Opponent Watch 2019: Week 11
About Last Week
No last week. Bye.
The Road Ahead
Michigan State (4-5, 2-4 B1G)
Last week: Bye; Lost to Illinois, 37-34
It’s hard to know exactly where things went wrong. Maybe it was when they had a 28-3 lead late in the first half and the ball at the Illinois 8, but threw a pick. Maybe it was when they had a 28-3 lead and a first down in Illinois territory and 36 seconds left in the half, and somehow went into the half with a 28-10 lead. Maybe it was when they only scored six points in their final 11 drives. Maybe it was when they looked at the Illinois offense and said “let’s make Josh Imatorbhebhe beat us.”
Maybe it was when they continued to allow a probably concussed — and at the very least punch-drunk — Brian Lewerke continue to play, leading to him missing a receiver by approximately ten yards on a pick-six. Maybe it was when, despite Elijah Collins averaging 6.1 yards per carry and Brian Lewerke averaging 8.7 yards per carry, they declined to go for a 4th and 3 from the Illinois 28 that would largely have wrapped the game up; they kicked a field goal. Maybe it was when they single-covered Imatorbhebhe on a 4th and 16 so they could spy Brandon Peters.
Maybe it was when they didn’t really make any changes to the 125th-most efficient offense in college football because they insisted they still had all the answers they needed. Maybe it was when they stopped catching river cards on their two-star afterthought recruits, and their talent started to approximate what their rankings would project. Maybe it was when they decided to push all-in on their 2016 recruiting class and rolled snake-eyes. Maybe it was when Michigan decided to be reasonably good at football again.
Maybe it was when they didn’t understand the root causes of their success, and bought their own hype about how being #SpartanDawgs wasn't a necessary condition, but a sufficient condition. Maybe the game just continues to change, and there is a fine line between maintaining an identity and standing still.
And maybe it’s been over for a while now, but we’ve been making excuses for them because we remember what it used to be like.
This team is as frightening as:
Fear Level = 7
Michigan should worry about: This is still a team that is playing for something. INTRODUCING:
Michigan can sleep soundly about: The shields are down. It's time.
When they play Michigan: I don't know what it will take to do it, but I don't think it's hyperbole to suggest that Michigan has an opportunity to end the Dantonio Era at Michigan State on Saturday. Not to end the dominance, or end the perception of parity, mind you. Both of those are over. No, this is a chance to force Mark Dantonio off the stage for good. No swan song. No "one final season" tour. No, just a quick press conference after the season and then, after a long deposition, an unremarkable silence. Not retired. Vanquished.
And both teams know it. And if Sparty does not want to go quietly into that good night, this is going to be nasty.
Next game: @ Michigan, Big Noon Saturday, FOX (MSU +13.5)
[AFTER THE JUMP: oh no Maryland baby what is you doin']
Indiana (7-2, 4-2 B1G)
Last week: Beat Northwestern 34-3; Bye
Recap: First the bad news. Michael Penix, who has been in and out of the lineup all year with various limb issues, will miss the remainder of the season with a sternoclavicular injury. And while Peyton Ramsey has been surprisingly competent this year, he doesn’t bring the same physical skills as Penix. This also puts Indiana one sprained ankle or uncontrollable bout of intestinal distress away from playing Reese Taylor at quarterback. Taylor, a sophomore, was Mr. Football in the state of Indiana and is a dynamic athlete, but he has spent his year-and-a-half split between quarterback, wide receiver, running back, and cornerback.
Finally, the caveat: Indiana’s schedule to this point has been dreadful. They have played two teams ranked higher than #57 in SP+ (#1 OSU and #35 MSU), and they lost both. Ohio State is their only opponent with a winning record; their eight other FBS opponents are a combined 20-45. No non-Buckeye offense they have faced has been in the top 50 in the country, and the only two ranked in the top 80 (#52 Nebraska and #65 Maryland) were playing backup quarterbacks.
