There's just too much to say about CAL's offense to give them
almost 3 TDs (19½ points) even against USC. It's interesting to
note that Davis Webb has thrown for 27 TDs (ranked #2) and
that also happens to be a semi-weakness of the Trojan defense.
(11 TD passes allowed) Davis has also thrown 227 completions
(ranked #3) and has averaged throwing 369 ypg. (also ranked
#3) They are ranked 9th in points (44 ppg) and 6th in total
offense (533 ypg.)
Both teams have shown improvement over the last few games
but I think USC's gains have been noticed and Cal has been a
victim of scheduling, albeit they have yet to win the road. The
point is that I don't see USC running too far away in this one.
We could see a heap of scoring here which should surprise no
one. The Calbears should get their share.
Originally I wasn't going to post this because this is the first time
in the history of the Pac-12 that a team off of a short week (CAL)
plays a team coming off a bye. So take this with a grain of salt.
CAL +19½/USC
almost 3 TDs (19½ points) even against USC. It's interesting to
note that Davis Webb has thrown for 27 TDs (ranked #2) and
that also happens to be a semi-weakness of the Trojan defense.
(11 TD passes allowed) Davis has also thrown 227 completions
(ranked #3) and has averaged throwing 369 ypg. (also ranked
#3) They are ranked 9th in points (44 ppg) and 6th in total
offense (533 ypg.)
Both teams have shown improvement over the last few games
but I think USC's gains have been noticed and Cal has been a
victim of scheduling, albeit they have yet to win the road. The
point is that I don't see USC running too far away in this one.
We could see a heap of scoring here which should surprise no
one. The Calbears should get their share.
Originally I wasn't going to post this because this is the first time
in the history of the Pac-12 that a team off of a short week (CAL)
plays a team coming off a bye. So take this with a grain of salt.
CAL +19½/USC
hadn't ran that one b4 but heavily ends up as an under. 2 more spots available after tonight
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A couple of tough ones in a difficult week to make sense out of things.
Stanford is back on the improve. With a healthier pair of CBs and
McCaffrey back on active duty, they should be looking a lot like their
old selves again.
Stanford -5/AZ
UDub didn't manage to overwhelm their opponent when they took
to the road @Arizona earlier on. Same thing applies this week when
they take on the Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah is #1 defensively
in take-aways and it comes as no accident. If you want to give the
Dawgs a rough go of it, bring your best rushing game to the table.
Joe Williams ran for an amazing 332 yards last week, best this year
in the FBS and a school record. He is a hell of a running back. At home
I'm picking the Utes to play the Huskies tough. They are the best team
Washington will have faced all season.
Utah +10½/UDub
Best pick this week even though SDSU is looking good as I write.
Stanford is back on the improve. With a healthier pair of CBs and
McCaffrey back on active duty, they should be looking a lot like their
old selves again.
Stanford -5/AZ
UDub didn't manage to overwhelm their opponent when they took
to the road @Arizona earlier on. Same thing applies this week when
they take on the Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah is #1 defensively
in take-aways and it comes as no accident. If you want to give the
Dawgs a rough go of it, bring your best rushing game to the table.
Joe Williams ran for an amazing 332 yards last week, best this year
in the FBS and a school record. He is a hell of a running back. At home
I'm picking the Utes to play the Huskies tough. They are the best team
Washington will have faced all season.
Utah +10½/UDub
Best pick this week even though SDSU is looking good as I write.
I was surprised that Webb went with Burns from the start. Chryst backed up Hogan all of last season. He is also a crowd favorite since he attended Palo Alto High School across the street from Stanford Stadium. I guess Burns must have had a damn good fall camp to win the job. Keller Chryst is more seasoned and experienced with Webb's offense.
Likely the worst thing that's gone wrong and that's still wrong with the trees is the season ending injury to Alijah Holder, who was half of Stanford's lock down corner duo. Replacements Alameen Murphy and Frank Buncom have done well in rotation opposite Quenton Meeks, Stanford's other stud CB. Things are looking up for Stanford's defense ... finally.
Oregon's Homecoming.
"don't think its wise to lay more than a TD with a team yet to cover a spread all season." certainly hard to argue with that and, yeah, "Laying Down" sure feels like its well within Duck's repertoire but Man...one feels like Ducks are gonna wanna Show Out Here, in this spot vs. a vulnerable squad they can touch up for some Big Points in ASU.
Pride Baby Duck Pride. Its Homecoming. That fires young guys up, right?
I think the Oregon and ASU game is going to be another shootout, just not to the likes of Oregon vs cal. Oregon obviously has a great advantage at qb with Herbert being the starter for the rest of the season, but their defense is still so unbelievably beat up, injured, porous, schematically broken and has absolutely zero leadership on the field. I'd honestly be surprised if Oregon held them under 35, even with the ASU qb situation. There's is no depth anywhere for the ducks on defense and that's going to hurt against an uptempo team relying on the run. They'll just wear Oregon down and eventually there will be mistakes and blown assignments everywhere. I am taking ASU +7.5 for those reasons. This game will be tight.
washington is going to best the breaks off Utah. Utah has played a lot of poor teams thus far and their defense, which is the strength of the team, has gotten worse since week 4..... beating osu by 5 and giving up 45 to ucla and losing to cal where you can couldn't score against one of the worst defenses in the country shows me they aren't what everyone thinks they are. Washington has two tests left until the title game.
Washington wins handedly 37-17 if not by more
washington is going to best the breaks off Utah. Utah has played a lot of poor teams thus far and their defense, which is the strength of the team, has gotten worse since week 4..... beating osu by 5 and giving up 45 to ucla and losing to cal where you can couldn't score against one of the worst defenses in the country shows me they aren't what everyone thinks they are. Washington has two tests left until the title game.
Washington wins handedly 37-17 if not by more
Yeah, that sums up well why I just can't mess with Ducks. Defense. I'm trying to be Disciplined. Rule = Can't side with horrible Defenses.
I fell off the wagon 2 weeks back, Texas Tech. WVU at Lubbock. Totally immediately got lit up for it. Musta missed that cover by 38 points. or more. TT+1.5, WVU annihilated them.
My Square Self really feels totally like Oregon is gonna step up here but yeah...as hurt as you describe only so much that can be done I suppose.
Quack, something you should know about Wittingham... He's been the Utes coach for the
last 12 years and has his guys with the longest running bowl winning streak in the FBS --
10 straight post season wins. He gets his team ready for big games and they often prevail.
I remember Utah beating Alabama in the Sugar bowl a while back. Teams that do manage
to beat them don't often win by much. He's a very underrated head coach.
SDSU -6½/Utah St.
CAL +19/US
Stanford -5/AZ
Utah +10½/UDub
Here come the trees !!
Also -- how about them Ducks!!
Anyone who's interested may wish to watch the game
vs. CAL last week. (on youtube) Herbert and the Duck
defense woke up in the 2nd half and they also played
the same quality game in the first half today. (30-14)
Things could be looking up.
CAL +19/US
Stanford -5/AZ
Utah +10½/UDub
Here come the trees !!
Also -- how about them Ducks!!
Anyone who's interested may wish to watch the game
vs. CAL last week. (on youtube) Herbert and the Duck
defense woke up in the 2nd half and they also played
the same quality game in the first half today. (30-14)
Things could be looking up.
