Damn, this was a crappy game. Another week where Penn State could have won if they just did something differently. First of all, the fake field goal was stupid. All fake field goals are stupid. From where they were on the field, why not just keep the offense on the field? But, the stupid part is why pass up the points? It was a cold, wet day. The score was going to be low. Michigan is not an explosive team that will put up forty or fifty on a Penn State defense. Not like Ohio State or Alabama. Those types of teams, yeah…you know that field goals are not going to win the game for you and you need those touchdowns. But this game? Nah, just take the three. Ugh.
The defense can be overly aggressive at times. The touchdown drive where Michigan took the lead back was a great example. They could have played a prevent defense, just making sure that no big plays beat you. But no, they go all-in and the next thing you know a tight end is scoring a forty yard TD. Not the only complaint against the defense. The secondary cannot tackle. Every time Haskins made it past the line, the safeties and corners would just bounce off him or they were too focused on trying to strip the ball. And then he would just rumble on for three or ten more yards. Reminded me of 2007 when Mike Hart ran for like 1200 yards against the Nittany Lions.
Speaking of running backs…ours suck. I know the line is having problems and the running backs are just not getting the push or holes they need. However, when they catch the ball, it feels like none of them can make a guy miss or shrug off a tackle. Lee crumples the moment he is touched. Very frustrating to watch.
Oh well, we are now 6-4, looks like a boring bowl game will be the fate of this Nittany Lions team. Actually, I would be okay with one of those weird small bowl games as long as it is against some opponent that Penn State never really has a chance of playing.
- Georgia (10-0)–it looked like Tennessee would give them a game and then the Bulldogs outscored them 34-7.
- Cincinnati (10-0)–the committee has zero respect for the Bearcats. They have SMU next week, so we shall see if they deserve to stay up here.
- Alabama (9-1)–practically a bye week with New Mexico State.
- Ohio State (9-1)–59 points against the Boilermakers…
- Oregon (9-1)–the Ducks keep rolling along, maybe not nearly as impressively as the Buckeyes, but winning is still a good thing.
- Notre Dame (9-1)–I say this each week, every win by Notre Dame makes Cincinnati look better.
- Michigan State (9-1)–beat up on Maryland.
- Michigan (9-1)–I hope the Wolverines can give Ohio State a game.
- Oklahoma State (9-1)–absolutely destroyed TCU. They actually play defense and I think they will beat Oklahoma.
- Oklahoma (9-1)–they lost to a good Baylor team. No one thought they would finish the season undefeated.
- Ole Miss (8-2)–they beat Texas A&M, who I thought could end up in the top six or seven.
- BYU (7-2)–bye week
- Iowa (8-2)–they were able to beat Minnesota, who I had ranked two weeks ago and then dropped to the HM.
- Baylor (8-2)–beating Oklahoma helps keep their Big 12 championship hopes alive.
- Wake Forest (9-1)–the Demon Deacons managed stay a score ahead of NC State. At least they now have a win over a ranked opponent.
- Texas A&M (7-3)–I still think the Aggies are a good team.
- Pitt (8-2)–they beat UNC on Thursday in OT. UNC had a disappointing season, especially with the hype coming into this year, but they are still a touch team to beat. Just ask Wake Forest.
- UTSA (10-0)–being undefeated is tough and fighting back from an early deficit is always good, but not so impressive when the team is 1-8. Probably not time to jump UTSA up.
- Wisconsin (7-3)–I did not have the Badgers ranked last week, but they continue to crush their opponents and look like the best team in the West.
- Houston (9-1)–too bad they lost to Texas Tech in week one…
- Arkansas (7-3)–I am jumping them up because they lost three in a row and rebounded with three solid wins. They beat Mississippi State last week, then LSU at home. I feel like the Razorbacks are a year or two away from really contending in the SEC West.
- Louisiana-Lafayette (9-1)–took care of Troy with little problems.
- San Diego State (9-1)–another close win, this time against a good Nevada team.
- Appalachian State (8-2)–the Mountaineers and Ragin’ Cajuns are looking to have another conference championship battle…
- NC State (7-3)–a close loss to Wake Forest does not drop them out. They can finish 9-3 with wins over Syracuse and UNC.
Honorable Mention: Coastal Carolina (8-2), SMU (8-2), Liberty (7-3), Kansas State (7-3), Utah State (8-2), Utah (7-3), Arizona State (7-3), Kentucky (7-3), Mississippi State (6-4)
The big game this week is Michigan State and Ohio State. I think the Buckeyes have zero trouble with the Spartans. Iowa State heads to Oklahoma. Oregon travels to Utah. SMU tries to ruin the perfect season of Cincinnati. However, the two matchups I am most intrigued by are UAB at UTSA and Lousiana-Lafayette at Liberty. The first one because I think UAB has the best chance of beating UTSA. I hope ULL pounds the crap out of Liberty. I have my reasons, haha.