Let’s just say I’m not surprised they’re a two-touchdown dog to Penn State this weekend.
This team is as frightening as:
Fear Level = 6
Michigan should worry about: Indiana has been productive through the air against the three top-25 defenses they have played, completing 69% of their passes for 7.5 YPA against Ohio State, Michigan State, and Northwestern.
Michigan can sleep soundly about: Indiana didn’t crack 3 yards per carry against any of those three teams, averaging 2.3 YPC on a combined 110 carries. And what appeared to be a possible uptick in Indiana’s running game against Rutgers (6.8 YPC) and Maryland (5.8 YPC) came back to earth against Nebraska (3.4 YPC) and Northwestern (2.8 YPC).
When they play Michigan: The stupid. It arrives with a quickness.
Next game: @ Penn State, noon, ABC (IU +15)
Ohio State (9-0, 6-0 B1G)
Last week: Bye; Beat Maryland, 73-14
Technically participants in the same game
Recap: Every year, Michigan fans get to see what it looks like when Ohio State gets geared up —REALLY geared up —for a game. And much fun is had at Michigan’s expense because they lose those games.
Well, every now and then we get to see what it looks like when that overwhelming fury is concentrated against a mediocre foe, and… ouch. Yeah it could be worse.
This team is as frightening as: did you watch the thing they just did. Fear Level = 9.98
Michigan should worry about: Kicker Drue Chrisman Blake Haubeil can pooch-kick a go route better than half of the quarterbacks in the Big Ten can throw one.
Michigan can sleep soundly about: Without Chase Young, Ohio State will have to…
/places finger to ear
/nods
…well poop.
When they play Michigan: Look, let's just get through Thanksgiving first.
Next game: @ Rutgers, 3:30 p.m., BTN (OSU -52)
Objects in the Rearview Mirror
Middle Tennessee State (3-6, 2-3 C-USA)
Last week: Lost at Charlotte, 34-20; Bye
Recap: This probably puts a nail in the coffin of any bowl hopes for Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders trailed by 21 points entering the fourth quarter, which, let’s be honest, if Charlotte had blown a 21-point lead like that to a mediocre team, how embarrassing would that have been. Pretty embarrassing, right? Yep, blowing a 21-point lead in the last 15 minutes would have been quite embarrassing indeed.
Next game: vs. Rice, 4:30 p.m., ESPN+ (MTSU -14)
Army (4-6)
Last week: Lost at Air Force, 17-13; Beat UMass, 63-7
If you listen carefully, you can hear him making the sucking-air-in-through-your-teeth sound a surgeon makes when he or she makes a booboo
Recap: Holy hell, UMass. I don’t think we have spent quite enough time this year discussing just how abhorrent the Minutemen are. Their defense ranks last in the country at 7.8 yards per play allowed, but their offense ranks fourth-worst at only 4.3 yards per play gained. That’s a difference of 3.5 yards per play, which is more than 1.3 yards per play worse than any other team in the country. “But maybe they’ve played a difficult schedule,” you muse in a manner that advances the plot. Well, no. They have not. Their opponents have had SP+ ranks of, in order, #107, (#39 FCS team), #104, #113, #129, #100, #63, #124, #86, and #64. You wanna know how bad a team can get? Well, they are a 40 point underdog this week TO NORTHWESTERN.
Totally Unrelated Fun Fact: UMass led Rutgers 21-7 earlier this year.
Anyway, Army rushed for 498 yards but it doesn’t matter because they were playing the physical incarnation of “Eat at Arby’s.”
