The Rest of College Football

[Jeff Buchanan]

Well, I'd call them better than good.

I think they're ranked lower in most stats as a result of the couple times Sudfield and Howard either didn't play or were limited. Also, Kevin Wilson found a couple of weaknesses in M's D and did a good job of exploiting them.

Re their offense v. M. M did not play well AT ALL but some, maybe a lot, of that had nothing to do with Glasgow being out. That was but one of the weaknesses that IU exploited.

One of the best breakdown's I've seen was how absolutely miserable M's LBs were in filling on stretch plays where there was a lot of slanting going on. M (and by extension Glasgow) does well with IZ or power when OLs gap block. When teams slant their OL, M has a much harder time of it and that's not just against IU. It's a trend and it has a lot to do with why opponents generally have success with OZ plays or any plays that go to the edge.

So, teams who practice this a lot, like IU does, it seems, are going to run well Glascow or no Glascow. I suspect we'll see PSU doing a lot of this. I also expect DJD will have an answer because he got absolutely hosed on that aspect of the run game.

[iam416]

That's getting more to it. I think IU is a perfectly fine offense, but I think this was just a bad showing by M. I don't think it's incurable, but I'm not inclined to soft-pedal it as running up against some really good offense. It's IU. They actually have an OL that's respectable and Howard is a nice back, but eh. I've seen their OL get whipped by OSU, PSU and MSU. M's front 7 had a really bad day.

I think OSU has a better OL. I think Elliot is better than Howard. I think OSU has more horizontal/speed options and I like JTB as much as I like Sudfeld. However, I certainly don't expect OSU to run rougshod over M like IU did because I do think M will, at least, get their issues under control.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Fair .... I also agree with your assessment of osu's OL, ezi and jtb.

I've not watched or read post game analysis of osu's offense closely enough to know what their go to blocking scheme is. M's is clearly a gap/sometimes zone blocking scheme. If they slant, it's almost a giveaway that it's going to be a screen because Harbaugh knows, none of his RBs (save Peppers when he plays there and that gig is pretty much up) is going to get to the edge before the defense seals it.

One thing I do like about Harbaugh (as compared to say LSU's Cam Cameron - who might cost Les his job - or M's Debord offenses) is that he does a lot of interesting things in the run game that are designed to screw up the front 7's reads (or feel) for where the ball is going. These have been pretty well detailed at mgoblog ...... I'm wondering if opponents aren't reading this stuff!

[iam416]

On the betting front, this gives me some solace as OSU approaches its death march through the two michigans on its way to Orlando:

Michigan State at Ohio State (Saturday at 3:30 PM eastern)

In this season-defining game, the Buckeyes (10-0, 6-0 Big Ten) opened as 13-point home favorites against the Spartans (9-1, 5-1 Big Ten) at the market-setting Pinnacle sportsbook. As we’ve seen time and time again, bettors are more than happy to pound a ranked team as an underdog — particularly as a double-digit ‘dog.

Although Michigan State has received 73% of spread bets, they have actually dropped from +13 to +13.5 at Pinnacle. This reverse line movement is an excellent indicator that early sharp money is pounding Ohio State.

The public betting trends over at William Hill have been fascinating, and also indicate that Ohio State is offering tremendous value. Although Michigan State has received 86% of tickets, Ohio State has received 85% of total dollars wagered. This would appear to be the perfect example of “Pros vs. Joes,” with Pros taking Ohio State and Joes taking Michigan State

[Ghengis Jon]

Take the points. osu wins by 7.

[iam416]

One thing I do like about Harbaugh (as compared to say LSU's Cam Cameron - who might cost Les his job - or M's Debord offenses) is that he does a lot of interesting things in the run game that are designed to screw up the front 7's reads (or feel) for where the ball is going. These have been pretty well detailed at mgoblog ...... I'm wondering if opponents aren't reading this stuff!

So, while I worry about OSU being able to move the ball against M (and MSU), I'm not as worried about the defense. OSU's defense is quietly coming around. Having watched M's running game the past, well, 4 games, I'm feeling better about OSU's front 7 being able to handle that. Then OSU puts is corners in press on M's WRs (just like M will do to OSU) and challenges the passing game to beat them.

Of course, under Hoke M's offense always seemed to way overperform against OSU so I'm bracing for a 42 points outburst that will require a brilliant offensive game from OSU to hang around.

Against MSU -- I dunno -- I think they'll be pass-focused and try to deal with MSU's running game with the DL. Cook is the one guy in the B10 that really scares me as an offensive weapon. And MSU's DL is going to give OSU problems. And OSU misses Devin Smith. And one of these days Braxton is going to throw one.

[Ghengis Jon]

Braxton will throw in the first half of the M game. Away from Peppers.

[THE_WIZARD_]

If Cook is healthy it's a 4 quarter game. If not...lay the points...bet the farm...

[iam416]

Yeah, Cook is the goods and they have enough weapons on offense to be really problematic.

[Jeff Buchanan]

^^^^^

I've not heard squat out of any source I trust on Cook's readiness to play. That piece on the Joes and Pros posted above by talent is interesting. Lends credence to a Cook injury that, while he may be play, he's going to look like Denard's passing without his 4.3 speed. That is not a good thing for MSU. Yep, lay the points.

OTH, after Rudock got knocked out of Minnesota game, something happened to him in the next two games that was nothing short of amazingly unexpected. I think talent is right about fearing this guy. Cook to Burbridge was about all MSU had v. M. Turned out to be just enough after that happened.

[WM Wolverine]

Nobody but Indiana has come within 14 points of OSU in B1G play and only Northern Illinois OOC. The Spartans without Cook don't have the offense or defense to do so, with a healthy Cook (not what I'm hearing) they could make it a game decided in the 4th quarter.

[iam416]

God, I forgot about the NIU game.

[lineygoblue]

Agree with Wizard. If Cook is healthy, he has the tools to make things tough for osu.

Its supposed to be fairly cold around these parts for the weekend, so the weather could be a factor.

I think its a hard game to pick. Both teams have solid defenses, and they both have potent offenses. The difference may be that osu can be more balanced between the run and pass, while MSU has to rely mostly on Cook's arm. Their running game isn't what it has been in the past.

[klondike]

Even Sparty blow hard Mike Valenti says his team has no chance. Which I think is ridiculously over doing it...as if setting up fans for a defeatist mindset to lessen the blow of losing.

[Jeff Buchanan]

I am fully enjoying the coaching angst at places like UCLA and LSU.

Has anyone counted the number of relatively high profile HC vacancies around the nation?

I know there are a lot. The only thing this guarantees is that some programs are going to make very bad decisions about who is going to coach their football teams in 2016.

It will be fun to watch and M will not be involved. Hoorahh.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/11/18/9758128/this-week-in-schadenfreude-mississippi-state-alabama