Monday, October 23, 2017

What Now?

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Right after last season’s blow-out of PSU, I remember writing about the Nittany Nuttin’s and stated that Franklin’s Hot Seat, the hang-over effects of the Sandusky situation, ripping down Joe Pa’s statue, the whole mess was still, well, a Hot Mess.  Never in a million years did I think Penn State could have left Ann Arbor in 2017 and pulled off what its accomplished.   

Winning solves and heals a lot of stuff.  Penn State, since last season’s blow out, has gone on to win each and every regular season game it’s played and only had one blemish – a last second loss in the Rose Bowl

Here’s to hoping that can repeat itself in Ann Arbor.  I would seriously take an undefeated remainder of the season and a Rose Bowl loss with a 7-0 record in 2018 if you handed it to me right now.  But nobody hands you anything in life…

To say that Franklin and his staff out-coached Michigan on Saturday is such an understatement, that I’m not quite sure what superlatives to add to put it into context.  Put it this way:  When, on the 2nd play of the game, Barkley slips behind center to take a snap in the Wildcat formation and immediately scores a 69 yard TD on a counter move (further sealing up his bid for Heisman, BTW), well, that’s called, “Dreaming up a BIG PLAY!”  This was “Phd football” to Harbaugh’s pee-wee mentality of “tackle better!” and “Don’t throw it to the wrong team!”  I guess that’s a pretty clear analysis.

While not a complete bust (yet), the season has definitely swung in an ugly direction.  There’s no one area you can point at and say, “Well, if we only had THIS, everything would be fine”, there’s enough evidence in areas that we can do a little pointing…

Offensive Line:  Losing Newsome has been more of a problem this season than anyone thought.  I knew it would be a problem last season, but figured there was ample time to groom someone for his roll…Nope.

QB:  Speight going down, as the evidence now supports, wasn’t good.  Even though O’Korn had what was probably one of his better games in Happy Valley, it’s clear that a better O’Korn isn’t going to win a B1G Title, or anything else for that matter.  And as was stated to the MMQ on Saturday during the game, Peters must be awful and may turn out to be a Drew Henson type “Bust”.  While that thought sickens me, I’m hoping Harbaugh can right that “Hot Mess” given enough time. 

Brown:  Donny let the team down a little on Saturday when it became apparent that no solution for Barkley was figured out for the 2nd half.  I was surprised that he stubbornly stuck with McCray trying to cover him out of the backfield. There had to be another option, and while it might not have worked out any better, it would have at least been something different.

Drevno, Harbaugh and Hamilton:  These three guys aren’t helping an offense that would be, right now anyway, better suited to dump passes to backs and tight ends over the middle for small chunk yardage.  Michigan does not have breakaway receivers (Black going down has hurt more than anyone thought). 

I wonder if Moorehead, the 2nd year OC for Penn State wants a new job?  Because I sure like the way he called the plays for PSU…

Does that about cover it? 

Firing anyone isn’t a solution.  Just stop with that non-sense.  I’m merely pointing out the obvious, and I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of self-evaluation on the coaching staff and the team this week to determine “Where to from here”.

I couldn’t think of a better time for Rutgers to come to town, except they just beat a Purdue team that Michigan struggled with on the road

And Rutgers was humiliated by Michigan at Home last season, 78-0.  Something about revenge?? 

Great…Just Great...

The Rest of the “Hot” Mess

Saturday could have been titled “Blow Out Saturday” and it would be a rightfully apt description.  

YHMA You Have My Attention

Domers:   Anyone that knows me knows EXACTLY HOW MUCH it pains me to type this, but the Domers are looking pretty good and will more than likely be part of the CFP discussion assuming they can win out.  Upstart NC State comes to town this weekend and the Domers may not be as emotionally down as I thought as the blow-out of USC was very complete.  I didn’t see the game but caught some of a replay and highlights.  The Condoms looked used and spent, and the Domers definitely took advantage.

Va Tech:  Blew-out UNC 59-7.  Karma?  Yes – maybe getting away with Murder, for lack of a better term, will haunt UNC for the next 5 years or so both on the grid-iron and the hardwood

Bama:  The Cremesicles didn’t even show up for Jones, who has to more or less own the Electric Chair of Death as position 1A.

