NCAA Football 2011

mjk73 · Oct 03, 2011, 10:10 PM

Quote from: iLikeBeer on Oct 03, 2011, 01:49 PM
Going to Chitown this weekend to watch Michigan take on Northwestern!

My wife and I had plane tix and our hotel room all arranged before the tix to the game went on sale. Forgot this game was a night game so when I went to get tickets I had a hell of a time. Remembered this Michigan bar just south of Wrigley my wife and I went to a couple of years ago while we were in town for a U2 concert to watch the ND game so i emailed the owner to see about settling on watching the game there. Turns out, the guy had a bus reserved with 55 seats available on it. For $80 we show up at his bar at 2:00 for all the Bells on tap we can drink, a tailgate spread with all the food we can eat and a ticket and a bus ride to and from the game! Sweet how things work out sometimes!

Leaving Thursday and I can't wait to be back in the Windy City! 8)

Do not forget the Marathon Sunday. Traffic will be an absolute mess. I only know as I'll be running in it.

iLikeBeer · Oct 04, 2011, 02:12 PM

Quote from: capt. scotty on Oct 03, 2011, 09:39 PM
Nice ILB!

What are your thoughts on Michigan this year? I think they look like the clear 3rd best team in the Big 10 this year. I told a buddy they dont lose more than 2 conference games this year, and he said put $20 on it...Still considering it. They dont play Wisconsin and have no business losing to anyone besides Illini, Huskers, or OSU, and I dont see them losing all 3 of those.

I'm still cautiously optimistic as far as this year goes given how the last 2 years have started out eerily similar. Michigan is still relatively unproven as they haven't really played anyone outside of ND. I think the next 2 weeks will give us the story on just how good Michigan is. Starting Saturday, if they can keep up the momentum they are on by going into Evanston and winning, and then following that up with a much needed win over Sparty in East Lansing, I think the prospect would be good for Michigan losing 2 games or less. The biggest difference I see from this year compared to the last 2 is that, with Wisconsin not on the schedule, I don't really see any game on Michigan's schedule that looks unwinnable. I couldn't honestly say that the last two years heading into the conference schedule. FWIW, I had Michigan going 8-4 with losses to ND, @ Sparty, Nebraska and OSU. They've already gotten over on ND. And from what I've seen of Sparty, Nebraska and the complete mess that OSU finds themselve in, I see no reason why Michigan can't win each of those games as well especially considering we get the Cornhuskers and Buckeyes at home.

As far as our coach, I am loving the hiring of Coach Hoke more and more. Especially with him luring our DC (Greg Mattison) from the Baltimore Ravens to come back to Michigan! I think the change in philosophy and attitude is also a big reason I have optimism that a repeat of the last 2 season ending collapses won't happen again.

iLikeBeer · Oct 04, 2011, 02:16 PM

Quote from: mjk73 on Oct 03, 2011, 10:10 PM
Do not forget the Marathon Sunday. Traffic will be an absolute mess. I only know as I'll be running in it.

Yeah. We had a hell of a time getting our hotel room because we forgot the Marathon was running on Sunday. Our flight doesn't leave Chicago until around 8 so we were planning on getting downtown to see some of it! Good luck BTW!

touchingmept2 · Oct 09, 2011, 12:22 AM

BOOMERRRR!!!! SOONERRRR!!!!! :D

capt. scotty · Oct 09, 2011, 01:00 AM

Huskers-OSU game was crazy. I think OSU might have the worst backup QB ever

iLikeBeer · Oct 09, 2011, 06:01 PM

Quote from: capt. scotty on Oct 09, 2011, 01:00 AM
Huskers-OSU game was crazy. I think OSU might have the worst backup QB ever

Don't know about you but I'm loving every minute of the OSU free fall. :)

Penny Lane · Oct 10, 2011, 09:11 AM

Quote from: iLikeBeer on Oct 09, 2011, 06:01 PM
Quote from: capt. scotty on Oct 09, 2011, 01:00 AM
Huskers-OSU game was crazy. I think OSU might have the worst backup QB ever

Don't know about you but I'm loving every minute of the OSU free fall. :)

it was painful to watch...he threw half the passes into the Nebraska marching band seats..

Beer--i'm actually happy for you..all i can hope is that we're hitting rock bottom right now and there's nowhere to go but up...but it's too soon to say that..

Ruckus--normally i'd be shit talking this week but....not looking forward to Saturday..especially don't want to watch is QB2 is playing...

Hawkeye · Oct 10, 2011, 10:56 AM

Didn't see the Iowa game, but my buddy told me that they hadn't lost a game by more than 7 points in 47 games?! No idea if that's accurate, but it seems like it...they're always in close games. Anyway, even if it was true, that streak is over after the 13-3 loss to PSU. Can't believe we couldn't get in the endzone even once. I know our QB Vandenberg can play, but not sure how many other weapons we have left. Disappointing season so far.

I am definitely enjoying the OSU freefall!

iLikeBeer · Oct 10, 2011, 02:41 PM

Quote from: Penny Lane on Oct 10, 2011, 09:11 AM
Beer--i'm actually happy for you..all i can hope is that we're hitting rock bottom right now and there's nowhere to go but up...but it's too soon to say that..

Thanks Penny. :) I don't mean to make it sound like I'm enjoying kicking OSU while they're down but... :P

In all seriousness, I'm hoping tUOS is back before too long, but not after Michigan notches four or five wins in a row to make up somewhat for the last decade and especially the last 3 years of the RichRod debacle!

