GoSooners, in spite of all that, or rather in view of all that, I do not feel confident that Oregon will bring their "A" game because they just don't get up for bowl games like they should, last year being the exception. I mentioned to UoD that I'd be tempted with a TD or so but I didn't get it. I don't see a lot of separation between these 2 because I think they will be trading punches all day long. UoD mentioed the over. I agree with him. 80 points seem a paltry sum for these 2 to surpass. This game has all the markings of a major shootout. I don't think OK St. will be able to stop Oregon on the ground but as you put it... vice versa, perhaps even moreso. I'm just not so convinced of the OK St. side because of Oregon's OC who knows how to gameplan with the best of them. But I can't bet the Ducks in spite of what they bring to this game. You may be right that OK St. will simply outgun them.
GoSooners, in spite of all that, or rather in view of all that, I do not feel confident that Oregon will bring their "A" game because they just don't get up for bowl games like they should, last year being the exception. I mentioned to UoD that I'd be tempted with a TD or so but I didn't get it. I don't see a lot of separation between these 2 because I think they will be trading punches all day long. UoD mentioed the over. I agree with him. 80 points seem a paltry sum for these 2 to surpass. This game has all the markings of a major shootout. I don't think OK St. will be able to stop Oregon on the ground but as you put it... vice versa, perhaps even moreso. I'm just not so convinced of the OK St. side because of Oregon's OC who knows how to gameplan with the best of them. But I can't bet the Ducks in spite of what they bring to this game. You may be right that OK St. will simply outgun them.
USC-10/PSU*
ALA-10.5/UT*
Adding:
Oregon St.-3/Pitt.*
The first question that came to my mind was how can the Beavers win this game? Before I can seriously look at any game, I need to see something that stands out as a possible major influence in the outcome. Without going into too much explanation, I think I have found it in a nutshell, Sammie Straughter.
The kind of player Straughter is has been a nightmare to Pittsburgh whenever they've lost control and lost a game this season. It happened when they played Cincinatti. 3/4 of the Bearcats' scores came through the air. When Rutgers destroyed them, Scarlet Knights' QB Mike Teel threw 6 TD passes before the 2nds came in and mopped up with 2 more on the ground. In general terms, they are a sucker for a good passing team.
Meet Oregon State, the #1 passing offense in the Pac-10 conference... and Jacquizz Rogers will be healthy. But this is Sammie Straughters last college game. He'll find a job playing Sundays but as of now, he's the multi-purpose receiver/punt returner with all-american credentials and the senior leader of this offense. I have a sneaking hunch that he will be the hero of this game. It would be a fitting end to this WR's great college career. I know he wants it. He'll be there playing his game 100% and QB Moevao knows how to find him.
I also vote for Lyle Moevao, OSU's QB as the conference's most improved player this season. Moevao and Sammie Straughter, along with Shane Morales will provide the deep threat passing game along with a pretty good posession game most of the day. Moevao can spread it around to about 7 different guys too. I think they are too good for the Panthers defense to control as Jacquizz Rogers keeps their LB's guessing up front.
I admit that the Beavers will need to find someone to pick up the slack for Quizz's brother James who won't be playing due to a broken collar bone. But I think an even more compelling factor than the James Rogers situation is the effect from the licking the Ducks put on the Beaver defense in their last game. I know this team and I can promise you that each and every player on that defense will be out to atone in the most serious way you can imagine for blowing it as bad as they did in the CW. They are a much better defense than that and they know it to the last man. I think they will try to take it all out on the Panthers in the Sun Bowl.
I'm sure there will be a lot more about this game coming, but those are my thoughts for now.
ALA-10.5/UT*
Adding:
Oregon St.-3/Pitt.*
The first question that came to my mind was how can the Beavers win this game? Before I can seriously look at any game, I need to see something that stands out as a possible major influence in the outcome. Without going into too much explanation, I think I have found it in a nutshell, Sammie Straughter.
The kind of player Straughter is has been a nightmare to Pittsburgh whenever they've lost control and lost a game this season. It happened when they played Cincinatti. 3/4 of the Bearcats' scores came through the air. When Rutgers destroyed them, Scarlet Knights' QB Mike Teel threw 6 TD passes before the 2nds came in and mopped up with 2 more on the ground. In general terms, they are a sucker for a good passing team.
Meet Oregon State, the #1 passing offense in the Pac-10 conference... and Jacquizz Rogers will be healthy. But this is Sammie Straughters last college game. He'll find a job playing Sundays but as of now, he's the multi-purpose receiver/punt returner with all-american credentials and the senior leader of this offense. I have a sneaking hunch that he will be the hero of this game. It would be a fitting end to this WR's great college career. I know he wants it. He'll be there playing his game 100% and QB Moevao knows how to find him.
