Oregon State @ Stanford (Game Week)
I’ll have an exchange with Hank from GoMightyCard up in a day or two. Post below your questions for Hank.
I’m going Beavs in this one. 35-20
Oregon State @ Utah (Game Thread)
I’m sticking with the Utes but changing the final score due to our kicking game and QB problems. I’m sure we’ll go for two or something and be chasing points, so I’m going…
Utah 24, Beavs 15
USC Post Game and On to Utah
Nolan has now had several of these games where the entire team plays well enough to win a game, and he can’t just perform average and manage that victory. Last night of course, but Washington State comes to mind last year, and even Purdue, though that was a tough situation. To have your QB, the most important player on the team, disappear entirely and even cause loses once or twice per year just isn’t going to cut it if the goal is a special season.
D was obviously excellent. Best performance by an OSU D since…probably 2006, off the top of my head. But I wouldn’t expect that every game. Last night they were amped up and trying to make a statement. The way this works is the D probably won’t show up vs Utah and Nolan will be better.
I’ve been a fan of Nolan, but now I question him. I looked back at other QBs vs USC, and they have shut down everyone they played, so it is possible USC’s D is just that good. The thing is, when watching them they don’t look that good. Fast but nothing great…guys were open all over the field and plays were there to be had. USC’s numbers are probably elevated due to playing poor QBs who can’t take advantage of those opportunities.
I’d give him a half at Utah, and if he can’t drive the ball for points just rip the band-aid off and make the change. Can’t have the most important position on the field holding back a team that is otherwise ready to do bigger things. I don’t like the idea of breaking in a new QB at this point, either, but if the rest of the team is ready to win a Pac title and the QB is playing JC level ball, then you are forced into it.
We also need open tryouts for a kicker starting today. No way Hayes can be kicking moving forward.
Early prediction: Utah 24, Beavs 14.
USC @ Oregon State (Game Thread)
I’m sticking with Beavs, but I’m changing the score due to problems in the kicking game.
36-31, Beavs
USC Game Week
Might as well put up a game week thread. I thought this was the most insightful comment from the prior thread and sums up the situation well:
USC hasn’t been in pressure situations yet, nor have they been punched in the mouth by any team yet. They are going to be similar to Carroll’s teams but more like a travel all star team. I think Williams is good to great but does get careless/greedy at times. In pressure situations he will call his own number and run . Plan for it.
All of the offensive stars will get frustrated in a tight game when they can’t be flashy and prance around.
They have had 3-4 pick 6 and I expect the Beavs offense doesn’t make the same bad turnovers.
USC is attempting to create an image of overwhelming talent and track meet offense as a form of program/conference propaganda when they may be an average defense with above average offense.
My concern would be:
USC gets benefit of the doubt on ref judgment calls because they are perceived as the flagship again.
League office desires an undefeated USC go to the playoffs.
Beavs get caught up in the smoke and mirrors imagery of the Mighty Trojans 2.0
USC has added 40 4/5 star free agents and will simply be more talented but I don’t believe that means they can’t be beaten.
I want to see how USC deals with adversity rather than being front runners.
Well said, OhioBeav.
For now I’m sticking with my pre-season prediction that the Beavs win this one. Mainly because the game is at home. This is a low conviction pick. It’s objectively hard to imagine how the Beavs will stop that QB. But as noted above, he gets greedy and careless at times, so hopefully he stops himself. Going to think about it during the week and might adjust on game day.
Beavs 31, Condoms 28