MSU's playoff chances are done Mike texted “Well that sucked”
Well said. The Spartans did suck. With a chance to move closer into playoff contention, MSU was outcoached, outplayed and outdesired.
The defense missed tackles and had numerous breakdowns. The leaks that surfaced in the fourth quarter games at Oregon and Nebraska went from wire to wire in this game.
Rookie QB JT Barrett was brilliant, shredding the Spartan secondary for 300 yards passing and 3 TDs. And he ran for another two more TDs.
How bad was it for the Spartan defense? OSU had one punt and one missed FG. Every other drive went for a TD until the final minute of the game when the punted from the Spartan 33. The Spartan defense was dominated.
The Spartan offense was erratic too. They actually had about the same number of yards (OSU 568 to MSU 536) but they just couldn’t keep up. Every time they took the field they were down another TD.
So no more having to worry about who to root for in order to get into the playoffs. Now it’s win out and try to get to the best bowl possible.
Well said. The Spartans did suck. With a chance to move closer into playoff contention, MSU was outcoached, outplayed and outdesired.
The defense missed tackles and had numerous breakdowns. The leaks that surfaced in the fourth quarter games at Oregon and Nebraska went from wire to wire in this game.
Rookie QB JT Barrett was brilliant, shredding the Spartan secondary for 300 yards passing and 3 TDs. And he ran for another two more TDs.
How bad was it for the Spartan defense? OSU had one punt and one missed FG. Every other drive went for a TD until the final minute of the game when the punted from the Spartan 33. The Spartan defense was dominated.
The Spartan offense was erratic too. They actually had about the same number of yards (OSU 568 to MSU 536) but they just couldn’t keep up. Every time they took the field they were down another TD.
So no more having to worry about who to root for in order to get into the playoffs. Now it’s win out and try to get to the best bowl possible.
As OSU sprinted through the Spartan defense Joe texted wondering if this game will affect MSU vs the Tortugas this Saturday (GO JUMBO!). The Spartans will rebound. They are too well coached to let this game sink the season.
It was a bummer of an ending to a pretty good time at the Outdoor Ampitheatre. Chris asked before the start of the festivities if I was bringing a TV. I decided to stop at Goodwill and pick up an $8 old 20 incher. Damn thing was heavy but I figured that for eight bucks we could just leave it at the Outdoor Ampitheatre and if it craps out who cares.
But somewhere between lugging it out to the parking lot and down underneath Chris’ deck I broke off the cable hook up. Crap. I spent twenty minutes dragging around a boat anchor. Then I had to drag it back to the curb for the garbage pickup. I was beat before the first game even started.
But some Tullamore Dew and a cigar later my spirits were renewed.
It was a bummer of an ending to a pretty good time at the Outdoor Ampitheatre. Chris asked before the start of the festivities if I was bringing a TV. I decided to stop at Goodwill and pick up an $8 old 20 incher. Damn thing was heavy but I figured that for eight bucks we could just leave it at the Outdoor Ampitheatre and if it craps out who cares.
But somewhere between lugging it out to the parking lot and down underneath Chris’ deck I broke off the cable hook up. Crap. I spent twenty minutes dragging around a boat anchor. Then I had to drag it back to the curb for the garbage pickup. I was beat before the first game even started.
But some Tullamore Dew and a cigar later my spirits were renewed.
The Sun Devils torched the ND defense I was already in good spirits as Georgia Tech was pounding NC State (more on that game later). Ellis, Dobby and Mr. H rolled in and we sat back for some exciting 3:30 games (while barking out drink orders to Chris).
Michigan -1.5 @ Northwestern – Really Cats? After struggling all game the Cats get the tying TD with 3 seconds left. OT Baby! But wait, The Cats decide to go for two - WTH? Go for OT Fitz!
He wasn’t listening to me. Cats QB Trevor Siemian rolls out and … slips and falls down. Hurts too much to be funny.
To be fair the decision to go for two was apparently in response to the Cats having lost to scUM two straight years in OT. Well, trying to win with a 2 didn’t exactly work out either.
