Ahhhh last season feels like it was yesterday lol .. okay im biting on one or two of the Natty futures .. not nearly as zeroed in as I felt like I was w the UGA play last pre-ssn but nonetheless I do kinda like this one ..
NATTY '23
OHIO STATE 8.5-1
Theres a fairly obvious reason to like these guys and that is at least last year they were able to genuinely compete with one of the most absolutely LOADED teams CFB ever produced and they were more than capable of beating them ... Not sure how many teams have ever finished a season in such dramatic swings losing to the big rival only to come back and play their best game only to feel like they earned the championship and just had it stolen from them at the last second .. No way a sting like that doesn't band this team together in the offseason.. While that's maybe a bit fluffy sounding I think therein also lies the diff between the many many super talented teams we see flake and fall apart every year and the few that really stick together.. Think the Bucks have no problem charting out a mission to take what they see as rightfully theirs in addition to stomping the crap outta Michigan along the way big time ..
As far as what's coming back the main risk we all see is Stroud being gone and maybe McCord doesn't pan out at QB. But he's got a fairly high 5 star rating pedigree and hasn't given us anything to really dislike about him so far and while I don't often use what I'd call 'portal logic' it does stand to reason that if McCord was on any sorta wrong trajectory or not a fairly sure shot to take the reins then the Buckeyes would almost certainly still have either Ewers or Jack Miller and/or have no shortage of other very highly rated QB's coming in one way or another vying for what is possibly the most coveted QB vacancy in CFB in terms of segueing into a likely high draft status pro career in addition to CFB glory and other personal accolades like winning a heisman trophies etc lol .. My guess is there's a few 18-22 year olds who are qualified and want the job but the succession to McCord is fairly well locked up by now .. we also can't say some of their best pieces won't maybe suddenly declare or get sniped away by the portal snake but at least for now I feel good saying they'll have the best WR in MH-Jr on the best overall receiving corps with an elite TE in Stover returning and with better luck in the health department maybe easily a top 3 stable of RBs, maybe the best .. and past concerns at OL have been repeatedly answered by Ryan Day and think good chance they will be again ..
Tough to evaluate the D right now some guys on the fence to go pro but its projected 7 starters returning including TJ-TUI who became the heart of this D and we'll see if Eichenberg returns and one other have a decision to make .. funny feeling they come back and not in small part due to the sense of unfinished business and maybe further development under Knowles .. recall it took a few years to turn OK.State elite group and they made a MASSIVE jump from BAD power 5 defense in '21 to top 10 or so last year .. there's holes in the secondary to fill but I wouldn't rule out a jump from 'very good' top 10 to an 'elite' top 5 in year 2 .. we're a ways off from having a sense of which direction this unit is gunna go in but 'some degree better' seems entirely possible ..
Ahhhh last season feels like it was yesterday lol .. okay im biting on one or two of the Natty futures .. not nearly as zeroed in as I felt like I was w the UGA play last pre-ssn but nonetheless I do kinda like this one ..
NATTY '23
OHIO STATE 8.5-1
Theres a fairly obvious reason to like these guys and that is at least last year they were able to genuinely compete with one of the most absolutely LOADED teams CFB ever produced and they were more than capable of beating them ... Not sure how many teams have ever finished a season in such dramatic swings losing to the big rival only to come back and play their best game only to feel like they earned the championship and just had it stolen from them at the last second .. No way a sting like that doesn't band this team together in the offseason.. While that's maybe a bit fluffy sounding I think therein also lies the diff between the many many super talented teams we see flake and fall apart every year and the few that really stick together.. Think the Bucks have no problem charting out a mission to take what they see as rightfully theirs in addition to stomping the crap outta Michigan along the way big time ..
As far as what's coming back the main risk we all see is Stroud being gone and maybe McCord doesn't pan out at QB. But he's got a fairly high 5 star rating pedigree and hasn't given us anything to really dislike about him so far and while I don't often use what I'd call 'portal logic' it does stand to reason that if McCord was on any sorta wrong trajectory or not a fairly sure shot to take the reins then the Buckeyes would almost certainly still have either Ewers or Jack Miller and/or have no shortage of other very highly rated QB's coming in one way or another vying for what is possibly the most coveted QB vacancy in CFB in terms of segueing into a likely high draft status pro career in addition to CFB glory and other personal accolades like winning a heisman trophies etc lol .. My guess is there's a few 18-22 year olds who are qualified and want the job but the succession to McCord is fairly well locked up by now .. we also can't say some of their best pieces won't maybe suddenly declare or get sniped away by the portal snake but at least for now I feel good saying they'll have the best WR in MH-Jr on the best overall receiving corps with an elite TE in Stover returning and with better luck in the health department maybe easily a top 3 stable of RBs, maybe the best .. and past concerns at OL have been repeatedly answered by Ryan Day and think good chance they will be again ..
