Aloha Gang....Well yesterday we had a solid win with a solid BC squad over an over-rated UCONN team to start the weekend off....Today, we hit the man again with more solid plays...Its going to be a long day filled with a lot of action, so what do you say we end this mornings staff meeting and jump right into the battle against "da Bitch"....Lets ROCK-N-ROLL BABY!
***TOP RATED PLAYS ON:
Nebraska -4 (WIN 24-17)
-Wow, when they said that this Pitt Offense will struggle without the likes of QB Rutherford, WR Fitzgerald, and RB Miree in the lineup they werent kidding...Pitt's Offense in its last game, have been almost non-existant...In fact, in last weeks win over a lowly Ohio team, the Panthers were outgained by the Bobcats 290-215, and outFD'd 14-13....and only had 49 yards passing vs the Ohio defense that was one of the worst last season...Pitts QB Tyler Palko made his first start and ONLY went 6-19 for 49 yards and one Int...He also was unproductive as well running the ball with just 22 yards on 11 carries..
Another reason why Pitt's Offense will struggle this year, is because they are very inexperienced in the skilled positions...,especially at the WRs spot....Only returning WR Brockenbrough(? for Sat-knee) has any experience and that makes him the go to guy this year, but of course, he is no way near the talent that WR Fitzgerald was, and the rest of the corp is very young and inexperienced(a lot of Freshmans and Soph)....Well this was to be expected for a Pitt team that only returned 3 starters on Offense this year...and sorry to say things for them will only be getting tougher, starting with the Huskers Defense today...
Speaking of Defense, last week the Pitt Defense came up big as they scored a TD and blocked a punt which set up an easy Panther score...Today, if they think of having any chance in this one, this Defense will have to triplicate that TD effort at minimum, as their Offense which struggled to score and gain yards vs the Bobcats, will definately find this Top notch Nebraska Defense nearly impossible to do anything against...Last week, the Huskers Defense was able to hold the S Miss Offensive attack to just 239 total yards...Today I see the Husker Defense holding Pitt to an even lower total yards output...
Pitt's Defense will also have their hands full trying to control this Husker Offensive attack which have been averaging 528 yard per a game this year....Last week vs that stellar S Miss Defense, the Huskers Offense was able to rack up 476 total yards..274 yards on the ground, and 202 yards through the air....Nebraska clearly dominated that game, but still loss outright due to 5 turnovers...In fact, this Nebraska Offense in its two games has put up a total of 1057 yards on Offense, but they have also turned the ball over 11 times in the process...One positive thing about this Husker Offense(barring TO's) though, is that it still has a good ground game to compliment the passing game.....RB Ross for Neb has been a bright spot for the Huskers on Offense, as he has been averaging 147 ypg (7.3 ypc) which is sixth best in the land...
Bottom line is if the Huskers can minimize their TO's today, I see no reason to think that this punchless Pitt Offense will be able to even smell the endzone, let alone put together consistant drives vs this top notch Husker Defense...I .also feel that this Husker Offense will be able to move the ball very effectively against the Pitt Defense and that Coach Callahan will have a solid plan of attack to exploit the Panther's weakness on Def....QB Dailey should make big improvements today in his third game, and I am expecting him to also make better decisions minimizing any TO potentials from happening....Neb's ability to control this game, on both sides of the ball, and from start to finish...should result in a solid DD win for the Big Red today....Nebraska Rolls Big Time!
Illinois -8 (buy .5pt)(LOSE ATS)
-Both teams will come into this one with banged up QBs but Illinois has the advantage of playing this one at home and with more depth in the skilled positions then does this Western Michigan squad today....WMU only return 4 starters on Offense and must now possibly play without its starting QB in Bassett and RB Riley who both suffered 1st quarter injuries vs Va Tech last week....
Illinois QB Beutjer also suffered injury in the 2nd quarter of last weeks game vs the Bruins...and did have a decent short day, passing for 146 before being replaced by backup QB Bowers due to an injury...If Beutjer cannot go today, I feel that Bowers is capable enough to lead this Illini Offense to an easy victory over WMU today....In fact, in the backup role last week, Bowers was very effective going 11-15 for 102 yards and led the Illini's to 10 second half points...
