Night Games Open Thread
Pretty good day for us, with NU taking out Sparty, Minnesota taking out Iowa, and our win. Not exactly a great night of matchups, but college football is always better than not college football. Some fun ones to watch:
Georgia 24 - Florida 20 (5 to go, Florida has ball on G 35)
Ole Miss at Auburn - 7 - ESPNU
South Carolina at Tennessee - 7:15 - ESPN2
Wisconsin at Ohio State - 8 ESPN
Stanford at USC - 8 - ABC/ESPN3
Clemson at GT - 8 - ESPN3/ABC
As usual, the full listings can be found here
Discuss and enjoy a solid day for us.
October 29th, 2011 at 8:55 PM ^
Just as makes sense with our luck, OSU is starting to develop somewhat of a functional offense. Miller is not the same awful QB he was earlier in the year.
October 29th, 2011 at 8:56 PM ^
The Buckeyes still scare the shit outta me. Their defense is stout. If they weren't on the field all game the would probably be a top 5 D. I don't think we can run on them. Hopefully Borges has some gimmick plays saved to get us a couple scores and our defense makes sure that's all we need.
October 29th, 2011 at 9:01 PM ^
Obvious grudges aside, should we as Michigan fans be rooting for Ohio or Wisconsin?
October 29th, 2011 at 9:05 PM ^
Probably OSU, because a hypothetical Big 10 title game is probably more winnable against a team like Penn St than Wisconsin. Otherwise, they're both in the other division, so I don't think it matters.
In the long-term, anything that potentially shatters Braxton Miller's confidence is a huge boon for Michigan. He's the lynchpin for OSU either being good for the next couple years, or really struggling.
October 29th, 2011 at 9:13 PM ^
To provide a counterpoint, our current recruiting battles are being fought mostly with OSU. If OSU continues to suck this year, Michigan's chances with Dunn and 2013 recruits improve. I think for future purposes this is an important caveat. I think, based partly on your own arguments, rooting against OSU may be more important.
October 29th, 2011 at 9:22 PM ^
To counter your counterpoint, if OSU does really well the rest of the season, Fickell might be retained, which is a benefit for Michigan.
Of course, I'm just bullshitting now.
October 29th, 2011 at 9:15 PM ^
OSU's D is pretty impressive. They flow to the ball very well and then tackle well. I'm guessing our game with them will be a low-scoring affair.
October 29th, 2011 at 9:15 PM ^
October 29th, 2011 at 9:21 PM ^
This one isn't over. I think Clemson will come out in the second half with a lot of energy. Look out for Wattkins
October 29th, 2011 at 9:30 PM ^
for putting it to Iowa. I'm not so worried about next week now.
October 29th, 2011 at 9:35 PM ^
I'm scared of everyone going forward. The past three years have basically made me incapable of having confidence. When Michigan missed on 4th and goal, visions of Illinois started dancing in my head.
October 29th, 2011 at 9:42 PM ^
I also had the same thought at the game today. Every game left on the schedule is a tough. Last year has made if very hard for me to feel optimistic.
October 29th, 2011 at 9:43 PM ^
I think there is legitimately real concern for those games. Outside of Wisco, there is not a huge range in the quality of B1G teams from spots 2-9. Penn State is undefeated and yet is not a great (or good?) team. Northwestern just won their first game out of five, and yet I'd say they're clearly a decent team.
I think we're the better team for the next two games, but the gap ain't that large so I flatly expect dogfights in both.
October 29th, 2011 at 9:52 PM ^
Can't sleep on IA - not as worried about IA or IL for that fact, as I was a couple weeks ago - but for some reason I don't think one of those road games are going to work out well - maybe I am just still experiencing post R-rod syndrome
October 29th, 2011 at 9:32 PM ^
October 29th, 2011 at 9:39 PM ^
Oh man, Paterno is really in rough shape. It's time to step aside after this season and give Bradley his team. He's earned it.
October 29th, 2011 at 9:49 PM ^
Wisconsin's defense really seems to excel at going soft on key drivers.
