Week 13: Coming into Focus

 

Week 13: Coming into Focus

For everyone who was panicking over how we would fit all these teams into the playoffs, we got some answers this weekend. Absolutely amazing weekend of college ball with some tight games and some surprise victories. I hope you all enjoy and have a Happy Thanksgiving. Here we go!

A Week (12) in Review

Favorite Game: Baylor vs TCU

Everyone was giving the Horned Frogs grief for a close game until their own teams started to struggle. TCU has survived a gauntlet of big games this year in what is probably the second best conference. Baylor has had a disappointing season but has a talented roster and a tough home field to win at. Give the kicker credit for not rushing as he ran out to kick the field goal with time ticking away. It was a master class in staying calm and the Horned Frogs are two wins away from CFP glory. Amazing tweet too by the Horned Frogs Twitter account:

Favorite Uniform: Snow Games

With all due respect to the beautiful uniform combo in LA on Saturday, as a Midwesterner there is just something about a snow game. It takes me back to when I was a kid in the backyard with friends. Sure, it's sloppy football and can get bogged down, but football was made to be played in all the elements. Enjoy the snapshots below.

Other Notes from the Weekend

The Game could have had a different feel this upcoming Saturday if Illinois and Maryland could have pulled off the upsets. It is hard to have those look-head games but credit to the Buckeyes and Wolverines for getting the wins and setting up an amazing game on Saturday... Georgia also had to play a close one. Kentucky had a disappointing season but has the QB to compete on the right Saturday... Georgia's neighbors, Georgia Tech, are rebuilding a program that was in complete shambles. North Carolina's close games finally caught up to them and they are out of the playoff hunt... The Volunteers' season to remember is now over and we wish Hooker a speedy recovery. A lot of people thought South Carolina could be good this year and Rattle finally played like the high recruit he was. Great game, Gamecocks... USC vs UCLA was almost the game of the weekend. The Trojans have forced a lot of big turnovers this season and got one again to seal the win. Caleb Williams is now my Heisman frontrunner but we will see if they can take down the Irish on Saturday... Oregon survived on a gutsy performance by Bo Nix. Utah remains a tough out, even at a night game in Autzen... Arkansas was frisky on a chilly night in Fayetteville. Ole Miss has to bounce back with a big game this Thursday... Navy just drained the life out of UCF. Every year a service academy has a win like this and good luck predicting which one it is... Classy move by Virginia Tech and Liberty to honor UVA at their game, loved the uniform combo... IU got the win in a wild 2OT game. Sparty is down bad this year... Congrats to Cal for getting the win on the anniversary of the wonderful highlight when the Stanford band ran on the field... The Sooners won Bedlam and that will do well to endear their coaching staff to the fan base after an up and down season... There were a ton of close games around the Group of 5 this week. College football is delivering on all levels... Can we stop with talking about how its surprising when tall quarterbacks get the ball batted down? These guys are max 6'6" are throwing behind mountains of human beings blocking the best athletes on planet earth. All of these quarterbacks are throwing through windows, not over the top of these giant linemen...

Favorite Play of the Week

Earlier in the season we broke down a running back wheel to the short side of the field for a red zone touchdown. But USC ran the same play for a 35 yard touchdown! Is this Marshall Faulk on the Greatest Show on Turf??? No, he was a San Diego State Aztec. Lincoln Riley has added some more wrinkles to his offense and it has paid off this season.


What an amazing catch by a running back and he gets both feet down. What a weapon out of the backfield. Whenever a team gets to their own 45 until the 35 going in they are looking to take shots. Football is a game of big plays and windows get small in the red zone. But this is a creative way to score a long touchdown. Let's look and how it went down.


  • USC comes out with two tight ends (dots 1 and 2) to the short side of the field and a running back (dot 3). For a spread team, that is a lot of big people on the field. The defense has to respond.
  • Adding more stress to the Bruins is having two wide receivers (dot 4) to the wide side of the field. They have to cover the box and all the green on the other side.
  • The defense is all within 7 yards of the line of scrimmage. This isn't a 7th grade Wing-T team, this is the USC Trojans who score over 40 with ease. Putting two TE's on the field forces them to think run and provides advantageous throwing lanes. This is how Tom Brady loves to operate. When the GOAT does something, take notes.

  • Riley has brought everyone close and now he is making them cover all 53.5 yards of the width of the field. The outside tight end (dot 1) and slot receiver (dot 3) are running quick outs.
  • The other tight end (dot 2) is mucking up the middle of the field and has three defenders watching him. This allows the running back (dot 4) to streak down the sideline, which he can get to since he is on the short side.


  • Nothing crazy to note here, just admiring how much space Williams has to throw the ball. If you give a Heisman contender that room and you play all your defenders up to the line of scrimmage you're gonna have a bad time.

  • Williams didn't need to throw the ball towards the sideline that much but his running back helps him out. Not too many receivers can make that catch, but a running back does and gets six points. Well done Trojans.

Week 13 Preview

Favorite Game: Rivalry Week

I'm not going to tell you which game is my favorite game to watch this weekend (it's IU vs Purdue if you wanted to know). It's Rivalry Week! Watch your favorite school play one of their biggest rivals. Throw the records out. Banter with friends and family who cheer for the other school. Have a leftover turkey sandwich. From MACtion on Tuesday to the Egg Bowl on Thursday to all the games on Friday and Saturday, enjoy all of it. And this is the last full slate of the season, so you better enjoy.

Favorite Player to Watch: 

Last year in The Game, Michigan's physicality won out, especially on the defensive front. Everyone thought Michigan lost all its pass rush but Mike Morris is a freak who has played his way into a first round pick. When CJ Stroud and Co. are on the field keep an eye on #90 (he's 6'6" and 292 lbs, you can't miss him), he will usually be around the football.

Also Worth Watching: Carson Steele (RB - Ball State) vs Miami (OH)

Biggest Game of the Week: Michigan vs Ohio State

This game could be a playoff eliminator. Does the physicality of Michigan dominate or do the high-flying Buckeyes keep running the score up after losing last season? A beautiful uniform matchup and a rivalry as old as time, let's enjoy.

Also Worth Watching: Alabama vs Auburn

3 and Out

Season Total: (16-19) -2.70 Units

Spread Picks (7-10) -3.75 Units, O/U Picks (6-5) +0.40 Units, ML Picks (5-6) +0.65 Units

Good vibes only, let's keep climbing.

1st Pick of the Week: o57 (-115) Michigan vs Ohio State

There is too much offensive firepower on the field for this under to hit. I don't necessarily think it will be a close game, often this one is an emotional battle where someone rides the wave and gets up big. It could be a close one (did JT Barrett convert that fourth down?), but regardless there will be a ton of points.

2nd Pick of the Week: Nebraska +10.5 (-110) vs Iowa

The battle for who has better corn is back! Iowa's defense can bring the best offense to a grinding halt. But their offense can make any defense look like the '85 Bears. I think the Cornhuskers can put up a few points and I doubt Iowa can score enough to get 11+ points ahead. As ugly as the game will be, the red and white vs black and yellow is always lovely.

3rd Pick of the Week: Ball State ML (+125) vs Miami (OH)

We have a 5-6 vs 5-6 matchup where the winner goes bowling and the loser goes home. Vegas thinks this is a neutral site toss up but gives the slight edge to the home team. I think the Cardinals have more continuity on offense and that brings the victory. Give me the slight dog and Chirp Chirp!

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