Monday, October 11, 2010
3-2 (1-1) Penn State and Beyond ...
Yes, a good road win for sure in Happy Valley this weekend. We did it with the strong running game, 150 yards of passing, no turnovers, and stifling defense. Usually those win every time out. It also doesn't hurt to the have the RIVALS.COM BIG-10 player of the week (Scheelhaase QB). He was also the BIG-10 freshmen of the week. Dimke (PK) took home the special teams player of the week honor. Not shabby.
It was a complete / balanced effort against Penn State in one of the biggest upsets of the day. Until Saturday, the Chief was 0-6 in Happy Valley. It's not an easy place to play as the road underdog.
Nate was spectacular in throwing for 150 yards on 15-19 with 1TD. The ground game was unstoppable in amassng 282 yards. The defense was stout all afternoon in allowing just 7 first downs and 235 total yards (65 on the ground). Again, that will get it done most weeks in the BIG-10 and anywhere else. I also recommend holding the ball for 38 minutes and forcing your opponent to go 2-14 on third down.
Going forward, we have another tough test this weekend against one of the hottest teams in the land right now, Sparty. The schedule softens significantly after that with home games against Indian, Purdue, Minnesota, and Northwestern before heading West to play Fresno State in a pay-back game. We do have a road game at Ann Arbor mixed in there as well. So, getting to six or even seven wins is quite doable. And would make us bowl eligibile (Dallas Football Classic or the Texas Bowl against some team from the BIG-12).
Reminder the first BCS rankings of the year come out next Sunday. Expect Boise State to top the list assuming they keep winning. They'll also be pulling for Oregon State (without James Rodgers now) and Va. Tech. Also, check out Schlabach's mid-season awards. And speaking of rankings, here is my latest top-10. I don't know much, but I do know the Iron Bowl will be really good this year. Tell me what you think:
1) Ohio State
2) Oregon
3) Boise State
4) TCU
5) Nebraska
6) Auburn
7) Alabama
8) Oklahoma
9) LSU
10) Michigan State
It was a complete / balanced effort against Penn State in one of the biggest upsets of the day. Until Saturday, the Chief was 0-6 in Happy Valley. It's not an easy place to play as the road underdog.
Nate was spectacular in throwing for 150 yards on 15-19 with 1TD. The ground game was unstoppable in amassng 282 yards. The defense was stout all afternoon in allowing just 7 first downs and 235 total yards (65 on the ground). Again, that will get it done most weeks in the BIG-10 and anywhere else. I also recommend holding the ball for 38 minutes and forcing your opponent to go 2-14 on third down.
Going forward, we have another tough test this weekend against one of the hottest teams in the land right now, Sparty. The schedule softens significantly after that with home games against Indian, Purdue, Minnesota, and Northwestern before heading West to play Fresno State in a pay-back game. We do have a road game at Ann Arbor mixed in there as well. So, getting to six or even seven wins is quite doable. And would make us bowl eligibile (Dallas Football Classic or the Texas Bowl against some team from the BIG-12).
Reminder the first BCS rankings of the year come out next Sunday. Expect Boise State to top the list assuming they keep winning. They'll also be pulling for Oregon State (without James Rodgers now) and Va. Tech. Also, check out Schlabach's mid-season awards. And speaking of rankings, here is my latest top-10. I don't know much, but I do know the Iron Bowl will be really good this year. Tell me what you think:
1) Ohio State
2) Oregon
3) Boise State
4) TCU
5) Nebraska
6) Auburn
7) Alabama
8) Oklahoma
9) LSU
10) Michigan State
