11/05 College Football

[Andy]

Should be a good game tomorrow JonM. I've always really liked and respected Basanez and Sutton has been extremely impressive this year.

For all the crap your defense gets about giving up yards (which they've improved over the last few games) they know how to force turnovers.

 

The key will be mistakes. We were the least penalized team in the country entering the Michigan game, and lost that game due to 12 penalties. NW seemed to make many more mistakes than normal against Michigan also.

 

One thing that gives me confidence is that Norm Parker (our D. coordinator) has always been able to handle your offense pretty well. I'm sure you remember the 2000 game when you guys came to Kinnick ranked 12th in the country and looking to lock up the Rose Bowl against a 2-7 Iowa team.

We haven't faced you the last two years though, and you were a completely different team in '02 when we won 62-10 or whatever it ended up being.

 

You'll get yardage, we just need to limit points. We have the best red zone defense in the Big Ten, giving up points only 66% of the time. Our run defense has improved dramatically and the weakness (lack of a pass rush) really doesn't matter when you face NW. If we can control the ball and eat up some clock on the ground I think we win.

31-23 Iowa.

The defense has turned it around a bit, but the turnover differential is what's keeping this team alive. It basically has to be +2 every game in order to have a good shot at winning. I'd look for each team to score right around 30, so it should be an entertaining one on ESPN.

 

The wildcard is going to be how the offensive line bounces back. I have plenty of faith that the WRs will be fine, but Walker is replacing Belding (the center who had all the holds last week) with another young center who had a terrible case of high snaps to begin the season as the starter. If they can give Basanez more time in the pocket like they have been most of the season, the offense will be that much better.

 

I will say that I hate having to get up at 8:00 for an 11:00 game, though.

The great thing about being at a notorious party school like Ball State is that they absolutely refuse to schedule football games before noon because they figure any earlier and no students will be awake to come.

[Jon]

The great thing about being at a notorious party school like Ball State is that they absolutely refuse to schedule football games before noon because they figure any earlier and no students will be awake to come.

It's the bad part of the Big Ten TV deals. Obviously having a game on ESPN or ESPN2 makes it worth it, but it's just another killer for ticket sales.

 

Of course, you could count the # of students who take the first available shuttle at 9 AM to line up at the gate for first row seats with your hands and feet (or hand on some days).

[Andy]

The great thing about being at a notorious party school like Ball State is that they absolutely refuse to schedule football games before noon because they figure any earlier and no students will be awake to come.

It's the bad part of the Big Ten TV deals. Obviously having a game on ESPN or ESPN2 makes it worth it, but it's just another killer for ticket sales.

 

Of course, you could count the # of students who take the first available shuttle at 9 AM to line up at the gate for first row seats with your hands and feet (or hand on some days).

On some days you could count the number of students that turn out for the BSU games (and stay the whole time) on your hand anyway. I remember last year, we came back from down 21-3 against Northern Illinois to force overtime before losing 38-31, but by the end there were probably 15-20 students in the crowd. :shock:

[adamb0719]

The great thing about being at a notorious party school like Ball State is that they absolutely refuse to schedule football games before noon because they figure any earlier and no students will be awake to come.

It's the bad part of the Big Ten TV deals. Obviously having a game on ESPN or ESPN2 makes it worth it, but it's just another killer for ticket sales.

 

Of course, you could count the # of students who take the first available shuttle at 9 AM to line up at the gate for first row seats with your hands and feet (or hand on some days).

On some days you could count the number of students that turn out for the BSU games (and stay the whole time) on your hand anyway. I remember last year, we came back from down 21-3 against Northern Illinois to force overtime before losing 38-31, but by the end there were probably 15-20 students in the crowd. :shock:

 

I tailgated at every home game for all four years I was there. I have been in the stadium once, and it was only for a quarter. The only time I actually watched BSU play was in Bloomington when I went because my friend was starting at RB for that game due to an injury.

[adamb0719]

ND is looking pretty good thus far. Also a good game by Northwestern.

[snoodmonger]

KU up 33-15 in the 4th over Nebraska.

 

Barring a total collapse, our almost 40 year winless streak vs the Huskers will be over.

 

When does Callahan start getting nervous about his job in Lincoln?

[snoodmonger]

40-15, KU.

 

Forgive the continual updates RE: a game no one cares about. This doesn't happen every day. (Not since 1968).

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Brad Smith just became the all-time leading rusher for a QB. Mizzou in the red zone down 7-0 w/ 3:30 left in the 1st.