Cat backers were happy though, by going for two and down one, the Cats locked in a cover as they were getting 1.5.
10. Notre Dame +2.5 @ 9. Arizona State – I kept telling Mark that the ND defense was taking the rest of the season off. Arizona State started out obliterating the Domer D. After a punt to start the game, the Sun devils went FG, TD, TD, TD. Add in a pick six and ASU was up 31-3 early in the 2nd quarter. ASU extended it to 34-3 with a FG with a minute left in the first half.
But give credit where credit is due. The Domers kept it together. A TD with 11 seconds left cut the lead to 31-10 going into the second half.
ND added a TD in the third quarter to set up a dramatic fourth quarter. ND scored TDs on their first two possessions of the fourth quarter. The score was now ASU 34 ND 31 - six and a half left.
Could the pull of one of those maddening Irish come back wins?
Nope – ASU scores a TD on the ensuing possession to go up 41-31. And then Golson throws a pick six, his fifth turnover on the day.
Ball game
ASU rubbed it in by scoring a TD with 52 seconds left. Nice
Final score ASU 55 Notre Dame 31
Michigan -1.5 @ Northwestern – Really Cats? After struggling all game the Cats get the tying TD with 3 seconds left. OT Baby! But wait, The Cats decide to go for two - WTH? Go for OT Fitz!
He wasn’t listening to me. Cats QB Trevor Siemian rolls out and … slips and falls down. Hurts too much to be funny.
To be fair the decision to go for two was apparently in response to the Cats having lost to scUM two straight years in OT. Well, trying to win with a 2 didn’t exactly work out either.
Cat backers were happy though, by going for two and down one, the Cats locked in a cover as they were getting 1.5.
10. Notre Dame +2.5 @ 9. Arizona State – I kept telling Mark that the ND defense was taking the rest of the season off. Arizona State started out obliterating the Domer D. After a punt to start the game, the Sun devils went FG, TD, TD, TD. Add in a pick six and ASU was up 31-3 early in the 2nd quarter. ASU extended it to 34-3 with a FG with a minute left in the first half.
But give credit where credit is due. The Domers kept it together. A TD with 11 seconds left cut the lead to 31-10 going into the second half.
ND added a TD in the third quarter to set up a dramatic fourth quarter. ND scored TDs on their first two possessions of the fourth quarter. The score was now ASU 34 ND 31 - six and a half left.
Could the pull of one of those maddening Irish come back wins?
Nope – ASU scores a TD on the ensuing possession to go up 41-31. And then Golson throws a pick six, his fifth turnover on the day.
Ball game
ASU rubbed it in by scoring a TD with 52 seconds left. Nice
Final score ASU 55 Notre Dame 31
Texas A&M +21.5 @ 3. Auburn – Live by the fumble die by the fumble - or should I say fumbles. Last week Auburn won on a miracle fumble at the goal line to survive Ole Miss. This week, fumbles were to be the Tiger's undoing.
The first was brutal. With two and a half minutes left Auburn had it at the A&M two, second and goal. And then this.
The first was brutal. With two and a half minutes left Auburn had it at the A&M two, second and goal. And then this.
QB Nick Marshall muffs the handoff and the Aggies recover. Crap
Auburn's defense holds (finally) and forces a punt from the A&M one. Auburn gets the ball back at the Aggies 42 with 1:28 left.
Auburn drives to the Aggie 28, 1st and ten. The Tigers might pull this off. We’re going nuts. And then.....
Auburn's defense holds (finally) and forces a punt from the A&M one. Auburn gets the ball back at the Aggies 42 with 1:28 left.
Auburn drives to the Aggie 28, 1st and ten. The Tigers might pull this off. We’re going nuts. And then.....
The center gets too excited and hikes it when Marshall isn't looking.
A&M recovers - ball game.
The fumbles were bad enough but where is the War Eagle defense? Freshman QB Kyle Allen lit up the Tigers for four first half TD passes. Add in a blocked FG returned for a TD and A&M was up 35-17 at the half.
