2017 College Football Week 10

Shadowlight

Master
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Messages
3,882
This is the time of year MAC games are shown on ESPN stations as early as Tuesday so for college football junkies a small treat. There were two games on last night. Sadly speedster Bowling Green WR #21 Scott Miller has not had a great season and last night was all but ignored as he finished with 2 measly catches for 13 yards in a win. I was expecting a break through year for Miller but instead it has been a step back.
The other game had some intrigue and was very revealing in regards to the caste system. Before I get to that a few stats from the game which solid Ohio won vs. Miami of Ohio. On Ohio's side RB Ouellete had 20 carries for 80 yards. LB Poling had double digit tackles and the best part, speedster Sr. WR Brendan Cope #85 hauled in 5 catches for 89 yards including a nifty pass over the top where he sizzled a black DB for a TD with a move and pure speed.
It was the other side of the ball where caste mode was in full gear. Nice that Sam Martin caught 5 passes for 81 yards but it became all about the black WR James Gardner who ended up with 10 catches for 166 yards and at least one TD. He was often matched up with the rare specie known as the white CB---yes I know they are on the verge of extinction---Brad Ellis #4. Gardner won some battles but so did Ellis who gave up several inches. Ellis was always close by and was never truly burned the whole night. The announcers were starting to drum up the theme that Gardner couldn't be covered one on one because of his athletic ability (which didn't seem out of the ordinary to me) but there are two very key things to keep in mind. Number one Gardner's team lost pretty soundly. And Gardner was targeted I think over TWENTY TIMES. And believe me most all of his passes were medium range or deep. No dinks or dunks in sight. So the broader question is when was the last time a white WR was targeted for intermediate or long passes anywhere near twenty times a game? I am not talking about the dink and dunk stuff that a few but not many white WR's get like SMU's fabulous Trey Quinn. I am talking about passes 10 yards or more and unless I am somehow mistaken I can't recall anytime a white WR was targeted as many times as this Gardner. And the end result of force feeding this black guy was a loss. And half of those passes were incomplete so if you ask me for Gardner it was another one of those stuff the black WR's stats kind of game but for the team it was a loss. How about sharing some of the pass plays Miami of Ohio to some of the white WR's on the team including Martin and Jared Murphy?
And people wonder why there are so few NFL white WRs.
 
Last edited:

Rocky B

Master
Joined
Jan 1, 2017
Messages
2,051
Just to add.....AJ Ouellette has 827'yards rushing. One of the few that should get 1000 for the season. I was thinking Davidson and Nall for sure......No chance for the demoted Davidson, Nall (along with Laird) needs a strong finish........They play each other this weekend, by the way.....Excluding Dudek at Yale who is shredding, all other running backs are too far off to reach 1000, unless there's someone I'm forgetting......McVey....There's a guy who has a chance........
 

Shadowlight

Master
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Messages
3,882
Having never paid much attention to Central Michigan I kept looking for DE (#45 I come to find out much too late) Joe Ostman last night but after a while it became clear he didn't play due to an injury of some sort. We need these ESPN Mac games to feature some key guys so quite a letdown not being able to watch Joe Ostman. I went back to that dreadful WS after I sorted that out. As for Penn State coach James Franklin he has drawn a line in the sand when it comes to recruiting white RB's and WR's. He has put a caste stamp on those positions and I don't see that ever changing. Would it kill Penn State to recruit white WR's? I guess the sorry answer is yes.
As for RB Zane Dudek the PA High School Player of the Year that Penn State told to take a hike most everyone will get a chance to watch him on TV as Yale plays Brown on NBCSN at 8:00 PM EST Friday night. Yale has played on an East Coast network called SNY (home of the Mets and Nets) the past two weeks which I get but NBCSN will reach a nationwide audience. He does not start but he does play. He is worth the trouble believe me.
 

Jimmy Chitwood

Hall of Famer
Joined
Aug 10, 2005
Messages
8,973
Location
Arkansas
... unless there's someone I'm forgetting ...

