The Ladder 2011 Season Thread

[Kodos]

- (**) SS Troy Maddox has committed to Indiana
- (*) CB Donnie Jones has committed to Indiana
- (***) CB Michael Reese has committed to Indiana
- (***) CB Tim Gonzalez has committed to Indiana
- (**) ROLB Shelton Sledge has committed to Indiana
- (**) ROLB Ron Livingston has committed to Indiana
- (**) LOLB Jeff Lewis has committed to Indiana
- (***) MLB Courtney Davis has committed to Indiana
- (***) MLB Rory Williams has committed to Indiana
- (**) MLB Larry Butler has committed to Indiana
- (**) RT Dominic Brewer has committed to Indiana
- (**) LT Chaz Stephens has committed to Indiana
- (**) LT Mike Davis has committed to Indiana
- (**) LG Todd Hughes has committed to Indiana
- (**) LG Derrick Richards has committed to Indiana
- (***) RG James Hayward has committed to Indiana
- (***) C David Coker has committed to Indiana
- (***) HB Matt Brown has committed to Indiana
- (*) FB Jamil Washington has committed to Indiana
- (***) WR Patrick Gould has committed to Indiana

What our recruiting class lacks in quality is made up for in quantity.

[MacroGuru]

Originally Posted by Kodos

- (**) CB Christian Cunningham has committed to Buffalo
- (***) CB John Townsend has committed to Buffalo

Based upon my commits and such...my defense is going to be 3 stars across the board.. I won't complain...

[Kodos]

Good to hear.

[Kodos]

Week 14 Coaches Poll

Rank	Prev	Team		Wins	Losses	FPV	Points
1	1	Mississippi St	11	0	55	1519
2	2	Texas A&M	10	1	0	1350
3	3	Arkansas	9	2	0	1207
4	5	USC		10	0	6	1195
5	4	Michigan	9	1	0	1187
6	7	Miami		9	1	0	1066
7	8	Florida State	8	3	0	1027
8	9	Texas Tech	8	1	0	1019
9	11	Utah		7	2	0	910
10	12	Oklahoma	8	2	0	875
11	6	Boise State	7	3	0	843
12	13	South Carolina	8	4	0	829
13	15	Duke		9	1	0	784
14	17	LSU		7	4	0	681
15	18	Wisconsin	7	4	0	644
16	20	Hawai'i		7	3	0	576
17	14	Georgia Tech	8	2	0	551
18	22	Nebraska	6	5	0	493
19	23	Pittsburgh	8	3	0	470
20	24	South Florida	9	1	0	446
21	29	Houston		7	3	0	415
22	25	Illinois	8	2	0	403
23	26	West Virginia	7	4	0	355
24	21	Ole Miss	8	3	0	339
25	30	Oregon		6	5	0	204

[gstelmack]

24 points in the first quarter against Middle Tennessee State. We tried to coast from there, but they had the gall to score a TD in the second quarter, so we went for it on 4th-and-long, eschewing the 59 yard FG attempt, converted on a nice lob pass over the middle, and punched it in. THEN we coasted in the second half, grinding the clock out, and put our 2nd string in for the fourth quarter.

But we still managed to get our star HB hurt again. I'm not sure he's made it through an entire game this season unscathed.

No auto-commits during recruiting, but we've taken the 1st spot on an otherwise-unoffered 4* WR, he'd be my big coup of the offseason if I could land him. 6 3-* commits so far, we've got a couple more we're the lead on, but we lost the lead on our favorite 3-* QB prospect to Central Florida. Most of our depth will still be here next season, but I'd still like to get a few more guys to commit...

[TRO]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

But we still managed to get our star HB hurt again. I'm not sure he's made it through an entire game this season unscathed.

Truly hurt or just not able to come back in due to the fatigue bug?

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by TRO

Truly hurt or just not able to come back in due to the fatigue bug?

Bruised sternum today, always some actual injury. I've been given the choice dialog to bring him back quicker or let the backup play a couple of times.

[MacroGuru]

I don't know if the game uploaded last night. But it was one of the better games I have played with UB.

Score was 28-21 at one point and then my guys decided they wanted to put on their roller skates again.

[Kodos]

Looks like it uploaded correctly.

[Kodos]

Just had one of those games where I could do no right and the computer could do no wrong. Against Kent State. Arrrgh.

