Well folks, welcome back to the Big Slate. This week will bring us some star studded matchups, but before we dive into all of that, it’s time to get into this weeks…
Cowboys @ Steelers Recap
Ummmm… Yikes… This game filled with field goals, defenses bending and breaking at times, and penalties. Unfortunately, I don’t think this game really tells us much about either of these teams, other than they both have respectable but not ELITE defenses, which I think we already knew.
This tweet pretty much summed up the entire game..
#11 USC @ Minnesota Recap
Well, Well, Well. Was I right or was I RIGHT about this game. This is one that had upset written ALL OVER IT.
While the Golden Gophers did force some errors from Miller Moss, it was Brosmer’s game managing and Darius Taylor’s MONSTER night that secured the victory for Minnesota. It was a tight race up until the very end and it seemed like the home cooking in Minneapolis was enough to give the Gophers an edge and the victory.
NFL Game of the Week: Commanders @ Ravens
If there’s one NFL fan base that you have to be happy for, it’s the Washington Commanders fans. After all that they’ve been through the last couple years, they finally get a quarterback who looks to not just be competent, but gooooood. After watching Jayden Daniels dismantle my Browns defense, I can say two things.
- Our defense has fallen off a cliff from where it was last year
- Jayden Daniels and this Commanders offense is ROLLING.
That will take us to the NFL…
It will be interesting to see how this one plays out, as both teams offenses are centered around quarterbacks with a similar playing style. I think the Ravens have the edge in experience and cohesiveness as it pertains to their offensive attack, but I do think that the Commanders defensive unit is one of the best in the league when they’re playing with a fire.
CFB Game of the Week: #2 Ohio State @ #3 Oregon
Man. Oh. Man. Here we go. One of the most hyped up college football games of the ENTIRE year. The clashing of two Big 10 and CFB titans. This is going to be the first major test for both of these teams. Ohio State has had to face an elite or near elite defense in Iowa last week, but they have not seen anywhere near this talented of an offense in what Oregon has.
That will take us to this weeks college football…
The keys to the game for Ohio State are going to be:
- Keeping Will Howard comfortable
- Get the ball out quickly
- Use the screen & running game to open up the field for him
- Protect him while in the pocket
- Win in the trenches
- Continue the great run this offensive line has been on
- Create just enough space for Judkins and Henderson
- Get pressure on Dillon Gabriel
As for Oregon, they’re going to need to:
- Limit the Dillon Gabriel turnovers
- Give him plenty of time to throw the football
- Use quick routes to get him into a rhythm to open up the field
- Continue their defensive dominance
- Find some way to stop Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka without doubling
- Win in the trenches and limit Henderson and Judkins
- Keep disciplined and prevent big plays
It’s been an interesting story for Oregon. Surprisingly, the first few years under Lanning have been an electric offense, with defense coming second. This year however, we’re starting to see a signature Dan Lanning defense, netting them a top 15 defense in most statistics.
It will be a battle, and it will be epic, but I believe that the Buckeyes are going to be the team with the edge heading into Eugene this weekend.
