College Football - Week 10 (Nov. 6th)

[Andy]

The Cotton Bowl is now in Cowboys Stadium while the actual Cotton Bowl hosts the Dallas Football Classic. Bowls are stupid.

[Tracer Bullet]

Word is that Michigan just lost another member of their defense today as CB JT Floyd apparently suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

 

An Illinois win on Saturday pretty much relegates Michigan to the Little Caesar Bowl or Dallas Football Classic if they can pick up a 6th win on the road at Purdue (probably happens). More than likely, the winner between Northwestern and Penn State will battle Illinois for the 5th bowl selection.

 

I love it....everyone called me insane when I suggested Michigan wouldnt make a bowl when they were 5-0. They told me this year was different than last year and UM was better. Now it comes down to beating Purdue, a team we lost to last year at home. I say its about 50-50 we beat Purdue, thus about 52% chance we make a bowl

 

does purdue have anyone left on offense? or have all their injured starters returned and I just missed it?

[E.J.]

Word is that Michigan just lost another member of their defense today as CB JT Floyd apparently suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

 

An Illinois win on Saturday pretty much relegates Michigan to the Little Caesar Bowl or Dallas Football Classic if they can pick up a 6th win on the road at Purdue (probably happens). More than likely, the winner between Northwestern and Penn State will battle Illinois for the 5th bowl selection.

 

I love it....everyone called me insane when I suggested Michigan wouldnt make a bowl when they were 5-0. They told me this year was different than last year and UM was better. Now it comes down to beating Purdue, a team we lost to last year at home. I say its about 50-50 we beat Purdue, thus about 52% chance we make a bowl

 

You call for the worst-case-scenario for every team you root for. You were bound to be right one of these times, I guess. I still think you're giving up on Michigan a little early. I think they can win this weekend against Illinois, and I really don't see them losing to Purdue who has been decimated by injuries.

[Jon]

Word is that Michigan just lost another member of their defense today as CB JT Floyd apparently suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

 

An Illinois win on Saturday pretty much relegates Michigan to the Little Caesar Bowl or Dallas Football Classic if they can pick up a 6th win on the road at Purdue (probably happens). More than likely, the winner between Northwestern and Penn State will battle Illinois for the 5th bowl selection.

 

I love it....everyone called me insane when I suggested Michigan wouldnt make a bowl when they were 5-0. They told me this year was different than last year and UM was better. Now it comes down to beating Purdue, a team we lost to last year at home. I say its about 50-50 we beat Purdue, thus about 52% chance we make a bowl

 

does purdue have anyone left on offense? or have all their injured starters returned and I just missed it?

They won't be getting back any of their big 3 injured players on offense. They're all done for the season. Henry will probably be ready by then, but they don't really have much ability on offense unless the zone read completely baffles the Michigan defense. Their true freshman QB has some talent, but he's inexperienced. And I don't know what happened with that defense.

[SouthSideRyan]

what the hell is the dallas football classic

A new bowl game, played on Jan. 1 in the Cotton Bowl Stadium.

 

i see the teams participating in that game are:

Big Ten No. 6 vs. Big 12 No. 7 (C-USA No. 7 if no Big Ten or Big 12, MAC is the second backup)

 

 

sounds like a real dandy.

 

PSU should really be concerned about that 6th win before they get snooty about their bowl matchup.

[sneakypower]

Word is that Michigan just lost another member of their defense today as CB JT Floyd apparently suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

 

An Illinois win on Saturday pretty much relegates Michigan to the Little Caesar Bowl or Dallas Football Classic if they can pick up a 6th win on the road at Purdue (probably happens). More than likely, the winner between Northwestern and Penn State will battle Illinois for the 5th bowl selection.

 

I love it....everyone called me insane when I suggested Michigan wouldnt make a bowl when they were 5-0. They told me this year was different than last year and UM was better. Now it comes down to beating Purdue, a team we lost to last year at home. I say its about 50-50 we beat Purdue, thus about 52% chance we make a bowl

go tell it to your Maurice Taylor jersey, weirdo

[javy knows my name]

Why have such a shitty bowl on NYD?

[abuck1220]

Word is that Michigan just lost another member of their defense today as CB JT Floyd apparently suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

 

An Illinois win on Saturday pretty much relegates Michigan to the Little Caesar Bowl or Dallas Football Classic if they can pick up a 6th win on the road at Purdue (probably happens). More than likely, the winner between Northwestern and Penn State will battle Illinois for the 5th bowl selection.

