NCAA 11 GWJBCS League (Xbox 360): Week 12

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Welcome to Week 12!
Remember to visit dynasty.easports.com to publish your own stories.

=============== #5 Boise State Broncos (8-1) ===============
Last week, Boise State won 38-0 against Idaho (2-7).
This week, the Broncos will host Fresno State (8-1).
In recruiting news, the following Boise State targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) SS Earl Burley has committed to Boise State

=============== Houston Cougars (7-3) ===============
Last week, Houston won 45-21 against Tulsa (6-4).
This week, the Cougars travel to Hattiesburg to face the Southern Miss Golden Eagles (9-1).
In recruiting news, the following Houston targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) CB Mike Espinosa has committed to Houston
- (****) CB Evan Sims has committed to Houston

=============== Kansas Jayhawks (6-4) ===============
Last week, Kansas won 16-10 against Nebraska (6-4).
This week, the Jayhawks will host #8 Oklahoma State (9-1).
In recruiting news, the following Kansas targets have announced their decisions:

=============== Michigan Wolverines (6-4) ===============
Last week, Michigan won 24-18 against Purdue (3-7).
This week, the Wolverines will host #7 Wisconsin (7-2).
In recruiting news, the following Michigan targets have announced their decisions:

=============== Navy Midshipmen (6-3) ===============
Last week, Navy won 34-7 against Central Michigan (7-4).
This week, the Midshipmen will host Arkansas State (4-6).
In recruiting news, the following Navy targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) CB Mike Shaw has committed to Navy
- (***) WR Brandon Golden has committed to Navy

=============== #21 Northwestern Wildcats (9-1) ===============
Last week, Northwestern won 42-35 against Iowa (8-2).
This week, the Wildcats will host Illinois (5-5).
In recruiting news, the following Northwestern targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) FS Michael Stephens has committed to Northwestern

=============== Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-2) ===============
Last week, Notre Dame won 30-0 against Utah (7-3).
This week, the Fighting Irish will host Army (3-7).
In recruiting news, the following Notre Dame targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) QB Josh Palmer has committed to Notre Dame
- (****) WR Marcus Harrell has committed to Notre Dame

=============== Oregon State Beavers (5-4) ===============
Last week, Oregon State won 56-28 against Washington State (3-7).
This week, the Beavers will host #18 USC (6-3).
In recruiting news, the following Oregon State targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) TE Randy Carey has committed to Oregon State

=============== #22 Pittsburgh Panthers (7-2) ===============
Last week, Pittsburgh won 42-35 against Connecticut (4-5).
This week, the Panthers travel to Tampa to face the USF Bulls (4-5).
In recruiting news, the following Pittsburgh targets have announced their decisions:
- (****) SS Matt Horton has committed to Pittsburgh

=============== #16 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8-1) ===============
Last week, Rutgers won 34-24 against Syracuse (4-5).
This week, the Scarlet Knights travel to Cincinnati to face the #14 Cincinnati Bearcats (7-2).
In recruiting news, the following Rutgers targets have announced their decisions:

=============== #17 Washington Huskies (8-2) ===============
Last week, Washington won 38-10 against UCLA (4-6).
This week, the Huskies are idle.
In recruiting news, the following Washington targets have announced their decisions:
- (***) FS John Wilson has committed to Washington

We are hitting the home stretch. Big rivalry games coming and I hope everyone is up to the challenge.

After rolling the league this morning and dropping off my daughter for school and having the other one fall back asleep, I decided to play my game. Pitt was pissed about flying down to Florida to play South Florida because they feel they should be ranked higher in the polls. Their mood turned down right insane when the weather forecast predicted rain. So they took it out on South Florida by winning 55-3. The defense took the challenge by their coach last week and turned in an amazing performance. One fumble recovery, 3 interceptions and 4 sacks lead the way by Sophomre Tyrone Ezell. He had 4 tackles, 2 sacks and a fumble recovery. Dion Lewis made another Heisman peformance by running for 306 yards and 5 TDs. Next week, Pitt host West Virginia for the Backyard Brawl.