Navy junior Zach Abey is a "quarterback" in name only. in reality, he's a tailback taking snaps from center (a full time Wildcat qb), having only attempted 51 passes in 7 games. he does run the ball very well, however, and is currently 6th in the country in rushing with 1,142 yards (a 5.5 per-carry average) and is tied for 5th nationally with 13 rushing touchdowns.

true dual-threat quarterback Nathan Rourke (sophomore, Ohio) is second nationally with 16 rushing touchdowns and 552 yards on the ground (averaging a superb 6.2 yards-per-carry). he has a long for the year of a 75-yard touchdown sprint.

both of these athletes have ideal size for the tailback position (both are about 6-foot-2, 210 lbs.), but they're also talented to play a more cerebral position.

if i were keeping track of "running" backs, i'd certainly include these two players on the list.

quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (junior, Mississippi State) is also a dynamic playmaker with his feet. at a White-skinned 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, he "doesn't look like" a running back, but he's been scorching the "real" affletes in the SEC for a while. this year the reincarnation of (former Arkansas Razorback quarterback) Matt Jones has already run for 666 yards (White devil!) and 10 touchdowns on just 99 attempts to go along with his passing game. he's another game-changer in the running game that i like to follow.

if i were a football coach, i'd devise an offense to take advantage of these types of athletes, recruit this type of player, and then have two "quarterbacks" who can run like tailbacks (and catch the ball like wideouts) on the field simultaneously. it wouldn't be difficult to implement, and it would be a nightmare to defend; think Tim Tebow in the same backfield with Andrew Luck or Eric Crouch on the field with Alex Smith. every play would be a run/pass option ... the opportunities would be dynamic.
 

Leonardfan

Hall of Famer
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
22,968
I have to respectively disagree about the Fitzgerald to Jones comparisons. If Matt Jones had played in one of the zone read offenses he would of set all sorts of records and went down as an all time great college QB. Fitzgerald is a very good QB but not the athlete that Jones was. I think Fitzgerald is a Tim Tebow "lite" and I don't say that in a bad way - Fitzgerald is a damn good QB and props up that Mississippi St. team that is not very good. I actually think Fitzgerald's next level prospects are more promising than Tebow just due to the fact he flies under the radar while Tebow was a little more of a target for the media.
 

TwentyTwo

Master
Joined
Oct 31, 2009
Messages
3,411
Location
Louisiana
Ian Eriksen rushed for 114 yards on 21 carries & TD tonight...too bad he virtually had no carries earlier this season; bec his last 4 games he's has 395 yards rushing bec. he's Averaging abt 20 carries per game...that would have been on pace for 1,000...

Logan Woodside passed for 361 yards..think he just became Toledo's All Time Passing Leader
 
Last edited:

Shadowlight

Master
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Messages
3,882
Ian Eriksen rushed for 114 yards on 21 carries & TD tonight...too bad he virtually had no carries earlier this season; bec his last 4 games he's has 395 yards rushing bec. he's Averaging abt 20 carries per game...that would have been on pace for 1,000...

Logan Woodside passed for 361 yards..think he just became Toledo's All Time Passing Leader

Right 22, all of a sudden Ericksen, a Junior, is putting up impressive numbers. That game started early so by the time I tuned in it was in blow out mode. If he can continue at this level the rest of this season and have a bang up Senior campaign then I don't think it is entirely out of the question envisioning him in the NFL. No he won't get picked real early like CM but he could squeeze in as a 6th or 7th round pick. He has a very nice burst to go with power. Would like to see him catch more passes to diversify his portfolio but he is no slow footed stiff. Very good athlete. In other words he has the "tools" he just needs to keep performing at a high level and hopefully someone in the NFL without a bug up their ass will draft him. If I had to rate his NFL chances at this early stage I would project him as a solid back up with 5-10 carries per game.
 

