The O started off well, then seemed to go flat for much of the rest of the game. This was the kind of game where the stats will look a little funny compared to the score. We certainly overdid the runs by #14 and the short dinks in the backfield that PU ate up in the second half. Run plays between LT and TE seemed to work nicely for #21. I dont like bringing #1 inside to take handoffs from the QB. Keep the kid outside, or downfield. Again, we threw very few balls short or on slants, downfield or over the middle. #11 is getting more balls his way but whats up with #23? MIA.
The D controlled things on a depleted Purdue O. We certainly blitzed them to death. And the DL/LBers were excellent against the run. Surprised we didnt force more T/O's.
ST's started out well ( thank you #1) but then sputtered in the 2nd half. Can you ever remember punts hitting our coverage players twice in one game: once on a knee and once off a helmet. Doink. You couldnt do that if you tried 100 times.
All in all, Id chalk this one up to a fairly flat performance after a brilliant game vs MD. Nice to see MD play well against RU. Kudos to PU for a gutsy game and not quitting.
IA stays close and scores few points. MI about the same. WI looks like the real deal. Tonight MSU-OSU game should prove that MSU is in the same category as MI and IA. MSU's usual long shot is to hold the other guy in check, and force turnovers. Then get lucky on a couple of plays.
My BT ranking:
1. OSU ( as long as Fields stays healthy.)
2. UW ( if he doesnt)
3. Penn State (probably 1 yr early)
4.* MI (has a chance to close hard this year, rather than folding at the end as usual)
5.* IA ( always close but lacks overall skill players)
6.* MSU
7. MN
* neck and neck and neck
The D controlled things on a depleted Purdue O. We certainly blitzed them to death. And the DL/LBers were excellent against the run. Surprised we didnt force more T/O's.
ST's started out well ( thank you #1) but then sputtered in the 2nd half. Can you ever remember punts hitting our coverage players twice in one game: once on a knee and once off a helmet. Doink. You couldnt do that if you tried 100 times.
All in all, Id chalk this one up to a fairly flat performance after a brilliant game vs MD. Nice to see MD play well against RU. Kudos to PU for a gutsy game and not quitting.
IA stays close and scores few points. MI about the same. WI looks like the real deal. Tonight MSU-OSU game should prove that MSU is in the same category as MI and IA. MSU's usual long shot is to hold the other guy in check, and force turnovers. Then get lucky on a couple of plays.
My BT ranking:
1. OSU ( as long as Fields stays healthy.)
2. UW ( if he doesnt)
3. Penn State (probably 1 yr early)
4.* MI (has a chance to close hard this year, rather than folding at the end as usual)
5.* IA ( always close but lacks overall skill players)
6.* MSU
7. MN
* neck and neck and neck
