2015 Game By Game Predictions
- Thread starter Ru2bnj
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Last years national champion Ohio State Buckeyes lost to a 7-6 VaTech team. Does that count?
When you lose your starting QB; TJ Barrett; 7 days before your opening game ....not really a WTF game.
10-3. Losses to Ohio state, Michigan State and Wisconsin. Win the holiday bowl.
I agree with everything here except your Michigan assertion. JHarb is a fine coach, but he's not a magician. That program is still a trainwreck (on powerhouse standards) and they have a LOT to figure out. Michigan will go through some growing pains this year.
Too many variables to pick right now. Ceiling seems to be 9-3 with the floor at 5-7 I think. A few things that I think can't be ignored (although who really knows how much impact they have):
- We play EVERY game on Saturday for the first time since the 80s (it seems like). Football players are creatures of habit. The fact that we don't have to think about short weeks, etc. is big.
- We have last year's experience and play all the same teams in conference. Over the past 3 seasons we have played 31 unique teams out of our 39 games. That has to be one of the highest in D1. This year, the only new teams are Norfolk, Kansas and Army, probably our 3 weakest opponents.
- We play EVERY game on Saturday for the first time since the 80s (it seems like). Football players are creatures of habit. The fact that we don't have to think about short weeks, etc. is big.
- We have last year's experience and play all the same teams in conference. Over the past 3 seasons we have played 31 unique teams out of our 39 games. That has to be one of the highest in D1. This year, the only new teams are Norfolk, Kansas and Army, probably our 3 weakest opponents.
I agree with most of the WSU vs RU predictions in this thread.
I only have a few disagreements though (respectfully). I saw one or two people say WSU doesn't have a QB due to the loss of Halliday.
I'd say that's wrong. Luke Falk is primed to take over for Halliday and started a handful of games last year. He is sneaky good. Mobile, confident, dedicated to film study, calm (read: level headed) and doesn't get rattled very easily (he was thrust into the USC game last year and preformed admirally given the circumstances). A lot of people don't know this but he was originally a Florida State recruit who fell off the radar when he got hurt during High School (if I remember correctly).
He is very accurate as well. My concerns with him are his aggressiveness. I haven't seen him take too many chances during games, which worries me if he gets into a situation where the Cougs NEED to move the ball/score quickly. Like he is almost too safe with his decision making (he had a handful of bad games with interceptions, notably ASU, but some of those were truly the receiver's fault). Another concern is ball velocity. His arm is not particularly strong, and his release could be improved.
Most of those can be corrected though, and it should be a great game. I hope WSU comes out running the ball for once against RU!
See you guys at the game!
I only have a few disagreements though (respectfully). I saw one or two people say WSU doesn't have a QB due to the loss of Halliday.
I'd say that's wrong. Luke Falk is primed to take over for Halliday and started a handful of games last year. He is sneaky good. Mobile, confident, dedicated to film study, calm (read: level headed) and doesn't get rattled very easily (he was thrust into the USC game last year and preformed admirally given the circumstances). A lot of people don't know this but he was originally a Florida State recruit who fell off the radar when he got hurt during High School (if I remember correctly).
He is very accurate as well. My concerns with him are his aggressiveness. I haven't seen him take too many chances during games, which worries me if he gets into a situation where the Cougs NEED to move the ball/score quickly. Like he is almost too safe with his decision making (he had a handful of bad games with interceptions, notably ASU, but some of those were truly the receiver's fault). Another concern is ball velocity. His arm is not particularly strong, and his release could be improved.
Most of those can be corrected though, and it should be a great game. I hope WSU comes out running the ball for once against RU!
See you guys at the game!
Norfolk State W
Washington State W
@ Penn State L
Kansas W
Michigan State L
@ Indiana W
Ohio State L
@ Wisconsin L
@ Michigan L
Nebraska W
@ Army W
Maryland W
Norfolk St W 38-14
WSU L 35-27
PSU L 45-35
Kansas W 28-14
Michigan State L 52-18
Indiana L 32-21
Ohio State L 65-28
Wisconsin L 45-14
Michigan L 36-12
Nebraska L 38-21
Army W 45-7
Mryland W 36-10
4-8 for 2016
Too many problems in the OL, DB and QBs.
WSU L 35-27
PSU L 45-35
Kansas W 28-14
Michigan State L 52-18
Indiana L 32-21
Ohio State L 65-28
Wisconsin L 45-14
Michigan L 36-12
Nebraska L 38-21
Army W 45-7
Mryland W 36-10
4-8 for 2016
Too many problems in the OL, DB and QBs.
Buckets
Easy Win
Norfolk
Kansas
Army
Should Win
Maryland
WSU
Indiana
Toss-up
psu
Michigan
Nebraska
Should Lose
Wisconsin
Oh No
MSU
OSU
I think 7-5 or 8-4 depending if we get one or two games in the toss-up.