In todays game though, I dont see the Illini having to depend to much on its QBs as their solid running duo of Thomas and Halsey should be to much for this WMU Defense, who has allowed over 120.5 ypg on the ground this year, to contain and prevent from posting big numbers on the ground...Last week this pair had a total of 208 total yards on the ground on 41 attempts( 5.1 ypr) vs a better and more talented UCLA defense, so it is easy for me to see them having a field day today vs this Bronco Defense...Last week, the Offense was only able to put up 17 pts vs UCLA, but a positive was that they were able to post 456 total yards in that loss...Today the yards should be plentiful again, and the points should come much easier in this game...
Bottom line in this one is that the Illini Offense will be able to move the ball at will on this WMU defense....They return 8 starters back on Offense, including their Top 3 RBs and 4 of their Top WRs from last season, while WMU returns 7 starters back from last years defense...But, this is step down in class, and WMU hasnt shown any incouraging signs of improvement yet, as they gave up 487 total yards to an average Va Tech Offensive attack , 155 via the ground and surprisingly 332 yards through the air in last weeks 63-0 ass spanking in Blacksburg...Not good news vs this Illini Offense who may be a bit better and balanced Offensively than the Hokies...
Illinois will get back on track today with another solid win over a much weaker foe....WMU is simply not in a good position or healthy enough to try and compete vs this angry Illini squad that is looking to take out lasts weeks lost on somebody....Illini's will pound these wounded Mustangs that is coming into Champagne already demoralized and roughed up by Va Tech....Today WMU provides the perfect medicine for this team to get healthy and back on the winning tracks again....All Illini today!
**ABOVE AVERAGE PLAYS ON:
Iowa St -2.5 (WIN)
TCU +6 (LOSE)
NW -2.5 (WIN)
*REGULAR PLAYS ON:
MTST -2(LOSE)
-Ok Gang...I will be up later with the next set of plays...so check back for them if interested....Until then, lets do some damage with these BAD BOYS....Good luck to All today and LETS GO GET EM!...ALOHA CC.
***TOP RATED PLAYS ON:
Nebraska -4 (WIN 24-17)
-Wow, when they said that this Pitt Offense will struggle without the likes of QB Rutherford, WR Fitzgerald, and RB Miree in the lineup they werent kidding...Pitt's Offense in its last game, have been almost non-existant...In fact, in last weeks win over a lowly Ohio team, the Panthers were outgained by the Bobcats 290-215, and outFD'd 14-13....and only had 49 yards passing vs the Ohio defense that was one of the worst last season...Pitts QB Tyler Palko made his first start and ONLY went 6-19 for 49 yards and one Int...He also was unproductive as well running the ball with just 22 yards on 11 carries..
Another reason why Pitt's Offense will struggle this year, is because they are very inexperienced in the skilled positions...,especially at the WRs spot....Only returning WR Brockenbrough(? for Sat-knee) has any experience and that makes him the go to guy this year, but of course, he is no way near the talent that WR Fitzgerald was, and the rest of the corp is very young and inexperienced(a lot of Freshmans and Soph)....Well this was to be expected for a Pitt team that only returned 3 starters on Offense this year...and sorry to say things for them will only be getting tougher, starting with the Huskers Defense today...
Speaking of Defense, last week the Pitt Defense came up big as they scored a TD and blocked a punt which set up an easy Panther score...Today, if they think of having any chance in this one, this Defense will have to triplicate that TD effort at minimum, as their Offense which struggled to score and gain yards vs the Bobcats, will definately find this Top notch Nebraska Defense nearly impossible to do anything against...Last week, the Huskers Defense was able to hold the S Miss Offensive attack to just 239 total yards...Today I see the Husker Defense holding Pitt to an even lower total yards output...
Pitt's Defense will also have their hands full trying to control this Husker Offensive attack which have been averaging 528 yard per a game this year....Last week vs that stellar S Miss Defense, the Huskers Offense was able to rack up 476 total yards..274 yards on the ground, and 202 yards through the air....Nebraska clearly dominated that game, but still loss outright due to 5 turnovers...In fact, this Nebraska Offense in its two games has put up a total of 1057 yards on Offense, but they have also turned the ball over 11 times in the process...One positive thing about this Husker Offense(barring TO's) though, is that it still has a good ground game to compliment the passing game.....RB Ross for Neb has been a bright spot for the Huskers on Offense, as he has been averaging 147 ypg (7.3 ypc) which is sixth best in the land...