As fun as this season has been so far and for as good of a job as Brady Hoke has started off with, Michigan still has a ways to go and that starts this weekend with another of Michigan's rivals that has had the better end of things 3 years running and that's Sparty. Beating Sparty is one of two wins I thought were absolute must wins for Michigan and the other one is that little game last week of the year in AA!

mjk73 · Oct 10, 2011, 04:56 PM

I had no clue what was going on in NU-OSU except for Penny's tweets. I read the highlights the next day after the race and was shocked.

BH · Oct 10, 2011, 05:38 PM

Looks like dem Badgers are gonna dominate the conference this year anyway. They finally have a balanced offense to go with all the rest of their usual strengths. I can actually see them winning a National Championship this year.

capt. scotty · Oct 11, 2011, 11:44 PM

Quote from: Hawkeye on Oct 10, 2011, 10:56 AM
Didn't see the Iowa game, but my buddy told me that they hadn't lost a game by more than 7 points in 47 games?! No idea if that's accurate, but it seems like it...they're always in close games. Anyway, even if it was true, that streak is over after the 13-3 loss to PSU. Can't believe we couldn't get in the endzone even once. I know our QB Vandenberg can play, but not sure how many other weapons we have left. Disappointing season so far.

I am definitely enjoying the OSU freefall!

It was an ugly game..Our D is actually good this year, so not too surprised. That said, both of our rotating QBs suck, although tOSU's backup makes them look like the next coming.

Not surprised by that stat you said. They were quite solid during the Stanzi era.

capt. scotty · Oct 11, 2011, 11:51 PM

Quote from: BH on Oct 10, 2011, 05:38 PM
Looks like dem Badgers are gonna dominate the conference this year anyway. They finally have a balanced offense to go with all the rest of their usual strengths. I can actually see them winning a National Championship this year.

Without a doubt. IMO, the only team that could hang with them would be Michigan because of their offense, but they dont even play each other this year (although I just remembered this is the 1st yr there will be a conference title game, and that would be there likely opponent...FUCK, not liking the bet I made last week as much because it was predicated on them not playing Wisky). I digress, but yeah, I wouldnt say they finally have a balanced offense, its that they finally have that athletic college QB that can run.

Id be shocked if they dont go undefeated, and really really hope they get a shot in the title game at Bama, LSU, or OU

Ruckus · Oct 12, 2011, 02:22 PM

This lovefest between Penny and ILB is preposterous! ;D
This Wisky team is no joke. I'd like to think that my real belief that the Badgers could take down an LSU, Bama, or OU is not tainted by my Big Ten bias. That is a strong team up in Madison.
I'd talk shit Penny but we are one shitty undefeated team that I have little faith in yet. It's been a fun ride nonetheless and it'll get real fun if we win this weekend.
Finally saw Landry Jones chuck the ball around against the Horns last weekend and I think I'm starting to see what the NFL scouts see in him. I gotta think Boise will be locked out because I don't see the Badgers losing in the Big Ten this year. Still leaves a lot to happen for a Big Ten championship game birth.

Penny Lane · Oct 12, 2011, 05:54 PM

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7088858/life-two-parts

iLikeBeer · Oct 13, 2011, 03:00 PM

Quote from: capt. scotty on Oct 11, 2011, 11:51 PMWithout a doubt. IMO, the only team that could hang with them would be Michigan because of their offense, but they dont even play each other this year (although I just remembered this is the 1st yr there will be a conference title game, and that would be there likely opponent...FUCK, not liking the bet I made last week as much because it was predicated on them not playing Wisky). I digress, but yeah, I wouldnt say they finally have a balanced offense, its that they finally have that athletic college QB that can run.

Id be shocked if they dont go undefeated, and really really hope they get a shot in the title game at Bama, LSU, or OU

You should have stipulated regular season losses cappy! ;) Is your bet that Michigan can lose 2 or can't lose more than one? Because if your bet is that Michigan can lose up to 2 conference games, I think your bet is safe because if Michigan were to lose 2 games, I don't think that would be good enough to get them to the B1G Championship game where they'd be facing almost a sure loss to Wisky.

What's funny is, I was joking with some fellow Michigan fan friends of mine how lucky we were to not have Wisky on the schedule this year considering how effing good they are. That was back when I thought Michigan didn't have a chance in hell at making it to Indy. I know there's still a lot of football left to be played, but if Michigan can somehow find a way to win in EL on Saturday, I would say their chances of meeting Wisky for that B1G Championship would increase dramatically! But, even if Michigan does happen to find a way to make it to Indy (still skeptical about it actually happening), I shudder to think what Wisky would do to us. They are clearly the best team in the B1G. They are one example of the only way I see them getting beat is if they beat themselves in conference play anyways...

Ruckus · Oct 17, 2011, 01:23 PM

Damn! Illini dreams of a National Championship dashed ;D Man, we played like crap, turned it over twice inside our own 20 and still were right there. Big 10 is hot garbage this year. Wisconsin better win out.

Penny Lane · Oct 17, 2011, 01:34 PM

Quote from: Ruckus on Oct 17, 2011, 01:23 PM
Damn! Illini dreams of a National Championship dashed ;D Man, we played like crap, turned it over twice inside our own 20 and still were right there. Big 10 is hot garbage this year. Wisconsin better win out.

unless we get our revenge upset....
(but do i really WANT that)....hmmmmm
I'd love for the Big Ten to go all the way...

Tracy 2112 · Oct 17, 2011, 02:05 PM

Saw this in person on Saturday; good Lord. #21 for Ole Miss misses behind the line and gets his ankles broken 50 yards down the field and misses again!

Trent Richardson "Breaking Ankles" against Ole Miss

megalicious · Oct 18, 2011, 02:40 PM

Trent is an amazing RB! I hope he wins the Heisman this year. He's even more of a beast than Ingram.
:o