OK Addict. I can respect that point of view.
Beaver backers have been on their own more often than not this year... the usual.
Do you really think Arizona as a team has made strides as big as this to be predictably better than one of the better teams in the conference? Has Stoops really brought them that far or are they just somewhat better than the lower rated teams? Their wins have been mostly vs poor opponents. And as I recall, they've played poorly vs some teams they should have beaten. Are they over all that now? Are they beyond that? Or is it just about Saturday?
Beaver backers have been on their own more often than not this year... the usual.
Do you really think Arizona as a team has made strides as big as this to be predictably better than one of the better teams in the conference? Has Stoops really brought them that far or are they just somewhat better than the lower rated teams? Their wins have been mostly vs poor opponents. And as I recall, they've played poorly vs some teams they should have beaten. Are they over all that now? Are they beyond that? Or is it just about Saturday?
Addict forgive me. I am not understanding what you just said. I didn't take anything that way.
I hope you didn't take what I wrote like a sarcastic rant. It was real. I perceive Arizona as an up and comer but not among the elite teams of the conference. I think there's some overrating going on here because the conference is down this season. If it was a normal year, I'd rate Arizona somewhere in the middle of the pack. Both Oregon teams, Cal and USC being clearly more developed teams with better talent. But as it turns out, not even UCLA or ASU can rate with them and fahgetabout Washingtonx. Perhaps they are a cut better than Stanford this year. That's about how I size them up with respect to the rest of the conference. I know there are those who put them higher on the food chain than I do. Their offense is outstanding but it has sputtered against teams that keep the ball away from them with a ground game. But Grigsby is pretty decent and Gronkowski is a beast when there's time to get the ball into their hands.
OSU hasn't faced a legitimate opponent on the road since Penn State really. I know this is a different OSU team with a ton of confidence, but there's a reason why they are small dogs, and I think this is it.
Arizona has been known to get up for big games like this. Whether it's Oregon from last year or Cal the year before that, Stoops has his boys prepared when they are looked at as the underdogs.
This has been the game I've said the past couple weeks that OSU loses their RB hopes. I can't get off the claim now even though the Beavs are playing great football right now.
I think you forgot about the Utah game Addict. The Beavers had it won and blew it largely because of poor clock management in the final minute and a half. I think the whole forum (including myself) was on Utah that night and the Beavers covered easily and nearly won the game straight up.
The fact that they lost that road game the way they did makes me think they will get it right this time. They are not quitters. They have sort of a blue collar approach to practicing. They get up off the mat and come back again. That thought has crossed my mind too.
I'll likely bet UW if the line goes below a TD. Otherwise I'm not interested.
Depending on the number, I am inclined to go under because I don't think either offense can sustain any kind of ball control. Both defenses will seem adequate but the offenses will sputter often with the edge going to the Huskies because of Levenseller in his first ever start for the Coogs. So far that's my take on it.
conan,
usually don't do my write-ups until Thursday evenings, but I'll do my best here...first off, we've been eachother in two similiar games...the first was Arizona at home against Cal, the second being Cal at home against Oregon...we both saw how those turned out and I see this game playing out much the same as the other two did...what I mean by that is that one can't discount the propensity of home teams in the Pac 10 covering at almost a two to one clip compared to road teams...Oregon State's three losses this season have come on the road...they are just not the same team away from Reiser...I'm not saying they aren't a good road team, they just don't play nearly as well on the road as they do at home...if you look back Arizona has had a big win in each of the last two seasons in November (UCLA, Oregon)...I feel this one will be the third...I think Oregon St. is a good team, they are coached well and have good skill position players, but I think their lines aren't extremely physical, which is the way to beat a team like Arizona...this is also good spot for Arizona and they match up very well with OSU...I watched the entire Arizona vs. Oregon game and was very impressed with the heart Arizona showed and think they carry over that momentum into this week's game...Tuitama has more weapons that he's ever had and I like that he's been a lot more mobile than previously in his career...have seen him scramble downfield more than ever which keeps defenses honest...both Gronkowskis, Mike Thomas, Turner is coming on and Dean is playing well...Grigsby and Antolin are both good backs and although Jaquizz Rogers is as talented as they come, Arizona has the better depth in the running back dept...I really like how the Arizona defensive and offensive lines played the last three quarters and their secondary does a great job in coverage, which should allow linebackers to focus more on the run...Morales didn't look 100% to me last week, nor did Moevao...this should be a great game, but I'll take my chances with Arizona at home, at night in November...BOL to you...
