[OutsiderFan]

Outside of Stanford at Washington and maybe Tennessee at Georgia, it's a pretty bleak weekend of compelling college football tilts.  Doesn't look like a single Top-25 matchup.  UCLA-ASU was going to be the biggie, but with Kelly out, not so much.

Stanford at Washington seems to be the headline game of the weekend. 

[OutsiderFan]

Outside of Stanford at Washington and maybe Tennessee at Georgia, it's a pretty bleak weekend of compelling college football tilts.  Doesn't look like a single Top-25 matchup.  UCLA-ASU was going to be the biggie, but with Kelly out, not so much.

Stanford at Washington seems to be the headline game of the weekend. 

[oman]

Arkansas A&M might be fun.  Hate.  But yeah, this is not a bad weekend to run some quick errands.

[oman]

Arkansas A&M might be fun.  Hate.  But yeah, this is not a bad weekend to run some quick errands.

[Rally]

Outside of Stanford at Washington and maybe Tennessee at Georgia, it's a pretty bleak weekend of compelling college football tilts.  Doesn't look like a single Top-25 matchup.  UCLA-ASU was going to be the biggie, but with Kelly out, not so much.

Stanford at Washington seems to be the headline game of the weekend.

As it should be.

[Rally]

Outside of Stanford at Washington and maybe Tennessee at Georgia, it's a pretty bleak weekend of compelling college football tilts.  Doesn't look like a single Top-25 matchup.  UCLA-ASU was going to be the biggie, but with Kelly out, not so much.

Stanford at Washington seems to be the headline game of the weekend.

As it should be.

[oman]

Stanford at Washington seems to be the headline game of the weekend.

Hopefully the bar I'm at down in San Antonio will put it on a side tv.  Competing with Texas v. mighty Kansas. 

[oman]

Stanford at Washington seems to be the headline game of the weekend.

Hopefully the bar I'm at down in San Antonio will put it on a side tv.  Competing with Texas v. mighty Kansas. 

[gocard14]

Outside of Stanford at Washington and maybe Tennessee at Georgia, it's a pretty bleak weekend of compelling college football tilts.  Doesn't look like a single Top-25 matchup.  UCLA-ASU was going to be the biggie, but with Kelly out, not so much.

Stanford at Washington seems to be the headline game of the weekend.

Don't underestimate UCLA-ASU, it is one of a few big games that will probably decide the Pac-12 South (and thus our championship game opponent).  I wouldn't sleep on ASU either, even with Taylor Kelly out.  UCLA's offensive line has played poorly enough that any team with a good defense could cause enough disruption to eke out a win.

[gocard14]

Outside of Stanford at Washington and maybe Tennessee at Georgia, it's a pretty bleak weekend of compelling college football tilts.  Doesn't look like a single Top-25 matchup.  UCLA-ASU was going to be the biggie, but with Kelly out, not so much.

Stanford at Washington seems to be the headline game of the weekend.

Don't underestimate UCLA-ASU, it is one of a few big games that will probably decide the Pac-12 South (and thus our championship game opponent).  I wouldn't sleep on ASU either, even with Taylor Kelly out.  UCLA's offensive line has played poorly enough that any team with a good defense could cause enough disruption to eke out a win.

[martyup]

[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=10696.msg99057#msg99057 date=1411510573]
Outside of Stanford at Washington and maybe Tennessee at Georgia, it's a pretty bleak weekend of compelling college football tilts.  Doesn't look like a single Top-25 matchup.  UCLA-ASU was going to be the biggie, but with Kelly out, not so much.

Stanford at Washington seems to be the headline game of the weekend.

Don't underestimate UCLA-ASU, it is one of a few big games that will probably decide the Pac-12 South (and thus our championship game opponent).  I wouldn't sleep on ASU either, even with Taylor Kelly out.  UCLA's offensive line has played poorly enough that any team with a good defense could cause enough disruption to eke out a win.
[/quote]

I agree.  I think UCLA is due for a let down game.  Hundley is hurt.  Even IF he plays, he won't be 100%.

[martyup]

[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=10696.msg99057#msg99057 date=1411510573]
Outside of Stanford at Washington and maybe Tennessee at Georgia, it's a pretty bleak weekend of compelling college football tilts.  Doesn't look like a single Top-25 matchup.  UCLA-ASU was going to be the biggie, but with Kelly out, not so much.

Stanford at Washington seems to be the headline game of the weekend.

Don't underestimate UCLA-ASU, it is one of a few big games that will probably decide the Pac-12 South (and thus our championship game opponent).  I wouldn't sleep on ASU either, even with Taylor Kelly out.  UCLA's offensive line has played poorly enough that any team with a good defense could cause enough disruption to eke out a win.
[/quote]

I agree.  I think UCLA is due for a let down game.  Hundley is hurt.  Even IF he plays, he won't be 100%.

