This year's Wisconsin football team is the least clutch group I can remember. And maybe the least heady, and maybe the unluckiest. Just absolutely bizarre. Too much is bouncing around in my head for a coherent post, so thoughts:
- 12 penalties. 12. Part of that is Michigan State picking on Brinkley, but still.
- Did anyone else notice that on UW's last drive, they kept snapping the ball with ten seconds or so left on the play clock? The Badgers did the same thing on their last drive against Illinois. This may set a new record for stupidity, and is something that would never, ever have happened under Alvarez. Barry was a king of clock milking. On that last drive, especially after they got a couple first downs, there was absolutely no excuse for not running the play clock down to a just a few seconds on every down. I think they could have worked at least another 30 to 40 seconds off on that drive had the done that properly. I guess that error is on Sherer, but the coaching staff has got to make sure he thinks to do that. Who knows how the game would have turned out had they been smarter? Just ridiculous.
- Strange to think that game is a win if John Moffit just keeps his hands a little more inside on his guy on that last third and 1. Although that type of a hold happens a lot, and is not called all that often . . .
- The Bielema errors-- first, the fifteen yard sideline penalty. Nice one, coach. Even if the refs make a really bizarre, stupid call, you're the head coach. Control yourself. And did anyone else besides you think calling a timeout on the last real play was a good idea? Isn't a hurried Sparty kicker better than a composed Sparty kicker? And if the excuse is, "we wanted our blocking unit out there," well, first, why weren't they ready to begin with, and second, has UW blocked one kick this year? I don't think so.
- Too bad there was no depth behind Niles Brinkley with Mario Goins injured and the frosh behind him apparently not capable. It's weird to think about, but what would this season have been like if Aaron Henry had recovered from his knee injury? Maybe this game's a win, maybe the Michigan and/or Ohio State games are too. Weirdness.
- I'd like to hear defensive coordinator Dave Doeren explain the six man blitzes on key downs on Sparty's last drive, when the only sacks UW was getting all game were coverage sacks. And I'd like to hear him explain why Sparty converted so many third and longs.
- The obvious-- who would have thought that UW holds Ringer to less than 3 yards a carry, PJ Hill and John Clay both break a hundred yards rushing, Sherer only has one turnover, and Wisconsin loses? No one, I bet.
- To be fair, Wisconsin wouldn't have had the lead had late in the game anyway if Sparty's receivers made some damn plays. I haven't seen that many bad drops since the Wisconsin-Michigan game in September.
- Anyone else notice that UW's defensive backs often aren't in position to make plays on the ball? They give their guys huge cushions, and are generally in the right spot to make the tackle, but they appear willing to give up completions.
- In retrospect, how huge was that Phil Welch missed field goal to start the second half?
- Here comes the Motor City Bowl. If Wisconsin can beat Minnesota and Cal Poly in Madison, and doesn't let the Hoosiers use them next weekend. Hey, maybe it'll help with Michigan and Ohio recruits. (That's a joke.)
- Given what just happened, and that the Packers will likely go down tomorrow afternoon, some badly needed tonic happens tonight in three hours--- the Wisconsin Men's Basketball team plays their first game, albeit an exhibition. Check here to allegedly see a live stream of the game.
- Late addition: Amen, Michael Hunt.
Showing posts with label Michigan State. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michigan State. Show all posts
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Sparty Party
Right, back to college football. Tomorrow morning at 11 am, the University of Wisconsin men's football team travels to enticing East Lansing, Michigan to spar with the Spartans of Michigan State University. In two words, uh oh. I say this not because I think all that highly of Michigan State's team this year. (I certainly don't.) But because it appears, by all measure, that the Spartans strength-- running the football from pro formations-- matches up with what has been revealed in the past month as one of Wisconsin's glaring weaknesses-- an inability to stop a traditional power run game. Thus, it seems logical to predict that Sparty's main guy, senior running back Javon Ringer, an excellent to very good college back, should run all over the place. Then add in the facts that UW has traditionally struggled in the Eastern portion of Lansing (remember the shocking '05 beatdown?), that coach Brett Bielema has yet to win a road game against a ranked Big Ten foe (Sparty is 7-2 and currently ranked 22nd in the Coaches' Poll), and that this will be the first game an opposing team won't have to game plan to stop Travis Beckum, and this one doesn't look very good for the Badgers.
