The Ladder 2014 Season Thread

[gstelmack]

Just the 3-* TE? Great, the one I DIDN'T need. I've got a 79-rated Guard on the hook that needs to sign, then one of the HBs, please. If two HBs sign, I'm out of luck on the Guard.

[MacroGuru]

OMG!

4 OT Thriller against Bowling Green where we pull out the win with an INT return for a TD, which is the only video highlight that matters.

In the 2 OT we march down and score and have to make the 2pt, we don't. Bowling Green hits their TD right away, so they score their two, game over. I go all out with a blitz and hit their QB just as he threw it, incomplete pass.

The 3rd OT we had a pick and all we needed to do was score. I tried to run it out to within FG range and we fumble it with Bowling Green recovering.

This game saw our QB go for close to 500 yards passing and 7 TDs, our RB go over 130 yard and a new NCAA Game Sack record with my DE Smith.

If I do not get a bowl game after this one, I will be pissed.

I do know Temple won so we are definitely stuck in the MAC.

[Julio Riddols]

Davis is a big signing for us, a WR with speed who went +7 in scouting. Looks like we might pull a decent class after all, if we can just finish off the guys we're right on the cusp of getting commits from. Our secondary stands to improve greatly provided we can finalize.

[gstelmack]

I'll try to remember to mark myself in-game, but I am done with this sim.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by Kodos

In the interest of full disclosure, I went ahead and edited some players ratings in order to facilitate a Texas Tech loss (Rice lost to Texas Tech due to my mistake) in their next game. Did the same to try to get a Fresno State loss (USC lost to FS). Hopefully those teams will cooperate and lose, then I will re-edit them back to their former ratings. I just didn't feel right making cartman and EF27 miss shots at their conference championship game because of my blunder.

Strangely, I went to edit these guys back to their original ratings, but they already had them. It's like they never took hold. Odd.

[Kodos]

Reminder - deadline is tonight.

[Eaglesfan27]

I am all set and think I marked myself as such.

[CU Tiger]

Ill be on it shortly

[Kodos]

Welcome to Conference Championship Week! No recruiting to do.

Only two human teams in action this week. Indiana has already clinched a move up to the Big East. USC can punch their ticket to the Big Ten West Division with a win. Maryland will be moving up to the Conference USA East Division.

PAC-12: Wyoming (8-4) at #7 USC (10-2)
MWC: #21 Nevada (10-2) at #16 Indiana (10-2)


=============== #7 USC Trojans (10-2) ===============
Last week the Trojans were idle.
This week, the Trojans will host Wyoming (8-4).
In recruiting news, the following USC targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) WR Josh Marshall has committed to USC
- (****) WR Joel Jackson has committed to USC
- (****) ROLB Michael Washington has committed to USC
- (***) HB Garrett Cox has committed to USC


=============== #12 Maryland Terrapins (10-2) ===============
Last week, Maryland won 42-13 against Troy (7-5).
This week, the Terrapins are idle.
In recruiting news, the following Maryland targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) WR Carl Sears has committed to Maryland
- (****) QB Jermaine Harris has committed to Maryland
- (***) DT Jonathan Jennings has committed to Vanderbilt


=============== #16 Indiana Hoosiers (10-2) ===============
Last week the Hoosiers were idle.
This week, the Hoosiers will host #21 Nevada (10-2).
In recruiting news, the following Indiana targets have announced their decisions:
- (**) LT Rich Bracken has committed to Indiana
- (**) LOLB Randy Bennett has committed to Indiana


=============== South Florida Bulls (8-4) ===============
Last week the Bulls were idle.
This week, the Bulls are idle.
In recruiting news, the following South Florida targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) TE Tyrone Huff has committed to South Florida
- (****) LG Joel Jackson has committed to South Florida


=============== Buffalo Bulls (7-5) ===============
Last week, Buffalo won 60-54 against Bowling Green (6-6).
This week, the Bulls are idle.
In recruiting news, the following Buffalo targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) TE Xavier Gore has committed to Buffalo


=============== Rice Owls (7-5) ===============
Last week the Owls were idle.
This week, the Owls are idle.


