THE PAC 12 THREAD v.3

[trojanfan12]

That's easy to answer, Wiz. We've played three top twenty teams in a row, winning two, with a backup QB, and considerable help from the other side. There must be some expectation that ASU will continue to find a way to win and expectation that the Dawgs will help. We can beat you only if our offense can carry the defense to the extent it needs to be carried. I don't know anything about your offense but if it is as bad as you say, ASU likely has a slight edge.

Like forgetting how to defend a FRICKIN' HAIL MARY!!

 

[Not Neutral]

Like forgetting how to defend a FRICKIN' HAIL MARY!!

Exactly! And you had five people around the ball. Before that, it was Colorado fumbling inside the five.
Stanford muffing a punt that went for a score and a fumble with time running out. That's all part of the game and part of winning, but I consider it help. I hope we get some in every game.

 

[yeodonie]

Notice I've now called you yeo at least twice this week. After that ass kicking it's the least I can do....

Well for a few days anyway. You'll be ye old donkey again soon enough.

Haha I know Donkey is a term of endearment lol

 

[trojanfan12]

Exactly! And you had five people around the ball. Before that, it was Colorado fumbling inside the five.
Stanford muffing a punt that went for a score and a fumble with time running out. That's all part of the game and part of winning, but I consider it help. I hope we get some in every game.

I agree. Every game has some of that. Just looks bigger in some games than others. Heck, without some help from their kicker and o-line just about every time they got into the red zone, we lose to Stanford.


And yeah, our 5 guys made a nice little circle around your receiver. I guess they wanted to make sure that no other ASU receivers got in there and accidentally tipped the ball away.

 

[asu_08]

NN, why is UW only a slight dog against your team coming into this weekend? As bad as our offense is I was just shocked to see that line being so low. You all have some bad injuries or something?

It actually looks like ASU is getting Kelly back and will finally be 100% healthy next week.

I think the line is fair though. It's unclear if last week was the ASU defense finally putting it together or if Stanford's offense is just that bad. As bad as the UW offense has looked if the ASU defense from the first 5 weeks shows up then UW will put up points.

With ASU coming off of 3 straight ranked opponents and going 2-1 this is the kind of game where you can see a young team coming in overconfident and getting brought back down to earth.

 

[The Dawgfather]

I think what Wiz is getting at with the 'Zona's being "in the latter category" is that, for lack of a better word, there are "tiers" in the level of coaching jobs. The 'Zona schools fall into the middle to lower part of that "upper tier". So, while a coach certainly wouldn't leave one of those jobs to go to Colorado, Purdue or some middie, they would leave to go to a "blue blood" school or the NFL.

I don't know, I would think Rich Rod's experience at Michigan might make him think twice about going back to one of the "blue blood" schools.

And with Graham, I thought his $500,000 donation to ASU's stadium renovation project was a pretty promising sign about his loyalty. I can't recall many other coaches doing that.

But I do agree that it is very hard to get a read on coaches. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them left, but I don't see it happening after this season for some reason.

 

[LPinSLC]

I think you must be suffering from Jael Mary trauma. You must have been listening to the FOX announcers who went on for three hours about the great Utah defense while they were giving up 21 to the Beavers going into overtime. Never mentioned giving up 59 a week earlier. No excuse for losing to Utah.

?

 

[mrwallace2ku]

You know what they say..."You can win a championship building around a great defense with crappy offense...BUT...You can't win a championship with a great offense and a crappy defense."

Jim Mora's "shticks" about up in UCLA. He will be the guy heading for the exits first in my OP.

 

[trojanfan12]

I don't know, I would think Rich Rod's experience at Michigan might make him think twice about going back to one of the "blue blood" schools.

And with Graham, I thought his $500,000 donation to ASU's stadium renovation project was a pretty promising sign about his loyalty. I can't recall many other coaches doing that.

But I do agree that it is very hard to get a read on coaches. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them left, but I don't see it happening after this season for some reason.

You may be right about RichRod. Also, I don't mean to imply that any of them would be leaving after this season. I just think that RichRod and Graham are probably the most likely to leave the soonest.

Personally, I wouldn't mind all of the PAC coaches sticking around for awhile. I think this is the best group of coaches, top to bottom, that the PAC has seen in quite awhile. It's making for some great football and no one can be overlooked. I wouldn't even be too surprised to see Colorado jump up and bite someone before the season's over (although, looking at their schedule, they may have missed their shot).

Here we are 7 games in and probably 9 of the 12 teams still have at least an outside shot at winning their division and making the CCG.

 

[trojanfan12]

You know what they say..."You can win a championship building around a great defense with crappy offense...BUT...You can't win a championship with a great offense and a crappy defense."

Jim Mora's "shticks" about up in UCLA. He will be the guy heading for the exits first in my OP.

I doubt it unless he gets a great offer from the right NFL team. Bruins love the guy. He's their next Terry Donahue, only tougher. After putting up with Dorrell and Neuheisel, Mora's good for at least 5 more years, just off of what he's accomplished so far.

 

[WizardHawk]

Of course, there are offers that any of the coaches would have to accept. I bet you have never turned down a substantial raise or a more influential position. . Someone snatched your coach right from under your nose and he went to a competing school. Why? Even CP left a school that made him famous to come to UW. Why? So what exactly makes you think the Arizona schools "have to fall in the latter category."
Actually, there are reasons why they don't. Beaver's point was that RR is getting too successful there. I agree. But give the AD most of the credit there, he's the real star at UofA.

