On another note, Rashard is gone, but I wish he would stay, not only for the Illini to have a better chance next year, but also for just the reason Kirk Herbstreit said last night...to learn to pick up a blitz better. He got blown-the-f**k-up by Rey Maua...Meahu...whatever his name is.

 

Yeah, but on the 79 yard run and the pass reception along the sideline he showed he's an NFL back. The USC defense is good and fast, with a number of future NFL players and they couldn't shut him down. Mendenhall can work on picking up the blitz at the next level -- he's a first round pick and should take the money now while he can.

The USC front 7 is as good as I've EVER seen at the college level, but their secondary was atrocious. Taylor Mays is really just an OLB playing safety, and the rest of their rotation was very mediocre. Receivers were open all night, Illinois should have thrown the ball way more, although admittedly it's hard to because their front 7 gets to the QB so fast. I'd say they have 5 future NFL pro bowlers in their front 7, just ridiculous. And you just can't see me on Joe McKnight being this scary Reggie Bush type with what Vontae did to him, and he was held on check other than the fluke lateral play. The biggest problem yesterday was the Illinois LB's and safties are just too slow to cover a team with lots of fast personnel like USC, which is why I appreciate guys like J Leman and Mitchell and Harrison and Sanders and Steele et al, but they'll be replaced by guys with much better speed and that's a good sign. Basically, the Illinois offense wasn't out of it's league (it's offensive coordinator just was in the 1st half), but the Illinois defense was WAY out of it's league.

 

Oh, and on a random note, OU might beat West Virginia tonight in a beating equal to the first 2 BCS games.

The USC front 7 is as good as I've EVER seen at the college level, but their secondary was atrocious. Taylor Mays is really just an OLB playing safety, and the rest of their rotation was very mediocre. Receivers were open all night, Illinois should have thrown the ball way more, although admittedly it's hard to because their front 7 gets to the QB so fast. I'd say they have 5 future NFL pro bowlers in their front 7, just ridiculous. And you just can't see me on Joe McKnight being this scary Reggie Bush type with what Vontae did to him, and he was held on check other than the fluke lateral play. The biggest problem yesterday was the Illinois LB's and safties are just too slow to cover a team with lots of fast personnel like USC, which is why I appreciate guys like J Leman and Mitchell and Harrison and Sanders and Steele et al, but they'll be replaced by guys with much better speed and that's a good sign. Basically, the Illinois offense wasn't out of it's league (it's offensive coordinator just was in the 1st half), but the Illinois defense was WAY out of it's league.

 

I agree with most of that -- Illinois needed to throw more, but the passing offense is limited by the personnel (except Benn of course). I'm surprised UI didn't try to have Williams roll to buy time and then throw, but I haven't seen Williams throw very accurately on the run so maybe that's why. It will be interesting to see if the passing game improves next season. As for the UI defense, I was surprised they played as well as they did for 2.5 quarters. I think exhaustion started to set in at that point. The USC tight end and backs would be a tough matchup for almost any team's linebackers.

 

The USC front 7 is as good as I've EVER seen at the college level, but their secondary was atrocious. Taylor Mays is really just an OLB playing safety, and the rest of their rotation was very mediocre. Receivers were open all night, Illinois should have thrown the ball way more, although admittedly it's hard to because their front 7 gets to the QB so fast. I'd say they have 5 future NFL pro bowlers in their front 7, just ridiculous. And you just can't see me on Joe McKnight being this scary Reggie Bush type with what Vontae did to him, and he was held on check other than the fluke lateral play. The biggest problem yesterday was the Illinois LB's and safties are just too slow to cover a team with lots of fast personnel like USC, which is why I appreciate guys like J Leman and Mitchell and Harrison and Sanders and Steele et al, but they'll be replaced by guys with much better speed and that's a good sign. Basically, the Illinois offense wasn't out of it's league (it's offensive coordinator just was in the 1st half), but the Illinois defense was WAY out of it's league.

 

Oh, and on a random note, OU might beat West Virginia tonight in a beating equal to the first 2 BCS games.

 

Juice throws high when he's on the run, which for next year, might be ok with all the tall receivers coming in. Watch out for Cumberland and Benn next year....

Northern Iowa football>Iowa St. football

 

You know it! And basketball too!

Split national title huh ESPN? Yeah, most national title winners lose to 40 point dogs who have a first time starting backup qb.