I also vote for Lyle Moevao, OSU's QB as the conference's most improved player this season. Moevao and Sammie Straughter, along with Shane Morales will provide the deep threat passing game along with a pretty good posession game most of the day. Moevao can spread it around to about 7 different guys too. I think they are too good for the Panthers defense to control as Jacquizz Rogers keeps their LB's guessing up front.
I admit that the Beavers will need to find someone to pick up the slack for Quizz's brother James who won't be playing due to a broken collar bone. But I think an even more compelling factor than the James Rogers situation is the effect from the licking the Ducks put on the Beaver defense in their last game. I know this team and I can promise you that each and every player on that defense will be out to atone in the most serious way you can imagine for blowing it as bad as they did in the CW. They are a much better defense than that and they know it to the last man. I think they will try to take it all out on the Panthers in the Sun Bowl.
I'm sure there will be a lot more about this game coming, but those are my thoughts for now.
USC-10/PSU*
ALA-10.5/UT*
Oregon St.-3/Pitt.*
Adding:
BYU+3/AZ*
I don't get why some people are saying that BYU has been headed downhill for the last 2 months. Just because Utah beat them in their last game doesn't mean this team has no bite left to it. TCU may have beaten them @ TCU back in October, but Arizona is no TCU by any stretch if the imagination.
BYU must think by now that they own the Las Vegas Bowl as it is their 4th trip in the last 4 years. Winning this game has almost become a tradition for the Cougars. Max Hall is one fine QB and he's also guided them to 4 wins in their last 5 games including an impressive win @ Air Force in their 2nd to last game. They can be counted on for at least 40 points vs a young and suspect Wildcat defense. Hall should have himself a pretty good day. So what's up with all this Zona love? They've lost 3 of thier last 5 to finish things off. I think someone's got things backwards.
I seem to recall back in W2 Utah's D having some success pressuring Lyle Moevao forcing him into making some bonehead mistakes. I don't think they've forgotten how to pressure a QB since then. This may be Sr. QB Willie Tuitama's last harrah but I have a feeling that he'll be breaking out of the pocket and running for the sidelines often for his own piece of mind. That kind of pressure may break down Arizona's offense a little too much for them to keep pace.
I do realize that Zona brings some formidable weapons into this game. They won't be denied the end zone all day but I think Utah's big OL and speedy LB's will have better success stopping the Wildcats than the Wildcat D will have stopping the Cougars.
I'm wondering if the "we love Mike Stoops" mob has influenced this line. It seems that the Stoops family affiliation has provided Arizona with more than just a fan base of its own. Personally I think he's a very marginally acceptable head coach but along with his limited success on the field comes a real prick of a personality. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's storied coach Bronco Mendenhal vs Mr. High Expectations but little to show Mike Stoops.
ALA-10.5/UT*
Oregon St.-3/Pitt.*
Adding:
BYU+3/AZ*
I don't get why some people are saying that BYU has been headed downhill for the last 2 months. Just because Utah beat them in their last game doesn't mean this team has no bite left to it. TCU may have beaten them @ TCU back in October, but Arizona is no TCU by any stretch if the imagination.
BYU must think by now that they own the Las Vegas Bowl as it is their 4th trip in the last 4 years. Winning this game has almost become a tradition for the Cougars. Max Hall is one fine QB and he's also guided them to 4 wins in their last 5 games including an impressive win @ Air Force in their 2nd to last game. They can be counted on for at least 40 points vs a young and suspect Wildcat defense. Hall should have himself a pretty good day. So what's up with all this Zona love? They've lost 3 of thier last 5 to finish things off. I think someone's got things backwards.
I seem to recall back in W2 Utah's D having some success pressuring Lyle Moevao forcing him into making some bonehead mistakes. I don't think they've forgotten how to pressure a QB since then. This may be Sr. QB Willie Tuitama's last harrah but I have a feeling that he'll be breaking out of the pocket and running for the sidelines often for his own piece of mind. That kind of pressure may break down Arizona's offense a little too much for them to keep pace.
I do realize that Zona brings some formidable weapons into this game. They won't be denied the end zone all day but I think Utah's big OL and speedy LB's will have better success stopping the Wildcats than the Wildcat D will have stopping the Cougars.
I'm wondering if the "we love Mike Stoops" mob has influenced this line. It seems that the Stoops family affiliation has provided Arizona with more than just a fan base of its own. Personally I think he's a very marginally acceptable head coach but along with his limited success on the field comes a real prick of a personality. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's storied coach Bronco Mendenhal vs Mr. High Expectations but little to show Mike Stoops.
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Oooooooooops...
