bol this week :toast:
as for your leans, i actually am leaning toward minny and k state.
sure minny barely beat syracuse and air force, but syracuse was the opener on the road and air force is the team that gave utah a run for its money last season. minny finally got it going offensively in the second half and eventually beat AF. cal on the other hand is traveling 2 time zone and wont have the luxury of sleeping in thier own beds for 2 nights prior. also going 1-4 on the road can have a heavy effect on a players psyche especially if your only road win is wash st. players remember things like this. although they are a top 10 team, minny will come fired up to play a top team, and if the golden bears come out sluggish watch for minny to take advantage of it. i think cal wins but doesnt cover
as for ucla, its a toss up. who sucks more, wash st or k state? maybe they could play and we'd call it the blows goats bowl. but k state could beat san diego st... maybe. if ucla only beat sdsu by 19 and now ucla has a first time starter at qb, do you think ucla will blow them out? i think neuheisel learned his lesson last year with craft and may employ a more conservative offensive stategy with brehaut as to not "ruin" the kid in the infancy of his ucla career. sure the defense is good, but tennessee has the 3rd worst qb in college football and i think the bruins are getting too much (although much deserved) praise for beating tenn. i see a ton of running and ucla winning by 6 or 7 .... or 30. thats the toss up. the key is to decipher what is most likely to happen and im leaning towards it being close
A lot of talk here about Pike and UC's passing game and what they've shown has been very devastating. Howver I think the Beaver D will be the best they've faced...
All that aside, I've wanted also to point out that Oregon St. has a SR. QB that has been every bit as sharp as Pike has, but OSU's been down a little bit in their WR Dept. Quizz has been their leading receiver with his brother James a respectable 2nd. Aside from that, the 3rd and 4th looks Canfield has had have only looked marginally effective.
Now there's this positive development just today and it's a lot easier now for me to say UC may have a great passing game but don't overlook the Beavers. This is big. Catchings is a deep ball threat and his speed speaks for itself. The deep passing game has suffered in his absence but true freshman Marcus Wheaton has been doing OK with some on the job training... now he's not all they've got.
Catchings ready for
Saturday's game with Cincinnati
By Cliff Kirkpatrick, Gazette-Times Reporter
Thursday, September 17, 2009 10:00 pm
<!--
--> Darrell Catchings returned to practice this week with the Oregon State football team, and the junior receiver expects to play in Saturday's home game against Cincinnati.
Catchings missed five weeks of practice with a right wrist injury suffered in a blocking drill during training camp.
"It feels really good, but it has been a long time since I've been out there playing with my team," Catchings said. "There's a little soreness, but most of it's gone."
How much he plays won't be known until the game, but he'll come off the bench as the backup split end. His playing time will depend on how his wrist feels and his performance.
Catchings ran, lifted weights for his legs and did light upper body exercises to stay in shape during his rehab period.
"There haven't been any setbacks during the week," coach Mike Riley said of Catchings' progress. "We'll see how much he does."
Catchings wrapped his wrist in tape and a splint for the practices, and it will only be taped for games.
He dropped more balls than normal during the week, but kept up with the offense. Catchings worked in with the second team, behind Damola Adeniji.
"It's different wearing this stuff on my wrist, but I'm getting used to it," Catchings said. "It's just to keep it from getting re-injured. It feels pretty good catching the ball, so there's no problem there."
Catchings was projected starter at split end, and was expected to be the deep threat. At one time he considered redshirting due to a possible surgery to repair a bone.
The operation was determined unnecessary at the last minute so Catchings decided to let the injured ligaments heal and come back after two games.
"I still have a good season ahead of me," Catchings said. "We haven't gotten to any of our (Pacific-10) conference games, yet. That's cool I didn't have to miss any of those. I stayed up with everyone else in the film room and meetings."
All that aside, I've wanted also to point out that Oregon St. has a SR. QB that has been every bit as sharp as Pike has, but OSU's been down a little bit in their WR Dept. Quizz has been their leading receiver with his brother James a respectable 2nd. Aside from that, the 3rd and 4th looks Canfield has had have only looked marginally effective.
Now there's this positive development just today and it's a lot easier now for me to say UC may have a great passing game but don't overlook the Beavers. This is big. Catchings is a deep ball threat and his speed speaks for itself. The deep passing game has suffered in his absence but true freshman Marcus Wheaton has been doing OK with some on the job training... now he's not all they've got.
Catchings ready for
Saturday's game with Cincinnati
By Cliff Kirkpatrick, Gazette-Times Reporter
Thursday, September 17, 2009 10:00 pm
<!--
--> Darrell Catchings returned to practice this week with the Oregon State football team, and the junior receiver expects to play in Saturday's home game against Cincinnati.
Catchings missed five weeks of practice with a right wrist injury suffered in a blocking drill during training camp.
"It feels really good, but it has been a long time since I've been out there playing with my team," Catchings said. "There's a little soreness, but most of it's gone."
How much he plays won't be known until the game, but he'll come off the bench as the backup split end. His playing time will depend on how his wrist feels and his performance.
Catchings ran, lifted weights for his legs and did light upper body exercises to stay in shape during his rehab period.
"There haven't been any setbacks during the week," coach Mike Riley said of Catchings' progress. "We'll see how much he does."
Catchings wrapped his wrist in tape and a splint for the practices, and it will only be taped for games.
He dropped more balls than normal during the week, but kept up with the offense. Catchings worked in with the second team, behind Damola Adeniji.
"It's different wearing this stuff on my wrist, but I'm getting used to it," Catchings said. "It's just to keep it from getting re-injured. It feels pretty good catching the ball, so there's no problem there."
