West coast week 1

[Conan]

Here's a little blurb I read about Tulsa...

Tulsa started only 2-2 against FBS opponents last season, but the losses came against two of the best teams in the nation in Oklahoma and Houston. The Golden Hurricane lost three of their last four, including a blowout home loss at the hands of Navy (44-14 before garbage time kicked in). Tulsa's 2016 projection is dire as well, and a return trip to a bowl is doubtful. It will face Ohio State in Columbus on Sept. 10, and has a 63 percent chance of losing four of its last five games.

 

[Knightrofins]

Off the top of my head, i remember that Tulsa f'd me 2 weeks in a row last year on backdoor covers. Both with like 30 seconds left vs Cincy and UCF

 

[Mr.ThunderCat]

Conan what are your thoughts on cal this season, and with usc announcing the starting qb(browne) is it gonna make much of a difference against a experienced defense like bama. Usc has size on the o line.

 

[Conan]

A&M has a great set of DE's, and UCLA has been unable to stay healthy up front or protect the QB. Add to that learning a new/modified system. I want to see where the line goes and gets closer to the game the check the health up front. Gonna be awful hot in September for a 2:30PM CST kick.

I totally agree with that statement.

I remember that was a huge problem for them year after year
after year, especially at the QB position aside from their OL.

Truly bizarre the way injuries revisited them again and again.
Lately there seems to have been some of a reprieve from that curse.

As you mentioned (I did too) let's see what shape they're in nearer to
game time before we pull the trigger. There also could be a positive
line move by that time too.

 

[Conan]

Conan what are your thoughts on cal this season, and with usc announcing the starting qb(browne) is it gonna make much of a difference against a experienced defense like bama. Usc has size on the o line.

Whoever wins the starting job at USC is one very lucky SOB. His support will be excellent and
that probably means at least $30 million when he gets drafted.

USC has some excellent backs and speed all over the place, but Bama's D is as good as it gets.
USC's OL vs. Bama's DL will be one of the more competitive aspects of this game. Interesting.

IMHO the best wager in this game is under the total but to choose a side, it's Bama all day. I
just don't see USC within striking distance at the end. I can't say for sure whether the extra
margin beyond a TD at the end will be an extra FG or an extra TD, but I'm a big fan of Lane
Kiffin so that salts it for me.

 

[cloverleaf]

Conan, you are one of my/gang's top 5 here at this forum. First, UCLA may just win the
Pac 12 this year. Yeah, they are talented enough and I'm guessing they do. HOWEVER...

They AIN'T going to beat Texas A&M.

Pull this post up if they do.....I will deserve it.

 

[Mr.ThunderCat]

Whoever wins the starting job at USC is one very lucky SOB. His support will be excellent and
that probably means at least $30 million when he gets drafted.

USC has some excellent backs and speed all over the place, but Bama's D is as good as it gets.
USC's OL vs. Bama's DL will be one of the more competitive aspects of this game. Interesting.

IMHO the best wager in this game is under the total but to choose a side, it's Bama all day. I
just don't see USC within striking distance at the end. I can't say for sure whether the extra
margin beyond a TD at the end will be an extra FG or an extra TD, but I'm a big fan of Lane
Kiffin so that salts it for me.

Thats some massive humans with the o line of usc and the huge front 7 of bama. If usc runs over 150 yards they have a shot. I'm curious how bamas offense is gonna be. Lane kiffen another year incorporating offensive systems, the skill players for Bama are nasty. Usc defense has to come to play which they haven't in some time now.

 

[Mr.ThunderCat]

With Ucla it all comes down to how well the big men can hold up on both sides of the ball. Injuries have hit them so hard it almost seems like every year. They have the offense to win a pac 12 but will they truly stay healthy up front. I don't care how talented of a qb they have if he's on his back all the time. Eddie Vanderhoose is key and has the talent to do huge things if he can stay healthy but man are they deep at defensive line

 

[Conan]

Mr. TC,

The ONLY reason why Browne got the job is because of his familiarity with Helton's system.
Between Browne and Darnold, the RS freshman has put up a hell of a good fight for the position.
Six of one, a half dozen of the other IMHO.

The ground game is a safety valve for the Trojan offense. Now they have to deal with Bama.