Penn State:  Yep – I didn’t give Penn State nearly enough credit and thought that as soon as they faced a decent Defense, Barkley and McSorely would be exposed.  They exposed Michigan with over 500 yards of offense and trickery that Michigan simply couldn’t answer.  Can they do it as 6.5 point Underdogs to the suckeyes in the Shoe?

Auburn:  Still very much a voice in the SEC and they completely dominated an Arkansas team that should move to the SEC East and let Georgia move to the West. 

TIYFC - Turn In Your Football Cards

Cremesicles:  When you’re playing with nothing to lose, I like to think you can at least be creative and competitive.  The Cremesicles were neither of these.  Jones has probably lost the locker room at this point.  And Gaulden is going to be suspended for this (or should be) after scoring a TD:



Iowa:  After almost beating Penn State, Iowa has lost 3 games, all in the B1G. They should have been able to beat the struggling Kitty Kats, but couldn’t.  Fire Ferentz will probably be all over the internet today. 

CUD – Complete, Unmitigated Disasters!!!

Michigan:   Again, there were a lot of smart people last week that liked Michigan going into Happy Valley.  There was too much evidence supporting a close game.  Michigan simply wasn’t ready and they were grossly and irreverently out-coached. 

Ole Miss:   Was destroyed by LSU 40-24, and it wasn’t that close.  This was after Orgeron gave the Rebels as much bulletin board material that I think we’ve ever seen by a head coach in all of college football.  Revenge...

Kentucky:  Everyone was questioning the 5-1 record Kentucky was brandishing, and Miss State saw to it that the wildcats were revealed for what they actually are.

Florida State:  Michigan Fans, it could be worse…FSU has now lost 4 games on the season, and this was a team that a lot of people had as a Final Four competitor.  QB goes down, the season goes with it.  Sounds familiar.  And Jimbo Fisher is letting the fans have it by yelling back at them (and then explaining “You’re either with us or you’re Against us”: 



USC:  Beat Penn State in the Rose and has gone on a completely different path when compared to the Nittany Lions.  This disaster more or less completed the knock-out punch for the Pac12 when it comes to the CFP discussion, opening the door for the Domers. 

CBOTL – Come Back Off the Ledge

These are losses that looked bad, but there’s no reason to panic and sell the season duckets yet.
Virgina:  Lost the 2nd game of the year to an upstart Boston College team that’s decided to start playing football again after a 10 year disappearing act.  Can BC ruin a couple of other seasons?

WWB – We Won, But…We Should Be Worried

Sparty:  Finally scored a TD in the last quarter of the game to overcome the Hoosiers.  Sparty is going to have nothing but trouble in the B1G East moving forward.
Miami:  Still looks like a smoke and mirrors operation in Miami.  Better competition will reveal the warts...

And the Rest…

Arizona State @ Utah:  Graham is off the Hot Seat by destroying a Utah Utes team that almost beat the Trojans.  Things are getting wild and whacky in the Pac 12. 

Oregon @ UCLA:  Taggart hasn’t helped his “One and Done!” case that the fans of Oregon are screaming now that former coach Chip Kelly is available.  UCLA blew the Ducks off the pond…

TCU vs. Kansas:  TCU finally does what they’re supposed to do and soundly defeats a Kansas team that shouldn’t be in a Power 5 Conference….

Oklahoma @ K-State:  Oklahoma keeps it going with a closer than expected victory over the Wildcats. 

Oklahoma State @ Texas:  Gundy and the Cowboys should be happy that the MVP for their team plays QB for Texas and threw the last pass of the OT game to an Okie State cornerback to seal the Figgie victory.

The 5 Stages of Slappy Fan Grief

  1. Denial and Isolation USC.  What once looked like a season of hope has gone quickly down the tubes…   
  2. ANGER –Tennessee:  That butch Jones didn’t get fired getting on board the plane has this entire fan base totally pissed..    
  3. Bargaining –Michigan Fans  It’ll get better.  Harbaugh has won everywhere.  He’ll eventually win here
  4. Depression –Michigan...Because it’s not going to happen this season…
  5.  Acceptance – Anyone who is below 0.500. 