The USC front 7 is as good as I've EVER seen at the college level, but their secondary was atrocious. Taylor Mays is really just an OLB playing safety, and the rest of their rotation was very mediocre. Receivers were open all night, Illinois should have thrown the ball way more, although admittedly it's hard to because their front 7 gets to the QB so fast. I'd say they have 5 future NFL pro bowlers in their front 7, just ridiculous. And you just can't see me on Joe McKnight being this scary Reggie Bush type with what Vontae did to him, and he was held on check other than the fluke lateral play. The biggest problem yesterday was the Illinois LB's and safties are just too slow to cover a team with lots of fast personnel like USC, which is why I appreciate guys like J Leman and Mitchell and Harrison and Sanders and Steele et al, but they'll be replaced by guys with much better speed and that's a good sign. Basically, the Illinois offense wasn't out of it's league (it's offensive coordinator just was in the 1st half), but the Illinois defense was WAY out of it's league.

 

Oh, and on a random note, OU might beat West Virginia tonight in a beating equal to the first 2 BCS games.

Vontae was the fastest player on the field period.

Yeah -- that's the height of arrogance, saying that the Vegas spread was right. I don't think it's delusional to think that Iliinois could have avoided coughing up the ball a couple of times.

 

But, hey I'll give you what you want:

Illinois was embarrassed completely. They shouldn't have been anywhere near a BCS bowl. That they were there and not Missouri is a travesty. Missouri would have had an excellent chance of beating USC. Everyone feel better now?

 

Problem with your argument is that Illinois was not there instead of Missouri. Mizzou not being in the BCS had NOTHING to do with Illinois.

 

The only way Missouri could have gotten in is to be picked instead of Kansas.

Problem with your argument is that Illinois was not there instead of Missouri. Mizzou not being in the BCS had NOTHING to do with Illinois.

 

The only way Missouri could have gotten in is to be picked instead of Kansas.

 

Do Missouri fans ever shut up....shut up

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Problem with your argument is that Illinois was not there instead of Missouri. Mizzou not being in the BCS had NOTHING to do with Illinois.

 

The only way Missouri could have gotten in is to be picked instead of Kansas.

 

Is the BCS obligated to take the Big Ten runnerup? I don't know for sure.

 

Either way, Missouri deserved to be in the BCS over at least three teams.

The most entertaining thing about the Fiesta Bowl so far are the continual reaction shots of the male member of the West Virginia Flags(?) sqaud in a full leotard.

 

FLAMING!

Edited January 3, 200818 yr by Gene Honda Civic

what the hell happens to bob stoops in bowl games?

Problem with your argument is that Illinois was not there instead of Missouri. Mizzou not being in the BCS had NOTHING to do with Illinois.

 

The only way Missouri could have gotten in is to be picked instead of Kansas.

Well, sure -- if you go according to the current rules. It doesn't matter. It's just too bad it wasn't a better game.

what the hell happens to bob stoops in bowl games?

He can only win when Mangino is his assistant.

Iglesias is fast as hell.

 

Devine is well...awesome

just another example of how strange this season has been...how the hell could WVU lose to Pitt that last game? That sucks, WV is fast as hell at like every offensive skill position but i had no idea how strong they were in the trenches.

 

and, bradford looking like a frosh and stoops game calling like it's a bowl game, OU has been very disappointing in bowls for several years now, somethin gives.

and michigan fans, i think you can take even more excitement knowing that RR had such a good staff that they can pull this off.

is he bringing his staff with??

they said that the guy coaching this game right now was headed to mich after the game was over.

they said that the guy coaching this game right now was headed to mich after the game was over.

There is a possibility that WVU will keep him and name him as there head coach. He impressed me with based on how well he has handled the media given the circumstances.

 

Good god...Devine is ridiculous. Its crazy how good they will be if White/Slayden stick around another year as Devine will be just as explosive. WVU is fun to watch.

There is a possibility that WVU will keep him and name him as there head coach. He impressed me with based on how well he has handled the media given the circumstances.

 

Good god...Devine is ridiculous. Its crazy how good they will be if White/Slayden stick around another year as Devine will be just as explosive. WVU is fun to watch.

 

Almost got Slaton right there.

 

OU looks a lot like the team that struggled on the road in the Big 12 this year, but much worse, of course.

I used to think Stoops was one of the best coaches in the nation. Oops. That onside kick call, among other things, was ATROCIUS.

Stoops contract still is the best in the nation.

Hopefully these 3 blowouts so far in Rose, Sugar and Fiesta bowls teach BCS a lesson.