We are going to go 5-7 overall and 2-6 in the B1G. We will lose to WSU out of conference and PSU, UM, MSU, OSU, Nebraska and Indiana in conference. We upset Wisconsin and beat Maryland.
Norfolk St W 42-0
WSU W 25-10
PSU W 20-17
Kansas W 28-21
Michigan State W 28-20
Indiana W 20-19
Ohio State W 35-34 (RU QB in the zone)
Wisconsin L 21-14
Michigan W 35-21
Nebraska L 21-35
Army W 45-21
Mryland W 36-28
Wow 10-2!
WSU W 25-10
PSU W 20-17
Kansas W 28-21
Michigan State W 28-20
Indiana W 20-19
Ohio State W 35-34 (RU QB in the zone)
Wisconsin L 21-14
Michigan W 35-21
Nebraska L 21-35
Army W 45-21
Mryland W 36-28
Wow 10-2!
Norfolk-Win
WSU-loss
PSU-Loss
Kansas-Win
MSU-Loss
IU-Loss
OSU-Loss
Wisc-Loss
Michigan-Loss
Nebraska-Loss
Army-Win
Maryland-Loss
WSU-loss
PSU-Loss
Kansas-Win
MSU-Loss
IU-Loss
OSU-Loss
Wisc-Loss
Michigan-Loss
Nebraska-Loss
Army-Win
Maryland-Loss
You should change your username after that pathetic prediction. ND fan?
No disrespect intended. Believe me, we can lose this game. But here are my reasons
*You guys are traveling cross country
*EVERY team that comes to our "little" stadium for the first time, are shocked by the crowd and how loud it gets.
*Our DL took some major punches to the face last year playing in the B1G. We still have our leaders but we are also now much bigger and tougher then we have ever been before. We are prepared for the B1G running games and huge OL's. I am not discounting your OL which has some experience but our guys are now battle experienced. We also have a weapon named Turay who can be a game changer on his own.
I bring this up because it sounds like you guys are going to try to establish the run more.
*Our LB's may be thin on depth but this is a very experienced group and very good if they are healthy. Our S's are now solid for the first time and have a nose for the ball. This will help slow your short game.
*DB's- we are still very in-experienced and if you have time, you can exploit them. But they seem much better then we had last year.
*You guys have a fairly in-experienced QB. I know Leach has a plug and play system but you are replacing an extremely productive QB.
*Our running game could quite honestly slow this game to a crawl while also being capable of game breaking runs.
*Our OL may be a little young but anchored with a very experienced and very good 6ft8, 320lb LT. Muller at RG is a future NFL'r and our LT Denman, has good experience in a backup role. Our OL is HUGE
*QB- this is the big question mark. Possible difference in this game. If our QB plays well. You guys will be in serious trouble because if you can't stack the line to stop our run...go back to what I said of our run game.
*WR- how do you plan to stop Carroo?
*ST- Your kickers...what is there to say? Add to it that we are by far the most prolific kick blocking team in the nation over the past decade. That spells game changing trouble for you. Our return game is also going to be major trouble for you.
***back to point 2...The BTN guys were "shocked" absolutely shocked by the atmosphere and volume here.
You guys can win this game and there are so many factors that can cause it to go either way...There are just too many things that make me lean toward my prediction.
Of course I agree on Pt #2, but only to the extent that our stadium gets REALLY loud during primetime nationally televised games. For a 3:30 gametime, it will still be loud, but not on the level you are describing.
I agree with your ST observation, it's the biggest ? on the team, also think time zone is an issue. As a smaller program, early season long distance trips and played in front of crowds like Autzen are nothing new.
The entire OL is back experienced and deep. If Falk, who started several PAC12 games, gets time I think you might really get a chance to evaluate your DB's because the WR's are experienced and will test them. There is a expectation that Falk will be better than Halliday on limiting TO's. If your DL can consistently pressure Falk and neutralize the passing game it will be huge advantage for RU. As you know, you can expect ~50 passes.
You will need efficient passing if you're going to run >40 times. Relying on your running game to control the clock with a relatively young OL might be different than last year when you had an experienced line.
This team is all Leach, he has spent 3 years building the roster from the ground up and creating his culture and it appears the team is fully onboard. We will see where they are once they get on the field and hit and get hit.
I love these early season games and the anticipation that goes with them. I'm glad to have had this home and home. Ultimately I agree that this is a very interesting matchup and will go a long way in determining how the season will unfold for both teams. Here's to a great game. Guess we'll all get to chat after its all decided. Go Cougs
Obviously I would sign up for this in a heartbeat but I have to say it's hard for me to see us scoring more at PSU and their strong D than we will at home vs Kansas. I know we would have a letdown after an emotional road win over that school in particular, but still...