Next game: vs. VMI, noon, CBSSN (Army -many)
Wisconsin (7-2, 4-2 B1G)
Last week: Bye; Beat Iowa, 24-22
Recap: This was almost a shot-for-shot remake of the Illinois game, and the Northwestern game for that matter. Wisconsin shot themselves in the foot with a fumble deep in their own territory, an interception, and a missed chip-shot field goal, but held a small but seemingly insurmountable lead for most of the game. Iowa had under 120 yards of total offense late into the third quarter, and seemed to be no threat to do... well, to do anything. And then they scored a touchdown, and kicked a field goal, but then the unthinkable: an explosive offensive play from Iowa. A 75-yard pass to Tyrone Tracy — only Iowa’s fourth play of 40+ yards in conference play this year — put the Hawkeyes a two point conversion away from a tie. They missed, because Iowa, and Wisconsin squeaked out a win.
On the bright side, the Badgers statistically dominated the game, gaining 473 yards to Iowa’s 295. After three straight pedestrian outings against Michigan State, Illinois, and Ohio State, Jonathan Taylor rushed for 250 yards at 8.1 YPC.
Unfortunately for the Badgers, they’ve fallen a couple of boat lengths behind the current leader in the West, and it seems unlikely that they will have a chance to do anything about it when they face the Gophers in Week 14.
Next game: @ Nebraska, noon, BTN (Wisconsin -14.5)
Rutgers
Last week: Lost at Illinois, 38-10; Bye
Same sound as Sam the Minuteman, but with a more resigned "welp" tone
Recap: There is far less shame in getting outscored by 28 by Illinois than we would have thought a month ago — heck, Michigan State accomplished that feat in a shade under 30 minutes on Saturday — but it still ain’t great. They did, however, throw for 8.6 yards per attempt (albeit on 10 attempts), their best number in a conference game since 2015. That said, the offense did actually allow more points than they scored, and Illinois returned a Peak Rutgers fumble and an interception for scores. Defensively, Rutgers held a conference opponent under 6 yards per play for the first time all season, so… that’s something.
Rutgers remains emphatically winless in conference play, and currently has an in-conference scoring ratio (i.e. ratio of Rutgers’ points to total points in Rutgers games) of 8.9%. This would put them right on the “worst Big Ten team since 1944 Iowa” line. However, with games remaining against Ohio State and at Penn State (and Michigan State, but… yeah okay I think we’ve covered that), they have a real shot of getting below the magic 8.7% line that would make them the Worst Big Ten Team Ever.
Next game: vs. Ohio State, 3:30 p.m., BTN (Rutgers +52)
Iowa (6-3, 3-3 B1G)
Last week: Bye; Lost at Wisconsin, 24-22
Recap: nope, already talked about iowa, can’t make me do it again
Next game: vs. Minnesota, 4:00 p.m., FOX (Iowa -2.5)
Illinois (6-4, 4-3 B1G)
Last week: Beat Rutgers, 38-10; Won at Michigan State, 37-34
Recap: I’m not entirely sure what to say about this. It’s fun to frame this as a glorious comeback, but… I mean… what did they do? I’m serious. After MSU went up 28-3, seven of Illinois’ remaining eleven drives were either 3-and-outs or first-down-and-outs. They “forced” a crucial red zone turnover here:
Michigan State gave them the football on the +8 yard line after a yakety snap, which Illinois turned into zero points. Michigan State gave them a pick-six by allowing their clearly-not-concussed-so-quit-asking quarterback to throw the ball eight yards behind a relatively open receiver, and they responded by missing the tying extra point. They turned a 1st and goal at the one into a 4th and goal at the four, went with a fade to Not Josh Imatorbhebhe, and got bailed out by a (legitimate) pass interference. They then almost pulled off a 2015 Minnesota and allowed the clock to run out (they had 36 seconds when first down started, and second down ended with 5 seconds left) before throwing a touchdown pass.
The lesson here: If Sparty is Noing, just let it happen. As long as you don’t actively impede it, it will come to fruition.
For Illinois, there are basically no more lands to conquer. Lovie’s resplendent beard seems safe in Champaign for another year, even if they somehow manage to lose at home to Northwestern to close the year out (which would objectively be horrifying).