The Tiger defense buckled down in the second half holding the Aggies to 2 FGs but it was too late
Final – Texas A&M 41 Auburn 38
Mrs H then arrived to watch her beloved LSU. Mrs Chris had started a fire and brought out some hot dogs to cook over the embers. Kumbayah. I thanked the hostess. I needed just one more frank to get my hot dog cooking merit badge.
Good thing we had three TVs going too. There was plenty of action starting with the 7:00 games.
A&M recovers - ball game.
The fumbles were bad enough but where is the War Eagle defense? Freshman QB Kyle Allen lit up the Tigers for four first half TD passes. Add in a blocked FG returned for a TD and A&M was up 35-17 at the half.
The Tiger defense buckled down in the second half holding the Aggies to 2 FGs but it was too late
Final – Texas A&M 41 Auburn 38
Mrs H then arrived to watch her beloved LSU. Mrs Chris had started a fire and brought out some hot dogs to cook over the embers. Kumbayah. I thanked the hostess. I needed just one more frank to get my hot dog cooking merit badge.
Good thing we had three TVs going too. There was plenty of action starting with the 7:00 games.
Trevor Boykin blew through the KSU defense Virginia +20.0 @ FSU – Once again FSU started out poorly. Jameis Winston threw 2 picks in the first quarter and Virginia took a 13-7 lead. But then the Noles caught fire scoring TDs on three straight possessions in the 2nd quarter to take a 28-13 lead at the half.
A Cav TD midway through the 3rd quarter made it 28-20 FSU. Could it be a huge upset in the making?
Nope, it was to be a defensive battle after that. FSU countered with 2 FGs on successive drives and that would be it for the scoring.
Final score FSU 34 Virginia 20
7. Kansas State +6.0 @ 6. TCU - It’s been murderers row for TCU lately. They were about to play their fifth ranked team in six games.
After a last second win over WVU last week, would there be enough left in the tank to beat a stubborn KSU team and take the inside track for the Big 12 championship and possible playoff berth.
QB Trevone put those questions to rest right away. Two series, two TDs and TCU was up 14-0.
KSU tried to rally cutting the lead to 14-7 to end the first quarter but it was all TCU after that. TCU kept rolling getting the lead up to 41-14 late in the fourth quarter. A late meaningless Wildcat TD made the final score TCU 41 KSU 20
KSU is 2-48 on the road against ranked team the 2nd worst record just ahead of Vandy.
A Cav TD midway through the 3rd quarter made it 28-20 FSU. Could it be a huge upset in the making?
Nope, it was to be a defensive battle after that. FSU countered with 2 FGs on successive drives and that would be it for the scoring.
Final score FSU 34 Virginia 20
7. Kansas State +6.0 @ 6. TCU - It’s been murderers row for TCU lately. They were about to play their fifth ranked team in six games.
After a last second win over WVU last week, would there be enough left in the tank to beat a stubborn KSU team and take the inside track for the Big 12 championship and possible playoff berth.
QB Trevone put those questions to rest right away. Two series, two TDs and TCU was up 14-0.
KSU tried to rally cutting the lead to 14-7 to end the first quarter but it was all TCU after that. TCU kept rolling getting the lead up to 41-14 late in the fourth quarter. A late meaningless Wildcat TD made the final score TCU 41 KSU 20
KSU is 2-48 on the road against ranked team the 2nd worst record just ahead of Vandy.
TJ Yeldon coughed it up late to set up the dramatic ending 5. Alabama -6.5 @ 16. LSU – This was a classic low scoring, intense, hard hitting Bama LSU matchup. Don’t forget to take the under as defenses rule this game.
The game was tied 10-10 late into the fourth quarter and both team had a chance to win it.
Bama RB TJ Yeldon tried to give the game away fumbling it away at his own six with just over a minute left. The game was LSU’s to be had. Either punch it in or kick a walk off FG to win.
But the first thing the Tigers do is get an unsportsmanlike setting it back to the Bama 21. LSU ran it three times and got nowhere. Bama wisely used it time outs setting up a 39 yard FG with 54 seconds left.
LSU was in the driver’s seat. All the defense had to do was keep Bama in bounds and run out the clock.