Playing MSU earlier in the year could help us out. My impression of them is they tend to get stronger as the season progresses. But maybe that's just my view of what they do in hoops leaking into football.
For me, I will say we finish 8-4. Lose to OSU, MSU, Wisconsin, and either Michigan or Nebraska. PSU's OL will not be much better and we shouldn't be handing over five INTs this year. Michigan lost their QB and is trying to learn a new system, but is on the road. Nebraska - Abdullah is gone, we're at home, first year with new head coach, and overall fatigue for the Huskers with no byes in forever before we play.
I think we go 7-5, maybe 8-4. Anything besides those are small chances. That of course is not news, so I'll add my bigger prediction is we don't lose a game by more than 20 points and I'm tempted to say even closer. Ohio State and Michigan State at home at night will be big crowd boosts, we'll play above any level previously shown and make these games into something we're still watching closely in the 4th quarter.
Btw- welcome to our board. Throughout discussion us always welcome, even some ball busting and bravado us good too.
Alright. One slight error on my part. You darn well know what I meant. It was Heisman candidate and starting OSU QB Braxton Miller who injured his shoulder on August 20th 2014 ...just days before the opening Game last season.
That loss to Va Tech was no WTF game but OSU breaking in a new , inexperienced QB.
Actually two errors and neither slight. You think Urban didn't know until August 20 that Miller wasn't going to play? Smh
Braxton Miller had been practicing all Fall Camp ( back at 100% according to all ) and did not injure his shoulder until August 20th. So of course Urban Myer had no idea Miller would not be playing.
Before you are so quick to criticize others for making a typo or an name error you should do some research .
Not quite sure what you are talking about. A name error isn't exactly a typo....also, this conversation started as a result of you attacking my counterpoint that good teams don't have WTF losses. Even with a new QB they were still ranked around #5 in the country. Also, JT was the QB all through camp bc miller was on the shelf. as for the injury, it was reported after the announcement(even on BTN) that everyone knew Miller wasn't going to be able to go and his arm was junk. Not to mention Herman had been saying the O moved the ball better when JT was in.....probably bc Miller had no arm strength. Don't forget he had not been hit and injured himself throwing a "a short pass".
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Another Coug here. Geoduck is (Why the hell does spellcheck not acknowledge geoduck? A perfectly valid name for a clam found out here.) pretty accurate in his assessment of the situation. Both teams reportedly have large sized young men on the OL. We have the advantage in continuity. Not only is the entire first string OL back but the second string OL as well. You need to restrict our passing and we need to do the same to your running game. Rutgers ran on us with effectiveness last year in Seattle and may well do so again in New Jersey. Wazzu lost it's best receiver to the NFL but this year's contingent from top to bottom may be better. Geoduck's reluctant observation about our Special Teams is accurate. If this year's squad is as bad as last year's then forget everything I have said previously. You will win. We were beyond bad; we were off the scale horrid. I agree with Mr. duck that the crowd will probably not faze Wazzu but the time difference may well do so. Also agree with him regarding these early games. Kind of like an athletic version of Forrest Gump's box of chocolates- you never know what you are going to get. Both school's fan bases express with relative "confidence" a win. Seems to me though that both are doing so with an understandable nervous trepidation. Whistling through the graveyard.
As long as I am here, some other comments... Your coach Flood's problem concerning the contact with a member of the faculty seems to me more of the molehill variety than mountainous. Probably shouldn't have done so but nothing deserving of more than a reprimand at best. Fan bases from some other schools- and you know who you are- must be giggling uncontrollably. Rutgers is not Baylor, Florida State with their pattern of behavior or even USC with their current coaching embarrassment. I am on the other side of the continent but unless there is something I do not realize from here then I do not understand the great furor.
Also read posts about thousand dollar fines proposed for player miscues. Your players have thousands of dollars of extra money sitting around? Did Rutgers join the SEC while I was away?
I have enjoyed visiting your website for some thoughtful football information. Our brother site, WazzuWatch, is currently an asylum with interminable threads about the former coach, Paul Wulff. Was he as bad as everyone concluded and is leach as good as he has been cracked up to be? Prepubescent insults and circular arguments to no end. It is nice to read some considerate and insightful discussions for a change. Wouldn't be surprised if Geoduck and CPtheCoug, another Wazzu poster, were here for the same reason.
Anyway, I'm done. Best wishes to all of you. I'll be watching the game on TV here with anticipation and hope to catch a few of your other contests on the tube if possible.
I can't for the life of me figure out why people think WSU will be an easy game. I expect us to give up a lot of points and I'm not sure our QB play will be enough. Time will tell. I think we will have a better idea after the Norfolk game.
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