Wednesday Night Sickos Bowl Game Open Thread
So I started the thread at halftime, but USC is exposing the ACC a little bit - 28-14 over Louisville. USC's Caleb Williams replacement is Miller Moss, a local kid from LA. He's 13/18 for 218 and 4TDs - IN THE FIRST HALF! Pretty sure this proves that Lincoln Riley can coach up a QB... SC is also playing better defense than UL, however the hell that happens. UL's pass defense is MSU level...
I have no idea what Texas A&M - OK St are doing...
December 27th, 2023 at 9:37 PM ^
If I'm an NFL GM there's no way I'm taking Caleb Williams at #1 after seeing the backup step right in like Williams is under center, except the backup seems to know how to win. Now, if this jinxes USC. Even better!
December 27th, 2023 at 11:07 PM ^
I do not believe Caleb Williams is “all that”. He may have a lot of Bo Callahan in him.
December 28th, 2023 at 8:10 AM ^
I watched Williams a few times this season and have not come away impressed enough to think he should be the number one pick going away. That and I’ve thought too that it wasn’t clear enough last season and this season if it was more Williams or Lincoln Riley as to why his numbers were so good.
If I’m an nfl GM I’m taking MHjr first because we’ve seen that he can make a decent to good qb look great.
December 27th, 2023 at 9:40 PM ^
Alan Bowman looking good for OK St Cowboys.
December 27th, 2023 at 9:41 PM ^
Bowman just threw a touchdown pass
December 27th, 2023 at 9:49 PM ^
Anyone doing a ESPN Bowl Challenge league?
I have been on the struggle bus, 13-10 and only in the 77.4 percentile, yet thankfully I am still in a tie for first place in my league.
Bowl games feel harder and harder to predict.
December 27th, 2023 at 10:00 PM ^
I don't do anything that involves the four letter network. However, sorry to hear, but almost all of the bowl games so far have been glorified spring games. It's got to be hard to predict based on past performance when rosters are pretty much up in the air.
December 28th, 2023 at 11:23 AM ^
Harder to predict because who the hell knows who's playing or sitting out.
December 27th, 2023 at 10:03 PM ^
OK St is looking good - Bowman is 9/12 for 100 yds and a TD. Three possessions for 17 points midway through the 2nd...
December 27th, 2023 at 10:04 PM ^
Miller Moss was in the same class as JJ.
And, oddly enough, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye.
...also in that class, Q. Ewers, S. Sanders, R. Leonard and J. Dart.
There were also a ton of other guys who start right now as well. That class was loaded.
December 27th, 2023 at 10:16 PM ^
and Milroe
December 27th, 2023 at 11:44 PM ^
Yup, I knew I forgot one, Kyle McCord was the other one.
B1G starters Wimsatt, Deacon Hill, Haarberg, and Kaliakmanis were also in that class.
December 27th, 2023 at 10:21 PM ^
USC with a whopping 25 rushing yards. On 10 carries amongst 5 players. Really laying the hammer down in the trenches they are.
December 27th, 2023 at 10:57 PM ^
They haven’t officially started B1G play yet, so they’re still allowed to believe throwing the ball is a viable way to win football games. Seems to be working for them tonight.
December 27th, 2023 at 10:30 PM ^
Not sure I ever realized what a bright and personable--comfortable--guy Barry Sanders is. Why isn't he doing TV? (Maybe he doesn't want or need to.)
December 27th, 2023 at 10:33 PM ^
Because he's Barry MF Sanders. He doesn't "do TV". TV does him!
Seriously though, I think he's better than he used to be. Surprising he's at the Holiday Bowl vs the Texas Bowl where his alma mater OSU is playing (NTOSU). They did say he broke a rushing record at the Holiday, so I guess that's why. He must be getting paid for his appearance?
December 27th, 2023 at 11:06 PM ^
Definitely getting paid. Dropped lines for San Diego and DirectTV while on Fox. Good for him. I would also choose San Diego
December 27th, 2023 at 10:32 PM ^
ESPN just did a zoom thru the back of the endzone prior to the Ok State TD just now by Ollie Gordon (2nd in FBS touchdowns to everyone's favorite holiday fundraiser) and there's a Michigan fan with the "Michigan v Everybody" sweatshirt. Saluting you sir!
December 27th, 2023 at 11:10 PM ^
A poster in the other game thread did say they were going to the Texas Bowl. Could be them...?
December 27th, 2023 at 10:40 PM ^
SEC! SEC!
December 27th, 2023 at 10:48 PM ^
Hey, hey....anyone want to tune in to ESPN so their "experts" can tell us how great Alabama is and how in the world are we going to be able to stop Milroe? He's never shown to be erratic at all, right?
I mean why are we even showing up?
I have 2 TV's on the wall, one is tuned in to the Holiday Bowl and the other on B1G network and the '89 Rose Bowl....fuck you espn!!!!
December 27th, 2023 at 11:06 PM ^
Don't mind this at all. This is great for our team.
