The Kamikaze Kid

Big Ten regular season leaders last two years: OBD 17-1 Indiana 17-1 tOSU 16-2 Not bad considering the BIG is about to win it's third straight title by three different teams.

Still rooting for Akili Smith Jr to win QB1.

Looking around at the portal rate for other top ten teams, I think it's safe to say the the era of a legit three deep is over. I wonder how this affects Lanning's coaching hires moving forward. I think prioritizing coaches that can prep players for the pros to lure elite portal players will be more important than elite recruiters of players that just portal out anyway.

Five star tight end from Penn St is coming in. Welcome aboard Andrew Olesh!

The Beavers finished that year at 10-3 and ranked 17th just a couple spots below the 10-3 15th ranked Ducks. Washington finished that year at 11-2 and ranked 8th. Lanning's never lost to an unranked team and only lost once to a team outside the top ten.

I'm more in shock than mourning. I felt going in that if we brought our A game we may have a 40-45% chance of winning and was looking forward to a 4th quarter battle that could go our way with a history defining play. Instead we got a bad pick six on thirst play of the game. Then a few minutes later, we had yet another self induced backfield fumble and the game was over just like that. As pointed out on another post. Indy only had to go 30 yards to collect 28 gift wrapped points. It was a complete and utter collapse. It's like stepping in to the ring against Tyson, tripping on the ropes, falling flat on your face and knocking yourself out. It wasn't that we lost it was in the unbelievable and continuous way that it happened.

No matter who wins, Lanning has only lost to championship game participants for 75% of his four year career. He's also had the miss fortune of playing a participant in all four years. In fact only two of his eight total loses we're not to championship participants. Pretty amazing record really.

I'm actually excited for the Akili Smith Jr era to begin. In my mind, it's why Novo portaled out before Moore declared anything. I would rather let Jr grow into the position even if they take a couple Ls than just portal in someone with experience.

A sure fire top five pick or clearly not ready for the pros seems like a bizarrely wide gap. Personally, I like Dante and want him to succeed but I’ve never understood the hype. Where would you rank him with Nix, Herbert, Mariota, Dixon, Harrington , Akili Smith, Musgrave or Miller? Where would he rank with Musgrave Graziani, O Noel, Clemens, Masoli, Thomas, Vernon Adam’s or Gabriel. How would the Ducks have looked last night with any of those other options? Again I like Dante but I just don’t understand the hype.

Imagine the opening play going to Harris.

Bring in a top QB coach capable of being the next OC in a couple years.

The Fighting Google Me 42 The Fighting Mario’s 10

So many negatives have stacked up against the Ducks this past week I'm convinced that it has given Lanning the material for his all time motivational speech ever. Yes I'm entertained and worried and way too excited. Ohio St played like the favorite much like the Ducks the first time, messed around and found out. They could have tied the game late with a field goal but like the Ducks, foolishly gambled on 4th down, went for it and failed, losing by three. Today the Ducks will be dangerous underdogs. That's not Indiana's wheel house. I think the Ducks get it done today.

I just saw a report this morning saying it is an illness and he's expected to power through it.

I'm starting to understand why Ole Miss beat Washington St 24-21.

I’m rooting for Ole Miss. Aside from watching Mario face plant, the team without a coaching staff is hard to root against.

In the end, showing some loyalty to your team may add more NIL value due to character than ditching them mid playoff run will. Potentially scoring the championship winning touchdown wouldn't hurt either. Here's to hoping "Harris was down!" is the Miami barstool lament for years to come.

OBD 16-13 3 TOs 1 sack 265 passing yards

Great come back against a ranked team on the road. Hopefully the team is returning to top twenty form.

The Davison update is an extreme bummer but I see two possible upsides. Maybe Lanning will be more inclined to just take the dang points and punt from midfield as gambles could be even more fatale. The offense may be forced to throw in some unpredictable alternatives that Indy won't be able to prepare for. I'm not happy about this. Just trying to look on the bright side of life.

OBD 19-17 2 TOs 3 Sacks 256 Passing Yards

Wow. MSU blocks a late field goal to force OT then blocks an extra point in OT to set up the win. That's impressive at any level.

I think he is good and improving and has potential to be great but I really don't get all the Number one pick hype. It seems like he needs a lot more development in reading the D scanning the field and finding the best option. The examples posted above prove the point. I saw a replay from the Indiana game of a 4th down play and an open receiver crosses right in front of him but he doesn't throw it. Instead he tucks and runs and comes up short. Bo Nix completes that pass and the drive remains alive. Bo Nix was also a senior and is now leading an NFL team into the playoffs. So is Justin Herbert, another QB that stayed for his senior year. The NFL will always be there but the opportunity to train yourself for long term success will not and that in the end seems to me to be the most important factor.

My math. Voted + Voted = 0 Championships won.