But that said, I don't know which Wisconsin team will show up. The one that limited its mistakes last week against Illinois, made several huge plays, and overcame adversity? Or the one that rolled up into a little ball so Iowa and Penn State could kick it around more easily? It should help that Wisconsin quarterback Dustin Sherer played decently against Illinois and showed some versatility by running the ball well at times. And grabbing three huge picks and giving up less than 90 yards rushing to the Illini should also seriously help the defense's confidence. But I still don't think we can know which Wisconsin team you're going to see on the field. And that's what makes college football such an adventure-- each season is a thirteen week voyage of self-discovery.
But that said, I don't know which Wisconsin team will show up. The one that limited its mistakes last week against Illinois, made several huge plays, and overcame adversity? Or the one that rolled up into a little ball so Iowa and Penn State could kick it around more easily? It should help that Wisconsin quarterback Dustin Sherer played decently against Illinois and showed some versatility by running the ball well at times. And grabbing three huge picks and giving up less than 90 yards rushing to the Illini should also seriously help the defense's confidence. But I still don't think we can know which Wisconsin team you're going to see on the field. And that's what makes college football such an adventure-- each season is a thirteen week voyage of self-discovery.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Knuckles, not Fingers
Over the past few months, I've read a bunch of books by this English "mystery" writer, Lee Child. The best term to describe his books is "embarrassingly entertaining," meaning that you enjoy the books, but realize they're completely ridiculous and you probably shouldn't talk to other people about them. Nearly all his books feature this enormous, uber-bad ass ex-MP protagonist/narrator given the hilarious name of Jack Reacher. Anyhow, there's a scene in this one book, Killing Floor, where he's in a state prison and gets jumped by a group of neo-Nazis. Reacher is getting choked from behind by some enormous skinhead, but is able to peel him off and ends up kicking the skinheads' asses. Reacher later explains that the skinhead messed up by choking him with his fingers extended. This enabled Reacher to grab some of the skinhead's fingers and break them, thus freeing himself. Had the skinhead instead bent his fingers in, and choked him with his knuckles, Reacher admits, he would have been unable to pry off the attacker's fingers, and been killed.
This seems like an apt metaphor for the Badgers thus far this season. They're the skinhead-- they've ambushed the opponents, it's time for the kill stroke, and they can't deliver. Now so far, they've still managed to win the fight, no one has done a Jack Reacher on them--come back all the way to beat them--but if they keep letting people off the hook it's going to happen.
Consider last week's game-- Badgers are up ten, toward the end of the third quarter, the defense sacks the Sparty QB, actually forcing a three and out and a punt, and UW gets the ball at midfield. A good team marches down and scores, and puts the game out of reach. Wisco had just scored a touchdown on their opening drive of the second half, and had marched down the field to kick a field goal at the end of the first. They're moving the ball well on offense, their defense has actually done something, and it's time to firmly take control of the game. Things start out promisingly, with Hill running for five, Donovan scrambling for a few more, and PJ churning out a first down.
The ball is now at the Sparty 45. Twelve more yards, and Taylor's in field goal range. The blood should be in the water. The hands are around the neck, so to speak. But UW then starts going backwards. MSU defenders pile on Hill for a short loss. Donovan forces a pass to a double-covered Beckum, and the Sparty DBs break it up (and, alas, other players were open on this play). Then the Badgers run a swing pass to Hill, who's closely covered and tackled for a four yard loss. Boom goes the punt, which unfortunately goes into the end zone for a touchback, and the fingers are pried off the neck. Sparty has new life, and they score a touchdown on their next drive, suddenly making the game close again.
I don't know if the Badgers lost focus, or a few play calls went awry, or if Donovan made an iffy decision or what. And I know that Jefferson and Randle El were both out of the game at this point, so the passing attack was in semi-disarray. But they had the ball in opposing territory with a ten point lead late in the third quarter. That was the Badgers chance to put the game out of reach, and they went backwards. If UW wants to continue to win and start being taken seriously, it needs to take advantage of those opportunities. Stomp on opponents when they're down. Take your kill shot when you have it. As Jack Reacher would advise, use the knuckles, not the fingers.