Bottom line is if the Huskers can minimize their TO's today, I see no reason to think that this punchless Pitt Offense will be able to even smell the endzone, let alone put together consistant drives vs this top notch Husker Defense...I .also feel that this Husker Offense will be able to move the ball very effectively against the Pitt Defense and that Coach Callahan will have a solid plan of attack to exploit the Panther's weakness on Def....QB Dailey should make big improvements today in his third game, and I am expecting him to also make better decisions minimizing any TO potentials from happening....Neb's ability to control this game, on both sides of the ball, and from start to finish...should result in a solid DD win for the Big Red today....Nebraska Rolls Big Time!
Illinois -8 (buy .5pt)(LOSE ATS)
-Both teams will come into this one with banged up QBs but Illinois has the advantage of playing this one at home and with more depth in the skilled positions then does this Western Michigan squad today....WMU only return 4 starters on Offense and must now possibly play without its starting QB in Bassett and RB Riley who both suffered 1st quarter injuries vs Va Tech last week....
Illinois QB Beutjer also suffered injury in the 2nd quarter of last weeks game vs the Bruins...and did have a decent short day, passing for 146 before being replaced by backup QB Bowers due to an injury...If Beutjer cannot go today, I feel that Bowers is capable enough to lead this Illini Offense to an easy victory over WMU today....In fact, in the backup role last week, Bowers was very effective going 11-15 for 102 yards and led the Illini's to 10 second half points...
In todays game though, I dont see the Illini having to depend to much on its QBs as their solid running duo of Thomas and Halsey should be to much for this WMU Defense, who has allowed over 120.5 ypg on the ground this year, to contain and prevent from posting big numbers on the ground...Last week this pair had a total of 208 total yards on the ground on 41 attempts( 5.1 ypr) vs a better and more talented UCLA defense, so it is easy for me to see them having a field day today vs this Bronco Defense...Last week, the Offense was only able to put up 17 pts vs UCLA, but a positive was that they were able to post 456 total yards in that loss...Today the yards should be plentiful again, and the points should come much easier in this game...
Bottom line in this one is that the Illini Offense will be able to move the ball at will on this WMU defense....They return 8 starters back on Offense, including their Top 3 RBs and 4 of their Top WRs from last season, while WMU returns 7 starters back from last years defense...But, this is step down in class, and WMU hasnt shown any incouraging signs of improvement yet, as they gave up 487 total yards to an average Va Tech Offensive attack , 155 via the ground and surprisingly 332 yards through the air in last weeks 63-0 ass spanking in Blacksburg...Not good news vs this Illini Offense who may be a bit better and balanced Offensively than the Hokies...
Illinois will get back on track today with another solid win over a much weaker foe....WMU is simply not in a good position or healthy enough to try and compete vs this angry Illini squad that is looking to take out lasts weeks lost on somebody....Illini's will pound these wounded Mustangs that is coming into Champagne already demoralized and roughed up by Va Tech....Today WMU provides the perfect medicine for this team to get healthy and back on the winning tracks again....All Illini today!
**ABOVE AVERAGE PLAYS ON:
Iowa St -2.5 (WIN)
TCU +6 (LOSE)
NW -2.5 (WIN)
*REGULAR PLAYS ON:
MTST -2(LOSE)
-Ok Gang...I will be up later with the next set of plays...so check back for them if interested....Until then, lets do some damage with these BAD BOYS....Good luck to All today and LETS GO GET EM!...ALOHA CC.
Adding:
***TOP RATED PLAY ON:
Hawaii -1(LOSE)
-Well, I had only a Regular play on Hawaii in this one...as I initially felt that this would be a shoot out between these two explosive Offenses, with Hawaii holding a slight advantage...But after more further review, especially in the Houston game which Rice won...I seen that Rice although leading throughout the game, was outgained by Houston in total yards 212 to 186 and they did have less FD's 13-15...Rice also with the play of its Defense was able to sack Houstons QB Kolb 9 times for -63 yards...This was a big advantage for Rice to disrupting Houston's passing game and Kolb ended the day going 15-33 for 204 yards, 1 int, and 1 TD...
I also saw that Houston even with its poor run defense was able to hold Rice's option attack to just 155 yards on the ground and just 2.8 ypc....This one came down to a defensive struggle between the two, but it seem that both Offenses as well were struggling..