=============== Duke Blue Devils (5-7) ===============
Last week the Blue Devils were idle.
This week, the Blue Devils are idle.
In recruiting news, the following Duke targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) QB Glen Dawson has committed to Duke
- (***) LT Eric Johnson has committed to Duke
- (***) TE Dylan Jackson has committed to Duke


=============== UTSA Roadrunners (5-7) ===============
Last week the Roadrunners were idle.
This week, the Roadrunners are idle.
In recruiting news, the following UTSA targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) WR Jason Davis has committed to UTSA
- (****) WR Brendan Lawson has committed to UTSA


=============== Florida Atlantic Owls (2-10) ===============
Last week, Florida Atlantic lost 35-28 against Mid Tenn State (5-7).
This week, the Owls are idle.
In recruiting news, the following Florida Atlantic targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) WR Anthony Downing has committed to Florida Atlantic
- (****) WR Carl Sears has committed to Maryland
- (***) RG Ulysses Graham has committed to Florida Atlantic

[gstelmack]

Happy we got the LG, eh on the TE (signed a pair of 63-rated TEs, neither of which will probably make the team unless I just need warm bodies). Need one of the HBs to sign and I'll have a full class.

[Kodos]

Our MWC Conference Championship game was a back-and-forth battle. As time expired and trailing us 24-22, Nevada lined up for a 47-yard field goal with the conference championship on the line.

Spoiler

Imagine how intense this would have been had a step up the Ladder been on the line? As it was, I was pretty nervous when the ball was in the air.

[Eaglesfan27]

The video is all black for me... did they make it?

[Kodos]

They missed it.

[Kodos]

Welcome to Bowl Season!


=============== #6 USC Trojans (11-2) ===============
Last week, USC won 42-7 against Wyoming (8-5).
#7 USC will face #21 Florida in the Rose Bowl.
In recruiting news, the following USC targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) WR Josh Marshall has committed to USC
- (****) WR Joel Jackson has committed to USC
- (****) ROLB Michael Washington has committed to USC
- (***) HB Garrett Cox has committed to USC


=============== #11 Maryland Terrapins (10-2) ===============
#12 Maryland will face Arkansas State in the New Orleans Bowl.
In recruiting news, the following Maryland targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) WR Carl Sears has committed to Maryland
- (****) QB Jermaine Harris has committed to Maryland


=============== #16 Indiana Hoosiers (11-2) ===============
Last week, Indiana won 24-22 against Nevada (10-3).
#16 Indiana will face Miami in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
In recruiting news, the following Indiana targets have announced their decisions:
- (**) LT Rich Bracken has committed to Indiana
- (**) LOLB Randy Bennett has committed to Indiana


=============== South Florida Bulls (8-4) ===============
South Florida will face San Jose State in the Independence Bowl.
In recruiting news, the following South Florida targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) TE Tyrone Huff has committed to South Florida
- (****) LG Joel Jackson has committed to South Florida


=============== Buffalo Bulls (7-5) ===============
Buffalo will face ECU in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
In recruiting news, the following Buffalo targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) TE Xavier Gore has committed to Buffalo


=============== Rice Owls (7-5) ===============
Rice will face Air Force in the New Mexico Bowl.


=============== UTSA Roadrunners (5-7) ===============
In recruiting news, the following UTSA targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) WR Jason Davis has committed to UTSA
- (****) WR Brendan Lawson has committed to UTSA


=============== Duke Blue Devils (5-7) ===============
In recruiting news, the following Duke targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) QB Glen Dawson has committed to Duke
- (***) LT Eric Johnson has committed to Duke
- (***) TE Dylan Jackson has committed to Duke


=============== Florida Atlantic Owls (2-10) ===============
In recruiting news, the following Florida Atlantic targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) WR Anthony Downing has committed to Florida Atlantic
- (***) RG Ulysses Graham has committed to Florida Atlantic

[MacroGuru]

WOOT!

My first bowl game with Buffalo!

[Kodos]

Congratulations, Macro!

[gstelmack]

We had no problems moving the ball against San Jose State, only one punt very late. We jumped to an early lead, got a few stops, kept extending the lead, and put them away late.

We remain undefeated in bowl games.

[Eaglesfan27]

Intense battle against Florida in the Rose Bowl. We took a 21-16 lead in the 4th, but were stopped on a drive that could have put it out of reach. They drove inside the 20 before our RS FR CB Jeff Young had the biggest interception of his career and took it 88 yards for a TD. The 28-16 lead seemed to be safe with under 2 minutes to go, but Florida got their first quick strike score of the game despite me playing a deep cover 3. Fortunately, our young WR handled the onside kick and we held on for a 28-23 win.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

The video is all black for me... did they make it?

It is playing now. Nice! Congrats on the win!

[Kodos]

So I won my game 14-10 over Miami, and then it froze during the closing comments. Crap. Didn't register on the site either.

[Kodos]

It was weird. Individual players kept freezing in the game.

[MacroGuru]

Originally Posted by Kodos

It was weird. Individual players kept freezing in the game.

I have had that happen.

I wont be able to get to my game until Sunday night around 9 pm EST.

[MacroGuru]

Done and we win! Nice bowl win to cap off the season.

DE Smith was a beast this year. No RT could stop him..