Rocky B

Master
Joined
Jan 1, 2017
Messages
2,051
One good thing about most of the running backs this year is that they're underclassmen...
Including Abey and some of the QB's......Eriksen (and his brother who should take over for the graduating Tim McVey at Air Force) Carney, Ouellette, Davidson, (a bunch of backup Army guys like the Wexford Sledgehammer Conner Slomka), Nall and Laird have another year in the Pac-12......Guys like Groshek, Funk, Gest get some carries.....of course ZDudek at Yale and some other high quality small school guys....,,Almost forgot about Mike Epstein......As we all know, some guys may get the Andy Davidson treatment and get demoted, but there are always some sleepers like Laird that pop up....Josh Hokit , being one of them...2018 should be a good season.....I'm going to go back to my list I put up in the high school 2018 section and see how well they are faring.....Like the one kid who rushed for 599 yards in a game....,If that kid doesn't get an offer from Texas or Oklahoma, that will just suck..... a quick reminder about the kid Holley from Kent.....He was a running back turned option qb that got hurt this year....I am sure he's a senior......Think Edelman.....He will get a camp next summer.......
 

Leonardfan

Hall of Famer
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
22,968
Holley did tear his acl though unfortunately which will hurt his draft stock.

I think Nall may go pro if he gets a decent grade from the draft advisory board. If he has a solid game this weekend he has a good shot at 1k rushing yards.
 

Shadowlight

Master
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Messages
3,882
One good thing about most of the running backs this year is that they're underclassmen...
Including Abey and some of the QB's......Eriksen (and his brother who should take over for the graduating Tim McVey at Air Force) Carney, Ouellette, Davidson, (a bunch of backup Army guys like the Wexford Sledgehammer Conner Slomka), Nall and Laird have another year in the Pac-12......Guys like Groshek, Funk, Gest get some carries.....of course ZDudek at Yale and some other high quality small school guys....,,Almost forgot about Mike Epstein......As we all know, some guys may get the Andy Davidson treatment and get demoted, but there are always some sleepers like Laird that pop up....Josh Hokit , being one of them...2018 should be a good season.....I'm going to go back to my list I put up in the high school 2018 section and see how well they are faring.....Like the one kid who rushed for 599 yards in a game....,If that kid doesn't get an offer from Texas or Oklahoma, that will just suck..... a quick reminder about the kid Holley from Kent.....He was a running back turned option qb that got hurt this year....I am sure he's a senior......Think Edelman.....He will get a camp next summer.......

Thanks Rocky ( our in house RB guru) I did not know Eriksen had a younger brother putting up good numbers at Air Force in limited playing time.
Apart from Epstein and Laird who have had eye opening seasons, (albeit Epstein is done for the year) there are two other players who flash a lot of potential even if in limited playing time. Before I get to them I want to ask you about speedster Sean McGrew. He has been getting mop up duty and hasn't broken free for any long runs but is he someone Washington has big plans for next season and beyond? He is a small scat back in the Woodhead mode so he will have to really stand out before the pros come a knocking.
Freshman Garrett Groshek of Wisconsin ( this should get Celtic's attention ha) is built like and moves like a future pro. Very early in the program but he looks the part. Probably jumping the gun but what the hell if you see a spark go with it.
I also like shifty/nifty sophomore VT RB Coleman Fox who looks like one of those hybrid backs that is asked to do a lot of things like catch passes etc. Both of these guys are true back ups but we can only hope they continue to thrive now and blossom next year into starters or semi starters.
As for this Saturday too many of the "good" games are on at the same time. At 3:30 EST you have Clemson ( Renfrow and Muse), Ohio State vs. Iowa, Iowa State vs. West Virginia and I believe Penn State vs Michigan State. I see a channel switching headache already coming on. Whereas the night games hold less interest like LSU vs Alabama and VT vs. Miami. SMU and Trey Quinn play undefeated UCF at home and it is on TV around 7;15 EST on ESPN2. Would love to see Quinn have a great game and knock off caste ridden UCF.
Some decent noon games too. I get so much more psyched up for college than I do the NFL and the reason is pretty simple. More key white players. Not rocket science.
 