[needle]

It's a really good Pac-12 sked, if you ask me. Along with Stanford v. UDub and UCLA v. AZ State, you have:

Utah v. Wash. State - Can the Utes demolish Wazzu and show they're a force to be reckoned with the Pac-12 South? Or is Leach going to have his team make another run at a bowl game? Truly a big game for both teams, as Wazzu needs the wins and Utah needs the respect.
Oregon State @SC - Is Oregon State just an inflated record (as I suspect) or could it be a special year in Corvalis? For SC, can they respond to a horrible loss or will they spiral downward to a disappointing year?
Colorado @ California - OK, this one's a dud, unless you're hoping for a Sonny Dykes Death Watch.

[needle]

It's a really good Pac-12 sked, if you ask me. Along with Stanford v. UDub and UCLA v. AZ State, you have:

Utah v. Wash. State - Can the Utes demolish Wazzu and show they're a force to be reckoned with the Pac-12 South? Or is Leach going to have his team make another run at a bowl game? Truly a big game for both teams, as Wazzu needs the wins and Utah needs the respect.
Oregon State @SC - Is Oregon State just an inflated record (as I suspect) or could it be a special year in Corvalis? For SC, can they respond to a horrible loss or will they spiral downward to a disappointing year?
Colorado @ California - OK, this one's a dud, unless you're hoping for a Sonny Dykes Death Watch.

[CTcard]

Don't underestimate UCLA-ASU, it is one of a few big games that will probably decide the Pac-12 South (and thus our championship game opponent).  I wouldn't sleep on ASU either, even with Taylor Kelly out.  UCLA's offensive line has played poorly enough that any team with a good defense could cause enough disruption to eke out a win.

So, what do we know about these two teams so far? Like most everyone, not much.

ASU has two big wins over nothing opponents, and a comfortable win over a not-so-good opponent.

They have played Weber State, New Mexico and Colorado - Sagarin #196, 143, and 95.
ASU's offense put up big numbers against the first two, only okay vs Colorado.
ASU's defense hasn't looked like much - allowing 300+ yds to Weber (evenly split pass and run), solidly stopping UNM (207 yds), but letting the Buffs go off for 545 yds, 28 first downs, holding them to only two punts - both in the first quarter. Without the 3-0 turnover advantage one wonders if they could have won.

Now they will start a QB who has attempted 24 passes in a three year career - and has a qb rating of 111 [for reference the worst official QB rating in the conference is Sui Liufau of Colorado at 132]. It certainly may be that his numbers are simply too small to have any meaning, but it looks dangerous.

---------
UCLA has famously struggled so far this season, but perhaps their performances are a bit better than usually acknowledged.

UCLA has beaten UVa (Sagarin #62), Memphis (#69), and Texas (#29).
Nonetheless, I think the UVa game was probably their best win, particularly as it was a road trip across the country with a 9:00 am pacific start time.
UCLA defense has been okay - generally better against the run but generally played better passing teams.
UCLA offense was sputtering a bit before Hundley got injured, and didn't necessarily do worse with Neuheisel, who had a PER of 148 - pretty good for the circumstances.

I am sort of surprised there is a line on the game given the uncertainty at the QB position. UCLA as a road favorite by 3 points seems reaonsable - but I'd probably take them up to 6. UCLA is more battle hardened so far and one way or the other looks to have a big advantage at QB.

[CTcard]

Don't underestimate UCLA-ASU, it is one of a few big games that will probably decide the Pac-12 South (and thus our championship game opponent).  I wouldn't sleep on ASU either, even with Taylor Kelly out.  UCLA's offensive line has played poorly enough that any team with a good defense could cause enough disruption to eke out a win.

So, what do we know about these two teams so far? Like most everyone, not much.

ASU has two big wins over nothing opponents, and a comfortable win over a not-so-good opponent.

They have played Weber State, New Mexico and Colorado - Sagarin #196, 143, and 95.
ASU's offense put up big numbers against the first two, only okay vs Colorado.
ASU's defense hasn't looked like much - allowing 300+ yds to Weber (evenly split pass and run), solidly stopping UNM (207 yds), but letting the Buffs go off for 545 yds, 28 first downs, holding them to only two punts - both in the first quarter. Without the 3-0 turnover advantage one wonders if they could have won.

Now they will start a QB who has attempted 24 passes in a three year career - and has a qb rating of 111 [for reference the worst official QB rating in the conference is Sui Liufau of Colorado at 132]. It certainly may be that his numbers are simply too small to have any meaning, but it looks dangerous.