They didn’t. Bama drives to the Tiger 10 and ties the game at the buzzer. We’re going to get some free football!
The LSU defense folded again. On the very first play of OT, Tide QB Blake Sims passes it to the Tiger 1. Crap.
But wait – personal foul on the Tide. Cheaters!
First and 10 from the 15. It didn’t matter. The Tiger defense was done. 4 running plays later Bama was up 20-13.
And the offense was done too. Tiger QB Anthony Jennings threw it four times and missed it four times.
Final Score – Tide 20 LSU 13
And to make matters worse, the spread was 6.5. After a tight game throughout and LSU seemingly having a win at the end, the Tide gets the cover in OT. LSU backers were doubly bummed.
And as bummed as I was about the LSU, Auburn and MSU games, I did take some comfort in that the Mega Bets went 2-1 with
The game was tied 10-10 late into the fourth quarter and both team had a chance to win it.
Bama RB TJ Yeldon tried to give the game away fumbling it away at his own six with just over a minute left. The game was LSU’s to be had. Either punch it in or kick a walk off FG to win.
But the first thing the Tigers do is get an unsportsmanlike setting it back to the Bama 21. LSU ran it three times and got nowhere. Bama wisely used it time outs setting up a 39 yard FG with 54 seconds left.
LSU was in the driver’s seat. All the defense had to do was keep Bama in bounds and run out the clock.
They didn’t. Bama drives to the Tiger 10 and ties the game at the buzzer. We’re going to get some free football!
The LSU defense folded again. On the very first play of OT, Tide QB Blake Sims passes it to the Tiger 1. Crap.
But wait – personal foul on the Tide. Cheaters!
First and 10 from the 15. It didn’t matter. The Tiger defense was done. 4 running plays later Bama was up 20-13.
And the offense was done too. Tiger QB Anthony Jennings threw it four times and missed it four times.
Final Score – Tide 20 LSU 13
And to make matters worse, the spread was 6.5. After a tight game throughout and LSU seemingly having a win at the end, the Tide gets the cover in OT. LSU backers were doubly bummed.
And as bummed as I was about the LSU, Auburn and MSU games, I did take some comfort in that the Mega Bets went 2-1 with
Texas ran all over the 'Neers 23. West Virginia -3.5 @ Texas – Never let a team beat you twice is the old adage. WVU let TCU beat them twice when they came to Austin and laid an egg.
The “Neers sleepwalked through the first half spotting the Horns a 24-3 lead. WVU tried to make a game of it in the fourth cutting the lead to 26-16 but a Texas TD with 4 minutes left sealed it.
Is this the start of another late season swoon for the Mounties? Last year they lost six of their last seven. I doubt it. Seems more like a little bit of fatigue after battling Baylor, Okie State and TCU in successive weeks.
And it was a bit of a “back to the wall” scenario for Texas. They needed this game to stay bowl eligible. Texas was 0-9 at home against AP ranked opponents over the last 5 seasons. Make that 1-9.
Final score – Texas 33 West Virginia 16 LOSS
24. Georgia Tech -3.5 @ NC State - I was pissing and moaning about the Wreck defense in the first half. Tech was rolling through the Pack defense but then would just as soon give back a TD. Midway through the second quarter it was 14-13 Tech
Then this happened
The “Neers sleepwalked through the first half spotting the Horns a 24-3 lead. WVU tried to make a game of it in the fourth cutting the lead to 26-16 but a Texas TD with 4 minutes left sealed it.
Is this the start of another late season swoon for the Mounties? Last year they lost six of their last seven. I doubt it. Seems more like a little bit of fatigue after battling Baylor, Okie State and TCU in successive weeks.
And it was a bit of a “back to the wall” scenario for Texas. They needed this game to stay bowl eligible. Texas was 0-9 at home against AP ranked opponents over the last 5 seasons. Make that 1-9.
Final score – Texas 33 West Virginia 16 LOSS
24. Georgia Tech -3.5 @ NC State - I was pissing and moaning about the Wreck defense in the first half. Tech was rolling through the Pack defense but then would just as soon give back a TD. Midway through the second quarter it was 14-13 Tech
Then this happened
That was an interception fumble back. Followed by a pick six!