[gstelmack]

I saw that score and

[Kodos]

Yep. Trying to play catch up with inadequate QBs = disaster. And my defense couldn't tackle for shit. Once someone broke free, there was no hope of catching them from behind, even if we were right next to the player with the ball. We couldn't even catch their fullback out of the backfield. In the first half, Kent State was breaking huge play after huge play. I tend to have a meltdown game now and again. Guess this was it for this season. So much for moving up the ladder this season.

Kent State scoring plays of 50 or more yards:

Kendrick Pressley WR #15 48 yard pass from Spencer Keith QB #3

Trayion Durham FB #35 74 yard pass from Spencer Keith QB #3

Tyshon Goode WR #5 56 yard pass from Spencer Keith QB #3

Jacquise Terry HB #22 80 yard rush

Josh Pleasant CB #2 65 yard interception

Norman Wolfe CB #36 63 yard interception

[Eaglesfan27]

I might need until the 28th. Christmas stopped me from playing this weekend, and I'm not sure I will have time tonight, but I'm on call tomorrow, will be up late, and can definitely play tomorrow evening if not tonight.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

I might need until the 28th. Christmas stopped me from playing this weekend, and I'm not sure I will have time tonight, but I'm on call tomorrow, will be up late, and can definitely play tomorrow evening if not tonight.

I'll be available to play you tonight, but I'm leaving on a trip in the morning and won't be back until Friday. Lemme know if tonight will work for you.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by cartman

I'll be available to play you tonight, but I'm leaving on a trip in the morning and won't be back until Friday. Lemme know if tonight will work for you.

Didn't realize it was a human game. I will try to free up time for tonight.

[Eaglesfan27]

Any chance you can play in 30 to 45 minutes?

[Eaglesfan27]

I can play around 9 pm eastern tonight.

[cartman]

That'll work. I'll look for you online around that time.

[cartman]

WOW!!!!!

All I can say is that was one of the most epic games I've ever played online. I jumped out to a 14-0 halftime lead, EF battled back to tie the game late. We both had a chance to end the game in regulation, but we went to OT tied 14 all. I scored in the first OT, and he matched. He led the 2nd OT off with a touchdown, and I quickly replied. I've had an iffy kicking game all season (missed two FGs in this game) and had a bad feeling about the XP, so I went for the win. Ran a pitch play to the left and just snuck in for the 2 point conversion and the win.

Great game, EF27!

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by cartman

WOW!!!!!

All I can say is that was one of the most epic games I've ever played online. I jumped out to a 14-0 halftime lead, EF battled back to tie the game late. We both had a chance to end the game in regulation, but we went to OT tied 14 all. I scored in the first OT, and he matched. He led the 2nd OT off with a touchdown, and I quickly replied. I've had an iffy kicking game all season (missed to FGs in this game) and had a bad feeling about the XP, so I went for the win. Ran a pitch play to the left and just snuck in for the 2 point conversion and the win.

Great game, EF27!

Great game, Cartman! Congrats on the win.

[TRO]

And down goes USC's undefeated run. Gutsy call.

[Kodos]

Week 14 Results

Rice 29, USC 28
Duke 27, Clemson 13
USF 34, Middle Tennessee State 6
Indiana 31, Kent State 73
Memphis 12, Kansas 32
Ball State 45, Buffalo 27

[Kodos]

Welcome to Week 15!

=============== #10 USC Trojans (10-1) ===============
Last week, USC lost 29-28 against Rice (9-2).
This week, the Trojans will host #23 Wyoming (8-2).


=============== #12 Duke Blue Devils (10-1) ===============
Last week, Duke won 27-13 against Clemson (7-4).
This week, the Blue Devils will host Bowling Green (3-8).
In recruiting news, the following Duke targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) FS Adam Royal has committed to Georgia Tech
- (****) WR Mark Wagner has committed to Duke

=============== #16 South Florida Bulls (10-1) ===============
Last week, South Florida won 34-6 against Mid Tenn State (2-9).
This week, the Bulls travel to Ft. Lauderdale to face the Florida Atlantic Owls (6-5).
In recruiting news, the following South Florida targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) WR Eric Haumiller has committed to Nebraska
- (***) SS Isaac Dailey has committed to South Florida


=============== #21 Rice Owls (9-2) ===============
Last week, Rice won 29-28 against USC (10-1).
This week, the Owls will host UAB (4-7).
In recruiting news, the following Rice targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) LT George Gaines has committed to Utah
- (***) CB Terrell Rodgers has committed to Arkansas
- (*****) WR Matt Green has committed to Ohio State

