Daily briefing: On playing fast, Iowa State’s Will McDonald and the 40th anniversary of ‘The Play’
Ivan Maisel’s “Daily Briefing” for On3:
Plodding pace likely for Illinois-Michigan
I don’t know if No. 3 Michigan beating Illinois is a sure thing – the Wolverines have won 15 in a row in the Big House and 12 straight in the Big Ten, while the Illini have lost two in a row – but I know this: If it weren’t for the commercials, this noon ET game would be over at about 2:15. In this era of up-tempo spreads, the Wolverines and the Illini run the ball and the clock. The Wolverines are third in time of possession at 35:04, but average only about 71 plays per game. Illinois is fourth (34:59) in possession and averages 77 plays per game. By comparison, No. 5 Tennessee is 127th in time of possession at 26:31 – more than eight-and-a-half minutes fewer than Michigan – yet averages nearly 75 plays per game. Put another way: Tennessee snaps the ball every 21.2 seconds, Illinois once every 27.3 seconds and Michigan once every 29.8 seconds.
Will McDonald can set Big 12 sack record
Not only will Iowa State defensive end Will McDonald be among the 18 seniors honored at the Cyclones’ last home game Saturday night against Texas Tech, he has a chance to make his last game at Jack Trice Stadium really memorable. McDonald has 33 career sacks, one short of the Big 12 record set by Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller. That gives you an idea of how long the record has stood – the Aggies haven’t been in the league for 11 years. You have to like McDonald’s chances. The Red Raiders give up 3.75 sacks per game. That ranks last in the Big 12, tied for last among Power 5 teams and tied for 123rd in the FBS.
‘The band is out on the field!’
The 125th meeting of Cal and Stanford on Saturday isn’t even the biggest anniversary of the Big Game. It has been 40 years since “The Play,” the insane, never-again mix of rugby, inept officiating and the Stanford Band that led the Golden Bears to defeat the Cardinal 25-20. If I have to describe The Play to you, you’re reading the wrong website. The Play kept future Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway from ever playing in a bowl, made Cal play-by-play man Joe Starkey (still going strong!) a star and became an iconic moment in the sport’s institutional memory. As a Stanford grad, I’m duty bound to say that A.) His knee was down, and B.) If the refs had called it correctly, no one outside the rivalry would remember the finish. Tyler Bridges’ new book, “Five Laterals and a Trombone,” is an engaging, well-reported account of the rivalry and the moment.