College Football

[Nomad]

Great semi-final game! - couldn't have asked for anything better. What a run by Blake Corum in OT! Solid performance by J.J. McCarthy throwing for three TDs. This looks like one of the best Michigan teams in a long time.

 

[jmdirt]

I thought that WA was going to give it away for a minute there!

M vs. W next week for the title.

 

[Sciatic]

I thought that WA was going to give it away for a minute there!

M vs. W next week for the title.

Yikes that was a butt clencher!!!!’

 

[Oldermanish]

Yikes that was a butt clencher!!!!’

But I got my wishes. A heartbreak for Sarkesian after he screwed the UW as "coach" years ago and an opportunity to beat Michigan.
I hope UW RB Johnson is able to play. They'd need him against Michigan.

 

[Nomad]

It sure was a "butt clencher." How about that corner knocking the ball away in the end zone on the last play of the game. Strange play calls by Sark in the final seconds. Short passing plays isn't going to get it done when Ewers needs to be throwing into the end zone. Hope that injury to Johnson isn't serious.

The CFP committee got it right - the top 2 teams in the final rankings will meet in the championship!

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Sorry I missed both games yesterday because I wasn't willing to subscribe to ESPN just to watch those two games, sounds like I missed out on a couple of butt clenchers!

Having said that it's good I don't bet on sports because neither game turned out as I expected, but Michigan vs. Washington sounds like a very exciting match-up in the final! (Have no idea which way this will go, but for fans of either team it should be a real butt clencher! )

 

[Oldermanish]

Sorry I missed both games yesterday because I wasn't willing to subscribe to ESPN just to watch those two games, sounds like I missed out on a couple of butt clenchers!

Having said that it's good I don't bet on sports because neither game turned out as I expected, but Michigan vs. Washington sounds like a very exciting match-up in the final! (Have no idea which way this will go, but for fans of either team it should be a real butt clencher! )

I was curious how the two games would be reviewed by ESPN talking heads on Get Up and the other one.
Michigan was their darling (also their Game of the Day). They spent alot of time gushing about Michigan's cheating coach and how his team was motivated by the coach's suspension. Not really enough time on the player performance except a general nod to the Wolverines executing great plays.

The Washington/Texas game almost turned on it's head due to a stupid penalty on a punt that put Texas on the 45 yd line and an injury to the Huskies' running back that stopped the clock; saving Texas that had no more timeouts. The remaining plays were dramatic and kudos to Texas for some spectacular passing/receiving theatre.
They also spent a few minutes highlighting Michael Penix's great passing but almost nothing about his receivers or the defense. Washington is definitely getting the backseat treatment which isn't a surprise based on how low ESPN rankings held the team right up to CFP playoff nod. I'm hoping RB/ Dustin Johnson mends or UW has the depth for another running back. I also hope ESPN continues keeping their broadcast nose in Michigan's exhaust zone to provide motivation to the UnderDawgs.

ESPN definitely sucks and appears to promote games/teams that fit their planned narrative.

 

[Oldermanish]

Case in point about ESPN. Their current rankings after the CFP games:
Here's the full Top 25:

1. Michigan
2. Georgia
3. Ohio State
4. Oregon
5. Penn State
6. Alabama
7. Texas
8. Notre Dame
9. Oklahoma
10. LSU
11. Kansas State
12. Washington

Also this:

ESPN's FPI has Michigan as a huge favorite in the national championship game. The algorithm says that the Wolverines have a 75% chance to leave Houston as national champions.

We'll have to see what happens when the two teams take the field on Monday night.

I would contrast that with a late night analysis by KXAN broadcast out of Austin. I couldn't get a link to it but they as real Texas fans had the best game analysis I've heard/seen. Check it out if you didn't actually see the final quarter.

 

[Unchained]

Sorry I missed both games yesterday because I wasn't willing to subscribe to ESPN just to watch those two games, sounds like I missed out on a couple of butt clenchers!

