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What's the money line? I'll take the Cats and the odds.Stanford -13 o/u 40, posted at 5dimes last night.
Thats not saying much for our offense against a team with 4 starters returning on defense, thats a projection of 26.5-13.5
I love it when The Cats win. I don't care what the odds are going in.Love it when The Cats are dogs.
I have mixed feelings about what will happen. No doubt, Thorson will be solid, but the question is how long will it take for him to taste, digest, and be comfortable with the system? As long as we can see the future and there is some progress then we should be fine. 5-7 may not be a bad year since we are transitioning with a new QB. I remember when Kustoc started his first several games, even though we only won a few, we could clearly see the future and that it looked promising.Yeah, but we're replacing our starting QB, two of our most productive WRs, and two starters from an OL that was largely underwhelming last season. I can understand that line, though I wouldn't bet it either way. Seeing is believing. The Cats need to prove themselves before they start getting respect from Vegas this year.
5-7 may not be a bad year since we are transitioning with a new QB. 5 wins will be good, considering we have really tough OOC teams like Duke and Stanford. Winning two OOC, and 3 BIG with a freshman QB and brand new OL, imo, will be a par coaching job. If Fitz can win 6 games then he did a good job at coaching. If he can win 7 with this team, then he did a helluva job. I have a really hard time wondering how we are going to score points. It still comes down to trusting our OL and WR, and those are the two biggest weaknesses on our team. And now with a redshirt freshman at QB? Things are too heavy this year imo
I have mixed feelings about what will happen. No doubt, Thorson will be solid, but the question is how long will it take for him to taste, digest, and be comfortable with the system? As long as we can see the future and there is some progress then we should be fine. 5-7 may not be a bad year since we are transitioning with a new QB. I remember when Kustoc started his first several games, even though we only won a few, we could clearly see the future and that it looked promising.
The Stanford line is about right, imo. This isn't going to be a 3 headed QB opening season game like Air Force when Baz, Webb, and Stauss all were thrown in. My bet is that we are sticking with Thorson for 80% of the plays, spelling him with Alviti to show a different look, and we will take our lumps this year against top teams but progress and learn. I want us to beat Stanford but if we can stay reasonably close with Thorson's first start then I think we have to like that. I know that sounds non-purple like but Stanford is a program that has been consistent of late and our Coaches will have their hands full developing a whole new OL and a QB. Doesn't matter if Fitz/McCall are great coaches or not, it's a terribly tough assignment to place on a brand new OL and QB.
At any rate, I want this program to be reborn and that means we have to be willing to sweat out the infant stage. 5 wins will be good, considering we have really tough OOC teams like Duke and Stanford. Winning two OOC, and 3 BIG with a freshman QB and brand new OL, imo, will be a par coaching job. If Fitz can win 6 games then he did a good job at coaching. If he can win 7 with this team, then he did a helluva job. I have a really hard time wondering how we are going to score points. It still comes down to trusting our OL and WR, and those are the two biggest weaknesses on our team. And now with a redshirt freshman at QB? Things are too heavy this year imo
Has it been determined that Thorson is going to be the starting QB? While Oliver has been underwhelming, he has little real game experience and only one week with number one team. I would not be surprised either way.I have mixed feelings about what will happen. No doubt, Thorson will be solid, but the question is how long will it take for him to taste, digest, and be comfortable with the system? As long as we can see the future and there is some progress then we should be fine. 5-7 may not be a bad year since we are transitioning with a new QB. I remember when Kustoc started his first several games, even though we only won a few, we could clearly see the future and that it looked promising.
The Stanford line is about right, imo. This isn't going to be a 3 headed QB opening season game like Air Force when Baz, Webb, and Stauss all were thrown in. My bet is that we are sticking with Thorson for 80% of the plays, spelling him with Alviti to show a different look, and we will take our lumps this year against top teams but progress and learn. I want us to beat Stanford but if we can stay reasonably close with Thorson's first start then I think we have to like that. I know that sounds non-purple like but Stanford is a program that has been consistent of late and our Coaches will have their hands full developing a whole new OL and a QB. Doesn't matter if Fitz/McCall are great coaches or not, it's a terribly tough assignment to place on a brand new OL and QB.
At any rate, I want this program to be reborn and that means we have to be willing to sweat out the infant stage. 5 wins will be good, considering we have really tough OOC teams like Duke and Stanford. Winning two OOC, and 3 BIG with a freshman QB and brand new OL, imo, will be a par coaching job. If Fitz can win 6 games then he did a good job at coaching. If he can win 7 with this team, then he did a helluva job. I have a really hard time wondering how we are going to score points. It still comes down to trusting our OL and WR, and those are the two biggest weaknesses on our team. And now with a redshirt freshman at QB? Things are too heavy this year imo
That could happen and Oliver will certainly have something to say about it, but, imo, for that to happen, Oliver has to separate himself. Not sure he has done that.aaaannnnndddd what is your comment if Oliver is the QB and basically starts every game? I won't be shocked at all, given this staff.