 

I love it....everyone called me insane when I suggested Michigan wouldnt make a bowl when they were 5-0. They told me this year was different than last year and UM was better. Now it comes down to beating Purdue, a team we lost to last year at home. I say its about 50-50 we beat Purdue, thus about 52% chance we make a bowl

 

congrats?

[UMFan83]

Word is that Michigan just lost another member of their defense today as CB JT Floyd apparently suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

 

An Illinois win on Saturday pretty much relegates Michigan to the Little Caesar Bowl or Dallas Football Classic if they can pick up a 6th win on the road at Purdue (probably happens). More than likely, the winner between Northwestern and Penn State will battle Illinois for the 5th bowl selection.

 

I love it....everyone called me insane when I suggested Michigan wouldnt make a bowl when they were 5-0. They told me this year was different than last year and UM was better. Now it comes down to beating Purdue, a team we lost to last year at home. I say its about 50-50 we beat Purdue, thus about 52% chance we make a bowl

 

You call for the worst-case-scenario for every team you root for. You were bound to be right one of these times, I guess. I still think you're giving up on Michigan a little early. I think they can win this weekend against Illinois, and I really don't see them losing to Purdue who has been decimated by injuries.

 

I havent called a worst case scenario for any of my teams since like 2007. You are thinking of the old me. Part of my negativity was seeing a ton of Michigan fans biting on early season wins against teams that were proving to be really mediocore, and people constantly telling me that DRob was going to keep having 200/200 games against a big part of the Big 10 schedule. I saw a paper thin defense that was getting shredded by teams. I'll admit DRob has done better than I expected in the Big 10, but he's been nowhere near the difference maker he was earlier.

 

I will also admit I've been annoyingly negative in my "I told you so" negativity towards Michigan, but that's because deep down it pisses me off to still be in situation where 6-6 and a bowl game is an accomplishment.

[UMFan83]

Word is that Michigan just lost another member of their defense today as CB JT Floyd apparently suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

 

An Illinois win on Saturday pretty much relegates Michigan to the Little Caesar Bowl or Dallas Football Classic if they can pick up a 6th win on the road at Purdue (probably happens). More than likely, the winner between Northwestern and Penn State will battle Illinois for the 5th bowl selection.

 

I love it....everyone called me insane when I suggested Michigan wouldnt make a bowl when they were 5-0. They told me this year was different than last year and UM was better. Now it comes down to beating Purdue, a team we lost to last year at home. I say its about 50-50 we beat Purdue, thus about 52% chance we make a bowl

 

does purdue have anyone left on offense? or have all their injured starters returned and I just missed it?

 

Does it matter? A walk on QB destroyed Michigan last week.

[SouthSideRyan]

You definitely predicted worst case for Michigan basketball that one year they made the tournament.

[Rex Buckingham]

Word is that Michigan just lost another member of their defense today as CB JT Floyd apparently suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

 

An Illinois win on Saturday pretty much relegates Michigan to the Little Caesar Bowl or Dallas Football Classic if they can pick up a 6th win on the road at Purdue (probably happens). More than likely, the winner between Northwestern and Penn State will battle Illinois for the 5th bowl selection.

 

I love it....everyone called me insane when I suggested Michigan wouldnt make a bowl when they were 5-0. They told me this year was different than last year and UM was better. Now it comes down to beating Purdue, a team we lost to last year at home. I say its about 50-50 we beat Purdue, thus about 52% chance we make a bowl

 

You call for the worst-case-scenario for every team you root for. You were bound to be right one of these times, I guess. I still think you're giving up on Michigan a little early. I think they can win this weekend against Illinois, and I really don't see them losing to Purdue who has been decimated by injuries.

 

I think the only way they beat Illinois is if Robinson goes wild on them. With Illinois having such good athletes in their back 7, I don't see this as being likely. Mikel LeShoure could easily be the one to run for 200 yards this game

[dew1679666265]

Bray was named the starter today (which I'm glad for, since Simms has been such a whiny punk the past two games), and I don't think Tennessee gets a Bowl Game even if they get to 6-6.

 

I am just guessing, but I think the SEC shakes out like this:

 

Bama: MNC Game

Auburn: Sugar

South Carolina: Outback

LSU: Capital One

Arkansas: Cotton

Florida: Gator

Miss. State: Chick-Fil-A

Georgia: Music City

 

It's possible that a 6-6 Tennessee gets into the Liberty or Papa John's, but I'd be surprised.

 

I'm torn on the whole Bray thing. He's the better QB, gives us the better chance to win, has more upside and might as well get the experience. However, I'm afraid the offensive line will allow him to be broken in half at some point this month. I hope not, but it concerns me.