Having said that it's good I don't bet on sports because neither game turned out as I expected, but Michigan vs. Washington sounds like a very exciting match-up in the final! (Have no idea which way this will go, but for fans of either team it should be a real butt clencher! )

I feel you.. and the TV landscape, especially sports has a trajectory to be ala carte for everything. My guests were a little underwhelmed w Rose Bowl parade and all my emotions during what I thought was a great game.. What I find funny, is when we go to other people's homes and they don't have the same TV services and you realize how expensive everything is getting.. College football at least most of the post season is relatively available. NFL, you either pay or it's pretty hard w ESPN and Amazon Prime Video being an outlet for the non weekend games..
I also question a computer that has your word..clencher as not critical in describing sports..or driving with my nephew.. another place that butt clencher is the appropriate term.

 

[Nomad]

The Washington/Texas game almost turned on it's head due to a stupid penalty on a punt that put Texas on the 45 yd line and an injury to the Huskies' running back that stopped the clock; saving Texas that had no more timeouts. The remaining plays were dramatic and kudos to Texas for some spectacular passing/receiving theatre.
They also spent a few minutes highlighting Michael Penix's great passing but almost nothing about his receivers or the defense. Washington is definitely getting the backseat treatment which isn't a surprise based on how low ESPN rankings held the team right up to CFP playoff nod. I'm hoping RB/ Dustin Johnson mends or UW has the depth for another running back. I also hope ESPN continues keeping their broadcast nose in Michigan's exhaust zone to provide motivation to the UnderDawgs.

Washington let Texas get back into the game. With the score 34-21 early in the 4th & the Longhorns looking completely dejected, I thought the game was over. On the punt return penalty - what can you expect? These are 18 & 19 yr old college kids playing on the biggest stage in their life. Frankly, I'm surprised they don't make more mistakes in colossal games like this where practically the whole world is watching. Lol.

Michigan is definitely favored and this will unequivocally be Washington's biggest challenge of the season. As I mentioned earlier, this looks like one of Michigan's best teams ever (they appear to be on par with the 1997 undefeated national championship team under Lloyd Carr). Michigan has 3 All-Big 10 first teamers on defense with Graham, Johnson & Sainrstill. Graham at 317 lbs is a Monstrous DL who can both stuff the run & pass rush. Johnson at corner is a projected 1st rd pick with Richard Sherman type size & speed. Sainrstill is the other corner with superb coverage skills.

Offensively, Michigan is going to hit you hard with Corum (projected 2nd rd pick) & that mammoth offensive line that averages 311 lbs (Corum missed the playoffs last year with the knee injury). Corum is also an excellent pass receiver- so Washington is going to have to cover him & not get caught with their pants down. On  two occasions, Bama blew their coverages & let Corum sneak out of backfield wide open - one resulting in a TD pass! And J.J. McCarthy seems to throw best off of play action when the running game is dominating.

Stop Corum & Washington has a chance. And the good news is you have a healthy Penix Jr - I think the best QB in all of college football - and DeBoer, one of the best coaches out there. Penix Jr a playmaker & he gives the Huskies a legitimate shot. And the latest report on Johnson is that the injury is not serious & he's currently listed as questionable:

https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/ncaa-football/dillon-johnson-injury-washington-huskies-college-football-title-game

 

[Tricycle Rider]

I was curious how the two games would be reviewed by ESPN talking heads on Get Up and the other one.
Michigan was their darling (also their Game of the Day). They spent alot of time gushing about Michigan's cheating coach and how his team was motivated by the coach's suspension. Not really enough time on the player performance except a general nod to the Wolverines executing great plays.

The Washington/Texas game almost turned on it's head due to a stupid penalty on a punt that put Texas on the 45 yd line and an injury to the Huskies' running back that stopped the clock; saving Texas that had no more timeouts. The remaining plays were dramatic and kudos to Texas for some spectacular passing/receiving theatre.
They also spent a few minutes highlighting Michael Penix's great passing but almost nothing about his receivers or the defense. Washington is definitely getting the backseat treatment which isn't a surprise based on how low ESPN rankings held the team right up to CFP playoff nod. I'm hoping RB/ Dustin Johnson mends or UW has the depth for another running back. I also hope ESPN continues keeping their broadcast nose in Michigan's exhaust zone to provide motivation to the UnderDawgs.

ESPN definitely sucks and appears to promote games/teams that fit their planned narrative.

Thanks for the recap!

