Week 7 Observations and overreactions

Have You Seen Me?   

20' Tall

18' 6" Wide

Bright Yellow

Please return to Neyland Stadium if found

The Vols took down the Tide in an epic game, gonna dig right into it.  

Tennessee jumped out 21-7 in the 1Q, Bama had no answer for the passing game and Hooker was sharp

Momentum was turning but the Bama special teams (we've heard this before) mishandled a punt and gave Tenn the ball back.  Bama would eventually turn it around heading into and coming out of the half tying it at 28

Crowd felt the 'here we go again' after taking the lead 34-28 but missing the PAT, then Bama grabbed their first lead of the game closing out the 3rd quarter

4Q started with a bang, Hooker hit Jalin Hyatt on a slant and he took it 78 yard to take the lead back and a successful 2pt play

Young marched right back down for the tie at 42, and then the game took the memorable turns...

Hooker and his RB fumbled a mesh handoff and the ball sat at 11 yard line and Bama scooped it up for a walk in TD, crowd stunned

Tennessee driving, 4th down and Hooker threw into end zone, tipped INT and Kool Aid is running back inside Vols territory but an iffy PI called gives Vols another chance which they cash in with Hyatt's SEC record 5th TD catch.  

Young driving the Tide under 2 minutes, Gibbs drops a key pass on 2nd & 10 that would have maybe scored, or at least had the Tide with a much shorter FG attempt.   Tide special teams fail again as 50yd attempt sails wide

Vols with 15 seconds and 2 timeouts, use the KC Chiefs strategy and gain about 48 yards in 2 plays setting up the winning FG attempt (which I think got tipped, it started pure and then turned into a flying loaf of bread).  Ball snuck over the crossbar and all hell broke loose.

Tide can blame the PI penalty as a game changer, but what about the 16 others?  This is the 2nd game THIS YEAR that Bama has a set a record for the most penalties in the Saban era.  15 at Texas, 17 yesterday.  The Special Teams are weak again, that is problem that has haunted Saban's teams over the years and rears it's ugly head in the biggest games.  Anyone hear Will Anderson's name called during the game?  I did, once.   3 tackles.  Young was really good, but his running the ball was notably absent.  

So...........   what does it mean?

This Bama team is a missed tackle and bad goal line play call from being 4-3.  They now have zero room for error in the West as Ole Miss moves ahead of them.   Schedule is in Bama's favor with 2 byes and the Rebels have a tough way to go, the H2H game is 11/12

Vols get the monkey off their back.  Huge win for the program.  Short term (very short term) glory.  They still have to beat Georgia in Athens on Nov 5, lose that and this game doesn't mean a whole lot as they will be on the sidelines for the SEC Title Game.  Their fate will then rest in how Bama finishes.  If they lose to Ole Miss or LSU, this win takes a huge hit.  

I adore your writing and observations every week .

I do have a question to see what do you think ? 

As I see it the champ will come from a very weak big 10 but with two monsters teams .

Can Ohio or anyone stop Michigan run ? 

Can anyone stop the Ohio Air show ?

What a game that was BDub

the atmosphere, wow 

On to the rest of the week...

Dillon Gabriel came back and the Sooners actually scored points, defense still sucked for the most part giving up 42 to the Jayhawks backup

Texas survived a major scare against the Cyclones, ISU top WR dropped a wide open pass to set up deep in Texas territory, then a turnover ended the upset bid

Ole Miss opened up an early 21-0 lead but Auburn fought back to within 7 for most of the game

Michigan curb stomped the horribly overrated Penn State team, gaining over 400 on the ground.  That number bested Penn States total rush yards allowed for the season coming in

Minnesota was a fraud, Illinois may have something going on

Why are the bookmakers giving Miami so much respect?  Even though it was a backdoor cover, the U should not be laying 8.5 to any team in the ACC on the road

Hogs and the Mormons ran up over 1100 yards of offense 

The Cuse is 6-0, NC State's Leary is out for the year

Game of the Day Part 2:  Chokelahoma State coughed one up in Fort Worth.  Spencer Sanders started hot then finished regulation completing something like 2 of his last 16 throws before a few connections in the OT's.  TCU down 24-7 fought back with the running game, OKST could not tackle the RB's and then WR Quintin Johnston went nuts down the stretch, he'll have pro scouts drooling.  