In todays game against Hawaii...Rice will defenately have their hands full trying to get to QB Timmy Chang behind his veteran O-Line which returns all starters from last season...Houston's weakness this year, unlike last year, is on their O-Line which only return 2 starters back from last seasons massive line...Rice's experienced D-Lineman clearly had the edge over Houstons young line and they were able to disrupt Kolb all game long....This is something that I dont feel they will be able to duplicate so effectively vs the Hawaii Offense...mainly because of Timmy's protection, but also because of his quick release, shot gun position, and short passing game...
What also is working in Hawaii's favor in this one is that several KEY players on this explosive Rice Offense will not be playing in todays game and this definately gives the Hawaii Defense a big equalizer...
Rice's leading rusher RB Lott(Hip) possibly the WAC's most dangerous runner, who had a 7.3 ypr average last season...and Top backup RB Quinton Smith(elbow) will not be playing in this game today....Also not playing is Rice's Top WR and big play guy WR Battle(leg)...Battle had an 17.5 ypc average last season and led all WRs in total yards and catches...
Other big losses for Rice, is that two of their Senior O-Lineman Ross Huebel(knee) and Micah Meador(shoulder) is listed as doubtful for this game as well...This is big, because Rice's Offense's primary attack starts first with the Big Uglies...and with the O-Line this year needing to replace two All Conf players from last season, losing two more SR O-Lineman could be a disaster for their option attack being as dominant and explosive as it is known to be.
Hawaii had an advantage by having an extra week to prepare for this option attack of Rice...and looking at how Rice's Offense struggled to run vs Houston, it seems that these injuries on the OL and in the backfield, especially to RB Lott has lessen the effectiveness and explosiveness that Rice's Offense has...QB Henderson took the majority of the runs himself...In fact vs Houston, QB Henderson had 27 carries for 74 yards...The next RB with the most carries was SR RB Bailey with 16 for 57 yards...and then Soph RB Rucker with 3-14...It seems that without RB Lott in the backfield Rice's Offense becomes very limited as to who can hurt the defense, and this only helps the Hawaii Defense today....Without RB Lott in the backfield, the Warriors will be able to Key on QB Henderson more...Furthermore, without Rice's top WR threat in the game, more man coverage may be utilized and thus freeing up more help from the secondary to stuff the run can be used...
I think that these HUGE losses of Key players to injuries suffered by Rice on the OL, RB, and WR...will be a huge advantage for the Warrior Defense....We all know that the Warriors will score and get their yards and points in this one, but without the main Key players in Rices Offense running the option to perfection, I have to say that Rice will be in trouble if they find themselves down a lot to the Warriors...These losses, as I mentioned, also give the Warriors Defense some big equalizers vs Rice's Offense...I cannot ignore this and think the Warriors have a Big decided advantage because of it....GO WARRIORS!
On a side note:
-the Warriors arrived in Texas on Thursday, so they have had a lot of time to recouperate from the long flight..
-Also, I had a chance to speak with some players before they left and had viewed some TV interviews, as well, to see how the Warriors were handling losing that game to FAU...From what I got, they were all disappointed as expected, but have since moved on from that devastaing lost and are hungry to get back to action...The team has committed themselves to looking forward....The extra week helped in many ways for them to refocus and remotivate themselves for the WAC Conf race...They look mentally and physically ready to play this game...IMO.
***TOP RATED PLAY ON:
Hawaii -1(LOSE)
-Well, I had only a Regular play on Hawaii in this one...as I initially felt that this would be a shoot out between these two explosive Offenses, with Hawaii holding a slight advantage...But after more further review, especially in the Houston game which Rice won...I seen that Rice although leading throughout the game, was outgained by Houston in total yards 212 to 186 and they did have less FD's 13-15...Rice also with the play of its Defense was able to sack Houstons QB Kolb 9 times for -63 yards...This was a big advantage for Rice to disrupting Houston's passing game and Kolb ended the day going 15-33 for 204 yards, 1 int, and 1 TD...
I also saw that Houston even with its poor run defense was able to hold Rice's option attack to just 155 yards on the ground and just 2.8 ypc....This one came down to a defensive struggle between the two, but it seem that both Offenses as well were struggling..