Michigan vs Everybody.
December 28th, 2023 at 1:57 AM ^
It's better than the alternative, which was last year. UM walked into that game like it was already over. Edwards himself admitted that his first big run kinda verified that for him and most of the team. It's genuine rat poison to have the talking heads slob you off.
I'm not sure UM beats Bama but I'd rather everyone think they have no chance than the opposite. Football is still largely a game of emotion. It's easy to quit when down or a single thing goes poorly when you have to bash your body into other massive dudes. It's easy to just tap out so the mental edge is a real thing. Taking that punishment longer than your opponent on a player to player basis matters a lot and the motivation of everyone saying you'll get trounced may help them. It definitely can't hurt as opposed to being the team everyone is saying can sleepwalk to victory.
I also won't totally discount their reasoning behind the thought. Michigan better have some stuff cooked up because the same old stuff won't get it done. The preseason+PSU/OSU gameplan UM used all year won't beat Bama without Milroe totally melting down to the tune of less than 10pts. The generic UM offense won't even score on that defense and it's not even an impenetrable defense. It just won't do the job so I do see their general point. I simply think UM can be a bit more than we've seen this year if they also realize this fact and prepped accordingly.
December 27th, 2023 at 10:58 PM ^
USC selects simulate to next change of possession when it's time to play defense.
December 27th, 2023 at 11:00 PM ^
"The Transfer Portal is the beer goggles of college football"
Thank you Joel Klatt
December 27th, 2023 at 11:03 PM ^
Sure it doesn’t prove that
December 27th, 2023 at 11:07 PM ^
Doesn't prove what? We're not mind readers.
December 28th, 2023 at 2:21 AM ^
That Lincoln Riley rates himself a 10 on performance reviews.
December 27th, 2023 at 11:07 PM ^
Ok St is destroying aTm, so I'm watching USC - Louisville defense-is-optional football. S'fun...
December 27th, 2023 at 11:16 PM ^
It will be fun to see the USC defense try to hold up in the BIG… not many stout run defenders, I hope we shred them next year!
December 28th, 2023 at 2:00 AM ^
They made a great hire though. We'll see what it is after an offseason of prep. They got the guy that would probably have been offered if Minter left.
December 28th, 2023 at 6:56 PM ^
Hey did you ever hear anymore regarding Domani?
December 27th, 2023 at 11:08 PM ^
I saw Gunnar Gundy score a TD for OSU. Their punter is a Kaak who attended ProKick High School in Australia.
December 27th, 2023 at 11:42 PM ^
Just saw the Michigan vs Everybody guy on the Texas Bowl telecast. He's not the hero we deserve, but he's the hero we need right now.
December 27th, 2023 at 11:59 PM ^
Well, this wasn't a night game, but anyone catch the Duke mayo bowl? They literally had the play by play guys eating different types of Duke mayo on fries, sandwiches, chips etc.
Don't get me wrong, the habanero looked awesome, but it's gone too far when they announcers are snacking on the sponsor stuff on air. Obviously pre-planned and total shill stuff.
December 28th, 2023 at 1:10 AM ^
That started a few years ago with Mike Golic Jr I think it was. Remember him actually enjoying dipping an Oreo in mayo. Been a tradition for that bowl ever sense.
EDIT Found the clip
December 28th, 2023 at 7:47 AM ^
LOL! Golic was more professional and faked liking it. The other guys face said it all...
December 28th, 2023 at 1:23 AM ^
Welcome to Late Stage Capitalism.
December 28th, 2023 at 2:25 AM ^
Imagine one of them giving their honest opinion and saying one of the combos is disgusting...no, it's staged and they are paid to follow the company line.
December 28th, 2023 at 8:26 AM ^
Maybe it's just me, but the mayo nachos didn't sound all that bad.
December 28th, 2023 at 8:32 AM ^
Not to say I told ya so, but I’ve banged the drum on Miller Moss on this blog a few times before and he proved me right
December 28th, 2023 at 8:34 AM ^
I watched a bit of Miller Moss. Kid puts nice touch on his throws from the limited number of throws I saw him make, including one beautiful TD pass where he perfectly arced the ball up and placed it where his short receiver could make the catch. The next TD pass was a zinger of a throw. Kid has some serious potential and it will be interesting to see what he does next year, especially on Sept 21st when The University of Spoiled Children come to Ann Arbor.
December 28th, 2023 at 11:30 AM ^
Christ, next year is going to be great.
December 28th, 2023 at 6:11 PM ^
How can you even say this? Rutgers and Maryland are off the schedule.
December 28th, 2023 at 7:07 PM ^
I went to Maryland this year and loved it. Museums were epic. The African American museum was worth the trip... an no injuries (as I recall.)
December 28th, 2023 at 10:11 PM ^
Good Sh*t Jedd. AZ tearing up OK
December 28th, 2023 at 10:14 PM ^
FWIW—Taylor Upshaw has 8.5 sacks this year.