College Football - Week of 11/10

[Keener98]

Something to add to all of the discussion and a new thought

 

1. I like Mendenhall. I am not sure he is as good as Illinois fans think he is though. Would he really be drafted ahead of Hart? I know Hart is small and not very fast. He has great vision and moves well in the hole though.

 

I'd take Mendenhall over Hart at the next level just because of durability.

 

Agreed. I dont see Hart being that great of an NFL back and thats without the durability concerns. Mendenhall's body has taken very little punishment, and after watching both I think Shard is the better back. Like I said earlier Mendenhall really has everything in a back you could ask for.

[Guest]

Hart is going to leave Michigan with like 1200 carries on his resume. He's too little and too slow to survive for long in the NFL.

 

McFadden

Jonathon Stewart

Felix Jones

Mendenhall

 

the rest are tier-2 guys

 

Slaton is fast but doesn't have the size or the vision to be a top pick. I could see him late second early third.

 

I think Slaton goes 2nd - esp. if he has good measurables - but I really don't like him compared the other 4 (for the reasons you said). I also saw Rice mentioned earlier and I'm not a big fan of him in the pros eiter.

[B]

edit - nevermind..thought B was serious...or was he?

 

I can assure you I wasn't being serious. I'm pretty sure most here know I'm an LSU fan. I did graduate from LA Tech though.

[cubweiser03]

McFadden is a cant miss. Size, speed, vision, etc.

Jones/Stewart/Mendenhall all appear to be very solid and potentially very good NFLers.

Slaton is a home run threat, thats it.

Hart i would label a wild card. He is already having durabilty issues, he's leaving the game for short periods so many times from getting dinged up, he ends up returning but literally its almost every game now. He cant be an everydown back but his best work is between the tackles and in traffic so hes not a scat back like his size would suggest nor is he the guy you say 'we gotta get this guy in the open field', hes very quick/ellusive and strong in the lower body but lacks top speed. See his long run vs MSU this weekend, the hole was plugged by oncoming LB and then he 'hits the L-1 button' and boom he is at the second level, then guys chase him down in the open field. Emmitt Smith type. Will he break these tackles in the NFL? He's 5th best RB ond draft day at best.

[NewUserName]

Cubwieser I agree with your assessment of Hart. I wasnt saying that I think Hart is anything better than a 2nd rounder. I have just dont think Mendanhall is that great. He isnt very elusive. Yes he has speed and hits the hole hard and is hard to tackle. These guys are much more easily tackled in the NFL though (A-Train, TJ Duckett). I have only seen Illinois a couple of times this year so I may be wrong.

[bukie]

Cubwieser I agree with your assessment of Hart. I wasnt saying that I think Hart is anything better than a 2nd rounder. I have just dont think Mendanhall is that great. He isnt very elusive. Yes he has speed and hits the hole hard and is hard to tackle. These guys are much more easily tackled in the NFL though (A-Train, TJ Duckett). I have only seen Illinois a couple of times this year so I may be wrong.

 

Well, most teams actually have a passing game that's worth paying attention to.

[Keener98]

Cubwieser I agree with your assessment of Hart. I wasnt saying that I think Hart is anything better than a 2nd rounder. I have just dont think Mendanhall is that great. He isnt very elusive. Yes he has speed and hits the hole hard and is hard to tackle. These guys are much more easily tackled in the NFL though (A-Train, TJ Duckett). I have only seen Illinois a couple of times this year so I may be wrong.

 

Well, most teams actually have a passing game that's worth paying attention to.

 

Yea Mendenhall has been facing every teams defense knowing U of I cant pass, yet hes still had a better season than Hart, and most other backs in the nation.

[NewUserName]

But Illinois has another running option. So its not like teams just key Mendanhall.

 

Also Hart has more yards per game so Mendanhall isnt overwhelmingly better in stats or anything.

 

Also if we are going by stats than Javon Ringer should be in the conversation. He shares carries with Caulcrick, Has a lousy QB and is still 2nd in the Big Ten in rushing.

[Keener98]

But Illinois has another running option. So its not like teams just key Mendanhall.

 

Also Hart has more yards per game so Mendanhall isnt overwhelmingly better in stats or anything.

 

Also if we are going by stats than Javon Ringer should be in the conversation. He shares carries with Caulcrick, Has a lousy QB and is still 2nd in the Big Ten in rushing.

 

 

Mendenhall has about 20 less carries then Hart, and has 125 more yards on the season. Shard averages about 1.5 yards more carry, and has also caught almost 20 more passes than Hart for about 180 more yards than Hart.

 

Team may not key on Mendenhall but they key on the run, and try stacking the box. Shard has to share his carries with Juice, the most carries hes gotten in a game is 28 compared to Hart who has had games of 44 30 and 35.

[Jon]

Don't suck, offense. And for the love of all that is good, don't stop running in the 4th quarter for once, McGee.

 

And don't think I've forgotten about you, defense.

 

They need to win out now...

[Balsa]

Shard is a great back.

 

He runs very hard, punches through holes, and is faster than people give him credit for. He also has terrific hands.

 

Illinois doesn't have much of an air game, so while they can't key on Shard, they aren't giving the throwing game much respect either.

 

I really hope he comes back next year, but I could understand if he didn't. Our offense line isn't really above average either (imo).

[Magnetic Curses]

mcfadden has the stride of earl campbell.

