The UnTouchable Report
Season 27 - Week 1
A rundown of the week's hottest games.
We've all waited painfully for 6 months to get some football back in our lives and finally a new game and new season is upon us. The season officially kicks off tomorrow so let's take a look at some of the highlights of Week 1.
#25 Nebraska Cornhuskers 0-0 (0-0 B1G) bigred
#5 Oklahoma Sooners 0-0 (0-0 Big 12) BIGmikeBattle of the bigs. Bigred is returning to the national spotlight after taking the Auburn Tigers to the national title game in Season 24, earning his way back via a stellar 10-3 season with Utah State. Oh, and let's not forget that he finally returns to his beloved Cornhuskers after 16 seasons. BIGmike continues his if-I-can't-have-Florida-then-I-won't-be-with-a-team-for-more-than-one-season trend as he lands in Norman to helm the Sooners. What a great way to kick off the season.
WHAT TO WATCH Nebraska senior QB Taylor Martinez looks poised to lead his team to national title contention. He's only gotten better with time and EA is touting him high with a 91 overall rating. He is quick and agile so BIGmike may have a hard time calling defenses to cover Nebraska's option style. If they bring the rush, they'll want to blitz from both sides to keep Martinez in the pocket and force him to throw. On the flip side, BIGmike will have to deal with the loss of Landry Jones, a 4-year starter for the Sooners. QB/HB hybrid Blake Bell is currently at the top of the depth chart, but I wouldn't be surprised if redshirt freshman Trevor Knight took a handful of snaps in certain situations. The Cornhuskers should be aware of that jumbo package near the goalline with possibly both quarterbacks on the field.
THE UNTOUCHABLE PREDICTION Betting against BIGmike is like betting against Mayweather in September...it's a decent gamble with a big payoff. Mike's success is unprecedented in the NDL but he's had worse losses (see: TCU vs. Texas Tech S25...hint: he lost to me). Bell's lack of experience throwing the ball downfield will be the Sooner's demise.
31 | 26
| 26
#21 Michigan Wolverines 0-0 (0-0 B1G) JohnnyP
#22 Texas A&M Aggies 0-0 (0-0 SEC) sinacol6Here we have another newbie/veteran matchup. Since losing only 3 games in a span of 3 seasons and culminating in a national title game appearance in Season 21, JohnnyP has struggled to match the success he once had. He has since lost at least 4 games each season and hopes that landing in Ann Arbor will change that. Sinacol6 joined the NDL last season, leading Texas State to a winning season in their first appearance of FBS football. He moves from a nice Texas college town to a shitty Texas college town to take the reigns of a potential national title contender.
WHAT TO WATCH We can't talk about an A&M game without talking about defending Heisman trophy winner Johnny Manziel, aka Johnny Football. EA must think this guy is a God or something, rating him a ridiculous 97 in the game. Manziel will be tough enough to stop as it is with that bias but Michigan junior LB Jake Ryan will need to bring his A-game to stop those short passes over the middle. For Michigan, the key to the game will be to keep the A&M offense off the field and control the tempo of the game. QB Devin Gardner steps in for Denard Robinson and hopes to make an impact on offense. For A&M, they've got nothing but speed in the backfield as well. Look for the Aggies to rotate Ben Malena, Brandon Williams and maybe even sophomore Trey Williams get some touches in this game.
THE UNTOUCHABLE PREDICTION JohnnyP's got the experience edge. And for no other reason than the fact that I hate A&M with a passion, I'm going with Michigan. And because the Wolverines have a freshman lineman named Taco. Seriously.
23 | 17
| 17***UPSET ALERT***
Oregon State Beavers 0-0 (0-0 Pac-12) ndlkdog36
#19 Texas Longhorns 0-0 (0-0 Big 12) xLiQxJust because Kdog has never had a winning season in the NDL doesn't mean this newb should take the 24-season vet lightly. UT's lingering questions at quarterback could have xLiQx struggling throughout the game.