This seems like an apt metaphor for the Badgers thus far this season. They're the skinhead-- they've ambushed the opponents, it's time for the kill stroke, and they can't deliver. Now so far, they've still managed to win the fight, no one has done a Jack Reacher on them--come back all the way to beat them--but if they keep letting people off the hook it's going to happen.
Consider last week's game-- Badgers are up ten, toward the end of the third quarter, the defense sacks the Sparty QB, actually forcing a three and out and a punt, and UW gets the ball at midfield. A good team marches down and scores, and puts the game out of reach. Wisco had just scored a touchdown on their opening drive of the second half, and had marched down the field to kick a field goal at the end of the first. They're moving the ball well on offense, their defense has actually done something, and it's time to firmly take control of the game. Things start out promisingly, with Hill running for five, Donovan scrambling for a few more, and PJ churning out a first down.
The ball is now at the Sparty 45. Twelve more yards, and Taylor's in field goal range. The blood should be in the water. The hands are around the neck, so to speak. But UW then starts going backwards. MSU defenders pile on Hill for a short loss. Donovan forces a pass to a double-covered Beckum, and the Sparty DBs break it up (and, alas, other players were open on this play). Then the Badgers run a swing pass to Hill, who's closely covered and tackled for a four yard loss. Boom goes the punt, which unfortunately goes into the end zone for a touchback, and the fingers are pried off the neck. Sparty has new life, and they score a touchdown on their next drive, suddenly making the game close again.
I don't know if the Badgers lost focus, or a few play calls went awry, or if Donovan made an iffy decision or what. And I know that Jefferson and Randle El were both out of the game at this point, so the passing attack was in semi-disarray. But they had the ball in opposing territory with a ten point lead late in the third quarter. That was the Badgers chance to put the game out of reach, and they went backwards. If UW wants to continue to win and start being taken seriously, it needs to take advantage of those opportunities. Stomp on opponents when they're down. Take your kill shot when you have it. As Jack Reacher would advise, use the knuckles, not the fingers.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Skinning the White Weasel
Seriously, no more of Michigan State's Drew Neitzel running around hitting three pointers that touch every part of the rim twice before falling in. I, like most Badger fans I imagine, am pissed. I'm pissed that Sparty pushed us around last time. I'm pissed that Kam missed the front end of that one and one. I'm pissed that Butch had that freakish injury and then started crying on national television. Accordingly, I really want the Badgers to take out the frustration of the last week and a half on Sparty. I am pissed, and I demand a whuppin'.
Since our loss in East Lansing, I've thought it over, and Wisconsin's talent level is better than Michigan State's. They basically have a bunch of relatively athletic but relatively unskilled relatively big guys. Then they have a couple athletic, but not overly scary guards, and then Raymar (also not a real name) Morgan, a raw Shannon Brown-type, and Mr. Eminem wannabe, who's game is basically running hard off of illegal screens and shooting jump shots. Whoopety do. (Did anyone notice how totally standard white-bread his parents were? They were shown in the stands during the last game. Is someone pretending to be "from the streets" or is it just me? Friggin' poseur.)
Anyhow, we're better and it's time to show it. MSU will probably try to do a tight man on man defense, like last time. We have to respond effectively. Drive by it and go to the basket, or look to pass when someone comes to help. Make them foul you. People who aren't Alando seem to be afraid of driving; I'm guessing this is because it increases your chances of turning the ball over (in addition to easing the opposing team's transition to a fast break) and thus Bo likely disapproves of doing so until the shot clock is getting low. But I really think it's the best option when the other team is pressing perimeter players that closely. I also say we switch around Trevon and Flowers on Neitzel, as opposed to just Flowers. He looked a little worn out by the end of the Spaty game. Until Ohio A&M's last play, that combination did a good job of frustrating my pick for Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Mike Conley, Jr., aka mister "I wish I had a pencil-thin mustache." Also, our back court defenders need to accentuate the ever-so-slightly moving screens Sparty runs for Neitzel. Ram them hard. Go sprawling sideways. Wear mouthguards.
