Ten Answers

I have a ritual each game week. Thursday morning, the block O flag goes up on the front post of the house. The following Monday morning the flag gets rolled up and put back into the garage until the following Thursday. The only deviation from this is Michigan week, the biggest game of the year whether they suck, we suck, or some variation thereof. I almost left the flag up this week- that’s how important the Penn State game is this year.

Here are your ten answers:

1. Pac-10 Coach of the Year for Chip Kelly if Oregon beats USC?
What I wrote:

Not that Oregon isn’t a good football team, they are. Following the implosion to start the season against Boise State, Chip Kelly has done a masterful job pulling the Ducks together (getting their ducks in a row if you will), with Oregon ripping off six straight wins.

USC and their 2011 Heisman Trophy winning Quarterback Matt Barkley come into Autzen Stadium to try and give Oregon their first conference loss.

In case you haven’t seen Oregon much this year, they’re a quality team, with a few exceptions.

The defense is solid, particularly their pass defense which will be tested early and often from Damian Williams and well…pretty much just Damian Williams. They’re getting a lot of pressure on quarterbacks ranking 10th nationally in sacks- the leader of that group is Kenny Rowe who’s getting a sack per game.

On offense the Ducks are very one-dimensional, getting lots on the ground and little through the air. Also, despite a decent turnover margin, Oregon is fumbling much more than they’d like to.

This game, just like the Oregon-Boise State game comes down to the lines and Jeremiah Masoli. Boise State manhandled Oregon on the offensive and defensive lines, putting the game in Masoli’s hands and forcing him to win by throwing. USC obviously has the athletes to do that, I’m just not sure yet they’ve got the heart. The USC defense in particular has played complacently at times the last couple weeks. They’ll have to play better than that to best an Oregon team that should be plenty motivated.

Oregon also will need a running back to step up and take pressure off Masoli. The best candidate for that is LaMichael James (translates to “the Michael” James) who has three 150 yard games this year including two in a row.

USC is favored by 3 but I like Oregon to win by the same.

The answer:
The numbers don’t lie from an epic USC collapse- from a team loaded with talent but devoid of heart, leadership, and assistant coach continuity, and only the false bravado of a true freshman quarterback to show for it.

I called an Oregon loss but never could have imagined it to turn out the way it did. Not even the return of all-world safety Taylor Mays could help the USC defense Saturday as they gave up a stunning 613 yards to Oregon including almost 400 yards on the ground.

Not only was it the throwing of Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli that was servicable, but the mix of him running and throwing that kept USC off balance. That plus getting gouged by theMichael James for a staggering 183 yards on 24 carries.

What was more of an indictment against the heart of the Trojans was the fact that they were outscored 23-3 in the second half. Between that lack of heart and their inability to make huge plays on offense, the game was never really a game.

There are only two ways for USC to go from here. I’d be stunned to see them lose any of their remaining games, starting with a road game against a mediocre Arizona State team this week, but they don’t belong anywhere near the championship discussion no matter what nonsense may happen down the road.

For Oregon, they have a verrrrrry tricky road game at Stanford this week (yes that Stanford), plus another road game at Arizona and the home finale against rival Oregon State. I love Oregon and what they did to the Trojans but I have a feeling the drama in the Pac-10 ain’t over yet.

And p.s. to Buckeye fans- how much more does the loss to USC sting now?

2. What are the oddsmakers in Vegas smoking (besides weed, surplus stripper hand bills, and the deed to their value-less home)?
What I wrote:

The current line on Ohio State -v- New Mexico State is 44 points. It started at 40 on Monday and has gone up by 4 which means gamblers weren’t originally willing to lay money on NMSU (or UNMS?).

This is a stunning fact considering that Ohio State has yet to score 40 points this season and continues to have injury issues at running back and on the offensive line.

The Buckeyes covered the spread with authority last week which could be part of the reason for the monster line this week. That, plus the fact that a 3-5 WAC team is coming into town. Not only a 3-5 WAC team, but a 3-5 WAC team that has won all three of their games by three points, and statistically the worst offense in Division I football. Still, 44 points is setting the bar awfully high.

Ohio State by 30.

The answer:
Call me a sand-bagging son of a bitch but I didn’t see a 3rd shutout and 40+ points in the Ohio State this year. Pleasantly surprised and they covered the spread by a point despite missing multiple field goals. So much for no injuries what with Kicker Aaron Pettrey now out for the season with an MCL injury. Hopefully it’ll be a hidden blessing what with Pettrey struggling from inside the 35 aka Ohio State’s red zone strategy.