October 29th, 2011 at 9:54 PM ^
KICK THE FIELD GOAL LUKE!!!
Edit: Damn. If Wisky's defender didn't get sucked up, that's a successful stand.
October 29th, 2011 at 9:55 PM ^
Crap. Miller is actually starting to look pretty good for TSIO.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:01 PM ^
I like how USC has suddenly decided to try at football the past two weeks. Gotta give credit to Kiffin in getting these piles of 5 star talent to play as a team finally.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:02 PM ^
In other news, USC is beating Stanford. Could Boise St survive a title game against Alabama? It would be like playing a mirror image of themselves--if the mirror made each player 40lbs heavier and a lot faster.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:02 PM ^
October 29th, 2011 at 10:02 PM ^
So I'm wondering who deemed Wisconsin the powerhouse of the conference?
October 29th, 2011 at 10:05 PM ^
WOW. You would think Bielema would shore-up his special teams after having a FG and a punt blocked last week against MSU.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:13 PM ^
October 29th, 2011 at 10:37 PM ^
I just went back and looked at their schedule.They had a great game against Nebraska, who has improved since then, but South Dakota, Northern Illinois, UNLV? Come on. They're good, but against the better Big Ten teams, so far, not so much.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:03 PM ^
yougottabefreakingkiddingme!
October 29th, 2011 at 10:04 PM ^
Looking incompetent again.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:05 PM ^
I'm starting to suspect that Wisconsin was MASSIVELY overrated.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:07 PM ^
plus Ohio State's D is sick.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:06 PM ^
Hey Bret....this is why you schedule someone with a pulse in the OOC part of the schedule. UNLV and Oreg St dont cut it.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:07 PM ^
and say Wisconsin has a new special teams coach next year...
October 29th, 2011 at 10:07 PM ^
I was optimistic about the Ohio game before today. Now, not so much. Herron will get his yards, and their defense is scary, not to mention special teams.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:11 PM ^
they're defense is good, but if we can avoid a special teams melt down I think we'll put up more points in a game with very few possessions.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:08 PM ^
....if present trends continue, Bielema isn't going to get any lovin' on Ladies night in Madison....
October 29th, 2011 at 10:08 PM ^
OSU winning here would really surprise me. But Iowa did lose to Minnesota so I guess I shouldn't be shocked with anything today.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:08 PM ^
Is why Seven Nation Army does not belong in Michigan Stadium. Never again.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:10 PM ^
If things hold up, there will be a maximum of four unbeatens at the end of the year (LSU and 'Bama play). Chaos is coming and it'll be awesome.
October 30th, 2011 at 12:40 AM ^
A repeat of of 2007 would be great.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:11 PM ^
Oh man, USC has Stanford on the ropes. 20-10 early in the 3rd.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:16 PM ^
SC in this one. They looked really good last week.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:11 PM ^
Sweet.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:12 PM ^
Is it me, or does it seem like homefield advantage is unusually strong this year in college football? Every team seems to go from Dr. Jekyll at home to Mr. Hyde on the road.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:37 PM ^
Except for Texas Tech, who does this completely backwards: two straight home losses, then they win at Oklahoma and get shellacked by Iowa St. at home.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:13 PM ^
Wisco looks ok running up the middle, but OSU is eating up their stretch plays.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:14 PM ^
Football is weird, man. I don't understand how this Wisconsin team is the same one that absolutely demolished Nebraska. Is the Ohio State defense really this good?
October 29th, 2011 at 10:14 PM ^
As much as I (everyone) makes fun of Dr Luke Fickell Ph.D, keeping that defensive staff intact is a legitimate argument for OSU to retain him.
October 29th, 2011 at 10:17 PM ^
October 29th, 2011 at 10:24 PM ^
I agree, even if they get Urban Meyer, I think he's lost his edge. I don't know if there's an obvious superstar out there. Maybe Kirby Smart (Alabama DC)?
October 29th, 2011 at 10:19 PM ^
to Ohio staff and players, as much as it hurts. They were dead and buried a few short weeks ago. They look like an entirely different team and I don't like it.