 

As for a bowl game, you don't think a team with the tradition of Tennessee and the following we have wouldn't get invited to a bowl? We're not going to a bowl of any significance, but some bowl would get a lot of money for inviting us, I would think.

[fiver]

I'm torn on the whole Bray thing. He's the better QB, gives us the better chance to win, has more upside and might as well get the experience. However, I'm afraid the offensive line will allow him to be broken in half at some point this month. I hope not, but it concerns me.

 

As for a bowl game, you don't think a team with the tradition of Tennessee and the following we have wouldn't get invited to a bowl? We're not going to a bowl of any significance, but some bowl would get a lot of money for inviting us, I would think.

 

Is UT's OL going to be significantly better next season? If so, I understand your concern...If not, then why not go ahead and get Bray accustomed to dodging defensive linemen?

 

I also would think UT would get a bowl bid of some sort based upon the revenue your fanbase would generate.

[TruffleShuffle]

what the hell is the dallas football classic

A new bowl game, played on Jan. 1 in the Cotton Bowl Stadium.

 

i see the teams participating in that game are:

Big Ten No. 6 vs. Big 12 No. 7 (C-USA No. 7 if no Big Ten or Big 12, MAC is the second backup)

 

 

sounds like a real dandy.

 

PSU should really be concerned about that 6th win before they get snooty about their bowl matchup.

 

it's a bad game no matter which teams are participating.

[Jon]

Michigan got good news from the NCAA today, which will be officially announced tomorrow. They ruled that Rich Rodriguez did not fail to promote an atmosphere compliance.

[TheVolCub08]

I'm torn on the whole Bray thing. He's the better QB, gives us the better chance to win, has more upside and might as well get the experience. However, I'm afraid the offensive line will allow him to be broken in half at some point this month. I hope not, but it concerns me.

 

As for a bowl game, you don't think a team with the tradition of Tennessee and the following we have wouldn't get invited to a bowl? We're not going to a bowl of any significance, but some bowl would get a lot of money for inviting us, I would think.

 

Is UT's OL going to be significantly better next season? If so, I understand your concern...If not, then why not go ahead and get Bray accustomed to dodging defensive linemen?

 

I also would think UT would get a bowl bid of some sort based upon the revenue your fanbase would generate.

 

Yes. 4 freshmen have started games for UT this year, and you can already see how they have improved thus far. I think there will be a significant improvement from this year to next. There is another frosh in the 2 deep at his position, another who is redshirting, and a Soph who's started and gets tons of snaps as well. I fully expect 8 wins in 2011. By 2012, if Dooley can just recruit well enough, Tennessee is back in the picture for 10-win seasons and SEC contention. The QB situation gets infinitely better with Justin Worley coming in, as well.

[dew1679666265]

Is UT's OL going to be significantly better next season? If so, I understand your concern...If not, then why not go ahead and get Bray accustomed to dodging defensive linemen?

 

Like VolCub said, there is a ton of very talented youth on the line. JaWaun James, James Stone, Jerquari Schofield, Dallas Thomas and more are young, highly talented linemen who should be very good within the next couple of years. We don't have a senior on the line.

 

They're not good now, however, and Bray is still beanstalk skinny. He does get rid of the ball quicker than Simms, however, and seems to be a bit more elusive in the pocket.

 

I also would think UT would get a bowl bid of some sort based upon the revenue your fanbase would generate.

 

That's pretty much my thinking. The Liberty or Music City Bowl would see plenty of revenue to be had by bringing in a "name" team like Tennessee.

[dew1679666265]

I fully expect 8 wins in 2011. By 2012, if Dooley can just recruit well enough, Tennessee is back in the picture for 10-win seasons and SEC contention.

 

I agree with your 2011 comments, but with the extreme lack of depth on this team I'm not sure even very good recruiting will get us to 10 wins in 2012 (without a really weakened schedule like next year's).

 

I think 7-8 wins next year and 8-9 in 2012 with the potential for competing in the SEC East in 2012 is fair. Hopefully back to 10+ wins by 2013.

 

The QB situation gets infinitely better with Justin Worley coming in, as well.

 

Do you think Worley is that much better than Bray, or are you talking more about QB depth? I've like what I've seen from Bray so far, though he is pretty considerably raw. I've heard Worley has good tools, but Bray does too.

[TheVolCub08]

I fully expect 8 wins in 2011. By 2012, if Dooley can just recruit well enough, Tennessee is back in the picture for 10-win seasons and SEC contention.

