Who is the B1G's paper tiger?
I'm personally not buying the Nebraska hype this year. I think they have the potential to win a game they shouldn't, but are vastly being overhyped. They are going to be fighting to get a bowl game. Their defense was just sooooo bad last year.
Penn State for some reason is also getting more hype than I think they deserve. I think they could lose 6 games this year (Pitt, @Maryland, @Iowa, Michigan, @MSU, @OSU). Their defense should be a little stronger but besides KJ Hamler what do they have on offense? I think James Franklin gets exposed this year as being a mediocre coach and Nittany fans put him on the hot seat.
Who else is being overhyped?
August 16th, 2019 at 12:39 PM ^
Given the team's history since the start of the millennium, Michigan.
August 16th, 2019 at 12:49 PM ^
Since when have we been a paper tiger under Harbaugh?
To answer the OP: I would agree with Nebraska with the caveat that they looked considerably better by the end of the season. I want to believe PSU is a paper tiger but they have a ton of talent now (may be a year off from fully realizing it but they are good). I would say Wisconsin. I don't think Chryst is all that great a coach and they just don't have all that much talent to overcome that.
August 16th, 2019 at 1:21 PM ^
To answer your question, off the top of my head, I'd say 2017, 2018 and 2016. And maybe the ending to 2015.
August 16th, 2019 at 1:40 PM ^
Not sure you know what Paper Tiger means then. I wasn't aware being in the hunt for the CFP as late as November qualifies as such. Unless you mean losing at all means a team is a paper tiger. And 2017? Really? The year we were predicted to go 8-4/8-5 and we... did.
August 16th, 2019 at 1:53 PM ^
...touche...
August 16th, 2019 at 1:22 PM ^
Last year
August 16th, 2019 at 2:01 PM ^
We lost to a team that went to the CFP with an undefeated regular season record (away, mind you), our eternal rival (who had demonstrably more blue-chip talent & one of the greatest CFB coaches of all time) who finished in the top 10 and a Florida team that finished in the top 10 that we played without 3 of our top defensive players, 2 of which were drafted in the top 15 of the draft.
Please explain how we were a paper tiger.
August 16th, 2019 at 2:37 PM ^
I'd say we were a paper tiger because we were odds favored to win the last two games of the season, but instead suffered two of the bigger defeats in program history. Not only that, but after we had minor struggles against a weak spread team early, were played close by a better spread team mid season, and were getting absolutely shredded in the first half of The Game, we come out of halftime, and instead of making big adjustments to cover season long glaring holes, the wheels completely fall off and the defense just gets shredded even worse. The defensive coaches had no answers to the spread all season, but finally in The Game we couldn't out-talent our opponent. The offense wasn't even doing anything fancy to beat us, they didn't need to. Our coaches kept throwing paper so their offense kept throwing scissors. It was like Hoke against South Carolina, lining up Kovacs to cover a slot receiver who was about to get drafted, for the entire game, no matter how badly it didn't work. That difference between expectation and reality is what made us paper tigers last year.
August 16th, 2019 at 2:49 PM ^
But it's August 16th, was anybody folding origami for Michigan this time last year?
HELL NO.
It was "9-3" like always with loss at OSU since they(sing along now)
"won't believe until it they see it".
And we still had the LOSS! to ND to send you all to bpone
So the question is why did you "believe" in November?
August 16th, 2019 at 5:10 PM ^
I'm confused, you're talking 2018 and the op is talking 2019 so how does our failure as a program last year translate to 2019??
You're also seeming to forget that a couple of key starters had to leave the game in columbus and then several didn't even play in the bowl game.
August 16th, 2019 at 4:16 PM ^
The OP started off talking about Paper Tigers, then finished by asking what other teams were being over hyped. It's not necessarily the same thing.
Michigan would be in the latter category to many people.
If the OP meant to ask what other teams seem to be Paper Tigers for this upcoming season, then the answer would probably be none other than Nebraska.
The Cornhusker's offense looked very good at times last season and that's the reason why they're receiving some hype right now.
Though their defense might still be absolutely terrible and that's the reason why they could prove to be a Paper Tiger.
August 16th, 2019 at 5:43 PM ^
I don't think you understand what "paper tiger" means. Also "this year."
