Thursday Bowl Action -
82 Card - 12-27-2012
The first two teams and the the last team on Stanford's schedule are in bowl games today. Not that strength of schedule matters anymore, but I'm rooting for our regular season oponents. So far:
1. SJSU has won the Military Bowl 29-20 against Bowling Green State. I didn't realize it is possible to win a bowl game with negative rushing yards.
2. Duke is currently ahead of Cincinati 16-0 in the first quarter of the Belk Bowl (ESPN). They opened up the game with a nice drive built on running, something they are not known for. After the TD, the PAT was blocked; the kicker picked it up and almost ran it in for 2, missing by inches. Duke stopped Cincinaty in 3 plays and then drove for a field goal. After stopping the next Cincinati drive, Duke blocked the punt and fell on it for a TD. PAT good this time.
3. Later tonigh, UCLA vs. Baylor in Holiday Bowl on ESPN.
Not a bad performance so far for the soft part of the Stanford schedule.
Re: Thursday Bowl Action -
82 Card - 12-27-2012
Well, Duke didn't manage to keep it up. Final score 48-34. Game was much closer than that score. The biggest factor in the game was the refs, particularly in the first half. It was almost as if Duke was playing ND. Twice they didn't call helmet to helmet hits that are normally called. In one of those, the Duke guy fumbles the ball at the goal line even though there was no hit on the ball or his arms. The player had to leave the game.
Meanwhile, UCLA is not getting the job done. They are already down 14-0.
Re: Thursday Bowl Action -
washingtonismoney - 12-27-2012
Don't forget the novel icing technique Cincinnati came up with at the end of the first half: twelve men in the huddle. Made a FG the first try, missed the closer one.
Re: UCLA. It's too early to worry if you're a Bruin. This game will light up the scoreboard.
Re: Thursday Bowl Action -
washingtonismoney - 12-27-2012
Bizarre play from UCLA as they go for it on fourth and 18 in the gray zone (too far for FG, too close for punt, so I don't necessarily have a problem with the idea)...and throw it for five yards.
Re: Thursday Bowl Action -
Nan3cy - 12-27-2012
The UCLA game is getting pretty ugly. 21-0...
Re: Thursday Bowl Action -
TreeFitty - 12-27-2012
Poor Jordan Zumwalt. ;)
Re: Thursday Bowl Action -
82 Card - 12-27-2012
This is really embarrassing for the league. 35-10 at the half. UCLA looks like they did in the first Stanford game, the one where people wondered how hard they were trying. OL injuries have apparently decimated the line. Numerous bad snaps. Franklin a non-factor.
Getting to be a bit of a habit for the Bruins -
JohnR34231 - 12-28-2012
Having games in which they don't show up, that is.
There was Kal, the first one with us, and now this one.
Baylor had previously won four of their last five games, so they are also probably a better team that than their 7-5 record going into the game would indicate.
Re: Thursday Bowl Action -
washingtonismoney - 12-28-2012
The loss has a slight immediate pain (making us look bad) but may have an offsetting slight long-term gain (i.e. lessening buzz and impacting recruiting...I would guess UCLA is our top three recruiting rivals with SC and ND)
Impact of game on UCLA recruiting -
JohnR34231 - 12-28-2012
Hope you're right, but I really don't think the outcome of one game really affects a team's recruiting that much.
UCLA can still sell the idea that the program had a major turnaround under Mora.
Now if they were to have another season like they did under Slick Rick.........
P.S. As far as Jordan Zumwalt is concerned, while we as Stanford fans would like him to, I really don't think he has any remorse about his decision to choose UCLA over Stanford.
Re: Thursday Bowl Action -
washingtonismoney - 12-28-2012
I don't think it has much of an impact if any. But then again I don't think there are many short term effects either. Embarrassing for the league? I suppose so, but if the Beavers beat the Longhorns it'll be forgotten.
Re: Thursday Bowl Action -
Spiny_Norman - 12-28-2012
Baylor looked like Oregon the way they ran the spread (including Oregon transfer Lache Seastrunk). The blocking was really good and took out all of UCLA's playmakers on defense. UCLA looked to be overmatched from the get go. Perhaps UCLA would have been better prepared if they had played Oregon this year.Â
And did you notice who was the TE for Baylor? Stanford transfer Jordan Najvar who was honorable mention all conference this year.