 

I agree with your 2011 comments, but with the extreme lack of depth on this team I'm not sure even very good recruiting will get us to 10 wins in 2012 (without a really weakened schedule like next year's).

 

I think 7-8 wins next year and 8-9 in 2012 with the potential for competing in the SEC East in 2012 is fair. Hopefully back to 10+ wins by 2013.

 

The QB situation gets infinitely better with Justin Worley coming in, as well.

 

Do you think Worley is that much better than Bray, or are you talking more about QB depth? I've like what I've seen from Bray so far, though he is pretty considerably raw. I've heard Worley has good tools, but Bray does too.

 

I don't understand how this team's lack of depth will have any impact on 2012 whatsoever. By that point, Tennessee will finally be back to 85 scholarship players and be loaded with experience. You really don't see how a team who will have 3 year starters at QB, WR, 4 of 5 OL slots, 3 of 4 DL spots and 3 of 4 DB spots will be capable of 10 wins?

 

An OL of Stone, James, Fulton, Schofield and Tiny Richardson will be monstrous. Put Pair, Posey, and Gooch behind them and you've got a DEEEEP OL. At that point, the DL will consist of Smith, Miller, Hughes, and Gabe Wright (heard it here first), and we will have Bray throwing the ball to Hunter and Rogers and handing it to Neal. I think it's entirely possible that team loses only once or twice in my opinion. If Bray develops into the guy that Luginbill compared him to coming out of high school (Matt Leinart), that team will be deep, experienced, and very dangerous.

[dew1679666265]

I don't understand how this team's lack of depth will have any impact on 2012 whatsoever. By that point, Tennessee will finally be back to 85 scholarship players and be loaded with experience. You really don't see how a team who will have 3 year starters at QB, WR, 4 of 5 OL slots, 3 of 4 DL spots and 3 of 4 DB spots will be capable of 10 wins?

 

An OL of Stone, James, Fulton, Schofield and Tiny Richardson will be monstrous. Put Pair, Posey, and Gooch behind them and you've got a DEEEEP OL. At that point, the DL will consist of Smith, Miller, Hughes, and Gabe Wright (heard it here first), and we will have Bray throwing the ball to Hunter and Rogers and handing it to Neal. I think it's entirely possible that team loses only once or twice in my opinion. If Bray develops into the guy that Luginbill compared him to coming out of high school (Matt Leinart), that team will be deep, experienced, and very dangerous.

 

The lack of depth and talent on this year's team means there will be fewer veterans over the next couple of years. With the exception of the lines, QB and WRs, there simply isn't likely to be a lot of experienced talent on the roster. If Dooley recruits well - which it appears he is - we should have plenty of talent by 2012 and a team capable of 10+ wins. But it will likely be young enough all over that expecting 10+ wins may be a bit too aggressive.

 

Of the LBs, the only guy I see for sure contributing in two years is Greg King. In the secondary, Janzen Jackson and maybe Teague. At RB, I'm not sold on Neal being a feature back yet and we don't appear to be getting a RB this year. Fullback will have Fugate, but we don't have much behind Stocker at TE. We'll have the core pieces, but the rest of the team is looking to be pretty young, though talented.

 

And do we really have that good a shot at Gabe Wright and Antonio Richardson? If so, that's great news. From what I've heard from Hubbs on the radio, they seem like longshots.

[TheVolCub08]

I don't understand how this team's lack of depth will have any impact on 2012 whatsoever. By that point, Tennessee will finally be back to 85 scholarship players and be loaded with experience. You really don't see how a team who will have 3 year starters at QB, WR, 4 of 5 OL slots, 3 of 4 DL spots and 3 of 4 DB spots will be capable of 10 wins?

 

An OL of Stone, James, Fulton, Schofield and Tiny Richardson will be monstrous. Put Pair, Posey, and Gooch behind them and you've got a DEEEEP OL. At that point, the DL will consist of Smith, Miller, Hughes, and Gabe Wright (heard it here first), and we will have Bray throwing the ball to Hunter and Rogers and handing it to Neal. I think it's entirely possible that team loses only once or twice in my opinion. If Bray develops into the guy that Luginbill compared him to coming out of high school (Matt Leinart), that team will be deep, experienced, and very dangerous.

 

The lack of depth and talent on this year's team means there will be fewer veterans over the next couple of years. With the exception of the lines, QB and WRs, there simply isn't likely to be a lot of experienced talent on the roster. If Dooley recruits well - which it appears he is - we should have plenty of talent by 2012 and a team capable of 10+ wins. But it will likely be young enough all over that expecting 10+ wins may be a bit too aggressive.