In todays game against Hawaii...Rice will defenately have their hands full trying to get to QB Timmy Chang behind his veteran O-Line which returns all starters from last season...Houston's weakness this year, unlike last year, is on their O-Line which only return 2 starters back from last seasons massive line...Rice's experienced D-Lineman clearly had the edge over Houstons young line and they were able to disrupt Kolb all game long....This is something that I dont feel they will be able to duplicate so effectively vs the Hawaii Offense...mainly because of Timmy's protection, but also because of his quick release, shot gun position, and short passing game...
What also is working in Hawaii's favor in this one is that several KEY players on this explosive Rice Offense will not be playing in todays game and this definately gives the Hawaii Defense a big equalizer...
Rice's leading rusher RB Lott(Hip) possibly the WAC's most dangerous runner, who had a 7.3 ypr average last season...and Top backup RB Quinton Smith(elbow) will not be playing in this game today....Also not playing is Rice's Top WR and big play guy WR Battle(leg)...Battle had an 17.5 ypc average last season and led all WRs in total yards and catches...
Other big losses for Rice, is that two of their Senior O-Lineman Ross Huebel(knee) and Micah Meador(shoulder) is listed as doubtful for this game as well...This is big, because Rice's Offense's primary attack starts first with the Big Uglies...and with the O-Line this year needing to replace two All Conf players from last season, losing two more SR O-Lineman could be a disaster for their option attack being as dominant and explosive as it is known to be.
Hawaii had an advantage by having an extra week to prepare for this option attack of Rice...and looking at how Rice's Offense struggled to run vs Houston, it seems that these injuries on the OL and in the backfield, especially to RB Lott has lessen the effectiveness and explosiveness that Rice's Offense has...QB Henderson took the majority of the runs himself...In fact vs Houston, QB Henderson had 27 carries for 74 yards...The next RB with the most carries was SR RB Bailey with 16 for 57 yards...and then Soph RB Rucker with 3-14...It seems that without RB Lott in the backfield Rice's Offense becomes very limited as to who can hurt the defense, and this only helps the Hawaii Defense today....Without RB Lott in the backfield, the Warriors will be able to Key on QB Henderson more...Furthermore, without Rice's top WR threat in the game, more man coverage may be utilized and thus freeing up more help from the secondary to stuff the run can be used...
I think that these HUGE losses of Key players to injuries suffered by Rice on the OL, RB, and WR...will be a huge advantage for the Warrior Defense....We all know that the Warriors will score and get their yards and points in this one, but without the main Key players in Rices Offense running the option to perfection, I have to say that Rice will be in trouble if they find themselves down a lot to the Warriors...These losses, as I mentioned, also give the Warriors Defense some big equalizers vs Rice's Offense...I cannot ignore this and think the Warriors have a Big decided advantage because of it....GO WARRIORS!
On a side note:
-the Warriors arrived in Texas on Thursday, so they have had a lot of time to recouperate from the long flight..
-Also, I had a chance to speak with some players before they left and had viewed some TV interviews, as well, to see how the Warriors were handling losing that game to FAU...From what I got, they were all disappointed as expected, but have since moved on from that devastaing lost and are hungry to get back to action...The team has committed themselves to looking forward....The extra week helped in many ways for them to refocus and remotivate themselves for the WAC Conf race...They look mentally and physically ready to play this game...IMO.
ADDING: EVENING SET:
***TOP RATED PLAYS ON:
Texas A&M -1 (WIN)
UCLA E (WIN)
Florida +3 (WIN)
**ABOVE AVERAGE PLAYS ON:
Michigan St +3.5 (LOSE)
Tulsa -1 (LOSE SU)
*REGULAR PLAYS ON:
NMST +10 (Upset Special)(UPSET WINNER 22-18)
UTEP +29.5(WIN)
-Ok Gang, I will post a few more on the late games a little later...Until then, lets cash in on these BAD BOYS....GL and Aloha CC.
***TOP RATED PLAYS ON:
Texas A&M -1 (WIN)
UCLA E (WIN)
Florida +3 (WIN)
**ABOVE AVERAGE PLAYS ON:
Michigan St +3.5 (LOSE)
Tulsa -1 (LOSE SU)
*REGULAR PLAYS ON:
NMST +10 (Upset Special)(UPSET WINNER 22-18)
UTEP +29.5(WIN)
-Ok Gang, I will post a few more on the late games a little later...Until then, lets cash in on these BAD BOYS....GL and Aloha CC.