 

EDIT: Smith connects with Franklin for the TD. Crossett misses the PAT. Infuriating.

Edited November 5, 2005 by Transmogrified Tiger

[adamb0719]

40-15, KU.

 

Forgive the continual updates RE: a game no one cares about. This doesn't happen every day. (Not since 1968).

 

I care. I love hearing Nebraska lost.

[Flames24Rulz]

NIU leads Central Mich 31-28 late in the 4th, but Central Mich is at the NIU 30...

[adamb0719]

UNC upsets BC, which assures FSU a spot in the ACC championship, I believe against the winner of tonights game.

[Flames24Rulz]

YES! Central Michigan's kicker missed a potential game-tying FG with a minute left! They only have 1 TO to use now as well.

[Flames24Rulz]

NIU wins! A victory against Toledo in a week and a half and we will be playing for the conference championship.

[Jon]

I'm stunned.

 

And I'm going to leave it at that.

[Flames24Rulz]

I'm stunned.

 

And I'm going to leave it at that.

 

that was a great comeback. NU still has a mathematical chance at the Big 10 but they need a lot of help to get it. But nonetheless, that was a great game and a big win for the Cats.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Mizzou continues to shoot itself in the foot. Fumbled snap kills one drive, lazy fumble another. Defense is reminiscient of the Texas game. 21-6 Colorado.

[adamb0719]

I think ND is going to lose this game :x

[Derwood]

Fantastic win by NU.

 

And Penn State is OWNING Calhoun and Wisconsin

[adamb0719]

Fantastic win by NU.

 

And Penn State is OWNING Calhoun and Wisconsin

 

and my money :cry:

[AI]

How about them '[expletive]!

 

It is amazing to me that Spurrier has this group bowl eligible after throwing 10 scholarship players off the team before the season began. This may be his finest coaching performance ever. Its one thing to win lots of games with loads of talent. Its entirely another to win when 10 freshmen are getting regular PT and your QB is a redshirt sophomore who played his last two seasons under ancient football philosopher Lou Holtz. We had not seen the forward pass in some time.

 

Next week, Spurrier invites those damn Florida Gators into Columbia. Look for the media hype machine to be in full effect.

[adamb0719]

Huge INT for ND. :D :D

[CuseCubFan69]

How about them '[expletive]!

 

It is amazing to me that Spurrier has this group bowl eligible after throwing 10 scholarship players off the team before the season began. This may be his finest coaching performance ever. Its one thing to win lots of games with loads of talent. Its entirely another to win when 10 freshmen are getting regular PT and your QB is a redshirt sophomore who played his last two seasons under ancient football philosopher Lou Holtz. We had not seen the forward pass in some time.

 

Next week, Spurrier invites those damn Florida Gators into Columbia. Look for the media hype machine to be in full effect.

 

I'm jealous. Syracuse figured out the problem on why the balls were falling incomplete....the recievers were not where the ball landed, it wasn't the QB's fault. :wink:

 

Good luck against those Gators.

[Andy]

I think ND has pretty good control of this one. Granted I didn't get back from the BSU game until it was 21-21 but since then the Irish have looked good.

 

BSU beats Akron 23-17! INT in the end zone on 4th and goal with under 2 mins clinches it for the Cards, who are now .500 in the MAC after 6 games for the first time since who knows when.

[DCNashville]

I think ND has pretty good control of this one. Granted I didn't get back from the BSU game until it was 21-21 but since then the Irish have looked good.

 

BSU beats Akron 23-17! INT in the end zone on 4th and goal with under 2 mins clinches it for the Cards, who are now .500 in the MAC after 6 games for the first time since who knows when.

 

You skipped ND-Tennessee for Ball State football? I hate to question your loyalty, but...c'mon man!

[adamb0719]

I think ND has pretty good control of this one. Granted I didn't get back from the BSU game until it was 21-21 but since then the Irish have looked good.

 

BSU beats Akron 23-17! INT in the end zone on 4th and goal with under 2 mins clinches it for the Cards, who are now .500 in the MAC after 6 games for the first time since who knows when.

 

You skipped ND-Tennessee for Ball State football? I hate to question your loyalty, but...c'mon man!

 

I always left tailgating when the ND game started. DCNash is right...C'mon!!! :D

 

ND really let the game slip away for awhile. Up 21-3 and then they did nothing except let Tenn get back in it. Their O went flat and their D made Tenn look like a good offensive team. I really thought ND was gonna blow this (they still could, but a lot less likely now).