Tough to evaluate the D right now some guys on the fence to go pro but its projected 7 starters returning including TJ-TUI who became the heart of this D and we'll see if Eichenberg returns and one other have a decision to make .. funny feeling they come back and not in small part due to the sense of unfinished business and maybe further development under Knowles .. recall it took a few years to turn OK.State elite group and they made a MASSIVE jump from BAD power 5 defense in '21 to top 10 or so last year .. there's holes in the secondary to fill but I wouldn't rule out a jump from 'very good' top 10 to an 'elite' top 5 in year 2 .. we're a ways off from having a sense of which direction this unit is gunna go in but 'some degree better' seems entirely possible ..
^^^ Last note .. UGA is rightfully in command of the natty futures market at 3-1 and man even the 3rd string looks strong and sounds like they might be EVEN more loaded next year.. and we'll see if they can stick together after B2B natty's it was a special group they've had the last 2 years and bringing forth a new QB much higher rated than Stetty B but new nonetheless ... Think one reason to take 8.5-1 w the Bucks so far in advance is that I see a good chance these odds slide maybe considerably as we get closer to the season maybe 5 or 4-1 especially if the markets don't start to see Bama as a truly legit #2 .. they certainly have a few lingering questions in spots that are tough for elite teams to have questions about namely at QB with Milroe and a WR group that was nowhere near what we're used to this year with the Tide but we have guys like JOJO Earle going to TCU and a few others leaving ... maybe possible guys aren't believing in the direction of the offense with Young leaving and seeing Milroe struggle last year .. Not saying they won't have a talented group but the WR and TE losses even while Young was there have been pretty noticeable and the next chance to see any real evidence that Bama will have any kind of strong QB for their pass game is probably not until the spring game .. just seems like if a top WR hits the portal tomorrow and Bama wants him I think they'll be wayyy tougher to land ... but even if Bama sticks at #2 I really can't see OSU getting better odds than 8.5-1 especially if one or two on the guys on the fence for the draft decide to return .. so could see odds drop sooner than later . good luck!
^^^ Last note .. UGA is rightfully in command of the natty futures market at 3-1 and man even the 3rd string looks strong and sounds like they might be EVEN more loaded next year.. and we'll see if they can stick together after B2B natty's it was a special group they've had the last 2 years and bringing forth a new QB much higher rated than Stetty B but new nonetheless ... Think one reason to take 8.5-1 w the Bucks so far in advance is that I see a good chance these odds slide maybe considerably as we get closer to the season maybe 5 or 4-1 especially if the markets don't start to see Bama as a truly legit #2 .. they certainly have a few lingering questions in spots that are tough for elite teams to have questions about namely at QB with Milroe and a WR group that was nowhere near what we're used to this year with the Tide but we have guys like JOJO Earle going to TCU and a few others leaving ... maybe possible guys aren't believing in the direction of the offense with Young leaving and seeing Milroe struggle last year .. Not saying they won't have a talented group but the WR and TE losses even while Young was there have been pretty noticeable and the next chance to see any real evidence that Bama will have any kind of strong QB for their pass game is probably not until the spring game .. just seems like if a top WR hits the portal tomorrow and Bama wants him I think they'll be wayyy tougher to land ... but even if Bama sticks at #2 I really can't see OSU getting better odds than 8.5-1 especially if one or two on the guys on the fence for the draft decide to return .. so could see odds drop sooner than later . good luck!
My bold prediction for the B1G in 2023 might be OSU to finish 3rd in the B1G East. My way too early surprise team next year is Penn St.
Very young in ‘22 and have a highly touted kid taking over at QB. Get UM at home which these teams tend to trade home wins. Michigan, if Harbaugh stays, will have its best team yet under Jim. The conference will certainly run through AA assuming this staff stays intact.
My bold prediction for the B1G in 2023 might be OSU to finish 3rd in the B1G East. My way too early surprise team next year is Penn St.
Very young in ‘22 and have a highly touted kid taking over at QB. Get UM at home which these teams tend to trade home wins. Michigan, if Harbaugh stays, will have its best team yet under Jim. The conference will certainly run through AA assuming this staff stays intact.
Yeah Penn State seems to have jumped onto everyone's radar will def make da East Side interesting .. and beyond what's coming back look at that schedule lol perfectly manicured to make a run this year .. @ILL, Iowa early on is the tough stretch and shouldn't trip them up any .. only spot with any potential shock value seems like a roadie to MD before Michigan but otherwise all the potentially tricky spots occupied by Del, @NU, Umass, Indy or Rutgers 4/5 at home .. I mean if they get Michigan at night for a white out game we'll know for sure there's some FIFA business going on .. think they're far off from being natty grade but nobody surprised if they're trading shots w the big boys this year ..