Last edited:

Leonardfan

Hall of Famer
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
22,968
Not a bad slate of games tomorrow:

PSU - Mich St. - Should be a good game, I will be pulling for Sparty in this one. Lewerke is becoming a really good player in his own right and they have a really good defense. This game might help derail the Barkley for Heisman hype train for good.

Wisconsin - Indiana - The Badgers just need to stay the course and continue winning games. They are getting no respect nationally.

Ohio St - Iowa - This is the big game of the day. If the Hawkeyes win it should put an end to the selection committee trying to sneak the Buckeyes into the college football playoff. The Hawkeyes have a very good defense, the offense just needs to control the line of scrimmage and play Hawkeye football.

Iowa St - WVU - Iowa State has become the surprise team that has come out of nowhere to make the Big 12 race interesting. Kyle Kempt is probably the best story in college football that no one is talking about. Joel Lanning is another great story line for the Cyclones. We all know about the dominant duo of Grier and Sills. I hope they put up some fireworks tomorrow and Sills finds the end zone multiple times.

Stanford - Washington St - It looks like Stanford is giving Costello the start - hopefully Shaw sticks with him as I think he could be the next long term starter for the Cardinal. Falk has been a little of a disappointment this year because he has been pulled by Leach out of two games - Boise St. and Arizona. Hopefully Falk can finish the final stretch of the season strong and repair his draft stock somewhat. Stanford is the more white friendly team so I will be rooting for the Cardinal.

Oklahoma - Oklahoma St - this should be a good game - two potential 1st round QBs facing off. The most athletic TE in the nation being featured for the Sooners. It could be a Heisman type game for either Rudolph or Mayfield. I thoroughly enjoy watching both of them play the position. This game also has huge CFB playoff implications.

Minnesota - Michigan - Has Haurbaugh finally found his QB? Brandon Peters played well last week in the win. Hopefully the QB carousel lands on Peters and he starts for the Wolverines for a long time.

LSU - Alabama - Another game with CFB playoff implications. LSU is better than the rest of the bad SEC and out of conference teams Alabama has played this year. This would be a nice upset and shake up the playoff picture and hopefully knock Alabama out of the conversation.

Arizona - USC - Darnold is back to playing some really good football (he was never playing bad football like many of the "experts" have stated). During last night's Navy-Temple game BSPN did it's Heisman rankings - No Darnold was listed but the Arizona black quarterback was listed as a Heisman contender. I hope USC crushes Bitch Rod. Gustin is out again this week for the Trojans. I can't recommend watching Darnold enough - he is fun to watch.

Some more games with CFB playoff implications:

Wake Forest - Notre Dame - hopefully the Demon Deacons can score another upset. Nelson and McGlinchey are the reason why the ND run game is so dominant yet neither are getting the attention they should.
Va Tech - Miami - Hope Va Tech wins this one to give Miami a loss. Miami has been more lucky than good this year. I could care less about the Hokies and Fuente's infatuation with quoatabacks (after landing this job due to Paxton Lynch) but a loss is needed for Miami.
 

TwentyTwo

Master
Joined
Oct 31, 2009
Messages
3,411
Location
Louisiana
Just walked in...need to see the Zane Dudek highlights...finished with an impressive 165 yards rushing on just 13 carries & 3 TD's

Also...Yale WR J.P. Shohfi 3 receptions for 107 yards & TD (83 Yards) ....set Single Season HS Record...
As with Dudek....Question is asked WHY No Power 5 School offers...Article from 2016.....
https://www.si.com/college-football...tting-wr-jp-shohfi-land-any-power-five-offers

If Shohfi's lack of attention is the result of stereotyping, that's nothing new in sports. In July 2014, UCLA's Jim Mora, a former NFL coach, told reporters he would hate for then-Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley to be labeled as a "runner" because he is black. Stanford tailback Christian McCaffrey, the '15 Heisman Trophy runner-up, has openly talked about the skepticism surrounding his athletic abilities because he is white. Meanwhile, Polynesian players are still trying to shed the perception they can only thrive in the trenches, a notion Marcus Mariota's success at Oregon—he won the Heisman in '14—has helped shatter.