 

[Mr.ThunderCat]

Mr. TC,

The ONLY reason why Browne got the job is because of his familiarity with Helton's system.
Between Browne and Darnold, the RS freshman has put up a hell of a good fight for the position.
Six of one, a half dozen of the other IMHO.

The ground game is a safety valve for the Trojan offense. Now they have to deal with Bama.

Yeah i was reading Helton stated that he didn't think it would get as close as it did. They went with a guy whos been in the system like you are saying for sure i agree. Browne has 2 things I like about him the most. He has a great arm thats pretty underrated and his pocket presence. But USC can't play off the pass they never have. Usc is strong when they run the ball. The Duo of Justin Davis and RJ2 will look good if they can both stay healthy a combo of speed and power to combine with a wr core that is quick and athlethic and could compete with being the best wr core in D-1.
I just wonder will finally after 4 long years will these 4 star and 5 star olinemen start to play like they should up front. I feel like this is Matt Barkley 2.0 vs Ohio State in the Horseshoe just this one is in dallas.

 

[Conan]

Conan, you are one of my/gang's top 5 here at this forum. First, UCLA may just win the
Pac 12 this year. Yeah, they are talented enough and I'm guessing they do. HOWEVER...

They AIN'T going to beat Texas A&M.

Pull this post up if they do.....I will deserve it.

We'll see about that clover.

When Sumlin got there in 2012, A&M went 11-2 and beat OK in the
Cotton Bowl (via Johnny Football.) The following year they lost 4
games to LSU, Mizzou, Auburn and Bama... (uh oh)

In 2014 they dropped 5 games to both Mississippi's, LSU, Bama and
Missouri still had their number.

In 2015 they did manage to beat ASU however the Sun Devils proved
to have a lot of problems and had their worst year since Graham took
over. (whoopee) Then Auburn finally had their way vs. A&M. Then the
Aggies lost as usual to Bama. LSU and Mississippi before losing to
Louisville in the Music City Bowl in Nashville. The only team of any
consequence they beat at home last season was South Carolina but
I don't think Spurrier will still be there if he posts another 3-9 year.

Providing that the Bruins stay healthy in camp through August, I don't
see why they need to worry too much. Their defense is tight with 9
returning starters including LB Jayon Brown with 96 tackles last year.

Yes UCLA needs to be healthy here but all the health in the world doesn't
seem to matter much for A&M the past 3 seasons. Most of their wins
came against the non-Big 5 and FCS conference teams.

I can't make much of a case for A&M when I look at who they've
played lately and the results.

 

[Mr.ThunderCat]

I truly think Texas A&M is fighting for 3rd or 4th best just in texas alone. TCU, Houston, Texas all gonna be much improved because of the stablity of the programs right now. Not to mention Baylor still has some talent on that offense.

 

[cloverleaf]

Nope Conan my friend....A&M will beat and cover UCLA.

You need to look beyond this opener loser for the Bruins.

I'm thinking some good fortune.

 

[JarFly]

I don't think Spurrier will still be there if he posts another 3-9 year.

Love reading your stuff Conan. You definitely keep up with the left coast and many thanks for all the 411 you provide. Just a heads up on The Ol' Ball Coach as he moved on last season. He is now working in the AD back in Gator country at his alma mater.

Good luck with all your action this season.

Jar

 

[Conan]

I don't think Spurrier will still be there if he posts another 3-9 year.

Love reading your stuff Conan. You definitely keep up with the left coast and many thanks for all the 411 you provide. Just a heads up on The Ol' Ball Coach as he moved on last season. He is now working in the AD back in Gator country at his alma mater.

Good luck with all your action this season.

Jar

I hadn't heard that he got the boot Jar.
It makes sense.

Too much respect going around for SEC coaches as if they were immortal.
I guess that accounts for part of my reaction and lack of attention to him.

There's only one SEC head coach that I think might be immortal.

 

[BaylorBear]

How will UCLA's offensive line be this season Conan? Experienced? Young? And what are your thoughts on Noel Mazzone leaving UCLA to coach at A&M? Did you like him/ his schemes? I think this game will come down to can UCLA keep A&M's DL out of the backfield. And can UCLA not melt under the immense pressure that Kyle Field throws down on visiting teams.

