close to 200 yards rushing on us. Our one weakness is stopping the run.

I was able to get the option game working on them and it allowed my speed backs to break some big runs and score some td's.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Just a quick reminder - I will be out of town at Disney for the next week. I'll be able to get my next game in on the 9th.

Thanks for the heads up.

[cartman]

Won't be home until early next week, but I knew this, so I brought my disc along with me and got the game in at my cousin's house.

Thought it was gonna be a massacre early on, as OU jumped out to a 17-0 lead after I had a couple of three and outs and a fumble. But the FG after the fumble seemed to wake my team up. They went on to score 38 unanswered, and went on to win 52-31. Both of my Heisman candidates put up big numbers. Now we'll need to see if we can hold on to the #2 spot in the rankings.

[Kodos]

[Kodos]

Welcome to Week 14!

Put the deadline out there a bit due to complications for EF27 and Cartman.

=============== #1 USC Trojans (11-0) ===============
Last week the Trojans were idle.
This week, the Trojans travel to Piscataway to face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-6).
In recruiting news, the following USC targets have announced their decisions:
- (*) FB Ian Harrison has committed to USC
- (***) LG George Hughes has committed to USC
- (****) ROLB Ike Martinez has committed to USC

=============== #2 Rice Owls (11-1) ===============
Last week, Rice won 52-31 against Oklahoma (4-7).
This week, the Owls are idle.
In recruiting news, the following Rice targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) WR Brandon Brown has committed to Rice
- (****) WR David Sims has committed to Rice
- (****) FS Victor Johnson has committed to Rice
- (*****) QB Dan Harris has committed to Rice

=============== #5 Indiana Hoosiers (9-2) ===============
Last week, Indiana won 20-7 against Michigan State (8-2).
This week, the Hoosiers travel to Chestnut Hill to face the #23 Boston College Eagles (8-3).
In recruiting news, the following Indiana targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) DT Mike Copeland has committed to Indiana
- (****) DT Shawn Gibson has committed to Indiana
- (***) LE Brian Hubbard has committed to Indiana
- (****) WR Todd Austin has committed to Indiana


=============== #7 Buffalo Bulls (10-0) ===============
Last week, Buffalo won 49-28 against UMass (4-6).
This week, the Bulls travel to Kent to face the Kent State Golden Flashes (4-6).
In recruiting news, the following Buffalo targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) CB Ricky Simon has committed to Buffalo
- (***) TE Glen Strong has committed to Buffalo
- (***) MLB Chris Robinson has committed to Buffalo


=============== Florida Atlantic Owls (8-2) ===============
Last week, Florida Atlantic won 42-30 against FIU (6-4).
This week, the Owls will host Memphis (1-10).
In recruiting news, the following Florida Atlantic targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) WR David Sims has committed to Rice
- (**) P Andrew West has committed to Florida Atlantic
- (***) LE Dustin Parker has committed to Florida Atlantic
- (***) DT Shaun Johnson has committed to Florida Atlantic

=============== UTSA Roadrunners (8-3) ===============
Last week, UTSA won 38-20 against Houston (7-4).
This week, the Roadrunners will host Texas State (1-10).
In recruiting news, the following UTSA targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) MLB Alan Wilson has committed to UTSA
- (****) WR David Sims has committed to Rice
- (***) LE Mike Ferguson has committed to UTSA
- (*) FB Ian Harrison has committed to USC
- (***) CB Thomas Bennett has committed to UTSA

=============== South Florida Bulls (7-4) ===============
Last week, South Florida won 27-17 against Virginia (6-4).
This week, the Bulls travel to Chapel Hill to face the North Carolina Tar Heels (6-5).
In recruiting news, the following South Florida targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) RT E.J. Rush has committed to South Florida
- (****) HB Matt Green has committed to SMU
- (****) WR Reggie McBride has committed to South Florida

=============== Duke Blue Devils (4-6) ===============
Last week, Duke won 21-7 against Georgia (7-4).
This week, the Blue Devils will host West Virginia (4-7).
In recruiting news, the following Duke targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) WR Reggie McBride has committed to South Florida
- (****) ROLB Jamal Phillips has committed to Duke
- (***) LT Ken Nichols has committed to Duke

[gstelmack]

Man, I tried so hard to steal that HB from SMU. He's going to regret his choice, maybe he'll transfer next year...

[MacroGuru]

Well, all my recruiting needs are filled. Time to build up some depth.

[gstelmack]

31-19 loss. We did build a 13-7 lead, but late in the 3rd home field advantage took over and we got down 28-13. We managed a TD drive in the middle of the fourth, but my QB got hit as he threw to a wide open TE and were stuck at 28-19. Almost recovered the onside kick, did hold them to a 3-and-out, then a WR dropped a ball that him in the hands in stride down the sideline that should have been another TD with just under 2 minutes left. We couldn't convert anything else, they got a late FG when we failed a 4th down attempt, and that was it. Good game though.

[Julio Riddols]

Strong finish for us against Texas State, now we wait and see what happens in a couple weeks. We're probably going to climb into the top 25 in the interim, which is nice after our tough start.

[cartman]

I'm just about done with recruiting in this phase. Still have a couple of guys unsigned, but they should be coming around soon. I'll have a handful of schollies for the late recruiting phase to hopefully snag some gems.