And, of course, rebounding. We need to do it, particularly on the defensive end. (Badger frontcourt--put your ass on your man and push him away from the basket.) Also, it would probably help matters if the refs looked over the rulebook before the game and rediscovered the foul called "Over the Back." Hopefully, this time our coaching staff will be able to do some pointed lobbying to this effect without drawing technicals. (Sigh...) Finally, we need to make Sparty pay for sending three or four people after offensive rebounds. Bo prides himself on having his team take high percentage shots. Hey, Bo--close range shots on 3 on 2 breaks ARE high percentage shots. Get the defensive rebound, hurl the ball down court to Kam or Hughes or Bohannon or Alando, and get easy points. It's fun, it's relatively easy-- it can actually be "Showtime" as Magic and Worthy demonstrated. Like those Laker teams, we have a really athletic jumper/finisher who is great on the break in A-Tuck. And for god's sake, pushing a 3 on 2 break is certainly a more efficient means of scoring points than waiting for Sparty to get their defense set.
Also, as I stated in a previous post, I urge someone to take a sign to the game that reads "Marquise is a Delicious Breakfast Juice" on one side, and "Trade in Your Marquise for a Dannon Frusion Smoothie" on the other. Vengeance. Retribution. Deterrence. Rehabilitation. Redemption. Death to Sparty.
Since our loss in East Lansing, I've thought it over, and Wisconsin's talent level is better than Michigan State's. They basically have a bunch of relatively athletic but relatively unskilled relatively big guys. Then they have a couple athletic, but not overly scary guards, and then Raymar (also not a real name) Morgan, a raw Shannon Brown-type, and Mr. Eminem wannabe, who's game is basically running hard off of illegal screens and shooting jump shots. Whoopety do. (Did anyone notice how totally standard white-bread his parents were? They were shown in the stands during the last game. Is someone pretending to be "from the streets" or is it just me? Friggin' poseur.)
Anyhow, we're better and it's time to show it. MSU will probably try to do a tight man on man defense, like last time. We have to respond effectively. Drive by it and go to the basket, or look to pass when someone comes to help. Make them foul you. People who aren't Alando seem to be afraid of driving; I'm guessing this is because it increases your chances of turning the ball over (in addition to easing the opposing team's transition to a fast break) and thus Bo likely disapproves of doing so until the shot clock is getting low. But I really think it's the best option when the other team is pressing perimeter players that closely. I also say we switch around Trevon and Flowers on Neitzel, as opposed to just Flowers. He looked a little worn out by the end of the Spaty game. Until Ohio A&M's last play, that combination did a good job of frustrating my pick for Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Mike Conley, Jr., aka mister "I wish I had a pencil-thin mustache." Also, our back court defenders need to accentuate the ever-so-slightly moving screens Sparty runs for Neitzel. Ram them hard. Go sprawling sideways. Wear mouthguards.
And, of course, rebounding. We need to do it, particularly on the defensive end. (Badger frontcourt--put your ass on your man and push him away from the basket.) Also, it would probably help matters if the refs looked over the rulebook before the game and rediscovered the foul called "Over the Back." Hopefully, this time our coaching staff will be able to do some pointed lobbying to this effect without drawing technicals. (Sigh...) Finally, we need to make Sparty pay for sending three or four people after offensive rebounds. Bo prides himself on having his team take high percentage shots. Hey, Bo--close range shots on 3 on 2 breaks ARE high percentage shots. Get the defensive rebound, hurl the ball down court to Kam or Hughes or Bohannon or Alando, and get easy points. It's fun, it's relatively easy-- it can actually be "Showtime" as Magic and Worthy demonstrated. Like those Laker teams, we have a really athletic jumper/finisher who is great on the break in A-Tuck. And for god's sake, pushing a 3 on 2 break is certainly a more efficient means of scoring points than waiting for Sparty to get their defense set.
Also, as I stated in a previous post, I urge someone to take a sign to the game that reads "Marquise is a Delicious Breakfast Juice" on one side, and "Trade in Your Marquise for a Dannon Frusion Smoothie" on the other. Vengeance. Retribution. Deterrence. Rehabilitation. Redemption. Death to Sparty.
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