Nice. I have a good warm-up this week against Army to prepare my troops to travel to Southern California for a big matchup next week. Unfortunately, Washington is probably going to beat USC before I do, minimizing the impact it's likely to have on my standings.

The number of 1 and 2 loss teams right now is just amazing. However, we're still bitter about the rankings. ND is at 8-2 with victories over top 25 teams Washington and Stanford and good performances against Boise (loss) and Utah (now 7-3)...balanced against a crushing defeat by Pitt... Well, hopefully I'll get to 10 wins. It doesn't really matter -- ND always gets sent to the GMAC bowl in this game if they aren't in a BCS game. That sucks, as I end up playing Toledo or some other MAC school. Hmmm...wonder if I'll be offered a new job?

I should get my game in tonight or tomorrow (more likely).

Big game against Fresno State this week. That will determine who wins the conference, most likely.

Also, I'm rooting for Michigan the rest of the way. I'm counting on you!

Cincinnati lost to West Virginia last week, knocking the Bearcats from #8 to #14. Now the Bearcats get to host Rutgers in a must win for the Scarlet Knights. A win on the road will move Rutgers closer to the top 10, and will set up the Best East Championship game for all the marbles vs West Virginia. Pittsburgh is still lerking, and hopes that wins over West Virginia and Cincinnati by the Panthers will give them a possible Big East title should Rutgers lose to either Cincinnati or West Virginia.

If only the Big East were REALLY this exciting, all 4 of those teams are in the top 25 here, and they all suck in real life, lol.

*EDIT*
OK, technically, Rutgers would still be in good position to win the Big East if they lose to Cincinnati. If Rutgers beats Louisville and West Virginia, and Pittsburgh beats Cincinnati, then Rutgers still takes home the title. With that said, I still don't want to lose this f*ckin game

If I can upset both Southern Miss and Texas Tech, Houston might have a chance to sneak into the top 25, but I doubt it. The drubbing I took in game 1 probably ruined any chance of that. I should still win C-USA, though. Will that get me an automatic bowl bid?

Edit: Huzzah Wikipedia! Looks like CUSA champ should get either the Liberty bowl or the Hawaii bowl.

TheCounselor wrote:

Also, I'm rooting for Michigan the rest of the way. I'm counting on you!

Thanks, I'm also rooting for me.

I wonder if I might get fired if I lose the next 2 games. Does RichRod's real hotseat transfer over to me in the virtual world. I'm not in line to complete any of the tasks asked of me this year, win the Big 10 and/or National title. Both seemed to be lofty goals to set for a Michigan team that has dissappointed in years past.

It also appears that I should have let the AI continue the recruiting efforts. I don't believe that I have received any commitments from the work I have put in. I still don't have a fullback commit.

Conference champions: (speculation)

Boise State:
Winner of the Boise State/Fresno State matchup this week will most likely win the WAC.

Houston:
Even with a Houston loss to Southern Mississippi, it looks like they will take CUSA East and would most likely setup a rematch between Houston and Southern Miss in the Championship game.

Kansas:
If Kansas wins out they will win the Big 12 North. They would face the winner of the Oklahoma/Oklahoma State game for the Big12 Championship.

Michigan:
Does not have a chance at the conference title, but can help Boise State in the National Championship bid and Northwestern capture the Big10 by beating Ohio State the last week of the season.

Navy:
An independent that should get into a decent bowl.

Northwestern:
is staring down a share of the Big10 title, but can win it outright if Michigan can beat Ohio State in a few weeks.

Notre Dame:
An independent that should get into a decent bowl.

Oregon State:
Needs to wins outright and have Washington lose both of its games to share the Title.

Pittsburgh:
Needs to win outright and have West Virginia beat Rutgers to have a three way tie for the Big East. Toss up as to who would get the title. I am saying me if it happens that way.