And to top it off, the Wreck defense scored on a fumble scoop six on the Pack’s next series too.
My complaining stopped. The defense now had as many points as the offense upping the lead to 28-13.
NC State collapsed after that. Tech scored on their next possession to go up 35-13 at the half.
The Jackets ended up with their most yards rushing (475) in an ACC game on their way to an easy 56-23 punishing win and cover WIN
Green Bay -7.0 vs Chicago – Blow out city! Ole Miss had more trouble with Presbyterian than the Pack had with the Bears Sunday night. Aaron Rodgers tied Daryle LaMonica’s record for TDs in a half with 6 as Green Bay absolutely blew out the Bears.
Chicago is a train wreck right now. As the first half wound down Al Michaels asked Chris Collinsworth - are Bears fans more “flipped off” at the offense or defense? His answer - Yes. Good answer. Jay Cutler was pitiful throwing 2 picks, getting sacked three times and losing a fumble.
The Bears have now let up more than 50 points in two straight weeks and are dead last in points allowed. Aaron Rodgers’, meanwhile, two best QBR games of his career are his two games against the Bears this season.
Final score Green Bay 55 Chicago 14 WIN
And with the Mini Megas going 4-1 it was another profitable weekend
Duke -2.5 @ Syracuse – As I said, Duke just finds a way to win. Late in the 3rd the Orange tied the game 10-10. Duke forced Syracuse to punt from the Orange 1 yard line and
And to top it off, the Wreck defense scored on a fumble scoop six on the Pack’s next series too.
My complaining stopped. The defense now had as many points as the offense upping the lead to 28-13.
NC State collapsed after that. Tech scored on their next possession to go up 35-13 at the half.
The Jackets ended up with their most yards rushing (475) in an ACC game on their way to an easy 56-23 punishing win and cover WIN
Green Bay -7.0 vs Chicago – Blow out city! Ole Miss had more trouble with Presbyterian than the Pack had with the Bears Sunday night. Aaron Rodgers tied Daryle LaMonica’s record for TDs in a half with 6 as Green Bay absolutely blew out the Bears.
Chicago is a train wreck right now. As the first half wound down Al Michaels asked Chris Collinsworth - are Bears fans more “flipped off” at the offense or defense? His answer - Yes. Good answer. Jay Cutler was pitiful throwing 2 picks, getting sacked three times and losing a fumble.
The Bears have now let up more than 50 points in two straight weeks and are dead last in points allowed. Aaron Rodgers’, meanwhile, two best QBR games of his career are his two games against the Bears this season.
Final score Green Bay 55 Chicago 14 WIN
And with the Mini Megas going 4-1 it was another profitable weekend
Duke -2.5 @ Syracuse – As I said, Duke just finds a way to win. Late in the 3rd the Orange tied the game 10-10. Duke forced Syracuse to punt from the Orange 1 yard line and
To the House!
Duke is now 8-1 and would be ranked higher than 22nd if their unis didn’t say Duke on the front.
Final score – Duke 27 Syracuse 10 WIN
Baylor +6.0 @ Oklahoma – Bear QB Bryce Petty had this game circled on his calendar. He was pumped and ready. And he backed it up throwing for 387 yards and a TD.
Baylor spotted the Sooners a 14-3 lead at the end of one and then blew their doors off, reeling off 45 unanswered.
With the win Baylor moves back into the playoff conversation. If they win the next two against Oklahoma State and Texas Tech it sets up a huge showdown against Kansas State to end the season. Win that and they are 11-1 with wins over K State, Oklahoma and TCU.
Final Score Baylor 48 Oklahoma 14 WIN
Duke is now 8-1 and would be ranked higher than 22nd if their unis didn’t say Duke on the front.
Final score – Duke 27 Syracuse 10 WIN
Baylor +6.0 @ Oklahoma – Bear QB Bryce Petty had this game circled on his calendar. He was pumped and ready. And he backed it up throwing for 387 yards and a TD.
Baylor spotted the Sooners a 14-3 lead at the end of one and then blew their doors off, reeling off 45 unanswered.