Catchings was projected starter at split end, and was expected to be the deep threat. At one time he considered redshirting due to a possible surgery to repair a bone.
The operation was determined unnecessary at the last minute so Catchings decided to let the injured ligaments heal and come back after two games.
"I still have a good season ahead of me," Catchings said. "We haven't gotten to any of our (Pacific-10) conference games, yet. That's cool I didn't have to miss any of those. I stayed up with everyone else in the film room and meetings."
dont get me wrong, i like ore st in this spot, but catchings only appeared in 5 games and made 7 catches last season. in 2007 he had 33 catches for 386 yeards and played in all 13 games, and the guy has only has one trip to the endzone in his career. my point is that although he is somewhat experienced, hes no sammie stroughter and not that much of an impact player. but a little help is always good help
i'll be here right behind the boise bench 12th row with my sign. it says "#94 hout has a glass jaw" (im not joking)
i still think fresno plays em tough and covers. hell i went to unlv last week and they covered, and every angel or dodger game ive been to over the past 3 years (20+ games) ive only been in attendance for 2 losses (both by dodgers) i always play on home teams when i travel, and im doing nothing different here. btw not too many boise fans here in the parking lot so far
Will this affect Quizz's rushing output?
Loss of Young a big blow to Bearcats
September 18, 2009 6:16 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett
Cincinnati's task of stopping Jacquizz Rodgers and the Oregon State offense just got a little tougher. The team announced that linebacker Curtis Young had knee surgery on Friday and would be out three-to-six weeks.
Young had a big game against Rutgers and has 13 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack on the season. Coach Brian Kelly had said much of the offseason that Young's ability to both rush the passer from the edge and drop back in pass coverage was key to his decision to switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme this year. Now the team's top hybrid player is gone for as many as five games.
Cincinnati could use senior Craig Carey in Young's spot or turn to freshman Walter Stewart. It also makes you wonder whether defensive coordinator Bob Diaco will use more 4-3 looks while Young is out.
The Bearcats proved last year that they could keep winning even during a spate of quarterback injuries. Now they'll have to do so with one of their most important defensive players sidelined.
Loss of Young a big blow to Bearcats
September 18, 2009 6:16 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett
Cincinnati's task of stopping Jacquizz Rodgers and the Oregon State offense just got a little tougher. The team announced that linebacker Curtis Young had knee surgery on Friday and would be out three-to-six weeks.
Young had a big game against Rutgers and has 13 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack on the season. Coach Brian Kelly had said much of the offseason that Young's ability to both rush the passer from the edge and drop back in pass coverage was key to his decision to switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme this year. Now the team's top hybrid player is gone for as many as five games.
Cincinnati could use senior Craig Carey in Young's spot or turn to freshman Walter Stewart. It also makes you wonder whether defensive coordinator Bob Diaco will use more 4-3 looks while Young is out.
The Bearcats proved last year that they could keep winning even during a spate of quarterback injuries. Now they'll have to do so with one of their most important defensive players sidelined.
Pags, here's the latest on that. I'm not sure what to make of it, but if he doesn't start or play much, it will become a monumental task for the Beaver defense to make up for him being out, like in the Sun Bowl. At this point, you have to be a mind reader to know what's up for tomorrow. I think he may be better but tomorrow will tell how much better he really is... or if this is just a non-responsive answer designed to keep the Bearcats guessing. What I don't read here is a clean bill of health... but should I or anyone? Perhaps Riley is playing his cards close to the vest.
This was written late today.
This was written late today.
Then there is this story.
Your guess is as good as mine.
There's little question in my mind that if he can't go or needs to be pulled, the OSU side hasn't a snow ball's chance in hell, but I've seen stranger things happen before when a starting Beaver RB is out. Not saying that he won't play, but I'm just not sure he's up to par. I'm sure they will use up an ace bandage or 2 prepping him for the game in spite of the optimistic reports late Friday that suggest he will be fine.
Your guess is as good as mine.
There's little question in my mind that if he can't go or needs to be pulled, the OSU side hasn't a snow ball's chance in hell, but I've seen stranger things happen before when a starting Beaver RB is out. Not saying that he won't play, but I'm just not sure he's up to par. I'm sure they will use up an ace bandage or 2 prepping him for the game in spite of the optimistic reports late Friday that suggest he will be fine.
hno:Next time say "Gronk"
(It sounds cooler anyway)
I think Iowa will win but AZ creeps in under the number.
That's just my latest hunch, not my final answer.
That seems very possible in a very low scoring game.
About the Cal game I am watching, presently starting the 4th Q tied at 21. Cal owns this game, why are they not winning? Why have they not pulled away from the GG's? They've outplayed them in nearly every respect, but they've let a couple of big plays slip by them and some untimely TO's have killed them.
What's my point?
THIS IS TYPICAL CAL FOOTBALL!
They usually find a way to lose no matter how well they play or how close they come. They may not lose this game, but they might. Jahvid may deserve the Heisman and Riley looks like the most improved QB in the conference this season, but they are still Cal.
(only the volume has been turned up louder than ever)
Yes and there's that point too.
The GG's are getting away with putting all kinds of pressure on Riley late in this game. What's up with Cal's great OL? Or could Minny's defense be stunting in some sort of unexpected way? Gotta give the GG's credit for ½-time adjustments bottling up Best the way they've done in the 2H. If Cal wasn't as deep in talent as they are, they'd be screwed. They need everything in their arsenal to overcome their screw-ups, missed assignments, whatever. It's fortunate for them that they are deep at every position on the field. May be we'll get to see Brock Mansion step in for Riley if we're lucky... (just to see)
Cal CB Syd Quan Thompson deserves to be all-American. That's another big playmaker on the Cal side... but so what? LOL