Next game: Bye
Penn State (8-1, 5-1 B1G)
Last week: Bye; Lost at Minnesota, 31-26
Recap: Penn State hadn't given up more than 10 yards per passing attempt since James Franklin's first game as Penn State coach in 2014, when they gave to 10.1 YPA to UCF. On Saturday, they surrendered 17.0 yards per pass. The Gophers completed 18/20 passes for 339 yards and 3 TDs. And they did it with two guys: Rashod Bateman caught 7 passes for 203 yards, and Tyler Johnson caught 7 for 104.
Penn State's playoff hopes aren't completely dead, though they would certainly have to win out, which would presumably have to include a Big Ten Championship Game rematch with these same Gophers.
Next game: vs. Indiana, Noon, ABC (PSU -15)
Notre Dame (7-2)
Last week: Beat Virginia Tech, 21-20; Won at Duke, 38-7
Recap: I’ll be honest, I didn’t watch any of this game. To be fair, neither did you. No one did. It was on the ACC Network. Allegedly. I’m not 100% convinced the ACC Network actually exists. Think about it: who would notice? Who are the Duke or NC State or Syracuse fans who are going to be jumping up and down screaming “I CAN’T FIND MY BELOVED BLUE DEVILS ON THE MOVING PICTURE BOX.” This is very much a Harold Hill Children’s Band situation. And hey, who am I to judge. You get yours, ACC Network executives. If you exist.
ACC Network CEO Randall Stephens is doing a bang-up job.
According to ESPN (who is presumably in on this scheme), Notre Dame dominated this game from the drop, going up 21-0 early in the second quarter. They rushed for 288 yards at 6.9 yards per carry, and held Duke under 200 yards of total offense. Ian Book, though, continues his run of mediocrity, finishing with 181 yards at 5.7 yards per attempt. He hasn’t exceeded 6.6 yards per attempt against a Power 5 opponent since the season opener against Louisville.
Next game: vs. Navy, 2:30 p.m., NBC (ND -9.5)
Maryland (3-7, 1-6 B1G)
Last week: Lost to Michigan, 38-7; Lost at Ohio State, 73-14
Recap: Having a plan is good. The key to any successful endeavor is knowing in which direction your first step should be. But there is one thing worse than not having a plan: having a terrible plan. A man standing alone in the desert, if he does not come up with a plan, is sure to perish. But a man standing alone in a desert whose plan involves an Acme rocket and a giant slingshot is likely to perish sooner and in a far more spectacular manner.
Pictured: a thoroughly vetted plan
I don’t know if Maryland, or some pro-Maryland partisan, somehow masterminded the Chase Young suspension. It seems plausible but far from definitive. But if it was, Maryland has gotta have a chat with their Evil Plans department. I’m sure, if it happened, they had a good theory. They had whiteboards and Charlie-Day-explaining-Pepe-Silvio corkboards and equations and everything. But every invasion of Russia started with a plan. The Donner Party’s shortcut was part of a plan. Every communist dictatorship's Five Year Plan literally had the word “Plan” in the title.
Some day we may learn the full story, and maybe it will explain how this was not supposed to end as the absolute cataclysm it ended as. But if you've got Ohio State kicking onside kicks up 14-0 in the first quarter and calling timeouts to get the ball back at the end of the first half with a 42-0 lead, buddy you better crunch those numbers again.
Unfortunately, we must check in one final time with the Turtlecoaster.
Terminal
We come not to honor the Turtlecoaster, but to bury it.
Next game: Bye. Sweet, merciful bye.
November 14th, 2019 at 11:53 AM ^
I don't know what it will take to do it, but I don't think it's hyperbole to suggest that Michigan has an opportunity to end the Dantonio Era at Michigan State on Saturday.
Wait, is this something we want to do?
November 14th, 2019 at 12:06 PM ^
Maybe? I mean it would be nice to send that prick off with the last parting shot, but I guess there is always a chance they hire someone decent. I just don't see someone that top notch wanting to go there though, it is not exactly a job anybody is going to want. Their best case is someone like Fickell but I see guys like him having better offers to chose from.