August 16th, 2019 at 5:49 PM ^
You have attachment issues, don't you? Sorry about that.
also, the chart you/ohio made up is inaccurate. We have beaten a number of top teams....that fell precisely because we beat them.
nice to know we occupy so much of your head, but suggest your time might be better spent working on your personal issues.
August 16th, 2019 at 5:54 PM ^
I would suggest this person be banned. This is not an attempt at discussion but simple trolling.
August 16th, 2019 at 9:30 PM ^
Nice color scheme though.
August 16th, 2019 at 11:54 PM ^
Why ban him? Don’t be like those clowns at RCMB, that ban a poster because he didn’t predict a 15-0 season or want to build a statue of Dantonio in his front yard. You can’t be all sunshine and unicorns. If we are overrated, there’s nothing wrong in admitting it.
Truth be told, if there is a definition of “paper tiger” look no further than the Maize and Blue. Don’t like it? Start winning the big games again....
August 17th, 2019 at 11:41 AM ^
Important games*
August 17th, 2019 at 5:27 PM ^
He’s clearly an Ohio troll. Just look at his history.
August 17th, 2019 at 11:44 AM ^
"He said something I don't like/agree with, BAN HIM!".
...Poor little snowflake.
August 17th, 2019 at 11:51 AM ^
I'll take a ban too please. Your own forum threads discuss this.
August 17th, 2019 at 11:49 AM ^
Guessing the paper tiger reference is in regards to being 1-14 vs top tier talent since 2012, 7 of those being behind the woodshed whoopings...
Or Harbaughs current record vs great teams
Or the all time record vs T10 opponents and t10 opponents when ranked top 10. (Sub .500 for both).
Or the laughable past 2 decades vs tOSU
Keep getting the benefit of the doubt from ppl. Your inflated record with mediocre/good/poor teams is that paper tiger portion. Maybe one year you'll earn it.
Can't imagine what the excuse will be this year if expectations aren't met! Prob the refs, or conspiracy, Ryan Day shot a prostitute, etc.
Cheers
August 17th, 2019 at 8:01 PM ^
Paper tiger = #1 defense giving up 63 points in 2018 and #2 defense giving up 42 points in 2017.
Our defense has been a paper tiger. On paper the stats we rack up against hapless teams look great. Then we play an offense with some firepower and we give up 40+ and lose.
August 16th, 2019 at 2:32 PM ^
pa·per ti·ger
/ˈpāpər ˈtīɡər/
noun
noun: paper tiger; plural noun: paper tigers
-
a person or thing that appears threatening but is ineffectual.
August 16th, 2019 at 5:50 PM ^
Exactly. Michigan might be over-hyped, but I don't think there is any doubt that they will still be a very good team.
2016 michigan state is the epitome of "paper tiger." They started #11/#12 in the preseason rankings and ended up going 3-9, i.e., ineffectual.
Starting off ranked and ending slightly lower-ranked does not a paper tiger make.
EDIT: And sure, I'll admit that Michigan for a large swath of the 2010's was a paper tiger. I don't think you can make that claim now.
August 16th, 2019 at 4:24 PM ^
Years where Michigan has been a paper tiger off the top of my head 07, 10, and 12. This year Nebraska is the only logical choice but I would love for it to be OSU.
August 17th, 2019 at 10:07 AM ^
Huh? Did we have hype going in to 2010? Because we were unranked to start the year.
The only positive thing I was able to convince myself of going in to that season was that the defense couldn't possibly play any worse than it had the previous two years. And I ended up being wrong.
August 16th, 2019 at 12:40 PM ^
I guess I am going to go with Michigan and Ohio State, because I feel like they are the only remaining available answers to the question.
August 16th, 2019 at 12:42 PM ^
Michigan... until we prove it
August 16th, 2019 at 12:42 PM ^
Hopefully not us.
August 16th, 2019 at 12:44 PM ^
I think OSU could be over hyped. They clearly have the most talent in the BIG. Their biggest question mark is the most important position in football. Hopefully Fields stinks!
I think Michigan is also over hyped. I just don't see how the team could be favored in every single game with so many question marks on the defense.
August 16th, 2019 at 1:23 PM ^
The question marks on defense, if worst case, move the D to top 25, instead of top 5. That's not debilitating. The bigger question is what are they going to do on offense. Until it's proven that Gattis --> Michigan as Moorehead --> PSU, we got nothing to go on...
