No the closests defensive talent they have faced has been in their own practices. BTW a few weeks ago I asked who won the practices and scrimmages for OU. My guess was that OU's defense made their offense 1 dimensional and for the most part won the match-ups. Likewise I think LSU--with just as fast and probably a more physical defense than OU, will also have the upper hand. I wanted to talk about 3 games ya'll both agree on and I disagree. On Nebraska. See I think this is the 1 actually underrated Big 12 team. Yeah they had a couple of bad games, but they had one of three more consistent and generally good defenses from the Big 12 (along with OU and KSU). Their offense isn't much, but then they will be playing Michigan State in this one so it won't have to be. On Michigan-USC. USC is used to playing creme puffs and the defense has been suspect. Plus, if any team feels the pressure it should be USC--this is finally a game where Carr and Navarre are not expected to win and they can play a little free. Plus, Perry and the Michigan Wrs are tough. If Michigan can keep it close for 2.5 quarters, unlike OU-LSU I think the 1st half may decide things)--I expect their OL and the pressure on the whole USC team to maybe pull this one out. I at least like the 7 points for sure. On LSU-OU. Some have talked about the Bob Stoops factor. Normally this is big I agree, but maybe not this time. Saban and his staff are top notch too, enough so that the players will decide the game not the coaches. I think both defenses will dicate the game (DV, I guess LSU's fast and physical defense is only going to convince you the last game of this season). But in the end I think LSU's more physical lines (OU's line may be better in passive pass protection, but LSU's O line is better run blocking) coupled with a little more offensive balance should give them an edge. Don't pigs go Oink! Oink! Oink!?
Desert Scar, 1. NU-MSU. I saw a lot of Nebraska-Kansas, plus Nebraska-UT. They aren't that fast and that good on defense. It just seems that way because they got away with a soft schedule. Every decent team they played except for an early season game against southern miss they got handled. I'm not impressed with either team, but nebraska's offense is crap and I don't think defense alone wins that game. 2. USC-Michigan. I actually debated on giving this to Michigan. I really did. I don't think USC has been tested and the wolverines are solid on both sides of the ball. If the BCS hadn't given USC extra motivation, I would probably take michigan. However, that coupled with the fact the game is in their backyard gives them a slight edge in one of the best bowl games of the season. 3. OU-LSU. First, I'll admit Saban is a damn good coach and he has a very good defense as I'll trust a lot of my buddies like you who have mentioned this to me quite often. But you are talking to a UT student, who has watched Bob Stoops insult UT on the football field in every way possible. The only memory of Saban I have is beating LSU in the Cotton Bowl last year. It's really hard to pick against Stoops as a UT supporter. I want LSU to win, no doubt. But my texas beatdowns at the hands of Stoops and OU resonate deeply, and he is such a good coach its hard for me to see him lose two in a row. I do think LSU has a better chance than USC would have of beating the Sooners though, because of their physical style. But with OU mad and focused it will take one hell of a performance to do that. But if there is a team in the country equipped to do it, it's LSU. This pick comes with my UT bias though, I'll admit, so maybe it's clouding up the true picture for me. As far as the Arkansas thing, sooey is another pig term. But oink, oink, oink works for me too .
I re-looked at Nebraska's record because from my memory they were OK versus Texas (I was wrong). They however did shut down Ok State in addition to S Miss. The Missouri game was one they probably should have won. Smith played the game of his life and Nebraska kept on turning the ball over though they were moving it. It was kind of a weird game where momentum and all the breaks went for Missouri. Also, looking at the Texas game, Nebraska's offense did totally stink (that I did remember) and Benson and VY went wild on the run. But like with Smith, VY can make plays against any college defense with his feet, so I don't know how much that means. Against K-State they also got handled, but were hanging into it until the 4th quater. If there was a common theme with NU problems it was moble QBs and teams with good ground games. I am a UT alum as well, I here you. But it can't be only post-tramatic UT fans plus OU fans who made the line about a TD. So though I think that is a wack spread, a lot of others, many of whom are smart and onjective, do to. I have seen both OU and LSU a lot. I guess I have seen the chinks in OU's armor. No real running game and a QB that can't run either. 1 dimensional pocket passing teams don't tend to do too well in NC games--Charlie Wart could barely pull it off. Also, seeing Q Griff tonight reminded me how much they may miss him when they need a 1st down against a quality defense (screen, draw). They also got humbled by KSU, hard to bounce back when your team got dominated. LSU has 1 major chink and 1 minor chink. Their potential major chink is a bad game by Mauck that suffocates their offense. Their minor chink is a super aggressive blitzing defense let down by a safety or corner. Again, I just like LSU. Being more physical and more balance gives then more room for error, White would have to be great with little room for error to win this game. Maybe it will go like the OU-FSU defense controlled NC game where OU got just enough balanced offense (largely do to Griffin) to win over the Weinke, pass happy, unbalanced, FSU squad. I am thinking Vincent, LSU's game breaking RB, may be the difference in a defensive struggle.
I sure hope you are right concerning LSU. I hate no school or team more than the crimson and cream of Oklahoma. I do agree they lacked a running game this year, I'm not impressed with works or jones. That's why I thought UT had a chance, because they were basically a better version of Tech's offense, except what I didn't know then but know now is Carl Reese has no idea how to stop that quick slant timing offense that Leach uses at Tech and installed for Stoops at Oklahoma. As far as the OK State game with Nebraska, it was played the 2nd week of the season, and while I'll acknowledge NU played well, OSU still has a lot to prove on a road at tough places like Lincoln, and it just seemed an abberation for the Cowboy offense. Of course, I didn't watch the game so I could be wrong. I am going on what I saw vs Kansas, Colorado, and Texas.