With the win Baylor moves back into the playoff conversation. If they win the next two against Oklahoma State and Texas Tech it sets up a huge showdown against Kansas State to end the season. Win that and they are 11-1 with wins over K State, Oklahoma and TCU.
Final Score Baylor 48 Oklahoma 14 WIN
La Tech -4.0 @ UAB – La Tech is rolling right now, They had the ball five times in the first half and scored on 4 as they took a 24-10 lead. The fifth possession was a pick at the Blazer 22.
UAB had a scoop six to start the second half to make things interesting but when he Blazers fumbled their next punt return the Bulldogs made them pay. La Tech then went TD, FG, punt and TD on their next four possessions to put the game away.
Final score – La Tech 40 UAB 24 WIN
Oregon -8.0 @ Utah – The stadium was electric. In the best game you missed (except maybe Joe and the Sheriff) Utah was up 7-0 and hit on this TD pass
UAB had a scoop six to start the second half to make things interesting but when he Blazers fumbled their next punt return the Bulldogs made them pay. La Tech then went TD, FG, punt and TD on their next four possessions to put the game away.
Final score – La Tech 40 UAB 24 WIN
Oregon -8.0 @ Utah – The stadium was electric. In the best game you missed (except maybe Joe and the Sheriff) Utah was up 7-0 and hit on this TD pass
It was the biggest gaffe of the year. Kaelin Clay drops the ball just short of the goal line and Oregon takes it back 99 yards the other way for a TD. Instead of being 14-0 and the crowd going ape shit, it’s 7-7.
The play rattled Utah. Oregon scored on their next three possessions to take a 24-10 half time lead.
Utah regained their composure in the third cutting the lead to 27-20. The crowd was back in it.
That is until the fourth quarter. Oregon went off on the Utes scoring 4 straight times to win it going away 51-27 WIN
New Orleans -5.0 vs San Francisco – Got to watch out for those “back to the wall” games. San Francisco is still a good team and desperately needed a win. The Niners jumped out to a 14-0
But Brees is incredible in the Superdome. He led the Saints back to a 24 all tie. New Orleans had the ball at the Niner 47 with 4 seconds left. The Hail Mary is up and TD!!
But then, flag, offensive pass interference. I didn’t even know they call that any more. Don’t get me wrong, the NFL needs to and should call more offensive pass interference. It happens on just about every jump ball play.
But not now. Not when I can get my lucky cover.
The game went into OT. Brees gets stripped sacked and the Niners kick a FG to win it 27-24 LOSS
Here's the highlights of the crazy last few minutes
The play rattled Utah. Oregon scored on their next three possessions to take a 24-10 half time lead.
Utah regained their composure in the third cutting the lead to 27-20. The crowd was back in it.
That is until the fourth quarter. Oregon went off on the Utes scoring 4 straight times to win it going away 51-27 WIN
New Orleans -5.0 vs San Francisco – Got to watch out for those “back to the wall” games. San Francisco is still a good team and desperately needed a win. The Niners jumped out to a 14-0
But Brees is incredible in the Superdome. He led the Saints back to a 24 all tie. New Orleans had the ball at the Niner 47 with 4 seconds left. The Hail Mary is up and TD!!
But then, flag, offensive pass interference. I didn’t even know they call that any more. Don’t get me wrong, the NFL needs to and should call more offensive pass interference. It happens on just about every jump ball play.
But not now. Not when I can get my lucky cover.
The game went into OT. Brees gets stripped sacked and the Niners kick a FG to win it 27-24 LOSS
Here's the highlights of the crazy last few minutes
And the Sheriff also went 2-1 last week with
Oregon (-8) over Utah. Oregon comes on strong WIN
Arizona State (-2.5) over Notre Dame. Domers fail in the come back attempt WIN
Oregon State (-8) over Washington State. A tight game through three quarters as took a 25-24 lead to open the final stanza. But the Cougars responded with back to back TDs to put the game away
Final Score WSU 39 OSU 32 LOS
Next update – GO JUMBO betting angles. Time to do your homework!