Why would that be a surprise considering we have no idea what to expect out of the most important position on the field.Stanford -13 o/u 40, posted at 5dimes last night.
Thats not saying much for our offense against a team with 4 starters returning on defense, thats a projection of 26.5-13.5
Yeah, I know that sounds bad, i.e., 5 wins. But we are in a jam. exactly who are we going to beat to get to 6 wins? I gotta think we will be big dogs to Stanford and Duke. So let's figure 2 OOC wins. That leaves us with trying to pick up 4 BIG wins??? I hope we can attain that but I think the last two years had more experience on our team and we still couldn't get to par in the BIG. Granted we don't play MSU or OSU but I gotta figure we will be dogs in every game other than Purdue and maybe Illinois? Maybe we can upset Minny but they are well coached and on the upswing. Dunno but if we bag 3 wins in the BIG, I'll be content.Sorry, Turk, but 5 wins is never a "good" season when one of the 5 wins is a Div IAA team. Particularly when 3 of the previous 4 years have been losing seasons. Another 5 win season would be depressing. Par to me has to be 6 wins, showing improvement in the only thing that matters, Wins.
I would say that there are a few BIG winnable games as many of our opponents will be in a bit of disarray. Wisconsin has another new HC and lost a bit, we generally play IA pretty close, and even though Harbaugh is good, this is his first year so maybe we catch them. I can see 4 BIG wins and maybe 5 and 2-3 OOC. Depends on who comes to play and develops.Yeah, I know that sounds bad, i.e., 5 wins. But we are in a jam. exactly who are we going to beat to get to 6 wins? I gotta think we will be big dogs to Stanford and Duke. So let's figure 2 OOC wins. That leaves us with trying to pick up 4 BIG wins??? I hope we can attain that but I think the last two years had more experience on our team and we still couldn't get to par in the BIG. Granted we don't play MSU or OSU but I gotta figure we will be dogs in every game other than Purdue and maybe Illinois? Maybe we can upset Minny but they are well coached and on the upswing. Dunno but if we bag 3 wins in the BIG, I'll be content.
Early season college football spreads offer the best opportunity for informed bettors to take advantage of market inefficiencies. I understand that line at this stage. My guess is that it comes down closer to 7 by the time opening day comes around.
Corbi very salient points made. Remember though that in many cases because Las Vegas where I live is more proximic to the west coast and often in ncaa football there is a betting bias. Stanford is not as good as they were but neither are we unfortunately. I like our backs on both sides of the ball. But or qb at this point is all on promise our o line is not good the linebackers in transition and or d line is questionable. If kuhar and mc are back and ready I really like our defensive unit especially our backfield, in fact I can't remember a time when I have felt so good about the d backfield. If niswander can punt well and deep that will be another plus. But Stanford is still big and physical and mcaffery sp? Is a complete stud on O. He will kill us if we can't get a pass rush. I always want us to win but with a huge question mark at qb I just don't see it possible. On the other hand is Thorson can THAT good and be mobile it could be a vastly different story. Thorson though also scares me because it looks like he might snap in half, he's awfully skinny.I am a novice at gambling so you are probably right about the line. If The line line does turn out to be above 10, then it proves my original point that early season lines are driven more by perception than informed analysis. knowing they were on our schedule for the following season, I watched Stanford pretty closely late last year. They are a good team but I think that the decline that folks anticipated when Harbaugh left started to occur last year. They just are not the dominant team they were a few years ago. Hogan is a good QB but they lost a lot on defense from last year. Combine this with the confidence I have that Thorson will emerge and play well, and you can see why I will be putting some shekels on my Cats if they are a 10+ point dog at home for the Stanfors game.
It's NU. As we have seen, they could as easily be 9-3 or 8-4 as 4-8.
Just be careful Corbi I just think that NU is far too enigmatic to bet on a regular basis. I will tell you this my friend, I made a TON of money on NU in 1995 and again in 2012. The only game I missed was the Miami of Ohio game because I couldn't get the bet in on time and I would have lost anyway. I love the Cat's and while I did not attend there, I went to Ferris State on a hockey scholarship, I have always followed the Cat's because winning was so hard there.While most folks don't have a clue about Thorson other than what they have read, I have the benefit of having seen this kid play and develop over the course of his senior year in HS. I believe he is the goods and I'd be shocked if he does not end up starting and performing very well. I have more concerns about some of the supporting cast than I do about Thorson. I think it is very legitimate to view Stanford as a solid favorite going into the game, I just don't think a double digit spread is justified with NU playing at home with the benefit of a whole off season to prepare. Knowing what I know about Stanford and NU, if the Stanford is giving 10 or more points going into the game I am betting heavy on NU>
While I'm hoping that Thorson wins the job, I have heard from a pretty good source that Oliver is considered #1 at this time.Has it been determined that Thorson is going to be the starting QB? While Oliver has been underwhelming, he has little real game experience and only one week with number one team. I would not be surprised either way.