=============== #24 Kansas Jayhawks (9-2) ===============
Last week, Kansas won 32-12 against Memphis (4-7).
This week, the Jayhawks will host Washington State (5-6).
In recruiting news, the following Kansas targets have announced their decisions:
- (**) LOLB Bryce Ward has committed to Kansas
- (***) SS Marcus Rooney has committed to Kansas
- (**) FS Kenny Cook has committed to Kansas
- (***) CB Justin Dorsey has committed to Kansas


=============== Indiana Hoosiers (8-3) ===============
Last week, Indiana lost 73-31 against Kent State (7-4).
This week, the Hoosiers travel to Muncie to face the Ball State Cardinals (5-6).
In recruiting news, the following Indiana targets have announced their decisions:
- (**) SS Troy Maddox has committed to Indiana
- (*) CB Donnie Jones has committed to Indiana
- (***) CB Michael Reese has committed to Indiana
- (***) CB Tim Gonzalez has committed to Indiana
- (**) ROLB Shelton Sledge has committed to Indiana
- (**) ROLB Ron Livingston has committed to Indiana
- (**) LOLB Jeff Lewis has committed to Indiana
- (**) MLB Larry Butler has committed to Indiana
- (***) MLB Courtney Davis has committed to Indiana
- (***) MLB Rory Williams has committed to Indiana
- (**) RT Dominic Brewer has committed to Indiana
- (**) LT Chaz Stephens has committed to Indiana
- (**) LT Mike Davis has committed to Indiana
- (**) LG Todd Hughes has committed to Indiana
- (**) LG Derrick Richards has committed to Indiana
- (***) RG James Hayward has committed to Indiana
- (***) C David Coker has committed to Indiana
- (*) FB Jamil Washington has committed to Indiana
- (***) HB Matt Brown has committed to Indiana
- (***) WR Patrick Gould has committed to Indiana
- (***) FS Blake Walker has committed to Indiana
- (***) DT Marcus Jones has committed to Illinois


=============== Buffalo Bulls (0-11) ===============
Last week, Buffalo lost 45-27 against Ball State (5-6).
This week, the Bulls will host Kent State (7-4).
In recruiting news, the following Buffalo targets have announced their decisions:
- (**) RT Jeff Lewis has committed to Miami University
- (*) C Roderick Hill has committed to Kentucky
- (***) C Joshua Guidry has committed to Southern Miss
- (***) WR Chris Jensen has committed to Buffalo
- (***) QB Brandon Watkins has committed to Buffalo
- (**) MLB George McCarthy has committed to Buffalo

[Kodos]

Week 15 Coaches Poll

Rank	Prev	Team		Wins	Losses	FPV	Points
1	1	Mississippi St	12	0	61	1525
2	3	Arkansas	10	2	0	1267
3	2	Texas A&M	11	1	0	1242
4	5	Michigan	10	1	0	1135
5	6	Miami		10	1	0	1099
6	7	Florida State	9	3	0	1051
7	8	Texas Tech	9	1	0	1032
8	9	Utah		8	2	0	983
9	10	Oklahoma	9	2	0	971
10	4	USC		10	1	0	874
11	12	South Carolina	8	4	0	863
12	13	Duke		10	1	0	855
13	15	Wisconsin	8	4	0	781
14	17	Georgia Tech	8	2	0	687
15	19	Pittsburgh	8	3	0	606
16	20	South Florida	10	1	0	593
17	21	Houston		8	3	0	541
18	11	Boise State	7	4	0	466
19	23	West Virginia	7	4	0	446
20	24	Ole Miss	8	3	0	414
21	42	Rice		9	2	0	386
22	25	Oregon		7	5	0	365
23	26	Wyoming		8	2	0	343
24	27	Kansas		9	2	0	305
25	31	Connecticut	6	4	0	283

[MacroGuru]

Originally Posted by Kodos

- (***) WR Chris Jensen has committed to Buffalo
- (***) QB Brandon Watkins has committed to Buffalo
- (**) MLB George McCarthy has committed to Buffalo

Holy shit balls boys, we have a QB.

[gstelmack]

Congrats to Duke on the 4-* WR commit. Still waiting on my 4-* WR to commit (I dropped off Haumiller a while back, he was just not budging). Good to have a SS on board, but I'd still like to get a Guard and some sort of LB to stay interested in us...

[cartman]

It was a long shot on the 5* guy.