November 14th, 2019 at 1:07 PM ^
A home run hire for them would be Pat Narduzzi, Matt Campbell or Luke Fickell. Although I'm not sure MSU would be a significant step up for any of those guys.
November 14th, 2019 at 1:19 PM ^
I would love if they had hired Narduzzi, dude can't even get Pitt to play with any consistency in a horrible ACC. He is not a good coach.
November 14th, 2019 at 1:56 PM ^
Dantonio is a better coach than Narduzzi *right now*. Pitt's marginal success is an optical illusion due to the Coastal division. Pitt is 50th in SP+ right now; MSU is 35th.
November 14th, 2019 at 1:57 PM ^
Could still be better than Dantonio at this point though
November 14th, 2019 at 12:27 PM ^
This is a very, very, very good point. It is something that we would love to do, but it would really not be smart.
November 14th, 2019 at 12:38 PM ^
... So preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
November 14th, 2019 at 1:08 PM ^
HELL YES, I want that smug-ass garbage human to realize that, with everything he did to take down Michigan, it was all for nothing.
November 14th, 2019 at 2:04 PM ^
It's weird to think about but the MSU job might be in worse shape now than when John L was fired.
On the field, they've recruited horribly and are now stuck in a division with a near-invincible program along with two near-Top-10 programs, all with younger coaches than in 2006, not to mention looking up at a more-competent Indiana. Plus any new coach will have to follow the expectations set by the winningest coach in school history, but with none of the surplus advantages of program-building.
Off the field, they have been scandal-ridden throughout the university and have a puppet AD.
I don't see this job as (enough of) a step up for any of the frequently discussed candidates, Fickell included.
November 14th, 2019 at 6:59 PM ^
Agree. Fickell would be a fool to take the MSC job. He's got a great thing going and can wait a few seasons for something else to open up.
November 14th, 2019 at 3:17 PM ^
I personally think it's hyperbole though. I don't think anything that happens Saturday changes anything. Even if Michigan wins 49-3, it's not like that's a worse result than literally like three other games this season. Sparty is still going to make a bowl and they aren't going to fire Dantonio.
So then the question is: can anything Saturday change his own decision to retire or not? I feel like that's a decision that we would make based on off field stuff not the result of this one game. He's already pretty much hit bottom and has been bouncing around there for four years running. He losses pretty much every next year.
If this is the end it's because of more macro things that Saturday isn't going to change. If it's not the end, it's because he thinks he can rebuilt this thing and has the energy to do so. I don't think he does.
One might argue that a win over Michigan gives him the opportunity to go out a high note. Maybe a loss makes him want to leave the program in a better place. Again, just think this is a decision he'd make on a more macro scale.
November 14th, 2019 at 3:46 PM ^
Counter-point...
If we drub them 49-3, or some such, that could be the final nail in the player's collective coffins. They could check out entirely, and while they would beat Rutger, Maryland could beat them as the players may just give up entirely. Thus, no bowl game.
November 14th, 2019 at 6:08 PM ^
Well if it helps prevent another rape by one of the thugs he recruits, and subsequently empowers to act like an asshole, then yeah maybe it’ll be good for him to disappear from college football. Permanently.
November 14th, 2019 at 6:57 PM ^
Absolutely.
Pride... fall, and all of that.
November 15th, 2019 at 7:51 AM ^
Pride goes before the descent into the Fifth Circle of Hell. He will wait there for Corley and the others to join him.
