We’re turning over a new leaf (ever so slightly) at Redrenee.com today. Over the two years this blog has been up, we’ve never hidden our affinity for the Buckeyes. Partially because we need more content, and partially as a feeble attempt at trying to lure over more of Buckeye nation, starting today we’re going to feature more Ohio State content.
We’re not going to focus any less on the rest of college football. We’ll continue to provide as much unbiased analysis and information that we can, but will definitely be “Buckeye heavy” during college football season. We expect you to to call us on it if we’re drinking the scarlet and gray Kool-Aid by leaving a comment.
Our motto continues to be- go ahead let it out. It’s good to vent.
Flutie, Ali, Jordan, Ruth, Nicklaus, Gretzky, Brown, Bird, Paterno, Landry, Kerrigan, Borg, DiMaggio, Frasier, Valvano, Stewart, Lougainis, Dr. J, Lombardi, Montana, Woods, Mays, Retton, Clarke, Shula and on and on and on! Holy crap. And how perfect is the synch with “Dream On”??? Yes, sappy Mark O did cry a little bit.
P.S. And where the heck is Christian Laettner now anyhow?
I have to give Vanderbilt credit for beating a tough Auburn team at home 14-13. I predicted a tight game, but an Auburn victory. With a 5-0 start for the first time since 1943, and at a real academic school to boot, Vanderbilt has to be one of the biggest stories of the season thus far. The Commodore offense was prettier than usual and got it done with their backup Quarterback Mackenzi Adams (which incidentally is the name of a girl I went to high school with). Vanderbilt fans got a gift Saturday with Adams’ performance. Last season Adams threw 9 touchdowns to 6 interceptions so look for a second game slump should Adams start next week against Mississippi State.
The tough games lie ahead for Vanderbilt with Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, and Wake Forest all still on the schedule, but this team’s going bowling for sure.
For Auburn, another close game and more questions at quarterback. The last four games for Auburn have been decided by an average of two points and have resulted in two wins and two losses. They’ve got an easy stretch the next four games before finishing with Georgia and Alabama, but as inconsistent as this team has been, expect at least one loss in the next four.
At quarterback for Auburn they were a dreadful 10 of 22 for 98 yards. This team is 104th in the nation in passing and without much help rushing, they’re going to continue to struggle against quality opponents.
The USC Trojans did what they do- follow up a loss to a team they shouldn’t lose to by blowing out a team that is decent. They dragged their feet through the first quarter and then exploded winning by a final score of 44-10. Get ready for the “playing the best of anyone” discussion, it’s coming to an internet near you in four to five weeks.
Penn State won again but didn’t roll like they should have. They rolled up plenty of yards but had difficulty getting into the end zone with only two touchdowns. I’m giving Penn State a pass because they’ve been so dominant in other games, but another performance like this week against Wisconsin next and I’m going to start asking questions. Purdue struggled mightily against the PSU defense, and special teams didn’t help missing two field goals and an extra point.
There’s definitely something afoul in State College- either Darryl Clark is playing out of his mind or the Penn State offensive coaches are incompetent. Darryl Clark is the 11th best quarterback in the nation according to passer rating and has nine touchdowns against only one interception. Last season, while Anthony Morelli was doing his best impersonation of a Notre Dame quarterback (high expectations, low performance), Clark was limited to a total of 9 passes. If Clark is this good, why wasn’t he given a chance last season? Nittany Lion fans should be pulling together their frothiest elected Democrats and demanding an immediate inquiry.
OSU freshman QB Terrelle Pryor did get his first road win against a band-less Wisconsin team and continued to show development. Pryor made lots of young mistakes including several sacks that didn’t need to be, but he also showed the kind of swagger and production that indicates a star in the making. The game was a watershed one for an underachieving, seemingly uninspired Buckeye team, and could provide a springboard for them for the rest of the season. Ohio State settling for field goals in the red zone continues to be a problem theme.
In one of my favorite non-football moments of the season, cornerback Malcolm Jenkins got his dance on during the “Jump Around” festivities in Madison. Evidence of the kind of “playing loose” that Ohio State needs to exhibit more of in big games.
Alabama did not handle being # 2 well, just as I predicted. They scraped by and got a gift with the late game fumble of Glen Coffee rolling out of bounds instead of into the waiting hands of the Kentucky defender. Still, they got the win which is all that matters for the BCS, and I found my new second favorite running back. Junior Glen Coffee is the real deal- 6-2, 200 pounds, plenty of speed, and legitimate moves. Look for him to continue to have a big year and be a Heisman candidate next year should he return for his senior season.
I also have to call out Kentucky for one of the worst onside kicks ever. If you saw the game, you know what I’m talking about. The ball didn’t even bounce; the kicker hit a line drive right out of bounds. I’m no kicker but I know I could at least get a couple bounces out of the ball. Nice.
Also as I predicted, Kansas State did not upset Texas Tech. Texas Tech blew out the Wildcats 58-28 and continues to be devastating on offense, but also one of the more over-rated teams in the country.
Finally, and you’re probably getting sick of me being right all the time, but Michigan did not beat Illinois. As I predicted, they did not have the athletes to hang with the Illini and lost 45-20. Michigan did show some life in the passing game, but surprisingly couldn’t keep the Illinois offense in check. I’ve often been hard on Juice Williams in the past, but he was very solid with a 50% completion percentage, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also had 121 yards rushing.
Looking at the rest of Michigan’s schedule- 6-6 is a good outcome. More likely is 5-7 with the Wolverines missing out on a bowl game. Ouch.
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