I have to make a couple corrections at this late hour. (Yawn)
I inadvertently mentioned Utah instead of BYU and naturally went on describing their play vs the Beavers (W2 game vs Utah) who never played BYU except in my semi-conscious dream state. (Yawn) Or maybe it's because those Mormons from Utah all look alike to me.
But to their credit, BYU did mow through both of their Pac-10 opponents this year. They beat UW in Seattle before Locker went down then came back the following week to totally snuff UCLA 59 - 0. They've been one of the MWC's Pac-10 destroyers this year.
I have to make a couple corrections at this late hour. (Yawn)
I inadvertently mentioned Utah instead of BYU and naturally went on describing their play vs the Beavers (W2 game vs Utah) who never played BYU except in my semi-conscious dream state. (Yawn) Or maybe it's because those Mormons from Utah all look alike to me.
But to their credit, BYU did mow through both of their Pac-10 opponents this year. They beat UW in Seattle before Locker went down then came back the following week to totally snuff UCLA 59 - 0. They've been one of the MWC's Pac-10 destroyers this year.
Ducks mentioned Cal in his thread. That one was going to be my next pick, and it still will. Emerald bowl is essentially a home game for da Bears, but I bet they don't like the way they jacked up the toll on the Bay Bridge. At this late point in the year, there are few secrets left about teams' strengths and weaknesses so I'll have plenty to say when I get around to it.
Adding:
CAL-6.5/Miami*
Adding:
CAL-6.5/Miami*
It seems that the Bears have been peaking towards the end of the season. They are healthy and Jahvid Best has been tearing up the conference. Their QB play has been marginal but their play makers have been carrying the load with relative ease. Their defense has also been playing well. I also think you are right about team speed. It might seem a bit like an exhibition because they are playing just minutes from Berkeley.
USC-10/PSU*
ALA-10.5/UT*
Oregon St.-3/Pitt.*
BYU+3/AZ*
Cal-6.5/Miami*
Adding:
Hawaii-1.5/Notre Dame*
The Irish are backing into their first bowl game in years. I'll go with the old "mo" and fade them. Can CW make it 10 eggs in a row for Notre Dame in bowl appearances? I'd say yes. He's done just about everything else no Notre Dame coach has ever done before.
On the flip side, Hawaii has improved over the course of the year. They will relish the opportunity to play ND and bring their "A" game.
ALA-10.5/UT*
Oregon St.-3/Pitt.*
BYU+3/AZ*
Cal-6.5/Miami*
Adding:
Hawaii-1.5/Notre Dame*
The Irish are backing into their first bowl game in years. I'll go with the old "mo" and fade them. Can CW make it 10 eggs in a row for Notre Dame in bowl appearances? I'd say yes. He's done just about everything else no Notre Dame coach has ever done before.
On the flip side, Hawaii has improved over the course of the year. They will relish the opportunity to play ND and bring their "A" game.
What do you make of this??
Just a little bit of dirt to spice things up... from the backpages of the weekend drama section:
USC-10/PSU*
ALA-10/Utah*
Oregon St.-3/Pitt.*
BYU+3/AZ* (or SU ML)
Cal-6.5/Miami*
Hawaii-1.5/Notre Dame*
Just a little bit of dirt to spice things up... from the backpages of the weekend drama section:
- Darnell Dickson of the Provo Daily Herald writes that BYU quarterback Max Hall will get to end his 2008 season against the team he despised as a child -- Arizona. Hall started his collegiate career at Arizona State, but never got to play against the Wildcats.
USC-10/PSU*
ALA-10/Utah*
Oregon St.-3/Pitt.*
BYU+3/AZ* (or SU ML)
Cal-6.5/Miami*
Hawaii-1.5/Notre Dame*
thanks for the kind words ar182...
I've got a little bit of bad news for you if you are a Wildcat fan... it could be worse but I hear that this is the kind of thing that sets Mike Stoops off. I know he's the kind of guy that some players might find a little hard to get along with so if there's any more of this kind of thing, his prick-o-meter could get pinned.
- Arizona junior linebacker Sterling Lewis was arrested early Thursday morning on suspicion of extreme DUI, Alexis Huicochea of the Arizona Daily Star reported. Lewis' blood alcohol limit was at .15 percent or above, which is considered to be extreme DUI and his car was impounded.
Pags,
I view the Cal/Miami Emerald Bowl as having the same atmosphere surrounding it as Cal's opener this season vs MSU or Tennessee last season but perhaps not all the drama. The Bears get jacked for these big OOC games at home. My guess is that they will win this game handily and be ranked in the end.