Regardless, Allen doesn't want his players to wonder why doors close—he just wants them to focus on what they can do to get past that. He draws on his own experience: As a black, 5' 11", 180-pound quarterback coming out of Oak Park (Calif.) High, Allen dreamed of one day running the offense at USC. Instead, he wound up at UCLA from 1997-98. He played defensive back.



Former HS 2 Star D-End from Iowa State J.D. Waggoner now getting some serious publicity ...but can't locate the article

Memphis QB Riley Ferguson another nice game tonight...298 Yards passing & 4 TD's
 
Last edited:

Rocky B

Master
Joined
Jan 1, 2017
Messages
2,051
Thanks Rocky ( our in house RB guru) I did not know Eriksen had a younger brother putting up good numbers at Air Force in limited playing time.
Apart from Epstein and Laird who have had eye opening seasons, (albeit Epstein is done for the year) there are two other players who flash a lot of potential even if in limited playing time. Before I get to them I want to ask you about speedster Sean McGrew. He has been getting mop up duty and hasn't broken free for any long runs but is he someone Washington has big plans for next season and beyond? He is a small scat back in the Woodhead mode so he will have to really stand out before the pros come a knocking.
Freshman Garrett Groshek of Wisconsin ( this should get Celtic's attention ha) is built like and moves like a future pro. Very early in the program but he looks the part. Probably jumping the gun but what the hell if you see a spark go with it.
I also like shifty/nifty sophomore VT RB Coleman Fox who looks like one of those hybrid backs that is asked to do a lot of things like catch passes etc. Both of these guys are true back ups but we can only hope they continue to thrive now and blossom next year into starters or semi starters.
As for this Saturday too many of the "good" games are on at the same time. At 3:30 EST you have Clemson ( Renfrow and Muse), Ohio State vs. Iowa, Iowa State vs. West Virginia and I believe Penn State vs Michigan State. I see a channel switching headache already coming on. Whereas the night games hold less interest like LSU vs Alabama and VT vs. Miami. SMU and Trey Quinn play undefeated UCF at home and it is on TV around 7;15 EST on ESPN2. Would love to see Quinn have a great game and knock off caste ridden UCF.
Some decent noon games too. I get so much more psyched up for college than I do the NFL and the reason is pretty simple. More key white players. Not rocket science.

McGrew may get a few more carries next year.....Their top two backs should be gone (Mikes Gaskin may try the draft and the other is a senior)........The other guy getting reps is also a freshman of slight built.......I'm sure there's a bigger back being recruited or redshirted that will leapfrog both......Just guessing......I was hoping to see Jack Wegher surface at Purdue....No luck.....What drew me to this site was researching guys like Payton Hillis years ago......Dude was a stud and got f-ed, though the contract bs didn't help his cause in Cleveland......Jacob Hestor......Guys like Marc Weisman and Zach Zwinak in the big 10 a few years back.....I wanted to know more about these talented players and guys like them.......This site did that for me.......This is the first year I've chipped in my three cents.....Thanks to you guys I'm more up on wideouts like Sills, Barrios, Weinekee, etc.....
Again, the running back situation will be decent next year.....Plus, I'd like to think Bisharat will start for Colorado next year.....
 

Leonardfan

Hall of Famer
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
22,968
Hansen looks like he injured himself on a big hit. Looked to be an arm or shoulder injury.
 

northwinds

Mentor
Joined
Oct 3, 2010
Messages
1,256
Location
Atlanta
OMG........watching ESPN 'Sports Center'. They have some gay black dude explaining all the new uniforms being worn by various teams which are displayed on mannequins in the studio. Every mannequin is black.......even the one displaying the Arizona State 'Pat Tillman' honorary uni......unreal.....
 
Top