WinOne, I like UW more than USC mostly because OS has a ton of experience and depth compared to the Trojans. I think Sean Mannion can make this a one-score game especially if USC can't stop or slow down the Beaver's rushing game. Week after week they have looked better than the previous week on the ground. I call that an "uptick." On the other hand, USC has been pretty inconsistent though they have the talent edge like they would have in most games. And believe it or not, I am still not convinced that Sarkisian is their man. Then again my opinions have been worth their weight in dung thus far this year. But FWIW, I'm an old diehard Beaver booster and there isn't much to criticize about them thus far which amounts to high praise for a Mike Riley coached team.
As all these new coaching staffs have had more time to develop their offenses and defenses, it just goes to show how little familiarity I have with many of these high powered and even higher paid HC's with a depth of experience and strategies I know far too little about. On top of all that, the conference has had a near total turnover in coaching staffs as the football programs did all of this retooling with all that new TV money. I don't mean just one here and one there like we usually see, I'm talking about a mass turnover in only a 3 year period (give or take.) It will take me a while to know what I am getting used to as things come together like never before for a bunch of football programs. This isn't your dad's Pac-12 conference anymore.
At least with UW I am somewhat familiar with what we are getting in Petersen. I also think David Webb has a tendency to do only what he needs to do to win. His conservative play is more for the SEC guys to lap up than for me to enjoy watching. But regarding the pointspread, a TD or more interests me but less than that could unnerve me a bit. On the other hand UW could be due to implode and could find themselves in an uphill battle so my certainty is low. But the venue and recent history in the series tells me that this one should be played tight to the vest and pretty close however a late turnover could easily blow it for the Huskies. I also have a sneaking suspicion that this year's Cardinal is loaded with next year's playmakers. We just don't know their names yet. I am also very VERY curious about Stanford's insanely effective defense... I mean allowing all but 4 points per game to lead the world even at this stage of the season is pretty wild. Maybe an UNDER wager is the best thing to do. That being said, I yield to our local SEC pundits who should find this game about as entertaining as it gets. I give this one an LBB+ MWPC rating. (Long bathroom breaks + microwave popcorn approved.)
In the other game, don't you think that the game having been bet down 1½ points is reasonable? You would think that there would be more anti-USC sentiment than that even after a bye after being upset in Boston. The Beavers were just as off last week as the Trojans so they've also had extra time to prepare. I wish I had the data on Riley after a bye. There could be something there because he is such a good teacher of the game. His defense has also shown up as expected but didn't for a few years. They are ranked in the top 20... traditionally that is very "Beaveresque"
I will be on the Beavers today (+9) and also on SJSU (+6½). They have a pretty tenacious defense and the Wolfpack's pistol offense has definitely lost something with Ault's retirement. SJSU's home record ATS is noteworthy and especially as a home dog... can't remember how many consecutive games they have come out on top but conditions suggest that number will increase today. SJSU has proven itself to be a decent wager at home. Their stats could be a bit skewed due to a disastrous road trip to Auburn recently where they were righteously pummeled. Now, getting almost a TD with the defense they have vs a road team with an offense that appears to be sputtering seems like a gift. Nevada's win at home vs WSU a couple of weeks back seems to have thrown off people's perception of them. However in that game they managed to put up only 24 points vs the 98th ranked defense (WSU) in the country. They also could be looking at their on deck opponent next week in Boise St. Coming off a game of trench warfare vs Auburn LW might render a few of their starters a little more sore than what they are used to.
As all these new coaching staffs have had more time to develop their offenses and defenses, it just goes to show how little familiarity I have with many of these high powered and even higher paid HC's with a depth of experience and strategies I know far too little about. On top of all that, the conference has had a near total turnover in coaching staffs as the football programs did all of this retooling with all that new TV money. I don't mean just one here and one there like we usually see, I'm talking about a mass turnover in only a 3 year period (give or take.) It will take me a while to know what I am getting used to as things come together like never before for a bunch of football programs. This isn't your dad's Pac-12 conference anymore.
At least with UW I am somewhat familiar with what we are getting in Petersen. I also think David Webb has a tendency to do only what he needs to do to win. His conservative play is more for the SEC guys to lap up than for me to enjoy watching. But regarding the pointspread, a TD or more interests me but less than that could unnerve me a bit. On the other hand UW could be due to implode and could find themselves in an uphill battle so my certainty is low. But the venue and recent history in the series tells me that this one should be played tight to the vest and pretty close however a late turnover could easily blow it for the Huskies. I also have a sneaking suspicion that this year's Cardinal is loaded with next year's playmakers. We just don't know their names yet. I am also very VERY curious about Stanford's insanely effective defense... I mean allowing all but 4 points per game to lead the world even at this stage of the season is pretty wild. Maybe an UNDER wager is the best thing to do. That being said, I yield to our local SEC pundits who should find this game about as entertaining as it gets. I give this one an LBB+ MWPC rating. (Long bathroom breaks + microwave popcorn approved.)
In the other game, don't you think that the game having been bet down 1½ points is reasonable? You would think that there would be more anti-USC sentiment than that even after a bye after being upset in Boston. The Beavers were just as off last week as the Trojans so they've also had extra time to prepare. I wish I had the data on Riley after a bye. There could be something there because he is such a good teacher of the game. His defense has also shown up as expected but didn't for a few years. They are ranked in the top 20... traditionally that is very "Beaveresque"
I will be on the Beavers today (+9) and also on SJSU (+6½). They have a pretty tenacious defense and the Wolfpack's pistol offense has definitely lost something with Ault's retirement. SJSU's home record ATS is noteworthy and especially as a home dog... can't remember how many consecutive games they have come out on top but conditions suggest that number will increase today. SJSU has proven itself to be a decent wager at home. Their stats could be a bit skewed due to a disastrous road trip to Auburn recently where they were righteously pummeled. Now, getting almost a TD with the defense they have vs a road team with an offense that appears to be sputtering seems like a gift. Nevada's win at home vs WSU a couple of weeks back seems to have thrown off people's perception of them. However in that game they managed to put up only 24 points vs the 98th ranked defense (WSU) in the country. They also could be looking at their on deck opponent next week in Boise St. Coming off a game of trench warfare vs Auburn LW might render a few of their starters a little more sore than what they are used to.