[Kodos]

Congratulations, Macro!

[Kodos]

2014 Bowl Results

[Kodos]

2014 Final Coaches Poll Rankings

Final	Prev	Team		Wins	Losses	FPV	Points
1	2	Oklahoma	11	3	61	1525
2	3	Utah		12	2	0	1470
3	5	Notre Dame	12	2	0	1250
4	6	USC		12	2	0	1185
5	7	Iowa		13	1	0	1133
6	1	Ohio State	10	3	0	1126
7	9	Kansas State	10	3	0	1047
8	10	TCU		9	4	0	972
9	11	Maryland	11	2	0	941
10	12	UCLA		11	2	0	898
11	4	Georgia		9	4	0	813
12	16	Indiana		12	2	0	732
13	17	Michigan	9	4	0	679
14	8	NC State	11	3	0	661
15	18	Temple		11	2	0	653
16	20	Oregon		8	5	0	585
17	13	North Dakota	11	2	0	525
18	22	Georgia Tech	9	4	0	496
19	23	North Carolina	10	3	0	467
20	14	Texas		9	4	0	455
21	25	Penn State	8	4	0	395
22	26	Alabama		8	5	0	361
23	28	South Florida	9	4	0	305
24	29	Florida State	7	6	0	268
25	41	Arkansas	7	6	0	256

[gstelmack]

I love that Rice / Air Force box score: 31 points combined in the first 3 quarters, 47 points combined in the 4th.

[Kodos]

Guess the defenses must have gotten gassed.

[cartman]

Yeah, it was crazy. Real tight defenses until all hell broke loose in the 4th quarter. I think I had 3 TDs in 5 plays.

[Kodos]

[Kodos]

2014 Heisman Trophy

Sophomore receiver Colby Johnson of USC won the Heisman trophy by catching 62 passes for 1990 yards and 24 TDs, with an incredible 32.1 yards per catch. Johnson also claimed the Maxwell, Walter Camp, and Biletnikoff awards. Aaron Banks of UGA finished second in the voting.

Other winners
Maxwell: Colby Johnson, USC, Sophomore
Walter Camp: Colby Johnson, USC, Sophomore
Bednarik: Claude Stover, USC, Sophomore
Nagurski: Claude Stover, USC, Sophomore
O'brien: Greg Hart, Rice, Sophomore
Biletnikoff: Colboy Johnson, USC, Sophomore
Best LB: Claude Stover, USC, Sophomore
Best retuner: Brandon Clayton, USC, Senior

[Kodos]

IU doesn't have anyone leaving early. Other teams aren't so lucky.

[MacroGuru]

Ouch, 2 QB's leaving because they are homesick, WR's transferring for more PT even though the were going to be the ones to start this season hurts.

6 players overall transferring from UB and my C is going to the Pro's

[gstelmack]

I have a pair of below-70-rated RedShirt Freshmen players leaving, one Guard, one CB, due to playing time. Both going to FIU.

My 89-rated punter is also leaving because my placekicker was a better punter than him, so he hasn't played much. He's going to Troy.

[Julio Riddols]

Had a 52 overall OLB transfer to LSU for more playing time. What a dumbass.

[Kodos]

[Kodos]

Have we always been able to look at the players leaving on the website, or is that new?

[Eaglesfan27]

We couldn't persuade two of guys not to transfer, but we got the best of our 3 to stay one more year by promising him he'd be glad he stayed and got his degree.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Have we always been able to look at the players leaving on the website, or is that new?

New.

[chesapeake]

Two of my 3 MLB's have decided to transfer because of playing time. Apparently, neither caught onto the fact that we play a lot of 3-4 and whoever decided to stay was going to get a lot of playing time. Good riddance. They are obviously too stupid to play for Duke.

[gstelmack]

You can try to convince them that they'll get plenty of playing time next season...

[Kodos]

We're on to the next stage.

[gstelmack]

64 and 61 rated RTs want to transfer from Fairbanks.

And they're still better than all but 1 tackle currently on my roster.

[MacroGuru]

71 Rated WR from Stanford wants to come to UB. Guy has to be crazy! Anyway, I of course accepted him with open arms.

[Kodos]

I think everyone is ready to advance, but not positive about Maryland and USF.

[cmgdodgers]

Maryland is all set.

[gstelmack]

South Florida is all set. They need a way for me to set that from the web...

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Kodos

I think everyone is ready to advance, but not positive about Maryland and USF.

I will do mine now - assuming I can get it to work from web.

Edit: No transfer requests, so we are all set ;-)

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

I will do mine now - assuming I can get it to work from web.

Edit: No transfer requests, so we are all set ;-)

Yep. I only included teams who had somebody who wanted to transfer in.

[Kodos]

On to the next stage.