usually don't do my write-ups until Thursday evenings, but I'll do my best here...first off, we've been eachother in two similiar games...the first was Arizona at home against Cal, the second being Cal at home against Oregon...we both saw how those turned out and I see this game playing out much the same as the other two did...what I mean by that is that one can't discount the propensity of home teams in the Pac 10 covering at almost a two to one clip compared to road teams...Oregon State's three losses this season have come on the road...they are just not the same team away from Reiser...I'm not saying they aren't a good road team, they just don't play nearly as well on the road as they do at home...if you look back Arizona has had a big win in each of the last two seasons in November (UCLA, Oregon)...I feel this one will be the third...I think Oregon St. is a good team, they are coached well and have good skill position players, but I think their lines aren't extremely physical, which is the way to beat a team like Arizona...this is also good spot for Arizona and they match up very well with OSU...I watched the entire Arizona vs. Oregon game and was very impressed with the heart Arizona showed and think they carry over that momentum into this week's game...Tuitama has more weapons that he's ever had and I like that he's been a lot more mobile than previously in his career...have seen him scramble downfield more than ever which keeps defenses honest...both Gronkowskis, Mike Thomas, Turner is coming on and Dean is playing well...Grigsby and Antolin are both good backs and although Jaquizz Rogers is as talented as they come, Arizona has the better depth in the running back dept...I really like how the Arizona defensive and offensive lines played the last three quarters and their secondary does a great job in coverage, which should allow linebackers to focus more on the run...Morales didn't look 100% to me last week, nor did Moevao...this should be a great game, but I'll take my chances with Arizona at home, at night in November...BOL to you...
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Pags,
I've been reading up in the blogs and message boards and many of the folks are pointing out a lot of what you mentioned. The unanimous opinion from everyone is that Gronkowski is a beast, likely the best TE in CFB. Also there's a lot of talk about Thomas and Turner, Tui's favorite targets. Gronkowksi is generally being used as the mid range receiver usually down the middle of the field. The others are the business of OSU's corners. They are as lockdown as they come but you can't cover everyone all the time, especially if Tuitama's given time. The feeling is that a lot of pressure on Tuitama is what it will take. The more up the middle pressure to collapse the pocket, the better. I hope Stephen Paea (DL) has the kind of game he had last week. (He was one of the Pac-10 players of the week vs Cal.) His pressure in the middle gave Riley all he could take. Tuitama is a much better QB than Riley so I have to give you that, the QB situation is much more important in this game than in the Cal game. Moevao and Morales should be 100% Saturday. Moevao had a cold last Saturday and 2 weeks off affected his accuracy. I think he'll improve and be back to his old self this week. But this game is a call to Oregon State's defense to step up.
I know the Beavers seem much more animated when they play at Reser, but I wouldn't go too far with that despite them losing 3 road games this year. I think they are due for a quality road win. They could have beaten both Stanford and Utah but their dumbass mistakes cost them both games. They outgained both teams. I'm betting that they get it right this time they travel. I'm sure everyone on the team is aware of their 2 near misses and will try to get it right this time time around. If at first you don't succeed, try try again. That's how I characterize the Beavers. They are not quitters. They come back stronger. Whatever it takes to get over the hump.
I'll give you this. This is going to be a tougher test for them than Cal was. But I'll take my chances with the overachievers.
Good luck to you this week my friend.
I've been reading up in the blogs and message boards and many of the folks are pointing out a lot of what you mentioned. The unanimous opinion from everyone is that Gronkowski is a beast, likely the best TE in CFB. Also there's a lot of talk about Thomas and Turner, Tui's favorite targets. Gronkowksi is generally being used as the mid range receiver usually down the middle of the field. The others are the business of OSU's corners. They are as lockdown as they come but you can't cover everyone all the time, especially if Tuitama's given time. The feeling is that a lot of pressure on Tuitama is what it will take. The more up the middle pressure to collapse the pocket, the better. I hope Stephen Paea (DL) has the kind of game he had last week. (He was one of the Pac-10 players of the week vs Cal.) His pressure in the middle gave Riley all he could take. Tuitama is a much better QB than Riley so I have to give you that, the QB situation is much more important in this game than in the Cal game. Moevao and Morales should be 100% Saturday. Moevao had a cold last Saturday and 2 weeks off affected his accuracy. I think he'll improve and be back to his old self this week. But this game is a call to Oregon State's defense to step up.
I know the Beavers seem much more animated when they play at Reser, but I wouldn't go too far with that despite them losing 3 road games this year. I think they are due for a quality road win. They could have beaten both Stanford and Utah but their dumbass mistakes cost them both games. They outgained both teams. I'm betting that they get it right this time they travel. I'm sure everyone on the team is aware of their 2 near misses and will try to get it right this time time around. If at first you don't succeed, try try again. That's how I characterize the Beavers. They are not quitters. They come back stronger. Whatever it takes to get over the hump.
I'll give you this. This is going to be a tougher test for them than Cal was. But I'll take my chances with the overachievers.
Good luck to you this week my friend.
Just a meaningless tag to the above...