Since 1995, Northwestern was either Big Ten Campion or co-champion 3 times. Northwestern was the Big Ten champion in 1995 and co-champions in 1996 and 2000. Michigan was either champion or co-champion 4 times and Ohio State was either champion or co-champion 3 times.
I have no idea....but if I had to guess I'd say the defense had more success than the offense. But I'd think it'd be a little more closer than you think...
I'll just do my 5 team parlay: WVU +3.5: MD won before but WVU is playing very nice Purdue +3: Purdue is a solid team I see tehm surprising GA TN -6: I think TN is very good, they will cover. OSU +7: KSU has one great game and they are a 7 point favorite? LSU +6.5: I think OU wins (Stoops will have his guys prepared) but LSU's D will keep them in the game
You know I am no Buckeye fan, but I completely agree with you. The Buckeye's defense is still awfully good and though their offense is really ugly to watch their receivers can make plays, that smart guy QB though inaccurate usually is tough to bring down and doesn't make too many major blunders. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Buckeyes win, and I really like the touchdown. The rest of your picks look OK, but I like Georgia over Purdue. I could see it the other way though, Purdue is the lone Big 10 team to usually play better than expected in Bowls.
I was actually shocked to see the line. I guessed the game would be a push (+/- 3 points). Guess everyone was really impressed with their last win and OSU's last loss. Also I never like to bet on SEC-Big 10 games in bowls, I've seen my Bucks get beat up by too many Southern teams (FSU, S. Carolina, etc) but the strange thing is most other Big 10 teams do fine vs. the SEC. But if I had to question one game that would be it.
OK, so far I am 5-2 both versus the spread & outright. Versus spread: Winners: NCS, TCU, OreSU, NrW, Cal Losers: Hou, Pitt On outright winners Winners: NCS, BoiSt, OreSU, Haw, BG Losers: VT, Pitt Ya'll will have to update your own picks, next game is monday night I believe.
So far, I've done 4-3 against the spread, 6-1 straight up. Against the Spread: NC State, Cal, Oregon State, TCU Lost: Hawaii, Pitt, Northwestern Straight up: NC State, Hawaii, Oregon State, Cal, Bowling Green, Boise State Lost: Pitt Btw, if there was any confusion because my formatting on some of my picks, the explanation usually gives it away(like NC State). Also on Ohio State-KSU. I'm taking Ohio State in the "upset" straight up, I just screwed up and bolded KSU, even though my explanation shows I took Ohio State and why.
For clarification against the spread, I picked Bowling Green along with Pitt and Hawaii to cover, but all 3 did not, and Pitt lost period.
Damn BIG X. I hardly had seen MSU play, but who would've thought Lord would learn how to pass. I already thought the Big X sucked, but now it's even more confirmed. Other than Michigan, they're overrated.
With 5 games left I'm: 17-4 Straight Up Winners: NCSU, Boise, Bowling Green, Oregon St, Hawaii, Texas Tech, Iowa, Georgia, Maryland, Miami, USC, Minnesota, Arkansas, BC, Cal, Fresno, Utah. Losers: Pitt, MSU, Texas, Wisconsin Vs the spread: 14-7 Winners: NCSU, Boise, Oregon St, TTU, Iowa, UGA, Maryland, Miami, Oregon, Arkansas, BC, Cal, Fresno, Utah Losers: Pitt, MSU, Texas, Wisconsin, USC, Bowling Green, Hawaii Remaining picks: Straight up: Tenn, OK State, G-Tech, Ohio State, OU Vs Spread: Tenn, OK State, Tulsa, Ohio State, OU Totals between Desert Scar, Myself, MDuke, and straight up only Tozai with 5 games remaining Against the spread 1. Desert Scar: 15-6 2. Myself: 14-7 3. MDuke: 13-8 Straight up 1. Myself: 17-4 2. Tie: MDuke and Desert Scar: 14-7 3. Tozai: 13-8
Damn, it went downhill for me the last few days. -Guess I have to give some credit to Minnesota and OSU for showing the Big X doesn't completely suck. -Didn't know Van Pelt was injured. -Tennessee is pathetic. -Maryland and Fresno, I had no idea... We should've done the ESPN deal. That would've been better with the level of confidence thing.
What I got going into tonight: Outright 14-11 Spread 16-9 It is very strange that I did better versus the spread. The rest of ya'll have to calculate your own score, but DV seems to be on top of things maybe it is easy for him to add the few extra Overall, I knew the SEC could play and that the Big 10 was overrated, but I much underestimated the ACC. It is clear the teams West of Arkansas, East of Idaho, and north of Virgina (mainly Big 10, Big 12 and Big East) were overated. Tozai and DV--ya'll were on target on USC being significantly better than Michigan, I was on target on Nebraska being one of the few underrated Big 12 teams. I still feel strong about LSU outright, how are ya'll feeling about the Sooners--our tiebreaker of those 3 picks if you will. Here is a little something going into tonight: The SEC is 4-2 going into tonight. The Big 12 is 2-5--with its only victories over a Navy without guns (man the Tech boys acted like jackasses) and the Michigan State UnSpartans. It is really up to OU to save a very embarrassing post season for the Big 12, ain't going to happen, get ready for "Tiger Rag" all night long, roll Tigers" .