 

i really like my guy shard above all others, though.

[dew1679666265]

I am mortally terrified of McFadden and Felix Jones Saturday. The Tennessee defense has struggled more defending the pass, but they've also had issues tackling this season which just begs for a big day from the Hog running game.

 

The defense is going to have to play at least as well as they did against Georgia, and possibly better, to slow down the running duo. I'd put 8-9 in the box and beg them to have Casey Dick throw to Marcus Monk. If they beat us that way, so be it.

 

Also, the offense absolutely has to put up at least 30. I don't think we'll shut down McFadden and Jones completely, so Ainge and the offense have got to give the D some cushion.

 

With SEC East destiny hanging in the balance, Tennessee pulls out a hard fought win 31-24.

[Andy]

I'm totally apathetic to the Air Force game. It'd be nice to win the last 3 just because ND has never had a 9-loss season in its history, but at this point I'd settle for no one suffering any long-lasting injury before the season's over. Bring on the Jimmy/Crist/Sharpley derby in the summer of 2008.

[B]

I'm totally apathetic to the Air Force game. It'd be nice to win the last 3 just because ND has never had a 9-loss season in its history, but at this point I'd settle for no one suffering any long-lasting injury before the season's over. Bring on the Jimmy/Crist/Sharpley derby in the summer of 2008.

 

At least they'll get a good draft pick.

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm totally apathetic to the Air Force game. It'd be nice to win the last 3 just because ND has never had a 9-loss season in its history, but at this point I'd settle for no one suffering any long-lasting injury before the season's over. Bring on the Jimmy/Crist/Sharpley derby in the summer of 2008.

 

We had our first 10 loss season ever 2 years ago, it sucks.

[Guest]

I'm totally apathetic to the Air Force game. It'd be nice to win the last 3 just because ND has never had a 9-loss season in its history, but at this point I'd settle for no one suffering any long-lasting injury before the season's over. Bring on the Jimmy/Crist/Sharpley derby in the summer of 2008.

 

We had our first 10 loss season ever 2 years ago, it sucks.

 

Has its first losing season in football in 37 years this year.

 

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[SouthSideRyan]

Illinois hadn't had a winning season since before I went to school there.

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm totally apathetic to the Air Force game. It'd be nice to win the last 3 just because ND has never had a 9-loss season in its history, but at this point I'd settle for no one suffering any long-lasting injury before the season's over. Bring on the Jimmy/Crist/Sharpley derby in the summer of 2008.

 

We had our first 10 loss season ever 2 years ago, it sucks.

 

Has its first losing season in football in 37 years this year.

 

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Sorry to hear that. We had a winning seasons from 1986 to 2004 or so.

[snoodmonger]

In 1987 KU (1-7) and KSU (0-8) were considered the worst football teams in the NCAA. They met in what was called the "Toilet Bowl," a game that would decide which of the 2 programs was the more massive turd. It ended in a 17-17 tie when KSU missed a last second field goal.

 

I think both teams finished the season with one win.

[Butterscup1679666578]

In 1987 KU (1-7) and KSU (0-8) were considered the worst football teams in the NCAA. They met in what was called the "Toilet Bowl," a game that would decide which of the 2 programs was the more massive turd. It ended in a 17-17 tie when KSU missed a last second field goal.

 

I think both teams finished the season with one win.

 

 

Hahah. What a way for that type of game to end. Great story.

[da bears]

In 1987 KU (1-7) and KSU (0-8) were considered the worst football teams in the NCAA. They met in what was called the "Toilet Bowl," a game that would decide which of the 2 programs was the more massive turd. It ended in a 17-17 tie when KSU missed a last second field goal.

 

I think both teams finished the season with one win.

 

 

Hahah. What a way for that type of game to end. Great story.

 

That's pretty awesome.

 

Anyways, you hear they're now expecting about 65,000 for Saturday's game? Man I wish there was a huge walk up crowd and we could get close to 70,000. Not gonna happen, but I'd imagine that next year we should have huge crowds each week, especially if we finish strong.

[Andy]

I'm privately seething because Ball State's non-con next year is Northeastern and Navy at home, and Western Kentucky and Indiana on the road.

 

Meaning that only IU and Central Michigan would be games in which the Cardinals would likely be underdogs, and a 10-win season - or more - is very possible. And I'm graduating in May so I'll miss it.

[Butterscup1679666578]

In 1987 KU (1-7) and KSU (0-8) were considered the worst football teams in the NCAA. They met in what was called the "Toilet Bowl," a game that would decide which of the 2 programs was the more massive turd. It ended in a 17-17 tie when KSU missed a last second field goal.

 

I think both teams finished the season with one win.

 

 

Hahah. What a way for that type of game to end. Great story.

 

That's pretty awesome.

 

Anyways, you hear they're now expecting about 65,000 for Saturday's game? Man I wish there was a huge walk up crowd and we could get close to 70,000. Not gonna happen, but I'd imagine that next year we should have huge crowds each week, especially if we finish strong.

 

It would be really nice to pack the place. Unfortunately I think the early start will keep a lot of people away. Hopefully everyone remember to wear black.

[NewUserName]

In the late 70s Illinois and Northwestern played to a 0-0 or 3-3 tie. I think they both ended up 0-9-1. I might be wrong about the details but it was something along these lines.