Mizzou - Illinois

[King Crimson]

nothing to worry about. Pinkel's D is money. tried and true.

[Shoalzie]

Nathan Schelese

Damn, you're not even trying with that name.

Good player though...no doubt.


So far, so good for 'Shoelace' Robinson as the new Michigan starter.

[War Wagon]

I went from hoping Mizzou would cover the spread of -12.5 to just hoping they'd win when they were down 13-3 at the half... back to hoping they'd cover the spread by the 4th quarter, which they could have easily done.

Losing RB Derrick Washington to "permanent suspension" (wtf is that?) really hurts this teams chances of doing anything special this year. If they go anywhere, it will be because Blaine Gabbert puts them on his shoulders and carrys the load. Only a Jr., this kid has an NFL arm, the ability to scramble and turn broken plays into long gainers.

Defensively, while I know they were playing against a redshirt freshman, they looked pretty damn good. Aldon Smith can flat get after the QB and the secondary looks to be much improved. CB Carl Gettis made some phenomenal plays. I think they'll be weak against the run losing their best linebacker (Will Ebner) to suspension for DUI and there's no replacing a beast like Sean Weatherspoon.

They should easily be 5-0 when they get into the tough part of their schedule in October, a brutal 3 game stretch at ATM, Oklahoma, at Nebraska. But I like their chances of winning at least 2 of 3 in that stretch, especially since their won't be any Donkey Kongs capable of ruining Gabberts season like what happened last year.

[Bizzarofelice]

permanent suspension lets the kid keep his scholly and still go to school. they don't want to take his "education" away but they can't let a possible fingerraper stay on the team.

new TE Egnew looked great. not NFL great (see Coffman and Rucker) but in this sytem that demands no blocking he will be goodsomeone needs to teach gabbert to step into the pocket. if he runs back, and the tackles are getting beat on speed rushes to the outside he will be there for the sack/hurry. step in and let those DEs run past. as good as gabbert looked yesterday, he might as well be a senior because this will be his final year. it isn't that the illini defense was weak, it was that he got the ball to the right spot.

speaking of weak defense, the tigers reminded us of the navy game during the first half. aldon smith is going to be a great outside guy in a 3-4, but are there any run stuffers on the team? ziggy hood got another year of eligibility? got burnt a couple teams cheating the safety... much like most of the last two years.



and remind me why we couldn't get adrian clayborn?

[War Wagon]

as good as gabbert looked yesterday, he might as well be a senior because this will be his final year.

:(

What are you hearing about his projections?

I can't see him leaving early unless we're talking high first round.