November 14th, 2019 at 12:12 PM ^
Michigan should finish the season 9-3 (loss to OSU probable BUT anything can happen in a rivalry at home). If we do finish 9-3 that's probably a Florida bowl match up with Auburn. Harbaugh is due for a bowl win and maybe the superstars who wind up not getting drafted after all will play. Getting 10 wins a season in your 5th year is pretty damn good. As for Dantonio, he is so stubborn that he may not actually resign but no doubt that the program is in major trouble. It's looking like it did before he actually arrived in East Lansing. When he did arrive, Michigan sucked with Dick Rod and Hoke so no wonder he hammered UM. Also, PSU was reeling and he was able to lift MSU to the top of the division. Things have changed now and he should actually only have 1 legitimate win against Michigan since Harbaugh arrived.
November 14th, 2019 at 12:43 PM ^
MD is 0-1 vs. Carr; 3-0 vs. Rich Rod; 3-1 vs. Hoke; and 2 - 2 (hopefully 2-4 after Saturday against Harbaugh). He got fat during our horrible years. A win -- regardless of the score -- firmly puts MD and Michigan State back in place.
November 14th, 2019 at 1:47 PM ^
He's going to lose twice this weekend?
November 14th, 2019 at 2:52 PM ^
The game and his dignity.
November 16th, 2019 at 10:12 PM ^
You may have been correct .
November 14th, 2019 at 12:56 PM ^
Anything can happen in a rivalry game.....and sometimes your battleship gets sunk by a trireme and you're like OH COME ON.
November 14th, 2019 at 2:47 PM ^
Ugg, can I just say I'm tired of hearing this 10-win "thing" like it's a trophy or banner we hang up. Yes, 9-3 plus a bowl win is a nice-ish season, but this idea that double digit wins is somehow a special accomplishment upsets me for some reason. Beating Ohio, winning the division and/or conference, winning a rivalry or big bowl game are actual accomplishments. I really couldn't care less how many "10-win" seasons Harbaugh has though.
November 14th, 2019 at 3:22 PM ^
I get what you are saying, but it's really a question of if you view the glass as half empty or half full at this point. OSU has had a string of success only surpassed by Alabama and maybe Clemson since the 90s. Every year we hope that they will start to come back down to earth and every year we are proven wrong despite the scandals and coaching changes.
That success since the 90s has created a talent gap that Michigan hasn't been able to close. We have cut the distance since Harbaugh's arrival on campus, but that hasn't proved to be enough to beat them. Until we close that gap completely or they regress back to our level 10 wins is what can be achieved with (hopefully) the occasional upset victory. If that doesn't make you happy then that's OK. I choose to look at the positives of each season and try to distance myself from the BPONE culture of the fan base.
November 15th, 2019 at 7:55 AM ^
If O$U ever has a ten win season, they will fire their coach.
November 14th, 2019 at 12:22 PM ^
Brutus says it wasn't an agent. And Brutus is an honorable man.
My heart is in the coffin with Turtlecoaster.
November 14th, 2019 at 12:22 PM ^
I like how Rutgers doesn't even get its overall/B1G record next to its name. I see what you did there.
November 14th, 2019 at 12:22 PM ^
Excellent column as always. Love seeing these.
The UMass @ Northwestern point-spread is beyond amazing. FORTY! Northwestern is averaging exactly 9.0 points in their 7 B1G conference games, for reference.
That 9.0 is also a full 50% better than Rutgers' average of 6.0 points in their 6 B1G conference games. Yikes, the offenses in this conference.
November 14th, 2019 at 12:25 PM ^
Consistently the best feature on this blog and it is not even close. Well done!
November 14th, 2019 at 1:01 PM ^
I disagree, but only because there's so much great content here. The UFR is invaluable. Fee Fi Foe Film is unparalleled opponent analysis for a college football site. The recruiting updates are great...
And yeah, Opponent Watch is awesome.
November 14th, 2019 at 12:25 PM ^
Thank you for that Illinois summary. I needed a good laugh.
"The lesson here: If Sparty is Noing, just let it happen. As long as you don’t actively impede it, it will come to fruition."
November 14th, 2019 at 3:05 PM ^
Next t-shirt: If Sparty is Noing, just let it happen.
I’d buy it today.