 

Of the LBs, the only guy I see for sure contributing in two years is Greg King. In the secondary, Janzen Jackson and maybe Teague. At RB, I'm not sold on Neal being a feature back yet and we don't appear to be getting a RB this year. [expletive] will have Fugate, but we don't have much behind Stocker at TE. We'll have the core pieces, but the rest of the team is looking to be pretty young, though talented.

 

And do we really have that good a shot at Gabe Wright and Antonio Richardson? If so, that's great news. From what I've heard from Hubbs on the radio, they seem like longshots.

 

First, on Worley... he'll be needed depth. But, he's going to finish his high school career in the Top 10 Nationally in career completions and TD Passes, and Top 15 in yards. Not a bad #2, if you ask me.

 

Now, on the roster. I can respect you not being sold on Neal, but he looks like the real deal. He's good enough that he's supplanted Oku on the depth chart. And Toney Williams was more impressive then Brown or Oku until he tore his ACL prior to his freshman year. Tom Smith is blowing people away with his performance this year and Brendan Bigelow is a name that UT is gaining momentum with as well. We will be fine at RB, imo.

 

At WR, take what we have (Hunter and both D. and Z. Rogers) and add DeAnthony Arnett (UT has a big lead there) and there is nothing to worry about. I know that the roster looks thin at TE, but Milton will be moved there, imo, and Cameron Clear is leaning toward UT big time. TE won't be an issue if we have Milton and Clear.

 

On the OL, we're adding Tiny Richardson (his coach, Buck Fitzgerald says UT has an enormous lead), Alan Posey, and Kerbyson and Crowder to a line that will include Stone, James, Fulton, Schofield, Dallas Thomas, Pair, and Gooch. That is a very deep OL that will start a SR and 4 JR (or 3 Jr and a Soph).

 

Now, onto the D: At DE, we'll have J. Smith and Miller starting as juniors, and Hughes starting at DT as a senior. We still will have Bohannon, Fowlkes, and Jefferey on the bench. And I think we add Mo Couch and Gabe Wright in this class (please stop listening to Hubbs... his contacts left with Fulmer, I'm afraid.) Downs will go to DE, and I still think there is another surprise out there (Jeoffrey Pagan, who has visited 4 times and whose mom LOVES Dooley, for example.)

 

LB is a place that there will be some questions. Lathers, King, Mitchell-Thornton are guys we have now who will still be there, and Crump and Propst have both shown some promise this year. AJ Johnson will be a starter by then, imo. Could be a weakness, no doubt, but we could be surprised.

 

DB will be strong. Jackson will be a Sr, while Teague and Gordon will be Jrs. Naz Oliver is a guy who is going to make some noise, I think, and he'll be a Jr as well. Waggner and Brewer will both still be here, and we're adding Pat Martin and Loften and Tino Thomas and 2 other DB's in this class, and Meline might be solid there after this redshirt year and he learns the position.

 

Of course special teams look like they could be very good then as well. I just see plenty of reasons to be optimistic. No, not all those guys will still be here, and not all will be productive, but we are at the low point right now. And I don't think we're going to take 3 years to get back to mattering again in this conference. As always, just my opinion.

[dew1679666265]

Of course special teams look like they could be very good then as well. I just see plenty of reasons to be optimistic. No, not all those guys will still be here, and not all will be productive, but we are at the low point right now. And I don't think we're going to take 3 years to get back to mattering again in this conference. As always, just my opinion.

 

I think we can matter in a couple of years, I just don't know how likely it is. I'm generally very optimistic, but I'm trying to be sure to weight the optimism with realism too and not get too gung-ho (not saying you are, by the way). I'd just hate to get my expectations higher than are realistic and then take it out on Dooley if we don't reach them.

 

Somehow I forgot about Lathers, I really like him. I see 2012 as similar to this year, but much better. This year, our starters can hang with any team in the SEC, but we get blown out when we start bringing guys in off the bench. By 2012, I see the starters as capable of winning the SEC, but they'll be held back by too much youth and inexperience on the bench. I think it'll take one extra year to get the depth settled and strong enough for us to realistically compete for an SEC title. The starters will be fine, whether the depth can keep up the starters' level of play is my question.

 

I really hope you're right and I'm wrong, though. I'd love to be very much in the SEC title hunt in two years.

[Jon]

http://www.laketheposts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/wrigley-NU.jpg

[SouthSideRyan]

What is Tennessee playing Northwestern or something?