On another note, I've been doing some more thinking and researching the Sun Bowl, Oregon St. vs. Pitt. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I think the Beaver rushing defense will take their lesson from the CW and bounce back hard. I think I know this team and I'm about as certain of that as anything I can think of. I believe they can snuff Pitt's RB McCoy fairly efficiently, maybe even give him a very rough day. They are very good at this and I have full faith in Mark Banker, their DC. That will throw things onto Pitt QB Stull's shoulders and I like those odds.
On the flip side of that... in the first place, Quizz Rogers will be healthy and he will play. But as I first pointed out, this is Sammie Straughter's last game as a Beaver. Lately he has been playing very well to the point of being a game changing force. The Panthers have a weakness to get burned on the big pass play and they were beaten badly twice this year by teams that could throw. (The Beavers have the #1 throwing game in the conference and they are loaded with good pass catchers.)
The Beavers rolled through all of their games since week 3 with the exception of Utah in W5 (a game they could have won) and last, the Civil War. I am confident that they will regain the momentum they've been building on all year.
I am upgrading both of these games to double play status and making them my co-Pac-10 bowl games of the year... also adding a 2-team parlay for 1/2 unit on the pair to finish the season off with a little flair (knock on wood.)
USC-10/PSU*
ALA-10/Utah*
Oregon St.-3/Pitt.**
BYU+3/AZ* (or SU ML)
Cal-6.5/Miami**
Hawaii-1.5/Notre Dame*
Adding:
Cal/Oregon St. 2 team parlay (1/2 unit to win 1.3)
Moneyline kicker: USC-400
(parlay to any side to change odds from -110 to +150)
It's down to the basics... Where's the beef? It matters.
UA Sports
BYU is bigger, stronger than UA — not tougher
By Ryan Finley
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 12.16.2008
The Arizona Wildcats are treating Saturday's bowl game against BYU like a Las Vegas title fight.
According to coach Mike Stoops, it's the only way the UA can survive.
Stoops said BYU, Arizona's opponent in the Las Vegas Bowl, will be one of the most punishing teams the UA has played in years.
"They're not only a very physical team, but they want to make it a very physical game," Stoops said. "They like contact, and that's something that's a little different from what we see in this league. (The Pac-10) is a little more finesse."
BYU's physical dominance can be traced to the Cougars' physical maturity. Nineteen of BYU's 22 starters are upperclassmen; 15 are returned Mormon missionaries. Their bodies are generally bigger, the result of extra years spent growing and working out.
The Cougars use their experience, and size, to their advantage, especially on offense. BYU's starting offensive linemen all stand 6 feet 5 inches or taller and weigh 315 pounds or more.
Fullback Fui Vakapuna is 6-1, 252 pounds; tailback Harvey Unga is 6-0, 239.
"Harvey Unga is a good back, as well as Vakapuna," UA safety Cam Nelson said. "We have to go out here and wrap them up and play like a gang, like a mob. We can't be afraid or intimidated because they're big backs."
Stoops said the Wildcats must be prepared for a test.
"Our kids know this is going to be a taxing game, both mentally and physically," he said.
UA Sports
BYU is bigger, stronger than UA — not tougher
By Ryan Finley
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 12.16.2008
advertisement
<script type="text/javascript">OAS_AD('300x250_1')</script><script style="display: none;" type="text/javascript" src="http://gannett.gcion.com/addyn/3.0/5111.1/133600/0/-1/ADTECH;size=300x250;alias=az-azstarnet.com/sports/college_300x250_1;cookie=info;loc=100;target=_blank;grp=692287;misc=1229457758947"></script> The Arizona Wildcats are treating Saturday's bowl game against BYU like a Las Vegas title fight.
According to coach Mike Stoops, it's the only way the UA can survive.
Stoops said BYU, Arizona's opponent in the Las Vegas Bowl, will be one of the most punishing teams the UA has played in years.
"They're not only a very physical team, but they want to make it a very physical game," Stoops said. "They like contact, and that's something that's a little different from what we see in this league. (The Pac-10) is a little more finesse."
BYU's physical dominance can be traced to the Cougars' physical maturity. Nineteen of BYU's 22 starters are upperclassmen; 15 are returned Mormon missionaries. Their bodies are generally bigger, the result of extra years spent growing and working out.
The Cougars use their experience, and size, to their advantage, especially on offense. BYU's starting offensive linemen all stand 6 feet 5 inches or taller and weigh 315 pounds or more.
Fullback Fui Vakapuna is 6-1, 252 pounds; tailback Harvey Unga is 6-0, 239.
"Harvey Unga is a good back, as well as Vakapuna," UA safety Cam Nelson said. "We have to go out here and wrap them up and play like a gang, like a mob. We can't be afraid or intimidated because they're big backs."
Stoops said the Wildcats must be prepared for a test.
"Our kids know this is going to be a taxing game, both mentally and physically," he said.