November 14th, 2019 at 3:48 PM ^
Same, that made me literally laugh out loud...thankfully I don't have any coworkers near me.
November 14th, 2019 at 12:28 PM ^
The Spartan story has been over for a while, it’s ending was masked by the dumb-assed punt snap fumble, try to kick it anyhow when all I have to do is fall on it, game. Without that 100% fluke, he is 1-3 against Harbaugh, looking at a likely 1-4 unless lightning strikes for Sparty again.
November 14th, 2019 at 1:13 PM ^
2017 was largely a mirage of squeaking out improbable wins (to be fair, 2016 wasn't as bad as 3-9 would suggest).
He's been, on average, eking out bowl eligibility since their peak 2015 when their string of 2* NFLers ran out and their only elite recruiting class evaporated.
November 14th, 2019 at 6:32 PM ^
If he fell on it though, the clock stops with change of possession and they could kick a FG- I think.
November 15th, 2019 at 7:57 AM ^
They weren't close enough. Would have had to try a Hail Mary.
November 15th, 2019 at 9:44 AM ^
I believe there would have been time enough for two plays
November 14th, 2019 at 12:36 PM ^
The Shawshank thing was so spot on!
At the start of the season I asked my dad if we had ACC Network. He shrugged. I shrugged. Then we just kept watching whatever other game we were watching.
November 14th, 2019 at 12:37 PM ^
"But what if we need to watch..."
/remembers what the ACC is
"...yeah never mind."
November 14th, 2019 at 12:49 PM ^
The fear level for Sparty seems...kinda high? I don't know, I've been pretty relaxed all week.
Also remember when Don Brown said he'd be shocked if Army lost another game this season?
November 14th, 2019 at 12:53 PM ^
You guys should destroy MSU. And to be fair, this board was full of posters reiterating what Brown said about Army, how they were a great team last year and that game will go down as a solid win as Army goes on to possibly win out.
November 15th, 2019 at 4:48 PM ^
Looking at your posting history, yikes, dude, IDK why the John Cooper era still messes with your fanbase's collective head, but I'm sure there are better hobbies out there than trolling UMich blogs lol
November 14th, 2019 at 12:51 PM ^
...Penix, who has been in and out...
You sly dog - you got me to chuckle!
November 14th, 2019 at 5:02 PM ^
Truly, that is the MGoBlog difference. Any yokel can say, “Heh heh heh...Penix.” In fact, I do that every time I see his name. But it takes a bit more effort to slip in a good joke like that without being incredibly obvious about it. That Brian and co. are still making that effort after all these years is something worth treasuring.
November 14th, 2019 at 12:55 PM ^
CRUSH SPARTY!
November 14th, 2019 at 12:58 PM ^
You gotta realize though: Duke fans who can't watch a Duke basketball game are the pissiest people on the whole planet. There's a reason the ACC Network started this year's basketball season with seven ACC games, which included all 14 ACC teams not named Duke.
November 14th, 2019 at 1:04 PM ^
Maybe it was when they didn’t really make any changes to the 125th-most efficient offense in college football because they insisted they still had all the answers they needed. Maybe it was when they stopped catching river cards on their two-star afterthought recruits, and their talent started to approximate what their rankings would project. Maybe it was when they decided to push all-in on their 2016 recruiting class and rolled snake-eyes. Maybe it was when Michigan decided to be reasonably good at football again.
Maybe it was when they didn’t understand the root causes of their success, and bought their own hype about how being #SpartanDawgs wasn't a necessary condition, but a sufficient condition. Maybe the game just continues to change, and there is a fine line between maintaining an identity and standing still.
YAAASSSSSSS QUEEEENNNNNN
November 14th, 2019 at 1:04 PM ^
Indiana has . . . a good chance at 8 regular season wins, and at having a winning Big Ten record for the first time since 1993.
Yikes.
November 14th, 2019 at 1:12 PM ^
That pooch kick was amazing.
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