3. I hear you’re a man and I understand you’re 40, but can you beat Texas without Dez Bryant?
What I wrote:

Oklahoma State is a good team. They’re explosive and balanced on offense, they’re forcing turnovers on defense and they’ve got a quality veteran at quarterback. The one place they’re vulnerable unfortunately is passing defense. Not exactly the place to be vulnerable when Colt McCoy is playing for the other team.

Texas is going to score but I’m anxious to see if they can get the running game going against a good OSU rush d. Okie State will need to score often to keep up and I think they will do it- pulling off the upset over Texas by 4. Texas is favored by 9.

The answer:
Texas didn’t get the running game going (outgained by OSU) nor did they really do much passing, but it didn’t matter. The defense got four turnovers including two interceptions for touchdowns in a 41-14 beatdown of a Dez Bryant-less and a Kendall Hunter-less Oklahoma State team. Next up for the Longhorns is Central Florida- good luck Golden Knights and enjoy your beating.

4. How much does Georgia miss Knowshon Moreno?
What I wrote:

The 2009 Georgia Bulldog team is a shell of the ‘08 team, mostly because of the loss to Moreno to the NFL (and Matt Stafford). Georgia ranks 103rd nationally in rushing and dead last in the SEC. On top of that they’ve got a bad defense and are giving up way too many turnovers.

As much as I’d like Florida to lose, this isn’t the game for that to happen. In fact, after the bad outing Tebow had last week, I expect the Gators to rebound big winning by 20+. Florida is favored by 15 and Gators are favored by 2 over humans on land (by 19 in the water).

The answer:
When I’m right, I’m right. Florida by 24, 41 to 17. Four turnovers for Georgia certainly didn’t help the cause.

5. How can you not be intrigued by Michigan at Illinois?
What I wrote:

If for no other reason than morbid curiosity, I’m going to watch this game Saturday. Michigan should still be wobbling after getting the business end of JoePa’s highwater sneakers last week in Ann Arbor. Meanwhile Illinois has been a complete disappointment this year and needs to win all five remaining games just to qualify for a bowl game (and a crappy one at that).

Baby Tate Forcier hit the wall last week going 13-of-30 for 130 yards, 0 touchdowns and 1 interception. He’ll get an underperforming and Peep-like soft Illini defense to rebound, and I expect he will. Michigan should win by 10+. The Wolverines are favored by 7.

The answer:
I sure missed on this one. Michigan got offensive production but three turnovers halted success and the Michigan defense stole the show again giving up 38 points and 500 yards to a previously anemic offense.

Illinois can actually get to a bowl game if they win out, and that type of win might provide enough momentum to do so.

Michigan is in disarray standing at 5-4 with Purdue, Wisconsin and Ohio State left on the schedule. The season ends either with a bowl trip or a very hot, hot seat for Rich Rod- and with a bad defense and freshman QB to help decide that.

6. Might Penn State get tripped up at Northwestern?
What I wrote:

Not bloody likely. With a Senior at Quarterback, a Senior at the Head Coaching position, and a blossoming run game, I’d like to think the Nits have the leadership and experience not to overlook an inferior opponent, even if it is the week before the showdown with Ohio State. Still, Northwestern can score points and has made a habit of winning close games. The Wildcat defense is putrid and Penn State should have no trouble scoring so it falls on the Nittany defense to shutdown Team Kafka in the purple and white.

Penn State is favored by 17 and I like them to win by at least that.

The answer:
Nailed this one with Penn State getting the 21 point win. As I suggested, the Penn State offense looked spectacular against a below average Northwestern D, but I was surprised at how Northwestern was able to hit short passes time and time again against the Penn State D. If it weren’t for two Wildcat turnovers, this game would have been much closer. But then again, if the queen had balls…

7. Are you ready for the Big East Fiesta?
What I wrote:

With the exception of the love affair with Cincinnati, there’s been little reason to watch Big East football this year. That’s about to change, starting this week with West Virginia at South Florida (WVU is favored by 3). The remaining games in the Big East include:

West Virginia @ Cincinnati
West Virginia vs. Pittsburgh
Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh vs. Notre Dame
South Florida vs. Miami
Louisville vs. Syracuse (basketball, not football. Sorry Greg Paulus).

The answer:
West Virginia -v- South Florida was a barn burner with the South Florida Bulls getting the upset at home. I think Cincinnati is waaaaay too big for its’ britches so I’m hoping the Mountaineers can recover in time to beat the Bearcats. Either way, it should be an interesting finish in the Big Least.

You’re welcome.

Go Buckeyes.