Rutgers:
Win outright at the Big East is theirs.

Washington:
Might be able to lose one game, but destiny is in their hands for the Pac-10. It could setup a Purple Fest for the Rose Bowl.

firesloth wrote:

Unfortunately, Washington is probably going to beat USC before I do, minimizing the impact it's likely to have on my standings.

Already played and beat them (handily at that in the Coliseum) earlier in the year.

I'll get my game in tonight...wait, what another bye week! BAH!

bighoppa wrote:

Will that get me an automatic bowl bid?

You answered your own question already, but I believe getting 7 wins in a season pretty much garuantees at least some form of bowl game.

Notre Dame:
An independent that should get into a decent bowl.

I think ND gets the GMAC bowl. Period. They have some overriding logic built into the game about which conference leaders go to what bowl, and that appears to include ND going to the GMAC Bowl. Yuck.

It also appears that I should have let the AI continue the recruiting efforts. I don't believe that I have received any commitments from the work I have put in. I still don't have a fullback commit.

No, no!! The AI was doing WAY too well for you!

I wouldn't worry about your job after this year. On the other hand, my approval rating is ugly right now...I still have to get to 10 wins and beat USC. The BCS may be included in that, as well, but I can't remember.

Redhwk wrote:
firesloth wrote:

Unfortunately, Washington is probably going to beat USC before I do, minimizing the impact it's likely to have on my standings.

Already played and beat them (handily at that in the Coliseum) earlier in the year.

Ahh...no, Oregon State plays USC this week!

I might get two of the three goals I had for this year. The other two are very very shaky.

Finish in the Top 25.
Play in a January bowl. (Does the Humanitarium Bowl in Toronto count?)
Win the Big East

So Kansas gets a nice win over 8th ranked OSU. It was a snow and turnover filled game. Actually, it was mostly OSU turning the ball over, as they threw a pick and fumbled away two possessions. Jordan Webb of Kansas did throw a pick, but mostly, I kept the ball on the ground netting 170 yards. And OSU's Air Raid offense was effectively grounded, as I used a 4-2-5 defense to concentrate on the pass.

Mizzou is next week, and the winner (as long as Mizzou beats Iowa St.) gets the North crown. Gotta love a rivalry game for all the marbles. I expect to employ the 4-2-5 against Mizzou's spread. Luckily, this game is in Lawrence, as opposed to the neutral location of the game in real life, where they play at Arrowhead in KC. Memorial Stadium may not be one of the Top 25 toughest places to play, but playing at home does seem to help seal victories.

Although Okie State tried to screw that up. After hitting my third FG of the game to go up 16-0 in the 4th quarter, OSU ruined my shutout big when my secondary had a meltdown and gave up an easy 77 yard TD pass on the first play. But we re-grouped and stopped the 2 point conversion, which pretty much sealed the game. Well, at least when I recovered the on-side kick.

By the way, is anyone else having problems with their starting HB coming out of the game in the second half at some point, and never returning? This has happed a few times now. It's not critical, as I have three HB's I'm comfortable starting, but it is irritating. I think Quigley was going to have a hell of a game, but he didn't play a single down in the second half.

I've checked the injury report, and found nothing. I've tried swapping the HBs in the depth chart. But it seems like when my starting HB tires in the second half, he doesn't return. this time, My #2 back started the second half, and played until I inserted Oppurum to run out the clock, since he is less likely to fumble. This has happened off and on even in Play Now games.

What's with the snow games? We hit November, and all of a sudden, it's snowing everywhere? Someone should have taken Hawaii, just to see if it snowed and call shinanigans

I will play when I get home in about 2 hours. Looking forward to dining on Bearcat tonight.

TONIGHT, WE DINE IN HELL!!!!!!!!!!

Northwestern:
is staring down a share of the Big10 title, but can win it outright if Michigan can beat Ohio State in a few weeks.

You've got a new goal, Hansom!

I only wish the ND-Army game was played at its authentic neutral site -- Yankee Stadium.