More off the radar but I think Wisco has just an unbelievable amount of potential for a turnaround, Leonhard was the only thing keeping the program afloat for years, D drops from super elite for one year and whole thing falls apart total disaster .. I thought Fickell was even keeping Jim at DC that woulda been huge but not as concerned bringing Tressel with him.. Offense has QB's lining up now for first time in 20 years lol and think for good reason .. schedule doesn't have the easy mortar that PSU has potentially tricky in the tough mid-ssn stretch there but its all survivable and toughest game by far is OSU in Madison and Bucks will be off maybe likely a huge PSU win, real tricky spot for them .. think the Div will just be sitting there for the taking again .. so idk .. biggest shocker could come from the West this year ..
Yeah Penn State seems to have jumped onto everyone's radar will def make da East Side interesting .. and beyond what's coming back look at that schedule lol perfectly manicured to make a run this year .. @ILL, Iowa early on is the tough stretch and shouldn't trip them up any .. only spot with any potential shock value seems like a roadie to MD before Michigan but otherwise all the potentially tricky spots occupied by Del, @NU, Umass, Indy or Rutgers 4/5 at home .. I mean if they get Michigan at night for a white out game we'll know for sure there's some FIFA business going on .. think they're far off from being natty grade but nobody surprised if they're trading shots w the big boys this year ..
More off the radar but I think Wisco has just an unbelievable amount of potential for a turnaround, Leonhard was the only thing keeping the program afloat for years, D drops from super elite for one year and whole thing falls apart total disaster .. I thought Fickell was even keeping Jim at DC that woulda been huge but not as concerned bringing Tressel with him.. Offense has QB's lining up now for first time in 20 years lol and think for good reason .. schedule doesn't have the easy mortar that PSU has potentially tricky in the tough mid-ssn stretch there but its all survivable and toughest game by far is OSU in Madison and Bucks will be off maybe likely a huge PSU win, real tricky spot for them .. think the Div will just be sitting there for the taking again .. so idk .. biggest shocker could come from the West this year ..
also not proclaiming the Bucks will stomp Michigan on the road next year that was just context for their motivations next season .. Can't be picking natty winners a year in advance using 'way too early' top 25 polls, gotta start with the requisite talent load and has to be some strong tie that binds the team toward achieving a big goal like that .. and to Michigan's credit they helped create that position .. Buckeyes losing 2 in a row and a total curb stompin at home?? .. just seems like they'll have a fairly strong motivation for some payback next year ... and beyond that they did have what seemed like a Dawg win fairly in hand and it got snatched away at the last second .. and in retrospect I could see how they could maybe sorta feel like the natty got snatched away then too .... and just for the record I'm not proclaiming they lost the natty in that game .. for all we know they might have lost to TCU too .. baahaaaa oh man I know its too soon sorry ... you made me explain myself and that was just kinda sittin there, had to do it .. all in fun ..
also not proclaiming the Bucks will stomp Michigan on the road next year that was just context for their motivations next season .. Can't be picking natty winners a year in advance using 'way too early' top 25 polls, gotta start with the requisite talent load and has to be some strong tie that binds the team toward achieving a big goal like that .. and to Michigan's credit they helped create that position .. Buckeyes losing 2 in a row and a total curb stompin at home?? .. just seems like they'll have a fairly strong motivation for some payback next year ... and beyond that they did have what seemed like a Dawg win fairly in hand and it got snatched away at the last second .. and in retrospect I could see how they could maybe sorta feel like the natty got snatched away then too .... and just for the record I'm not proclaiming they lost the natty in that game .. for all we know they might have lost to TCU too .. baahaaaa oh man I know its too soon sorry ... you made me explain myself and that was just kinda sittin there, had to do it .. all in fun ..
It is setting up to be a very good race next year in the East. I think Mich will have some votes for the #1 ranking preseason. They’re completely loaded, 1 game doesn’t change that. Didn’t deserve to win on NYE, but I’d feel very comfortable saying they win that game 8/10 times minimum. Unfortunately for me, “should win” doesn’t count… and when you play like they did you get what you deserve.
Think that NCG would have been really good had UM completed that comeback.
UGA has every right to be #1 until proven otherwise but do think there will/should be some votes for UM. Thought that preseason +14.5 for the game in 2022 was one of the nicer gifts from the books, and my initial thought for the 2023 game is to take UM anything -4 or better. Will have to look at Wisconsin as you mentioned, truly haven’t even peaked at what they have coming back or the schedule for ‘23!