If the Beavers hold up and win out, we may get to see USC vs Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
I like the idea of giving the Beavers a rematch with PSU, but the possibility of seeing USC vs Alabama is exciting. It's almost like having 2 NC games, considering the quality of the teams on the field.
If the Beavers hold up and win out, we may get to see USC vs Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
I like the idea of giving the Beavers a rematch with PSU, but the possibility of seeing USC vs Alabama is exciting. It's almost like having 2 NC games, considering the quality of the teams on the field.
Just one more angle on the OSU/AZ game I've seen...
There seems to be some concern over how hard the Cats have practiced and put out since they became bowl eligible. It appears that the players are satisfied with that and don't seem as motivated now. Stoops even commented on that situation.
Here's the read. FWIW
There seems to be some concern over how hard the Cats have practiced and put out since they became bowl eligible. It appears that the players are satisfied with that and don't seem as motivated now. Stoops even commented on that situation.
Here's the read. FWIW
Yes, I was reading the comments from the Zona fans too and they seem a bit mixed. But they outta get their facts straight when they say they can shut down Jacquizz Rogers like Penn St. did. I think Quizz missed 100 yards rushing by just a few in that game. If I'm not mistaken I think that's when Quizz won the starting job for himself thereafter.
All this confidence about their defense. I just don't see why.
What worries me the most is Willie's downfield throwing accuracy.
I sure hope he gets his rhythm knocked out from under him plenty.
This is definitely going to be a job for Afalava and the rest of OSU's DB's.
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I talked with a guy who claimed to be the best friend of AZ's LB coach after the game at the hotel. He said the same thing about az players being a bit too satisfied about their bowl eligibility. That was their stated goal going into the year.
I also got the sense that that attitude no longer prevails after what the Oregon offense did to them...
I also got the sense that that attitude no longer prevails after what the Oregon offense did to them...
Thank you
Good readings here. Let's get one game out of the way. Hard to trust UW on the road at -9.5. I am already on record as buying it to +10, as the Huskies would clearly be satisfied with a one point win, much less a 10 pointer. We'll see.
Now for OSU. I lean toward Arizona but not for $$$. This is a tough one. But OSU is not without early season excuses. Games 1-2 saw OSU not at full strength on the OL, having at that time a raw rookie RB, and playing meaningful games with a rebuilt front 7 on defense and new special team players. The game against Utah was won, and they had more than a 7 point lead. Maybe it's PAC 10 sour grapes, but in the comeback the Utes 2 point conversion/penalty was a judgement call, and not a good one.
We've heard plenty about the SEC and Big 12, but I'd love to see the Pac 10 represented in the BCS with 2 teams. But no, OSU has not been getting Pac 10 love by the officials, rather they earned the Cal win, earned the USC win, and just about every other win as well.
Because UA has rediscovered the run game OSU will now have its hands full on defense. The kicking game THIS TIME may have to step it up. I wouldn't be shocked with a win here, but UA is good. Then, it's home to a rested and even more explosive Oregon team. This will not be easy.
Good readings here. Let's get one game out of the way. Hard to trust UW on the road at -9.5. I am already on record as buying it to +10, as the Huskies would clearly be satisfied with a one point win, much less a 10 pointer. We'll see.
Now for OSU. I lean toward Arizona but not for $$$. This is a tough one. But OSU is not without early season excuses. Games 1-2 saw OSU not at full strength on the OL, having at that time a raw rookie RB, and playing meaningful games with a rebuilt front 7 on defense and new special team players. The game against Utah was won, and they had more than a 7 point lead. Maybe it's PAC 10 sour grapes, but in the comeback the Utes 2 point conversion/penalty was a judgement call, and not a good one.
We've heard plenty about the SEC and Big 12, but I'd love to see the Pac 10 represented in the BCS with 2 teams. But no, OSU has not been getting Pac 10 love by the officials, rather they earned the Cal win, earned the USC win, and just about every other win as well.
Because UA has rediscovered the run game OSU will now have its hands full on defense. The kicking game THIS TIME may have to step it up. I wouldn't be shocked with a win here, but UA is good. Then, it's home to a rested and even more explosive Oregon team. This will not be easy.
Granted the Ducks put the slap on their defense, but I think their stated goal for the season, the "satisfaction" about being bowl eligible is an irrevocable attitude that gives them a "sense of peace and fulfillment" in a way. They may wake up by the time they play in the Sun Bowl over in El Paso. I think it's human nature. I can't see them playing 100% because that's still in their heads. Their defense is a very young bunch. Maybe they will show up and play focused beyond their years, but I doubt it.
That still doesn't answer my concern about what Tuitama and his receivers are capable of... downfield included. I hope Mark Banker has a plan and it works. No question that the Beavers are very well coached but I have no idea how they will approach the Cats other than to turn up the heat on Tuitama, that aside from tracking down Grigsby in the backfield as often as possible too. And they need to be quick about it.