Idle Thoughts from Saturday

-Game Day at PSU
-I like the “We Are” segment.
-There’s a pretty good 30 for 30 out there on that story.
-Worth catching…
-Ugh…7:30 game.  Kill time getting some work done around the house.
-I like Michigan’s chances.
-I believe they find a way to stop Barkley.
-Game time!
-Here we go!
-Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot…
-Barkley took the snap and goes untouched.
-Nice play.
-69 yard TD
-Had two weeks to work on that one.
-And Michigan doesn’t answer. 
-Negative yards. 
-And Penn State Scores again!
-Not like this.  Keep it close…
-OK.  Scored…
-Jeez…Nordin MISSED a PAT? 
-Is that an omen?
-Should I just go lock myself in the closet now?
- Way to go Issac. 
-PSU scores to go up 21-13
-1st half stats – Michigan D has given up over 300 yards.
-Yikes.  That’s bad.
-All right.  1st possession of the 2nd half – Let’s score
-Dammit Harbaugh.  You need to do better.
-WTF.  Is this going to turn into a rout?
-Yep.
-Drink now?  Heavily?
-Why Not.
-Game over. 
-Peters must suck. 
-At least the Astros beat the Stankees…
-But I’m not sure anyone can beat the Dodgers.

THE MMQ’s “I DON’T NEED A COMMITTEE!”

Seeing as how the first committee ranking is coming out this weekend, The MMQ will throw his 2 cents in:

1.     Bama – No question, hands down the best team in college football today.  Why aren’t they under NCAA investigation?  Don’t get me started…
2.    Penn State – While I’m not sure Michigan was the statement win everyone thinks it SHOULD be, Penn State has earned this spot, for the time being.  Somewhat surprising that they are nearly a TD Dog heading into Columbus…
3.    Georgia – Without question the 2nd best team in the SEC right now.  LSU and Auburn will keep things interesting, but the SEC Championship will answer the question.
4.    TCU – Could easily win out based on who they have left on the schedule and the fact that Oklahoma’s defense hasn’t looked as good lately as they did early in the season.  If they lose to Oklahoma, the re-match will be on in the Big iiX Championship and they could still sneak in.

Lurking:  suckeyes, Wiscy, Domers and Clemson. The suckeyes win and their in.  There’s no way Michigan can beat themClemson needs to win out and really needs Georgia to lose before the SEC Championship (Auburn controls the destiny of both Georgia and Bama, playing them both at home). The Domers need some Conference Teams to lose, but if they win out, there will be wild support for them to be in the CFP. Wiscy needs to beat everyone and win the B1G Championship.  Long Shot….   

The Hot Seat
Great Article on what could happen to the 17 Hottest Seats in College Football:


Still looking for Hot Coach’s wives suggestions!

Lincoln Riley is a 35 year old coach at a Power 5 school.  And his wife aint too bad, either!



ZAPPED List

We’ll keep track of who’s gone as the season progresses….

  1. “Holier than Thou” Hugh Freeze
  2. Andersen – Oregon State
  3. Kugler – Texas El Paso 
  4. Tyson Summers – Georgia Southern

Electric Chair of Death!

  1. Jones - Tennessee.  This is one of those situations where you ask yourself, “How long are the Volunteers going to let this guy twist in the wind?  Thing is, fire him after the job he’s done recruiting and no one is going to be jumping at the chance to be the next guy canned.  And I don’t think Chip Kelly wants this job.   Gruden due to “ties to the program” will be tossed around ad-nauseum.
  2. Bielema – Not sure how he survives the season.  And how did it get so bad so fast for Brett?   His Hawgs have only been competitive in one game (Texas A&M) and that’s not like a Brett team.  His Buyout will probably save him, but damn. 
  3. Riley – Nebraska.  See Jones.  What’s Moos waiting for?

The Hot Seat

1.    Stoops – Kentucky.  Blown out in any SEC game at home moves you up the list..
2.    Fedora – UNC  - see Stoops
3.    OdomMizzou.  Beating up Idaho doesn’t save you from the heat
4.    Beatty – Kansas.  They really suck
5.    Ruhle – Baylor.  Could go win-less
6.    Lovie Smith – Illinois.  Lovie isn’t college coaching material
7.    Mullen – uh oh.  But he’ll get a job somewhere else.  Too good of a coach.
8.    Sumlin:  Still needs a big Win. 
9.    McElwain Two SEC losses in a row to bad SEC West teams
10. Ogeron -LSU  slowly moving down the list with wins
11. Mulzahn – Up 20 and lose on the road?  And out-coached by Orgeron?

12. Mora – Never has a coach had more talent go to the NFL and not been able to win a Championship…

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