August 16th, 2019 at 1:42 PM ^
Since it's faaaaar easier to reload on defense and the team with more talent in our division has more than 4 to replace on offense.
August 16th, 2019 at 12:44 PM ^
It's Michigan.
August 16th, 2019 at 12:45 PM ^
Michigan State's defense.
August 16th, 2019 at 12:48 PM ^
Let’s all hope.
August 16th, 2019 at 12:48 PM ^
I think with all their returning talent, the hype matches what we will see on the field. I do think MSU's offense isn't going to bounce back as much as they think. Lewerke may be a little shell-shocked from last year. Hard to shake that once it happens.
August 16th, 2019 at 12:54 PM ^
MSU’s entire season hinges on their OL. They have so much experience back. But they were so bad that may not be a good thing.
August 16th, 2019 at 12:58 PM ^
I just never understood the "dark horse Heisman" hype for Lewerke. The fact that MSU let him play through that injury for as long as he did also says something about their belief in the rest of their offense.
August 16th, 2019 at 1:01 PM ^
I think they'll be stout on defense, no doubt. And will look lights out against the likes of Wisconsin and Iowa type teams. I don't think they'll hold up to a team with decent QB and WR play, at least they won't be lock down. If I'm UM or Indiana, OSU or other teams that want to air it out, I go for the lead early and make their offense work. I don't think that will go well for them.
Also they have 0 depth across the board, offense and defense. They are 1 or 2 injuries away from being in trouble.
August 16th, 2019 at 2:56 PM ^
I was gonna say all of Staee. Both sides of the ball aren't that great -- QB is one deep. Period.
August 16th, 2019 at 12:47 PM ^
Say what you will but James Franklin has beaten ohio...hell even Purdue did last season.
August 16th, 2019 at 1:01 PM ^
I choose to give all the credit to Moorhead, McSorley, and Barkley. Purdue also had Tyler Trent as a secret weapon.
August 16th, 2019 at 1:27 PM ^
Blind squirrels and nuts or something like that.
August 16th, 2019 at 1:29 PM ^
3-12
August 16th, 2019 at 1:30 PM ^
Franklin's victory was a fluke. With their last 10 points coming from a gift fumble deep in OSU territory and a blocked FG taken to the house when OSU was about to put the dagger in. And yes, I know fluke victories are still victories and one I would still gladly take...but let's not give Franklin more credit than he deserves for that game.
August 16th, 2019 at 2:09 PM ^
And Ohio State blocked a field goal themselves in that game, and got a free 5 points because of 2 plays in the punting game: (1) the PSU punt returner muffing a punt and (2) the PSU punter having a snap fly 20 feet over his head. PSU gained significantly more yards per play when you take out the end-of-game kneel downs and the 1 big Buckeye Samuel touchdown run.
See, I can play that game too.
Penn State won it, and they deserved the win. If OSU wanted to win the game, they should have prevented that field goal from being blocked. Perhaps Urban should have called timeout instead of rushing the kick.
August 16th, 2019 at 2:22 PM ^
Do you think MSU deserved to win the *game that shall never be spoken of*?
Because I don’t, they won on a fluke and so did you. Their fluke was flukier though.
IMO James Franklin’s coaching ability had less impact on that game than good PSU luck did.
August 16th, 2019 at 6:39 PM ^
NittanyFan, I like you. But OSU blew a lot of opportunities that night to be up by a much higher score, they left a lot of points on the field.
Isaiah Prince had the worst game of his career that night; partly because of the PSU defense, granted. But still it was Bad Prince.
PSU had about 3 long pass plays that led to points, but otherwise had a lot of difficulty moving the ball.
That was a hard loss to take.
August 16th, 2019 at 2:16 PM ^
Osu got plenty lucky to have the lead at all. I think PSU deserves more credit. Ohio state got their first 3 points when PSU fumbled a punt return in PSU territory. Fluke. OSU also got a free safety when PSU snapped the ball 30yds over the punters head. Fluke. And, OSU blocked a penn state field goal on the game's first posession. Ohio State had 3 huge special teams plays go their way. Penn State had 2. If the end of the game was fluky for PSU, the first 3 quarters were fluky for OSU. Also, while OSU won the yardage battle significantly, PSU had 6 sacks and 11 TFL. Nothing fluky about dominating the line of scrimmage.