 

[Tricycle Rider]

I feel you.. and the TV landscape, especially sports has a trajectory to be ala carte for everything. My guests were a little underwhelmed w Rose Bowl parade and all my emotions during what I thought was a great game.. What I find funny, is when we go to other people's homes and they don't have the same TV services and you realize how expensive everything is getting.. College football at least most of the post season is relatively available. NFL, you either pay or it's pretty hard w ESPN and Amazon Prime Video being an outlet for the non weekend games..
I also question a computer that has your word..clencher as not critical in describing sports..or driving with my nephew.. another place that butt clencher is the appropriate term.

I've come to take a real liking to the word butt clencher, might have to use it again during the final!

On that note the final will be both on ESPN and ESPN+, the latter to which I am already subscribed to so will not have to subscribe to regular ESPN. (Not that I was going to.) This is what's pretty infuriating - ESPN sure is trying to get the most out of customers. It's not enough that I pay for ESPN+, if I want to watch just one highly anticipated game I'd have to subscribe to ESPN, and the same thing happened with tennis. (The big matches were on ESPN, the lesser ones were on ESPN+.) Grrrrrrrrrrrr... no way is ESPN getting another dime out of me, that I will only do for Paris-Roubaix!

 

[Oldermanish]

And per the ESPN computer (gotta love those algorithms) Washington has less than 25% chance of beating MI. We have to watch and see if the ESPN commentators fall into line for their Dark Mechanical Overlord.

Go Dawgs!

 

[Tricycle Rider]

And per the ESPN computer (gotta love those algorithms) Washington has less than 25% chance of beating MI. We have to watch and see if the ESPN commentators fall into line for their Dark Mechanical Overlord.

Go Dawgs!

Let the butt clenching commence!

Honestly I have no idea which way this will go, but just to piss off ESPN go Dawgs! (I know the UW is my alma mater, but I never liked the football players, per se, too much. So... yeah.)

 

[Sciatic]

Let the butt clenching commence!

Honestly I have no idea which way this will go, but just to piss off ESPN go Dawgs! (I know the UW is my alma mater, but I never liked the football players, per se, too much. So... yeah.)

Even though I’m a UW (grad school) alum, I’m not a huge Husky football fan, sometimes only games I’ll watch are the OR game and Apple Cup. But being in the championship makes it a city/civic connection that adds to the emotion so I’m all in for this evening.

Interestingly, one of the few Husky games I attended was the crazy Nov 1989 loss to UCLA that cost them a national title that year. Total fluke of a game. Big windstorm, so running the ball was essential—but 1st string UW RB Greg Lewis injured in the 1st quarter & out for the game. Then, on one of the few plays Entman took a breather on the sideline, UCLA opened huge whole right middle (which he always clogged) and the Rb took it 80 yds untouched to the end zone. By the times Brunell tried to rally for a comeback in the 4th qtr, the storm had grown worse with swirling winds and the effort failed. Not sure how many folks know how close that super team came to being back-to-back national champions

 

[Tricycle Rider]

I'm not getting the live game even with ESPN+, so you guys enjoy, and play it fair!

 

[Sciatic]

Unfortunately, it was simply an off night for Penix, and how he goes so go the Huskies.

 

[BullsFan22]

Huskies didn’t take their opportunities while the Wolverines took theirs. Also some bad officiating.

 

[jmdirt]

Congrats M!
Great season for both teams!

 

[Oldermanish]

Unfortunately, it was simply an off night for Penix, and how he goes so go the Huskies.

Michigan played well and per their plan. Once the Huskies' running back, Johnson showed his injuries were preventing any long runs things started to go South. They compensated with short passes to some effect but Michigan did a good job keeping those gains under control. One thing an announcer, maybe Herbtreit picked up was Penix missing Odunze deep in the 2nd and 3rd quarter. That sent up some alarms for me.

Penix came into the 2nd half with generous padding near his ribs and, after a few hits seemed affected. I didn't recall a 1st half hit that might have hurt him but his passing in the 2nd half was lacking follow-through. He may have avoided trying those deep darts he's known for because he knew he couldn't deliver accurately. The few longer passes in the 2nd half were lofty and not always on target. Taking him out was a no go as his usual and capable backup, Dylan Morris had entered the transfer portal when another good prospect declared for UW next season. Michigan maintained their focus and shook off the 3rd quarter stall that the Husky defense put on them. It didn't help that Penix gave them a couple of INTs to work with.
Michigan earned that win, totally although I think they could have played even better. On to the Big Ten!