Just when you thought Wisconsin was back, they aren't.  Sparty tried hard to lose but took it in OT

James Madison got ranked for the 1st time, went on the road and lost.  A story as old as time

Tulane won and covered again.   6-1 SU & ATS

Washington is totally different team at home.  Penix set school record for passing yards with 516

Remember when LSU vs Florida was a defensive battle?  Last 3 matchups have had 70, 71 and 91 points scored

Clemson/FSU was not as close as the final score shows

Will Rogers Heisman hopes rode off into the sunset in Lexington

David Shaw will continue to keep his job after beating Notre Dame

UNC hit a 3 at the buzzer to beat the Dukies, Dickie V went nuts...  shit wrong sport

Game of the Day Part 3 in Provo...  Utah and USC battled to the end in an emotional game that left both teams in tears at the final whistle.  Caleb Williams and Cam Rising were phenomenal as they both accounted for 5 TD's.   Utah crowd was insane causing some issues for USC at the end, and Kyle Whittingham went for 2 at the end and got it for the big PAC 12 win

Quick TV rant...  I'm not a Pat McAfee fan at all, I think he's a buffoon who needs to buy shirts with sleeves.  But whether you like him or not, why in the fuck does ESPN think it's a good idea to take a prime time slot away from another game (there is no shortage of games to show) and give this dope and his buddies their own 'Manning Cast' type show of the ABC game on ESPN2?  I do not get it one bit and I hope it gets horrible ratings and goes away.   That is all

Who saw Michigan running over Penn State? (except HockeyNight11 who was dead on) 

And just when you thought the obviously overrated Lions were going to pull off an incredible upset, ala 2016 vs Buckeyes, the Wolv running game and defense took total control. After that McCarthy pass was deflected, bounced off a helmet and right into the arms of lion defender for a pic-6 I thought here we go. Took a deep breath and realized the Penn St defense is doomed by the time they already spent on the field. 1st half TOP; Mich 23:54. PSU 6:06

Michigan punter started his BYE week early, never punted.

One note; Penn St lost starting O-lineman Landon Tegwall in pregame warm-ups. 

Wisconsin and Michigan State could not decide who wanted to lose more. Mertz tried like hell to throw an int in overtime, State refused to catch it. Timely stupid penalties all game by both. 

Neb did what Nebraska is known for, losing by one score.

Maryland reverting back to Terp football, offense with little defense.

If they played next week, Michigan has a great chance.  Only weakness for them so far has been slow starts in every conference game.  They have dominated 2nd halfs.   Ohio State gets their 2 tests coming up with Iowa and Penn State.   Health will obviously be a huge issue for both teams as the season winds down.  OSU will have 4 guys at WR that could be considered #1's.  Michigan will have to deal with that, along with both Henderson and Miyan Williams running the ball hard.  Michigan will have to hold the ball for 40 minutes and score TDs.  Both teams will have to play a near perfect game.  Advantage to OSU when they play in November with the talent, home field, revamped defense.  

 Congrats to Tennessee.......watched it off to the side during the Mariner's/Astro's game........also, it's too bad Washington can't find a defense. They'd be a top 10 team if they could hold anyone under 28 points. Another game I watched off to the side during the Mariner's/Astro's game.

 Never thought I'd be betting & winning on Illinois.

 Sark had a bad habit of winning a big game then coughing up the next one......looks like he's getting better.

 Jeff Tedford can still coach, as I observed off to the side during the Mariner's/Astro's game......& it cost me.

 Looks like the playoff is boiling down to Georgia........& about 6-7 other teams battling to fill out the field.

Believe the greatest advantage for Buckeyes in that final game is Buckeyes tune up with Maryland while Michigan gets surprising, defensive minded, hard hitting Illinois. How Wolvs come off Illinois game something to watch. 

As far as needing 40 mins, they only needed 28 last year.

Besides Three Top 10 teams going down in Alabama, USC, and Penn State; we have interesting caveats across the board!

Alabama Ole Miss is now a de facto game for a representative in the SEC Title Game. The same for Tennessee Georgia. 

Utah keeps their hopes alive for a Rose Bowl Birth to win the PAC 12. Utah will be rooting hard for Oregon against UCLA. Utah needs to beat Oregon in Eugene in Mid November. Huge tiebreaker game vs USC. Can they travel on the road? Doesn’t look likely.

Michigan Ohio State is the de facto Big Ten Title Game on the last Saturday in November. Can Michigan control clock and make Ohio States offense look somewhat normal?

Fresno State gets a huge conference win in their division. When does Haener return? They are a sneaky MWC Title representative. 

How about Navy? Ultimate back door cover. They can’t play ANY defense. I’ve never seen a Navy total in the high 50’s and get crushed to the Over. 

Oregon State at home is always a live play.

I’d love to see UNC in a shootout vs Clemson for the ACC.

TCU what a W! Oklahoma State just can’t take advantage the last two years for a Top 4 chance. 

That’s all from The Moose. This thread is awesome!

this thread is awesome , nice post 

Utah went for two after a TD with little time left.  They didn't want to go to OT.

I hated it, but I wish more coaches would do that.  I think it's more about job security than strategy.  

If Cuse and Tenn play each other, it will be the Orange Bowl.

Poll dancing--Utah will go up more than Bama goes down.    

If looks could kill, Saban would be behind bars right now.

UCLA will handle the Ducks and everyone else this regular season.  Futures  +6000

Whoever change VegasInsider should be horsewhipped.  