---------
UCLA has famously struggled so far this season, but perhaps their performances are a bit better than usually acknowledged.

UCLA has beaten UVa (Sagarin #62), Memphis (#69), and Texas (#29).
Nonetheless, I think the UVa game was probably their best win, particularly as it was a road trip across the country with a 9:00 am pacific start time.
UCLA defense has been okay - generally better against the run but generally played better passing teams.
UCLA offense was sputtering a bit before Hundley got injured, and didn't necessarily do worse with Neuheisel, who had a PER of 148 - pretty good for the circumstances.

I am sort of surprised there is a line on the game given the uncertainty at the QB position. UCLA as a road favorite by 3 points seems reaonsable - but I'd probably take them up to 6. UCLA is more battle hardened so far and one way or the other looks to have a big advantage at QB.

[French Rage]

Colorado @ California - OK, this one's a dud, unless you're hoping for a Sorry Yikes Death Watch.

The battle for 11th!

[French Rage]

Colorado @ California - OK, this one's a dud, unless you're hoping for a Sorry Yikes Death Watch.

The battle for 11th!

[SamAtoms1980]

Colorado @ California - OK, this one's a dud, unless you're hoping for a Sorry Yikes Death Watch.

I don't know.  C'al could claim to have something legitimate going if they had staved off the fourth-quarter meltdown in Tucson.  Now they face a Colorado team that's arguably playing the worst football out of anybody in the Pac-12, but has a proven coach.  C'al could either bounce back, or proceed to implode.

[SamAtoms1980]

Colorado @ California - OK, this one's a dud, unless you're hoping for a Sorry Yikes Death Watch.

I don't know.  C'al could claim to have something legitimate going if they had staved off the fourth-quarter meltdown in Tucson.  Now they face a Colorado team that's arguably playing the worst football out of anybody in the Pac-12, but has a proven coach.  C'al could either bounce back, or proceed to implode.

[Mick]

Utah v. Wash. State - Can the Utes demolish Wazzu and show they're a force to be reckoned with the Pac-12 South? Or is Leach going to have his team make another run at a bowl game? Truly a big game for both teams, as Wazzu needs the wins and Utah needs the respect.

Utah crushed Idaho State by six TDs, Fresno State by 32 and Michigan by 14.  I'd respect the heck out of them at this point.  I think they beat WSU by at least two and as much as five TDs.

[Mick]

Utah v. Wash. State - Can the Utes demolish Wazzu and show they're a force to be reckoned with the Pac-12 South? Or is Leach going to have his team make another run at a bowl game? Truly a big game for both teams, as Wazzu needs the wins and Utah needs the respect.

Utah crushed Idaho State by six TDs, Fresno State by 32 and Michigan by 14.  I'd respect the heck out of them at this point.  I think they beat WSU by at least two and as much as five TDs.

[CTcard]

Utah crushed Idaho State by six TDs, Fresno State by 32 and Michigan by 14.  I'd respect the heck out of them at this point.  I think they beat WSU by at least two and as much as five TDs.

I think that Utah is pretty good and a contender for the South Division title, but ...

Idaho State is a bad FCS team whose only win was eked out over something called Chadron State (points if you know where that is without looking it up).

Fresno's closest game vs an FBS opponent was actually their 32 point loss to Utah.

Beating Michigan by 16 on the road is a very good result - aided in this case by Michigan refusing to hold onto the ball (4 turnovers).

The main issue with Utah is that they appear to be very dependent upon Wilson who seems rather fragile.

[CTcard]

Utah crushed Idaho State by six TDs, Fresno State by 32 and Michigan by 14.  I'd respect the heck out of them at this point.  I think they beat WSU by at least two and as much as five TDs.

I think that Utah is pretty good and a contender for the South Division title, but ...

Idaho State is a bad FCS team whose only win was eked out over something called Chadron State (points if you know where that is without looking it up).

Fresno's closest game vs an FBS opponent was actually their 32 point loss to Utah.

Beating Michigan by 16 on the road is a very good result - aided in this case by Michigan refusing to hold onto the ball (4 turnovers).

The main issue with Utah is that they appear to be very dependent upon Wilson who seems rather fragile.

[needle]

Utah has never opened Pac-12 conference play with a win, and the Utes struggled mightily to win conference games last year (uh, a certain opponent excluded). It's a big game for Utah, no doubt.

[needle]

Utah has never opened Pac-12 conference play with a win, and the Utes struggled mightily to win conference games last year (uh, a certain opponent excluded). It's a big game for Utah, no doubt.