[Eaglesfan27]

I made it home despite the snow here. I'll get my game in tomorrow morning (or maybe tonight if the wife passes out early and I'm still awake enough to play - Disney was awesome but exhausting!)

[Eaglesfan27]

Rutgers was tough early but we got the lead and their run game vanished. 2 pick 6's late in the half gave us a 38-7 lead. We took a 52-7 lead by the beginning of the 4th. Our backups gave up some garbage points but we ended up with a 59-21 win.

[MacroGuru]

Kent State kept it a game, even taking a lead into the 4th qtr. We then had a quick strike, shut them down and followed it up with another quick strike.

We did manage a 98 yard KR TD and almost broke open a punt return too, the damn punter took a great angle and knocked me out of bounds.

[chesapeake]

I was pretty worried going in, but Duke dominated from start to finish to emerge victorious in the SEC Relegation Bowl against West Virginia. I was the last one to play, so go ahead and run the week, Kodos.

[Kodos]

[Kodos]

Welcome to Week 15!

Only Buffalo and FAU have games this week. Oh, and Florida Atlantic has broken into the Top 25!

=============== #1 USC Trojans (12-0) ===============
Last week, USC won 59-21 against Rutgers (4-7).
This week, the Trojans are idle.
In recruiting news, the following USC targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) MLB Michael Odom has committed to USC
- (*) FB Ian Harrison has committed to USC
- (***) LG George Hughes has committed to USC
- (****) ROLB Ike Martinez has committed to USC

=============== #2 Rice Owls (11-1) ===============
Last week the Owls were idle.
This week, the Owls are idle.
In recruiting news, the following Rice targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) WR Brandon Brown has committed to Rice
- (****) WR Drew Thompson has committed to Rice
- (****) WR David Sims has committed to Rice
- (****) FS Victor Johnson has committed to Rice
- (*****) QB Dan Harris has committed to Rice

=============== #4 Indiana Hoosiers (10-2) ===============
Last week, Indiana won 63-28 against Boston College (8-4).
This week, the Hoosiers are idle.
In recruiting news, the following Indiana targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) DT Mike Copeland has committed to Indiana
- (****) DT Shawn Gibson has committed to Indiana
- (***) LE Brian Hubbard has committed to Indiana
- (****) WR Todd Austin has committed to Indiana
- (***) CB Rob Tucker has committed to Indiana
- (****) RE Charlie Fox has committed to Indiana

=============== #5 Buffalo Bulls (11-0) ===============
Last week, Buffalo won 41-24 against Kent State (4-7).
This week, the Bulls will host Miami University (5-6).
In recruiting news, the following Buffalo targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) CB Ricky Simon has committed to Buffalo
- (***) TE Glen Strong has committed to Buffalo
- (***) RE Justin Royal has committed to Buffalo
- (***) LT Joey Daniels has committed to Buffalo
- (***) MLB Chris Robinson has committed to Buffalo

=============== #25 Florida Atlantic Owls (9-2) ===============
Last week, Florida Atlantic won 52-35 against Memphis (1-11).
This week, the Owls will host Mid Tenn State (4-7).
In recruiting news, the following Florida Atlantic targets have announced their decisions:
- (**) P Andrew West has committed to Florida Atlantic
- (***) TE Jared Patton has committed to Florida Atlantic
- (***) LE Dustin Parker has committed to Florida Atlantic
- (***) DT Shaun Johnson has committed to Florida Atlantic

=============== UTSA Roadrunners (9-3) ===============
Last week, UTSA won 45-24 against Texas State (1-11).
This week, the Roadrunners are idle.
In recruiting news, the following UTSA targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) MLB Alan Wilson has committed to UTSA
- (***) LE Mike Ferguson has committed to UTSA
- (****) CB Kevin Clark has committed to UTSA
- (***) CB Thomas Bennett has committed to UTSA

=============== South Florida Bulls (7-5) ===============
Last week, South Florida lost 31-19 against North Carolina (7-5).
This week, the Bulls are idle.
In recruiting news, the following South Florida targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) RT E.J. Rush has committed to South Florida
- (****) WR Reggie McBride has committed to South Florida

=============== Duke Blue Devils (5-6) ===============
Last week, Duke won 38-14 against West Virginia (4-8).
This week, the Blue Devils are idle.
In recruiting news, the following Duke targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) ROLB Jamal Phillips has committed to Duke
- (***) DT Ben Smith has committed to Duke
- (***) LT Ken Nichols has committed to Duke

[MacroGuru]

I will get my game in tonight / tomorrow night at the latest and look at that, #5 ranking!

[Kodos]

I went into recruiting this year trying to focus on upgrading our defensive talent. I think I've been fairly successful on that front. Not so much with the linebackers, but on the line and in the secondary.

[cartman]

Looks like once again half my roster is going to be WRs.

[Kodos]

At least you picked up a QB to throw to them.

[Julio Riddols]

Hopefully Safeties get better this year after what happened last season.

[MacroGuru]

Looking at the rankings, if we win out what are the chances we don't jump to #2 and play for the championship. Right now we have a 1 loss team and 2 2-loss teams ahead of us.