Gdawg27 wrote:
Northwestern:
is staring down a share of the Big10 title, but can win it outright if Michigan can beat Ohio State in a few weeks.

You've got a new goal, Hansom! :)

Will that help me keep my job?

HansomB1derful wrote:
Gdawg27 wrote:
Northwestern:
is staring down a share of the Big10 title, but can win it outright if Michigan can beat Ohio State in a few weeks.

You've got a new goal, Hansom! :)

Will that help me keep my job?

I would imagine that one of the Michigan coach's most basic responsibilities is to beat OSU.

firesloth wrote:
HansomB1derful wrote:
Gdawg27 wrote:
Northwestern:
is staring down a share of the Big10 title, but can win it outright if Michigan can beat Ohio State in a few weeks.

You've got a new goal, Hansom! :)

Will that help me keep my job?

I would imagine that one of the Michigan coach's most basic responsibilities is to beat OSU.

So this isn't a sim league, then?

Also, I just realized I was fighting Hoppa for a couple of recruits. I didn't target them on purpose, but I am interested to see how it plays out.

Hoppa, I hope you don't take offense. I won't if you get them. I have no idea who targeted them first. But I was one point behind on one of them. Since I jumped in late, I have been trying to play catch-up in my recruiting. A couple of weeks ago I added a slew of Kansas and Texas three star recruits that had interest in Kansas. I had never really looked at the competing school very closely. It wasn't until I clicked on More Info and saw the Goodjer schools highlighted that it hit me that some of the players were on others boards.

So, yeah, it's snowing in Cincinnati. All over the f*ckin country I guess. It's probably sunny and 80s in Alaska

Recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff, then gave it right back on a fumble return for a TD. Drove back down the field, 7-7 with 3:48 to play in the 1st.

*EDIT*
PICK 6!!! 14-7 RUTGERS!!!

Rutgers takes a 21-7 lead into the locker room at halftime, but they took points off the board when Savage threw a pick in the endzone with seconds to go in the 2nd quarter. The Scarlet Knights get the ball to start the second half, and although they look like the better team, both teams have played really sloppy ball thus far.

Jayhawker -- Don't apologize!!! Steal his recruits!

Rutgers played better ball in the second half, and played ball control with the big lead, and pounded Cincinnati 42-14 in front of their home crowd. Martinek rushed for 158 yards, and scored 3 times. Defense came up huge for Rutgers, only allowing 1 offensive TD the whole game.

Rutgers hosts Louisville next week, and can ill afford to look past them. They must take 1 game at a time, and if they do, they will play West Virginia for the Big East title in 2 weeks.

Alright, done with my recruiting. Get your dang games in.

Yeah, it's more likely that I'm poaching from you anyway. As guys have dropped off my board to sign with other schools I've been scrambling to find interested recruits that weren't one or two stars. I may have jumped on some of your guys and started dumping an hour into them a couple of weeks ago.

bighoppa wrote:

Yeah, it's more likely that I'm poaching from you anyway. As guys have dropped off my board to sign with other schools I've been scrambling to find interested recruits that weren't one or two stars. I may have jumped on some of your guys and started dumping an hour into them a couple of weeks ago.

Then we were pretty much doing the same thing. May the best school win!

It will be interesting to see what affect all of my lies will have on recruiting next year. I will promise anything.

ND beat up on Army, 48-0. Missed an PAT somehow! Army came close to scoring late in the game, but on 3rd-and-goal from the 3 yard line, they ran an option that went totally awry, and my CB ended up with the pitch. I was hoping he'd take it all the way back, but he only managed about 25 yards. Army was outmatched all over the field, so there's not too much to report here. I only ran for about 100 yards, which is a lot less than I was hoping, but a 48-0 win is a 48-0 win. On to USC!

Squeaked by. Gotta figure out how to throw outside and not get picked off. It's near impossible and kind of frustrating.

Great job everyone. The last game to be played is Hansom as the Wolverines battle the Badgers.