The Badgers haven't been very good on the road the last two years (of course, they weren't very good anywhere last year). This battle for the Axe is going to be huge for both teams.
As if we didn't all know that without me writing it . . .
Keys to Sparty
Both teams will pass well against soft opposing defenses, but neither will make it through the entire game without mistakes in the passing games (drops, misses, INTs). The team that wins is the team that establishes the run and is able to control possession in the 4th quarter.
MSU has the better linebackers, but I think the Badgers have a better defensive line. Moreover, the Badgers offensive line is, I think, a better run-blocking line (though retarded in progress due to injuries). Finally, I'm confident the Badgers have the better tailbacks.
Slight edge to the Badgers.
BUT . . .
It could be wet tomorrow. Turnovers?
While the Badgers have the better +/- (+2 vs. even), we have also put the ball on the carpet much more than MSU (it's just that we've caused more turnovers, too). In a wet game ball security could be the determinative factor. That worries me. A lot.
PS. For those curious about my tepid enthusiasm for the Badgers on this one, look no further than Scott Tappa's write up this morning: http://badgercentric.blogspot.com/2009/09/2008-revisited-game-4-and-michigan.html
MSU has the better linebackers, but I think the Badgers have a better defensive line. Moreover, the Badgers offensive line is, I think, a better run-blocking line (though retarded in progress due to injuries). Finally, I'm confident the Badgers have the better tailbacks.
Slight edge to the Badgers.
BUT . . .
It could be wet tomorrow. Turnovers?
While the Badgers have the better +/- (+2 vs. even), we have also put the ball on the carpet much more than MSU (it's just that we've caused more turnovers, too). In a wet game ball security could be the determinative factor. That worries me. A lot.
PS. For those curious about my tepid enthusiasm for the Badgers on this one, look no further than Scott Tappa's write up this morning: http://badgercentric.blogspot.com/2009/09/2008-revisited-game-4-and-michigan.html
Michigan State Prediction
I fear a two-score loss, but see a win, 26-24.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/259692-wounded-warriors-michigan-state-at-wisconsin
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/259692-wounded-warriors-michigan-state-at-wisconsin
Football Season Starts Now
Michigan State: wounded warriors.
Minnesota: in their new home.
Ohio State: at the Shoe
Iowa: 'nuf said.
Play time is over.
Minnesota: in their new home.
Ohio State: at the Shoe
Iowa: 'nuf said.
Play time is over.
Quick Thoughts on Wofford
(1) See, we didn't overlook them. Good.
(2) Zach Brown is the best back on the team. Period.
(3) Good to see Moffitt and Nagy back in there. That bodes well for conference play.
(4) Gilreath was as bad as Clay hanging onto the ball.
(5) I liked what I saw from Phillips. He's a nice changeup. The problem is how to handle him in a close game where the offense is struggling. Do you put him in for the changeup, or does that risk ruining Tolzien's rhythm.
(6) I like the young players, but Schofield is by far the best player on our D. I think the best four are probably Schofield, Watt, Taylor, and Maragos, in that order. Maragos is a real leader.
(7) Toon is looking great.
(8) Still having penalty problems.
(9) Great to see Kendricks get involved. We have so many quality targets to throw to. Which leads me to . . .
Finally, is there any doubt that the player of the year in non-conference play is Scott Tolzien?
(2) Zach Brown is the best back on the team. Period.
(3) Good to see Moffitt and Nagy back in there. That bodes well for conference play.
(4) Gilreath was as bad as Clay hanging onto the ball.
(5) I liked what I saw from Phillips. He's a nice changeup. The problem is how to handle him in a close game where the offense is struggling. Do you put him in for the changeup, or does that risk ruining Tolzien's rhythm.
(6) I like the young players, but Schofield is by far the best player on our D. I think the best four are probably Schofield, Watt, Taylor, and Maragos, in that order. Maragos is a real leader.
(7) Toon is looking great.
(8) Still having penalty problems.
