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I Want You!
It's been a while since I've done this, so I want to thank you once again - any and everyone - for making this a great site and a good experience, and all the support and discussion that comes along with it. Today, I also want to ask your help to answer a three-question survey to help me tailor the Morning Brews to your preferences.
Seriously, please participate. It should take you 30 seconds - unless you are narcoleptic and fall asleep in the middle, in which case it might take you a few hours. The link is here.
Fireworks
So, now that you've done that, let's celebrate with the greatest fireworks display I've ever seen.
That song was also used to great effect in conjunction with the Dubai Fountain, which choreographs performances for a number of songs. If you haven't seen the Fountain in action, you really should.
Hitting the Links Is A M*A*S*H Unit
The Hoosiers have played Ohio State tough two of the last three years, and they are sort of the Internet's team. More importantly, though, they have a running game that could challenge Ohio State's front.
Darius Hamilton Done For The Year | MSU Loses Jack Conklin
There's still a chance that Hamilton could return in 2016, while Conklin might have a choice to make about the NFL or a senior season. Michigan State was also without Joel Heath, and R.J. Williamson got hurt in the second half.
During quarter break, Ohio State LB Darron Lee taken to locker room on a cart. Looks like right leg problem.
— Tim May (@TIM_MAYsports) September 26, 2015
Despite De'Veon Smith Injury, Confidence Is High In UM
It's weird to think how Smith was overlooked for so much of the off-season, but he has arguably been Michigan's most valuable player.
There are certain coaches and situations you don't bet against, and the combination of James Franklin, Bob Shoop, and Penn State's defense is one of them. They take a little and make it a lot, and Nassib is only the most recent example.
Maryland Looks Back, With Michigan Ahead
This will be a night game with lots of blue.
Tons Of Injuries For Minnesota | Five More Thoughts
Guess which player Minnesota has missed the most? It's not David Cobb. It's not Maxx Williams. No, it's been middle linebacker Damien Wilson, who got drafted in the fourth round by Dallas. Wilson was to Minnesota what Jake Ryan was to Michigan or Mike Hull was to Penn State. Unfortunately for the Gophers, they haven't been able to replace that rangy threat.
Also, fun fact: Ohio Bobcat Keith Heitzman got 2 catches against the Gophers, which gives him 11 catches for 169 yards on the year.
Nebraska Report Card: Winning Ugly
There might not be a more trusting relationship between a quarterback and a wideout than Tommy Armstrong and Jordan Westerkamp. Westerkamp leads the conference in receptions, one ahead of Iowa's Matt VandeBerg.
Wisconsin Turns To 31 Personnel Against Hawaii
The Paul Chryst effect: last year's Badgers had a 55.0% completion percentage, 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. This year's team: 65.3%, 8 and 2.
Illinois was the benefactor of a game-ending missed field goal this week, but a win is a win. WR Geronimo Allison (who had 128 yards in that game) has been something of a revelation so far; and as a senior, he's also been a late bloomer. Allison didn't play football as a high school sophomore or junior, then started his college career at Iowa Western. After transferring to Illinois as a JUCO, the 6'4" Florida native started hot but wore down last year. This year, though, he's been just what the doctor ordered - with 362 yards in four games.
Fun fact: Jordan Canzeri has 8 rushing touchdowns already, one off the national lead for running backs.
Penn State's Saquon Barkley, Akeel Lynch Injured
Some years, you're lucky, and some years, you're not. Penn State has not been lucky this year. They have also been dealing with injuries to their starting right tackle, Andrew Nelson, and cornerback Jordan Lucas.
Five Wildcats Injured In First Quarter Against Ball State
Injuries are a familiar refrain for Wildcat fans.
Out: Scooby Wright | Jon Hilliman | Gunner Kiel | Mario Pender
In some brighter news, De'Mornay Pierson-El and Alabama's Bo Scarbrough are getting healthy again. Best of luck to all of them.
Michigan makes an appearance, of course, and Jordan Howard gets a fleeting mention.
I've said it before, but this receiving corps (led by the tight end, O.J. Howard) is a young group that will come together as the season goes on. The more important concern will be the offensive line's growth.
Herschel Walker Will Get His Own Statue
Alabama has five statues - one for each coach to lead them to a championship. Auburn and Florida have six - one for each Heisman winner. Georgia has one, of Vince Dooley. Herschel - a Heisman winner and champion himself - will be a worthy addition.
Kentucky, also, will be adding four statues - honoring the first African-American players to play in the SEC.
Covey was giving Jabrill Peppers problems, and he also gave Oregon a couple daggers. This play was him ceding the limelight to Boobie Hobbs. No, that's not a fake name.
This week’s AP poll is also the first to feature all four of the Pac-12’s California schools since 1992, Week 7.
— Kyle Bonagura (@BonaguraESPN) September 27, 2015