 

[jmdirt]

Michigan played well and per their plan. Once the Huskies' running back, Johnson showed his injuries were preventing any long runs things started to go South. They compensated with short passes to some effect but Michigan did a good job keeping those gains under control. One thing an announcer, maybe Herbtreit picked up was Penix missing Odunze deep in the 2nd and 3rd quarter. That sent up some alarms for me.

Penix came into the 2nd half with generous padding near his ribs and, after a few hits seemed affected. I didn't recall a 1st half hit that might have hurt him but his passing in the 2nd half was lacking follow-through. He may have avoided trying those deep darts he's known for because he knew he couldn't deliver accurately. The few longer passes in the 2nd half were lofty and not always on target. Taking him out was a no go as his usual and capable backup, Dylan Morris had entered the transfer portal when another good prospect declared for UW next season. Michigan maintained their focus and shook off the 3rd quarter stall that the Husky defense put on them. It didn't help that Penix gave them a couple of INTs to work with.
Michigan earned that win, totally although I think they could have played even better. On to the Big Ten!

Penix never seemed to be fully 'on' (pretty good numbers for not being one though), and was showing some signs of a physical issue.

M with huge rushing numbers.

 

[Sciatic]

Michigan played well and per their plan. Once the Huskies' running back, Johnson showed his injuries were preventing any long runs things started to go South. They compensated with short passes to some effect but Michigan did a good job keeping those gains under control. One thing an announcer, maybe Herbtreit picked up was Penix missing Odunze deep in the 2nd and 3rd quarter. That sent up some alarms for me.

Penix came into the 2nd half with generous padding near his ribs and, after a few hits seemed affected. I didn't recall a 1st half hit that might have hurt him but his passing in the 2nd half was lacking follow-through. He may have avoided trying those deep darts he's known for because he knew he couldn't deliver accurately. The few longer passes in the 2nd half were lofty and not always on target. Taking him out was a no go as his usual and capable backup, Dylan Morris had entered the transfer portal when another good prospect declared for UW next season. Michigan maintained their focus and shook off the 3rd quarter stall that the Husky defense put on them. It didn't help that Penix gave them a couple of INTs to work with.
Michigan earned that win, totally although I think they could have played even better. On to the Big Ten!

Nice analysis—I hadn’t noticed the padding & possble injury for Penix, but that makes sense because his throws looked nothing like they normally do.
Johnson’s injury, on the other hand, was really obvious.

 

[Nomad]

I had said earlier that if Washington could stop Michigan's run game...they would have a chance.

No way did that happen. Corum & Edwards torched the Huskies for 238 yds & 4 TDs! The total team rushing was 303 yds on a 8.0 yd average! McCarthy had to only throw the ball 18 times! That's a huge O-line that was opening gaping holes (averages 311 lbs with two projected 2nd & one 4th rd picks). This was old-fashioned smash mouth football where a running game still means something in football.

Arguably Michigan's best team ever. Corum is off to the NFL (projected 2nd rounder). Unknown if Jr Donovan Edwards is coming back or declaring for the draft.

Well...the committee got it right with Michigan's #1 spot in the final CFP rankings. This closes the chapter on the 4-team CFP format: Next year will be the new 12-team format where every Power-5 conference champion goes to the playoff  no matter what leaving 7 at-large births with no restrictions on how many teams can come from one conference (don't think for one minute that the committee won't stack those at-larges from the SEC & Big-10 conferences. Lol).

 

[Nomad]

Weiterleitungshinweis

www.google.com

Another shocker in the coaching world today.

7 National titles (6 at Alabama) 201-29 record (9 SEC titles) in 17 seasons at Bama (2nd behind Bear Bryant).

 

[ManicJack]

Weiterleitungshinweis

www.google.com

Another shocker in the coaching world today.

7 National titles (6 at Alabama) 201-29 record (9 SEC titles) in 17 seasons at Bama (2nd behind Bear Bryant).

I'm glad he spoke out about the Portal and hope he continues to do so.