B1G week 8

B1G: 7-5
Props: 3-2
All game plays: 18-15

3-2 last week, brutal L with the Hoosiers, should have been an outright W but Josh Hoover gonna Josh Hoover. He was the concern going in for me and he was ultimately the reason imo. So many over throws on wide open receivers and then the last play was just as bad as it gets from a QB, Marsh probably could have still done a better job understanding where he was on the field though. Bad pick with the Ole Miss over... never had a chance. Couple easy ones with Kentucky and UCLA to close the day.

Savion Hiter prop hit quite easily as well when the Michigan offense started to function like it is built to function. The Bryce era is over in Ann Arbor, which is pretty crazy considering the hype coming out of HS. The talent is off the charts, he really needs to step back and learn to play the position at this level though. Can't read a defense, where the football is going is already decided in his mind before the snap. He's missed so many wide open receivers due to inability to work through progressions. Said it week 1 I've never seen a MAC school just load the box against a team like Michigan the way that WMU did and just dare Bryce to do something with his arm. It's also a huge reason why Michigan can't be what the offensive identity usually is which is pound the football between the tackles, north/south running. Team isn't built for these east/west type runs. OL aren't athletic enough. You saw the offense and energy change immediately with Carr. Run game was really good, OL got good push, I'm sure Carr will have his freshman moments but the way he can actually work through progressions post snap is going to go a long way to making this offense light years better than its been just by pure play selection options for the team. Can't forget how good of a track record Jason Beck has so willing to give him a chance with Carr. 


Somehow we are onto week 8.. 

1. OSU
2. UCLA +7
3. Nebraska +8.9
4. Indiana +9.4
5. USC +11.9
6. Penn St +17
7. Wisconsin +18.5
8. Michigan +18.6
9. NW + 18.9
10. Iowa +21.2
11. Washington +23
12. Oregon +27
13. Illinois +27
14. Minnesota +27.1
15. MSU +29.3
16. Purdue +30.8
17. Rutgers +33.7
18. Maryland +35.1 

This is going to be extremely interesting moving forward. Sayin out for OSU, does the offense need to change? Is it a bad thing if it does? Sayin pretty locked on one guy (not a bad thing) but won't cut it when the dance starts in December. Does the B1G have an elite team this year? I have questions for the first time in quite a few years, but then I look at the national picture and I honestly don't know who the clear "best" team is. Thought Miami but they looked very beatable this week too. How much longer does DeBoer get at Alabama... he's never going to be the guy there, too soft for the SEC. 

Call me crazy but I like this UCLA team... Dieffenbach was good, not great this week. I still think he's an upgrade at the position over Nico but not sure how long he's out. Bob Chesney is fantastic. The schedule is extremely favorable, they're 6-0 with a trip to AA and home vs USC to close. 10-2 looks to be worst case scenario with 12-0 on the table. 84/1 on DK to win it all, not sure they're THAT good but gives you quite a few options come playoff time with those kind of odds.

Asleep at the wheel this week, there was a +8.5 on Michigan at home vs Indiana this week, now down to 7. This was the game I had circled for Michigan as a home upset. Little water poured on it now with Indiana losing last week. But the defense for IU isn't quite as good, RB's not quite as good imo, and the QB is a significant down grade. Can see my O notes for Michigan above, I do think the defense is elite this year & they've been on the field seemingly forever on Saturdays. Should only improve with a better O supporting them. Again, a big if at this point. I was hopeful Carr would have a little more time to get comfortable with the 1's so not sure im playing this.... yet Becker is as good as it gets for Indy. Marsh a very good receiver as well. Goes back to Hoover... 


UCLA only -13.5 home vs MSU. Really like the bruins again here

USC -3 @ Wisconsin... Do the road issues pop back up for SC or are they over that hump with the win at Happy Valley? Another game with a major talent discrepancy. Not a buyer on Wisconsin at all and think USC could lay it on them here... but team always seems to lay an egg especially on the road

 Hello Hockey, always like to read your thoughts. I am thinking about teasing Mich up to 14.5  and taking under 49. I know, most good cappers do not recommend teasers, but I ain't very good, so I figure that doesn't apply to me, Ha. If you have the time, let me know what you think of that. Thanks for what you do.

Hey HN, I really like Joseph at QB for Wisky and think he is one of the better ones they have had in a while ....against USC, they should be able to move the ball because that D-line of USC tries to get the highlight sack or play near the line and I have seen Joseph's wheels around the edge and he's fast I thought.....tough too ...decent arm and has already faced some tough teams and USC coming east is not too scary

A part of me, says USC is gonna break out and put it together but a check of the calendar you see its time for teams like Miami and USC to start choking  and it almost happened last week

Always love your threads, huge Husker fan here. I think there's a good chance the Indiana vs Michigan game is lower scoring than the OSU game IU game last week. If MU starts Carr they will be even more conservative in my opinion. 

Week 8: 

UCLA -14.5 

Michigan +7.5 

Texas Tech -11.5

Prop: Hiter (Mich) 38+ rush yards 

Few more later 

I haven't been around on weekends much to watch some ball or read your thoughts but will be now for the rest of the season. Thank god Underwood has been benched. I can't remember such a highly touted QB looking so lost out there? How many 4th down throws have ended up in the stands giving his receivers no chance.

Good looking card bud,,,,,Good Luck! 

@thehuntman

Check out the #1 QB prospect out of high school the past 15+ years. Almost a 100% hit rate on being a$$. All the tools are there for Bryce except for between the ears, needs alot of work but will be awesome if he ever develops that. 

Adding:

Oregon / Illinois under 49.5

@buceye9

You did not. “Isn’t quite as good” in reference to the national championship team. YPPP about the same so far against a weaker schedule to date than the team that went through the CFP. Doesn’t say they’re “not good”

My question would be, in your opinion, has Oregon ramped up its defense in defense of not getting 3 losses?? I mentioned two very significant WEEK 8 trends on P4 teams playing each other if one of the teams had 2 losses..... 1st one related to TOTALS and UNDERS specifically

Just added the 2nd trend late last night on win record in Week 8 for 2 loss teams...its mindblowing!

@Last2thirst

My reason is I think Oregon needs to be dependent on the defense with QB issues and so many top WRs out. Illini QB out too, so not sure they can exploit the defensive issues Oregon has shown at times. Do think overall it’s a talented unit and they’ll lean on that group today

Could be wrong and it turns into a total shootout but that’s my thoughts this morning 

Dang, wanted to follow on Bruins, but line now -16 or 16', so I'm going to pass. GL to you! 

@befus

 Yeah understandable. There’s always in game for a better number!! 

Not much difference between 14.5 and 16 as far as football numbers go. 

Well Michigan covers but Jason Beck should be launched to Jupiter. Still laughing at that little playaction roll out from the 1. They are just such a cluster offensively. Truly wasting an elite, elite defense