[MacroGuru]

Got my ass kicked by Kent State...Next season I hope to have linemen that do not wear roller skates when they play.

[gstelmack]

We had Florida Atlantic buried, then they managed to score 3 TDs in the 4th quarter to put a scare in me. They missed on a pair of 2-pt conversions, hit the third, but we managed to recover the final onside kick and run the clock out.

[TRO]

I couldn't stop Washington State in first half and trailed 20-17.

In the second half, their only points were scored on a pick 6, while we put up 21 in each of the final quarters. Very strange game.

[MacroGuru]

Im out of commission with xbox live until Thurs, just letting you guys know.

[cartman]

My premonition about the XP in OT against USC might have been right. I missed the first XP in the next game against UAB.

[Kodos]

There's a good chance I won't be able to make my own deadline tonight. I'll try, but it may not work out.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Kodos

There's a good chance I won't be able to make my own deadline tonight. I'll try, but it may not work out.

Going to be tough for me too. Had a surprise birthday party tonight. My new girlfriend is the best! Lots of family and friends over.

[Kodos]

Let's just extend the deadline to Wednesday. Real life gets in the way sometimes.

[Eaglesfan27]

USC jumped to a 21-0 lead in the 1st half and everything looked great for the Trojans. In the 2nd half, everything went wrong. We fumbled, we threw a bad pick. Suddenly, it was 21-14. We responded with a TD drive that I thought would put it away.. but they converted 4th and 13.. 4th and 12.. and suddenly scored a TD with 2 minutes left. I knew we were in trouble after the on-side kick bounced off 2 of my players into their hands!

They scored a TD with 40 seconds left to make it 28-28. After my QB almost threw a pick, I decided to just settle for OT rather than try to march down the field with 20 seconds left..

We scored the first TD in OT. I decided to go for 2.. my star QB rushed.. rushed.. and was stopped 1 inch short!

They were driving down the field, but we came up with a sack on 3rd and goal from the 4! On 4th and goal from the 12, they threw it to the right corner... and we knocked it down! 34-28 win in exciting fashion.

[Kodos]

Sounds like quite a game!

Conf Champ Week


=============== #9 USC Trojans (11-1) ===============
Last week, USC won 34-28 against Wyoming (8-3).
This week, the Trojans are idle.
In recruiting news, the following USC targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) QB Walter Sands has committed to Nevada

=============== #11 Duke Blue Devils (11-1) ===============
Last week, Duke won 17-7 against Bowling Green (3-9).
This week, the Blue Devils are idle.
In recruiting news, the following Duke targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) TE Phillip Brock has committed to Duke
- (***) SS Daniel Ramirez has committed to Duke

=============== #15 South Florida Bulls (11-1) ===============
Last week, South Florida won 34-27 against Florida Atlantic (6-6).
This week, the Bulls are idle.
In recruiting news, the following South Florida targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) FS Steven Lawson has committed to Oklahoma
- (***) DT Ronald Crooks has committed to West Virginia
- (***) RE Jerome Manson has committed to Connecticut
- (***) CB Charles Wilson has committed to Minnesota

=============== #18 Rice Owls (10-2) ===============
Last week, Rice won 34-16 against UAB (4-8).
This week, the Owls are idle.
In recruiting news, the following Rice targets have announced their decisions:
- (**) DT Brad Graves has committed to Rice

=============== #21 Kansas Jayhawks (10-2) ===============
Last week, Kansas won 59-27 against Washington State (5-7).
This week, the Jayhawks are idle.
In recruiting news, the following Kansas targets have announced their decisions:
- (**) LE Kyle Woods has committed to Baylor
- (*) FB Derrick Ward has committed to Kansas

=============== Indiana Hoosiers (9-3) ===============
Last week, Indiana won 27-17 against Ball State (5-7).
This week, the Hoosiers are idle.

=============== Buffalo Bulls (0-12) ===============
Last week, Buffalo lost 40-16 against Kent State (8-4).
This week, the Bulls are idle.
In recruiting news, the following Buffalo targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) LT Reggie Hood has committed to Toledo
- (*) LT Aaron Carey has committed to Buffalo
- (***) WR Omarr Hughes has committed to Buffalo
- (**) MLB Ryne Clark has committed to Buffalo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Kodos]

On to bowl week! The site doesn't tell me what the bowls are, but here are the matchups.

