In August, the Odyssey picked 4 teams to exceed expectations and 4 teams that would fall short of said expectations. How did we do?
EXCEED EXPECTATIONS
Virginia. ??? With the Cavaliers’ loss at Miami last Friday, Virginia has two losses with a misfiring offense that offset an important opening game win at Pitt. The good news for the Wahoos is that none of their final six opponents have defenses remotely as stout as Notre Dame and Miami. We still think 10-2 is in sight but even 9-3 would be a really solid year that merit our selection.
Minnesota. Yes! Cannot do better than 6-0 with Rutgers and Maryland on deck. Cannot hurt that in 4 games, the opponents had to play back up QBs. The Golden Gophers have been quite lucky but they are getting better each week at rowing the boat.
Syracuse. No! It is not just the 3-3 start that we did not see. The offense, a Dino Babers staple, has been dormant behind a putrid offensive line and a QB who reminds us each week that he is not Eric Dungey. The Cuse were also victims of the most baffling blowout of the year, 63-20, at Maryland.
Northwestern. No. We anticipated that Northwestern would upset Stanford in the opener behind Clemson transfer, Hunter Johnson. Johnson has been a major dud, as has the entire offense. Their 1-4 start is not on a defense who has played exceedingly well, particularly in holding powerhouse Wisconsin to 243 yards.
FALL SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS
Mississippi State. Yes! With each passing game, Cowbell U. gets reminded as to what a gift Starkville had in Dan Mullen. Worse, his successor, Joe Moorhead, is a Damn Yankee. No way could all those departing defensive studs could be adequately replaced in 2019. Getting owned by both lines last Saturday by Tennessee is just the latest “uh oh” moment. Did we mention that LSU pays a visit tomorrow?
Purdue. Yes! Their remarkable 40-14 victory over Maryland with a decimated team, notwithstanding. the unlucky Boilers are still 2-4. Their come-from-ahead loss at Nevada was a killer. Road trips to Wisconsin, Iowa and Northwestern still loom.
Michigan. Yes. In August, folks were building up Michigan as a possible playoff team. Like Mississippi State, too many defensive studs lost. Turnovers and an overhyped offensive line have been disappointing — just because you have a lot of returning starters does not necessarily translate into excellence, especially with a lack of breakaway running backs. However, if Michigan surprises Penn State in Happy Valley Saturday night, we move “Yes” into ??? territory.
Stanford. Yes. The Cardinal was a clear yes, until an upset over Washington achieved with a 2nd-string QB and a very inexperienced offensive line However, the Tree got rolled last night by a 1-5 UCLA team. Stanford had to play UCLA with a deer-in-the-headlights 3rd string QB. Said offensive line gave up 5 sacks in the first quarter. Further, the Odyssey believes their overall talent level has declined over the past 3-4 years. Their 3-4 mark says we were right but wins over Northwestern and the Huskies are to their credit. A tough schedule has also conspired against a team rated #17 in pre-season polls: Washington, Oregon, USC and UCF have already been played.
OVERALL
Our mid-term grades: 5-2-1. We live it to our readers to give us a grade.