People will hate this take but if you want CFBs 4 best in the playoff it could easily be 2 from SEC and 2 from B1G

Tenn, OSU, Mich, UGA - with Alabama still in the mix for sure

Personally put a future on Clemson preseason but not impressed and think the ACC is terrible

Good catch on the Illinois game before hand, that looked like a nothing more than a tune up 3 weeks ago and now it could be a massive look ahead spot

Remaining Biggest Games Of The Year as of today:

SEC:

Bama @ Ole Miss on 11/12.  Tide on 2nd of B2B road game, LSU prior.  Ole Miss is off bye but they'll have 2 road games prior to that @LSU and A&M.  Still have Arkansas after Bama and Egg Bowl

Tennessee @ Georgia 11/5.   Vols have Kentucky before then Mizzou/South Carolina/Vandy finish

Big 10:

Michigan @ Ohio State 11/26.   As stated earlier, Michigan has Illinois at home prior, OSU with a cupcake stretch after Iowa/@PSU

ACC:

Syracuse @ Clemson 10/22.  ACC biggest game on deck this weekend, Cuse hasn't left the Dome since Week 2 and have a rough stretch after this game

Big12:

Always a grind to get through here no matter the quality of the league as a whole

TCU @ Texas 11/12.  Assuming TCU holds down a dangerous KState team this weekend they still have trip to WV and host Tech before the Longhorns, then trip to Waco immediately after.  Which ever 2 teams come out on top in this conference will have earned it

Pac12:  

UCLA sits on top right now with Oregon, they also play in Eugene this weekend.  After that UCLA could cruise into 11/19 against the Trojans who will also cruise into the game.  Ducks will host UW and Utah before finishing with the Civil War on the road.  Utah can navigate a Thursday Night in Pullman then sit easy until the trip to Oregon on 11/19.  Could get really wild here

Only watched ONE game yesterday. Pucks started. So to pile on the Bama/UT game. 

We all have watched Bama barely squeak by Texas and Texas AM so was this really that big of a surprise? I agree, where was Anderson's name yesterday? A friend asked me "where is Bama's defense"? I said, hell it is just as much of Tennessee's offense as it is Bama's defense. Thought the whole defensive scheme for Bama was piss poor. No pressure on Hooker and porous secondary. How in the hell does Hyatt run that free in the secondary? 6 catches and 5 for TD's. What is scary is Tillman should return before the Georgia game. Tennessee looked good but something is really amiss with Bama this year. Are the assistance coaches not up to par as they have seen in the past? Bama plays with no discipline and make stupid decisions, very unlike a Saban coached team. 

Will be attending that UT/Georgia game. Georgia better come prepared. Georgia will attempt to pound the rock all day and keep that offense off the field. 

AP poll just came out and welcome to the TOP 4 Tennessee. 

Did you see the video of Heather Dietrich (however you spell her name). She was discussing the possibility of 3 SEC teams in the CFP.  Talk about upsetting the apple cart. The college football fans and this board would go ape sh*t. 

Oh, BW, I heard this morning that some of the goal posts made it's way down the Tennessee river. 

Illinois should be 7-0. 

Purdue could easily be 7-0. They deserve a loss or two, though, for whatever they were wearing last night. 

I hope that someday one of the ridiculous athletes Brian Kelly is screaming f-bombs at simply cold-cocks him.  Would contribute to the player’s bail. 

That said, LSU looked really good last night.  Boutte has apparently decided to play again.  That’s helpful.  Still, the Tigers special teams are indeed special, and not in a good way.  

I know it worked for Utah last night, but I think it’s almost always stupid to go for two when there’s still significant time on the clock - in last night’s case :48. If you don’t make it, you almost certainly lose; if you do, you still  lose on a FG.  

I usually hate silly back and forth offensive shootouts (like 75% of the Big12 games), but UT / Bama was highly entertaining. Like most decent  humans, I can’t stand Alabama, but that QB really is a joy to watch. Feels like he’s playing the game at a different speed than the others. Reminds me of Charlie Ward in that regard. 

I had no idea they let fans into Duke games. 40,000 saw a good one on Tobacco Road. 

Tulane is a goofy (though wildly predictable) home loss to USM away from being 7-0.  Good uniforms matter.  See also: Ole Miss

@WahooS

Man, that’s a level of knowing stuff that both impresses and terrifies me.   Feel like there could be some bodies buried in this guy’s basement. 

@MaineRoad

 No doubt 

Highlight of the Week:

Friday Night games never disappoint

No comment, but I do have some tasty beef jerky to send you...     

@MaineRoad

 Imagine playing it safe and going for one and then missing the field goal.  

There are a lot of factors involved in the decision.  BTW, being ahead by one point is better than being tied when they try for that field goal. 

The refs were crazy.  Roughing the passer my ass.  It's called football.