Best of luck this year Cona.

 

[1968]

Thanks Conan, appreciate all your time and effort!

 

[Conan]

How will UCLA's offensive line be this season Conan? Experienced? Young? And what are your thoughts on Noel Mazzone leaving UCLA to coach at A&M? Did you like him/ his schemes? I think this game will come down to can UCLA keep A&M's DL out of the backfield. And can UCLA not melt under the immense pressure that Kyle Field throws down on visiting teams.

Best of luck this year Cona.

The Bruins are said to have one of the best OLs in the Pac. Their new OC, Kennedy Polamalu seems to be a better fit for the Bru than Malzone was. I sensed some friction between he and Mora but it's hard to put my finger on it. I have felt that the Bruins were under-performers for a long time. I wouldn't go as far as blame Malzone for whatever ails the Bruins had and I definitely thought he did earn his paycheck.

Kind of an interesting thing the way their current OC Kennedy Polamalu and Josh Rosen hit things off thus far. I expect to see a lot of confidence placed upon Rosen's shoulders and even some dependence on his big brain when his offense lines up. As far as UCLA's receiving corps go, there is definitely not a whole lot of experience there but they sure are fast and plenty deep. Hungry too I would imagine. As I mentioned elsewhere, they have 3 bruising backs that Mora can't decide between. But I heard that lately his mind is recently made up but the name escapes me at the moment. That will become obvious soon enough anyway. No doubt the Bruin defense will be in great shape this season baring the unforeseen.

One thing I'm pretty anxious to witness is their pass catching 294 lb. fullback Ainuu Taua targeted over the middle or wherever he is sent. Lets just say I wouldn't wish to be the 190 lb. (or less) CB that draws him in coverage. Following him as a blocker creating holes may be a windfall for the Bruins. I would think that a DE rushing Rosen may need to run an extra 3-4 yards around Taua to get to the QB. I Doubt that he'll be knocking him down. Rosen knows this I'm sure.

As far as pressure goes, I don't see very much of a problem. UCLA has performed well in the past in Texas. I think the pressure might go the other way.

 

[Conan]

Just a footnote...
The Bruins have been practicing in 102 degree heat in San Bernardino.
Looked good doing it. Bring it on Texas.

 

[fishmustdie]

Whoever wins the starting job at USC is one very lucky SOB. His support will be excellent and
that probably means at least $30 million when he gets drafted.

USC has some excellent backs and speed all over the place, but Bama's D is as good as it gets.
USC's OL vs. Bama's DL will be one of the more competitive aspects of this game. Interesting.

IMHO the best wager in this game is under the total but to choose a side, it's Bama all day. I
just don't see USC within striking distance at the end. I can't say for sure whether the extra
margin beyond a TD at the end will be an extra FG or an extra TD, but I'm a big fan of Lane
Kiffin so that salts it for me.

If you are a big fan of Lane then prepare to be disappointed. He warms up with an experienced QB but with a NEW QB Lane will turtle up for sure. Expect bubble screen after bubble screen, short throws and lots of running plays. Clancy if you recall coached with Kiff and knows him inside out and backwards. Clancy will be bringing the heat and SC has plenty of it. People act like this is some physical mismatch, it's not. SC has just as much talent and speed, this game will be much closer than people think, I will be very surprised by a blowout. Remember that they have been coached by a complete drunk-Sark was actually drunk coaching the Arizona game last year and now they actually have an adult coaching them this year. The difference is night and day. Doesn't Bama have a new DC as well? I mean the talent on Bama's D is undeniable but still it's the first game with a new DC-did he not bring in his own packages? Back to Kiff, is there some revisionist history going on here? Everyone hated Kiff for leaving Tenn and predicted his eventual ruin at SC-they were right, he sucked, stuck his head in his "Dennys" playbook all game long instead of coaching his boys. He is the same guy, same Denny's menu, same conservative tendencies. Sorry Bama fans you are actually winning despite him-because of your talent advantage against most everyone and SABEN. Kiffin SUCKS. I see Alabama winning but I see +10 as money. Of course... that's just like... my opinion dude.w-thumbs!^