It is setting up to be a very good race next year in the East. I think Mich will have some votes for the #1 ranking preseason. They’re completely loaded, 1 game doesn’t change that. Didn’t deserve to win on NYE, but I’d feel very comfortable saying they win that game 8/10 times minimum. Unfortunately for me, “should win” doesn’t count… and when you play like they did you get what you deserve.
Think that NCG would have been really good had UM completed that comeback.
UGA has every right to be #1 until proven otherwise but do think there will/should be some votes for UM. Thought that preseason +14.5 for the game in 2022 was one of the nicer gifts from the books, and my initial thought for the 2023 game is to take UM anything -4 or better. Will have to look at Wisconsin as you mentioned, truly haven’t even peaked at what they have coming back or the schedule for ‘23!
oh yeah that was my takeaway too Mich beats TCU fairly easy i mean 2 pick 6's and inside the 5 twice w no points got field goal a other time they were close .. so net net 31 point swing on those exhchanges before the fireworks even began and then lose by 6 .. so yeah think you roll the dice one more time and good chance they win that one comfortably .. and kinda opposite for buckeyes it looked like far and away their best game .. run game was hit and kiss but yeah stroud was pure fire .. but thats how to beat those guys the dawgs run stop unit was epic all year, only shot was success against the secondary .. not easy either ..
yeah uga might be even more loded next year the arc may keep going for them .. And gotta be a concerns brewing over Bama's situation im not totally dialed into them yet but def wondering about the QB and the receivers .. maybe at RB too?.. Tenn with an awesome looking 5 star QB coming in and well see w Milton .. Hooker's a big loss but conceivable they are just all around better if the D improves, lot to like w them!
oh yeah that was my takeaway too Mich beats TCU fairly easy i mean 2 pick 6's and inside the 5 twice w no points got field goal a other time they were close .. so net net 31 point swing on those exhchanges before the fireworks even began and then lose by 6 .. so yeah think you roll the dice one more time and good chance they win that one comfortably .. and kinda opposite for buckeyes it looked like far and away their best game .. run game was hit and kiss but yeah stroud was pure fire .. but thats how to beat those guys the dawgs run stop unit was epic all year, only shot was success against the secondary .. not easy either ..
yeah uga might be even more loded next year the arc may keep going for them .. And gotta be a concerns brewing over Bama's situation im not totally dialed into them yet but def wondering about the QB and the receivers .. maybe at RB too?.. Tenn with an awesome looking 5 star QB coming in and well see w Milton .. Hooker's a big loss but conceivable they are just all around better if the D improves, lot to like w them!
the fact Milton looked the way he did against Clemson makes me believe it’s more of a plug and play situation not necessarily Hooker is that good. UT will be fun again but they’re literally the only team UGA has to prep for on the ‘23 schedule at first look so good luck with that one UT.
There’s a strong rumor out there that Domani Jackson might transfer to UM, almost committed last year with Will Johnson but stayed at USC. Apparently not happy with Grinch as the DC. If that happens my god.. lock down + lock down on both corners. That kid is unbelievably talented, was thinking he was going to be an under the radar game changer for usc next year on the defensive side of the ball if he could get healthy. Keep an eye on that name.
the fact Milton looked the way he did against Clemson makes me believe it’s more of a plug and play situation not necessarily Hooker is that good. UT will be fun again but they’re literally the only team UGA has to prep for on the ‘23 schedule at first look so good luck with that one UT.
There’s a strong rumor out there that Domani Jackson might transfer to UM, almost committed last year with Will Johnson but stayed at USC. Apparently not happy with Grinch as the DC. If that happens my god.. lock down + lock down on both corners. That kid is unbelievably talented, was thinking he was going to be an under the radar game changer for usc next year on the defensive side of the ball if he could get healthy. Keep an eye on that name.
And as far as Jim Harbaugh goes, dead period ends Thursday, I hope that we hear by the end of this week that he’s being made the highest paid coach in the B1G. He absolutely has earned it. I personally don’t think the NFL smoke is real, but if the AD keeps running this show the way that he is then I wouldn’t blame him for wanting to leave. The CFB is changing, UM has literally every single resource available to them and the AD refuses to unlock it.
Might be wishful thinking but I say a massive contract is announced by the end of the week for Jim.
And as far as Jim Harbaugh goes, dead period ends Thursday, I hope that we hear by the end of this week that he’s being made the highest paid coach in the B1G. He absolutely has earned it. I personally don’t think the NFL smoke is real, but if the AD keeps running this show the way that he is then I wouldn’t blame him for wanting to leave. The CFB is changing, UM has literally every single resource available to them and the AD refuses to unlock it.
Might be wishful thinking but I say a massive contract is announced by the end of the week for Jim.
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