I sure hope you are wrong about this.While I'm hoping that Thorson wins the job, I have heard from a pretty good source that Oliver is considered #1 at this time.
I sure hope you are wrong about this.
I would agree with your assessment of Oliver. He looked very good against NIU and Purdue. Illinois first half was bad and second half bad. I'll say this if our offensive line is better, Oliver will be better. Our running game is legitimate now and with Anderson and his speed in play it will be even better. I think the receivers will be better as well. I have a feeling that the kid we got on signing day as a slot will start ala Jackson as s freshman and I betcha he will be very good. These things said I revert back to the line, if they can play, Oliver will be good. I will also say that although it was a small sample Alviti was very unimpressive last year,even as just a runner.Now that's not a very nice thing to say. Oliver's the only one of the three with any real game experience (at least in throwing the ball). As talented as Thorson might be, it would be a really difficult task for him to come out and be successful against a team like Stanford. Oliver had a bad (ok, very bad) first half against Illinois, but he played better in the second half and he's the QB on the roster with the most experience at this level. Despite what's often repeated here, the coaches will make their decision not out of some "sense of loyalty" but based on who they think gives us the best chance to beat Stanford. They see a heck of a lot more of these guys than I do, so I'll support them in whatever decision they make.
Last year, people were screaming to play Alviti instead of Siemian, and then when Matt actually got in the game, he looked.....unpolished and unprepared for the moment. Give the coaches the benefit of the doubt. If Oliver's our starting QB against Stanford, then that's because he's our best option going into that game.
The other thing is that Oliver had all of one week with the number one unit and it was a shadow of what it was with all the injuries. That is a lot to ask. If he gets the whole preseason with the #1 unit and people are healthy, it might be a different storyI would agree with your assessment of Oliver. He looked very good against NIU and Purdue. Illinois first half was bad and second half bad. I'll say this if our offensive line is better, Oliver will be better. Our running game is legitimate now and with Anderson and his speed in play it will be even better. I think the receivers will be better as well. I have a feeling that the kid we got on signing day as a slot will start ala Jackson as s freshman and I betcha he will be very good. These things said I revert back to the line, if they can play, Oliver will be good. I will also say that although it was a small sample Alviti was very unimpressive last year,even as just a runner.
The reason I am worried about oliver as qb is that we need a dual threat back there. I don't think oliver is that.The other thing is that Oliver had all of one week with the number one unit and it was a shadow of what it was with all the injuries. That is a lot to ask. If he gets the whole preseason with the #1 unit and people are healthy, it might be a different story
If Oliver is the quarterback and our offensive line is similar to the beginning of last year when they were healthy, then I hope that we become an excellent West Coast offense with a good mix of run and short pass with lots of draws and screens. If we try to be a 3 - 5 second drop team, then I agree that we need a more mobile quarterback that can extend plays with his legs and throw on the run.The reason I am worried about oliver as qb is that we need a dual threat back there. I don't think oliver is that.
The reason I am worried about oliver as qb is that we need a dual threat back there. I don't think oliver is that.
I see Thorson and Alviti getting us at least 8-9 wins. I love,love Jackson and can see him being drafted in the third round as a junior! Kid is a hammer and he will have support from other capable rbs!
Stanford is ranked in the top 25 and is known as a power running team. NU's defense lacks the DTs to stop the inside run and lacks the pass rushing d-linemen (why hasn't Ifeadi developed yet?). Last year, NU's defense only generated 17 sacks. When NU pulled upsets v. PSU and UW, NU created some pressure and QB hits (Xavier Washington's, Walker's sacks come to mind) which led to INTs and TOs which NU needs since they can not overpower teams on the line. In our worst loss of the year v. Iowa, the Hawkeyes overpowered our defensive line. Remember when Schreff destroyed our linemen. So other than a subpar defensive line, weak offensive line and very shaky WR corps, I have a lot of confidence in this year's squad. I am hoping for a trip to a bowl, but not sure if it will happen as teams with load the box with 8 guys to control J.Jackson.
Stanford is ranked in the top 25 and is known as a power running team. NU's defense lacks the DTs to stop the inside run and lacks the pass rushing d-linemen (why hasn't Ifeadi developed yet?). Last year, NU's defense only generated 17 sacks. When NU pulled upsets v. PSU and UW, NU created some pressure and QB hits (Xavier Washington's, Walker's sacks come to mind) which led to INTs and TOs which NU needs since they can not overpower teams on the line. In our worst loss of the year v. Iowa, the Hawkeyes overpowered our defensive line. Remember when Schreff destroyed our linemen. So other than a subpar defensive line, weak offensive line and very shaky WR corps, I have a lot of confidence in this year's squad. I am hoping for a trip to a bowl, but not sure if it will happen as teams with load the box with 8 guys to control J.Jackson.