#10 USC (11-1) vs. #11 Duke (11-1)
Cincinnati (8-4) vs. #15 USF (11-1)
Louisiana Tech (7-5) vs. #18 Rice (10-2)
#21 Kansas (10-2) vs. Clemson (8-4)
Indiana (9-3) vs. Syracuse (6-6)

[Kodos]

Coaches Poll

Previously undefeated Mississippi State loses the Big Ten championship game 42-37 to #2 Arkansas to lose their spot in the BCS Championship Game. Instead, Arkansas punches Michigan's ticket to the championship game against the Razorbacks.

Rank	Prev	Team		Wins	Losses	FPV	Points
1	2	Arkansas	11	2	34	1498
2	4	Michigan	11	1	21	1236
3	1	Mississippi St	12	1	0	1207
4	5	Miami		11	1	3	1181
5	6	Florida State	9	3	0	1110
6	7	Utah		9	2	1	1065
7	10	South Carolina	9	4	0	1058
8	8	Oklahoma	10	2	1	1014
9	3	Texas A&M	11	2	0	1000
10	9	USC		11	1	1	971
11	11	Duke		11	1	0	871
12	12	Wisconsin	8	4	0	797
13	13	Georgia Tech	9	2	0	763
14	14	Pittsburgh	9	3	0	708
15	15	South Florida	11	1	0	677
16	16	Houston		9	3	0	615
17	17	Boise State	8	4	0	561
18	18	Rice		10	2	0	531
19	19	Oregon		7	5	0	465
20	20	Texas Tech	9	2	0	442
21	21	Kansas		10	2	0	400
22	22	Connecticut	7	4	0	341
23	23	Illinois	9	3	0	309
24	24	Hawai'i		8	4	0	261
25	25	Michigan State	7	5	0	214

[chesapeake]

EF27, it would appear that we have a date with destiny. Any chance you would be available at around 10 PM EST on Sunday night?

[TRO]

Interesting that the 2 teams that made a BCS Bowl this year (USC & Duke) both failed to win their conference.

We squeaked by Clemson in our bowl game last night. Their RB torched us early, but our passing game was on fire. 11-2 and moving up a rung on the ladder.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by chesapeake

EF27, it would appear that we have a date with destiny. Any chance you would be available at around 10 PM EST on Sunday night?

I think that will work out well. I'll let you know if anything comes up, but let's plan on that time.

[Kodos]

IU loses a game of big plays against Syracuse in the Military bowl. We kicked a field goal to go up 38-35 with a little over a minute left, but our defense let us down once more, and we lost.

[gstelmack]

Really good football game between South Florida and Cincy. We went 3-and-out, they broke a big run for a TD, we put together a nice drive but missed the XP, they broke a big catch-and-run for another TD, and we were down 14-6 at the end of the first quarter. We also lost our star RB and return man Frye to injury (again). Then I figured out how to defend them (zone coverage + LB blitzes), shut down their offense, and my backup RB Holloway ran 33 times for 193 yards and 3 TDs by the middle of the fourth quarter. Then he went down, but we had built a 30-14 lead. They did put together a hurry-up drive to score another TD late, but we stopped the 2-point conversion, recovered the onside kick, and ran out the clock. A 30-20 bowl win to cap our first season, now we get to move up and see how we can do in a higher tier conference.

[Eaglesfan27]

Relying heavily on our power running game, USC beat Duke 28-18. Good game, chesapeake.

[chesapeake]

The game wasn't as close as the score indicates. I packed the line as best I could and could do very little to stop the run. The faint glimmers of hope I had usually came to an end over the middle, in the soft hands of your safety. Congrats, EF. You played a great game.

I'm still pretty pleased with the season as a whole. A second place finish in the conference, a Sugar Bowl appearance, three All-Americans and my TE won the Mackey Award.

[MacroGuru]

Did I need to login and do anything since no recruiting and we are the worst team in the league and did not have a game?

[Kodos]

Bowl Season Results

Sugar Bowl: USC 28, Duke 18
Cincinnati 20, USF 30
Louisiana Tech 22, Rice 24
Kansas 49, Clemson 45
Indiana 38, Syracuse 44

We just need Cartman to get in his game and we'll be set.

[cartman]

Looks like you'll have to auto me. I've been on a business trip all of last week, and won't be getting home until Sunday evening at the earliest.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by cartman

Looks like you'll have to auto me. I've been on a business trip all of last week, and won't be getting home until Sunday evening at the earliest.

Sorry to hear that. Let's hope your boys win anyhow.

Edit: Looks like your boys won 24-22.