[fullmetal]

[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=10696.msg99057#msg99057 date=1411510573]


Stanford at Washington seems to be the headline game of the weekend.

Hopefully the bar I'm at down in San Antonio will put it on a side tv.  Competing with Texas v. mighty Kansas.
[/quote]

Doesn't Stanford/SATX have watch parties?  Fernando Trevino is the president of that club, iirc.  There's a watch party in Austin if you want to make the hour-plus drive north. 

[fullmetal]

[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=10696.msg99057#msg99057 date=1411510573]


Stanford at Washington seems to be the headline game of the weekend.

Hopefully the bar I'm at down in San Antonio will put it on a side tv.  Competing with Texas v. mighty Kansas.
[/quote]

Doesn't Stanford/SATX have watch parties?  Fernando Trevino is the president of that club, iirc.  There's a watch party in Austin if you want to make the hour-plus drive north. 

[BostonCard]

Colorado and Cal represent the best chance each team has for a Pac-12 win this year.  How long will Cal's P-12 winless streak continue?  It will be a great game, if for no other reason than watching a train wreck in slow motion.

BC

[BostonCard]

Colorado and Cal represent the best chance each team has for a Pac-12 win this year.  How long will Cal's P-12 winless streak continue?  It will be a great game, if for no other reason than watching a train wreck in slow motion.

BC

[CowboyIndian]

something called Chadron State (points if you know where that is without looking it up).

Drove through it a couple of weeks ago. Where do I pick up my points? PM me if you don't trust me implicitly.

[CowboyIndian]

something called Chadron State (points if you know where that is without looking it up).

Drove through it a couple of weeks ago. Where do I pick up my points? PM me if you don't trust me implicitly.

[terry]

C'al could claim to have something legitimate going if they had staved off the fourth-quarter meltdown in Tucson.  Now they face a Colorado team that's arguably playing the worst football out of anybody in the Pac-12, but has a proven coach.  C'al could either bounce back, or proceed to implode.

Haven't you heard? The C.alBears store already has announced a special discount deal to celebrate C.al's win over Colorado!

[terry]

C'al could claim to have something legitimate going if they had staved off the fourth-quarter meltdown in Tucson.  Now they face a Colorado team that's arguably playing the worst football out of anybody in the Pac-12, but has a proven coach.  C'al could either bounce back, or proceed to implode.

Haven't you heard? The C.alBears store already has announced a special discount deal to celebrate C.al's win over Colorado!

[CTcard]

[quote author=CTcard link=topic=10696.msg99133#msg99133 date=1411589916]
something called Chadron State (points if you know where that is without looking it up).

Drove through it a couple of weeks ago. Where do I pick up my points? PM me if you don't trust me implicitly.
[/quote]

I do indeed trust you implicitly.

And you have now received my first ever up-vote for your wide-ranging travels through our heartland. [Guess that is a further hint.]

[CTcard]

[quote author=CTcard link=topic=10696.msg99133#msg99133 date=1411589916]
something called Chadron State (points if you know where that is without looking it up).

Drove through it a couple of weeks ago. Where do I pick up my points? PM me if you don't trust me implicitly.
[/quote]

I do indeed trust you implicitly.

And you have now received my first ever up-vote for your wide-ranging travels through our heartland. [Guess that is a further hint.]

[oman]

Doesn't Stanford/SATX have watch parties?  Fernando Trevino is the president of that club, iirc.  There's a watch party in Austin if you want to make the hour-plus drive north.

Too much diversity in this group of mostly siblings and spouses.  Hardcore Texas fan, hardcore UTSA fan, hardcore Michigan State fan, softcore me, and a couple of football haters who will tolerate a sports bar once a month.  Maybe some babies and Aggies too.

The Texas, UTSA and Stanford games are going to overlap.  And unfortunately there will likely be intolerable Aggies whooping up the joint.

The hour long drive doesn't sound bad ....

[oman]

Doesn't Stanford/SATX have watch parties?  Fernando Trevino is the president of that club, iirc.  There's a watch party in Austin if you want to make the hour-plus drive north.

Too much diversity in this group of mostly siblings and spouses.  Hardcore Texas fan, hardcore UTSA fan, hardcore Michigan State fan, softcore me, and a couple of football haters who will tolerate a sports bar once a month.  Maybe some babies and Aggies too.

The Texas, UTSA and Stanford games are going to overlap.  And unfortunately there will likely be intolerable Aggies whooping up the joint.

The hour long drive doesn't sound bad ....

[fullmetal]

At least you'll be an hour away from all the diehards...!

[fullmetal]

At least you'll be an hour away from all the diehards...!