(9) Great to see Kendricks get involved. We have so many quality targets to throw to. Which leads me to . . .
Finally, is there any doubt that the player of the year in non-conference play is Scott Tolzien?
Why I've Decided To Overlook Wofford
That's just how it is. I'm overlooking Wofford. I have the September 26 date with Sparty circled. This weekend? Meh.
You can't overlook anyone, right? I can, and I will. I hope the Badgers don't.
And that's the thing. They won't. I'm fairly confident the Badgers have a 1-point escape over Cal Poly seared in their collective memory. And thus, the triple option will die a quick death at Camp Randall.
How did I get there?
The triple option works for teams like the academies and FCS squads because so few teams employ it. So you have one week a year to prepare for this crazy offense that just doesn't look like anything anyone else on your schedule is doing it.
But that's not all. The other thing that inevitably happens (and this should sound familiar) is that the BCS squad underestimates its competition. Those little Cadets/Middies, or Mustangs, as the case may be (or Terriers, sure, Terriers, too), the BCS squad just knows they will physically dominate them. (This is also what makes Paul Johnson's Georgia Tech such an interesting experiment; they don't have any drop off in talent and size.)
Then they don't. That scrappy, undersized teams comes out, survives the punch in the mouth, and starts scoring points. About the second quarter the BCS guys looks up at the score board, see they are really losing this game, and start taking their week-long coaching and preparation seriously.
And normally the BCS squad comes back and wins. But sometimes they need a kicker to miss three extra points to get there.
And that's where this year is different. The Badgers won't spend any time overlooking the Terriers. They don't want a repeat of Cal Poly and should come out in the first quarter to prove it.
Oh, and the Terriers' best back is out with an injury.
So anyway, I'll watch the game, but I'm overlooking it because I know our squad isn't. Go Badgers.
You can't overlook anyone, right? I can, and I will. I hope the Badgers don't.
And that's the thing. They won't. I'm fairly confident the Badgers have a 1-point escape over Cal Poly seared in their collective memory. And thus, the triple option will die a quick death at Camp Randall.
How did I get there?
The triple option works for teams like the academies and FCS squads because so few teams employ it. So you have one week a year to prepare for this crazy offense that just doesn't look like anything anyone else on your schedule is doing it.
But that's not all. The other thing that inevitably happens (and this should sound familiar) is that the BCS squad underestimates its competition. Those little Cadets/Middies, or Mustangs, as the case may be (or Terriers, sure, Terriers, too), the BCS squad just knows they will physically dominate them. (This is also what makes Paul Johnson's Georgia Tech such an interesting experiment; they don't have any drop off in talent and size.)
Then they don't. That scrappy, undersized teams comes out, survives the punch in the mouth, and starts scoring points. About the second quarter the BCS guys looks up at the score board, see they are really losing this game, and start taking their week-long coaching and preparation seriously.
And normally the BCS squad comes back and wins. But sometimes they need a kicker to miss three extra points to get there.
And that's where this year is different. The Badgers won't spend any time overlooking the Terriers. They don't want a repeat of Cal Poly and should come out in the first quarter to prove it.
Oh, and the Terriers' best back is out with an injury.
So anyway, I'll watch the game, but I'm overlooking it because I know our squad isn't. Go Badgers.
Calling All Badger Videographers
Ok, so how come the only highlight videos on youtube right now are from our vanquished opponents? I mean, it's not like we're packing 80K plus in every game, is it?
Seriously, some guy from NIU puts together a 10-minute deal of their loss, and a Fresno State fan puts together 5 minutes of the Bulldogs whuppin' up on us (I always like highlight videos showing all the great plays the losing team made).
Anyway, BigAlJeff has done some nice work, but can we get anyone on this game-by-game?
Seriously, some guy from NIU puts together a 10-minute deal of their loss, and a Fresno State fan puts together 5 minutes of the Bulldogs whuppin' up on us (I always like highlight videos showing all the great plays the losing team made).
Anyway, BigAlJeff has done some nice work, but can we get anyone on this game-by-game?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