I'm not sure what any of that had to do with Sark leaving. Shaver asked a question and instead of just sticking with RR I went around the conference and thought about who is most likely to either be asked and/or accept another job elsewhere.

Why the two AZ schools? It's not just the 'tier' thing TF12 was talking about, although that's part of it, but neither HC has strong ties down there and both have been a bit of vagabonds jumping around from school to school throughout their careers.

Do I place every other school in the conf ahead of the AZ schools? No. Some guys are just a great fit where they are and for whatever reason get entrenched in their kids and program there. Riley is an example. Oregon State isn't the place top HC's are fighting to get to, but Riley is very happy there. I didn't put Leach on the list because while WSU might be the worst destination in the conf, I don't see anyone offering him a way out any time soon. I'm sure he'd take it in a heart beat.

It wasn't personal.

That's easy to answer, Wiz. We've played three top twenty teams in a row, winning two, with a backup QB, and considerable help from the other side. There must be some expectation that ASU will continue to find a way to win and expectation that the Dawgs will help. We can beat you only if our offense can carry the defense to the extent it needs to be carried. I don't know anything about your offense but if it is as bad as you say, ASU likely has a slight edge.

I expected ASU to be at least a 5-7 point favorite after both of those teams last games.

ASU beating Stanford was still a win and with a backup QB. And UW not only has major issues on offense, but their defense wasn't anything special either. And that unit has been up and down all year.

On offense UW has the worst QB in the conference and it's not even close. Kid is awkward and that's being nice. Can't even hit a screen consistently. Has no vision and can't anticipate routes/receivers so he's pretty much always throwing any intermediate to deep routes way too late.

Running game? Not much of one.

Just perplexed why that line isn't quite a bit higher in ASU's favor. Doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[SUBuddha]

You might be right. But did you see Harbaugh leaving? I didn't.

Didn't Furd give that guy everything he wanted? They rolled out the red carpet when he showed up, all the time.

I agree with you about the oline, and once they do gel, watchout... might be the best ever and thats saying a lot for Stanford.

IB, I have said it before, David is a Stanford homer, the primary reason I think he sticks is he loves the school and the campus. He was the most geeked out kid in our freshman dorm to just be there. His dad did a couple stints there and he really fell in love with the place. Most Stanford fans thought Harb's was using it as a stepping stone though.

 

[RegentDenali]

It will be 50s and probable rain for the night game at Montlake this week. I think Huskies can take them, especially when soft, thin blooded desert critters come to Seattle this time of year.

 

[RegentDenali]

Big day for ASU recruiting at the LB position.

The nation's No. 1 JUCO inside linebacker, Davon Durant (Butler C.C.) has committed to Arizona State after backing out of a commitment to South Carolina.

&

Arizona State landed a commitment from one of the top linebackers in the West as Etiwanda (Calif.) athlete Khaylan Thomas announced for the Sun Devils.

Khaylan Thomas is one of the best and most versatile linebackers in the West region. He's a huge hitter with the ability to play inside or outside at the next level. He had a great spring and summer improving his cover skills and ability to play in space and was already very solid against the run.


Also DT Bryce English has decommitted from UCLA and reopened his recruiting. Now looking at Arkansas, TCU, and Arizona State.

 

[Olyduck]

How would you guys grade the conference so far as far as expectations? here is what i think
Oregon as expected.
Stanford about as expected maybe a little under
Cal above expected
Washington about as expected
Oregon State under what I expected
WSU Under expectation

USC about expected
Arizona State just above expected
Arizona above expected
Utah well above expected
UCLA under expected
Colorado about expected.

 

[WhoDatDevil]

Two four star LB's commited to ASU tonight. One fliped on South Carolina. Great night to be a Sun Devil.

 

[WhoDatDevil]

Big day for ASU recruiting at the LB position.

The nation's No. 1 JUCO inside linebacker, Davon Durant (Butler C.C.) has committed to Arizona State after backing out of a commitment to South Carolina.

&

Arizona State landed a commitment from one of the top linebackers in the West as Etiwanda (Calif.) athlete Khaylan Thomas announced for the Sun Devils.

Khaylan Thomas is one of the best and most versatile linebackers in the West region. He's a huge hitter with the ability to play inside or outside at the next level. He had a great spring and summer improving his cover skills and ability to play in space and was already very solid against the run.


Also DT Bryce English has decommitted from UCLA and reopened his recruiting. Now looking at Arkansas, TCU, and Arizona State.

Now all we need is Snoop Lions son!

Jk, but Osa Masina and Christian Kirk could very well catapult this team into contention. Would be game changers.

 

[WABLTY]

Nice commits for the defense. Durant seems like he may be an immediate starter at Devil or freeing up Fiso to slide into it. Really violent hitter. Kind of Burfictish that way.

 

[socaljim242]

How would you guys grade the conference so far as far as expectations? here is what i think
Oregon as expected.
Stanford about as expected maybe a little under
Cal above expected
Washington about as expected
Oregon State under what I expected
WSU Under expectation

USC about expected
Arizona State just above expected
Arizona above expected
Utah well above expected
UCLA under expected
Colorado about expected.

Oregon- be glad you have Mariota . He hides blemishes. At or near the top as expected
Stanford- surprised O line is an issue with the recruiting they've had. They are still dangerous.
Cal. - didnt expect to even think about them
Washington- they seem to be in neutral.I think Husky fans expected a bit more by now.
Oregon state- still up n down
Washington State- thought they would be better

USC- they are better but dont play like it sometimes. No consistancy. Maybe pull it together. Maybe not
ASU- playing better than I thought they would.
Arizona- better than i thought at the beginning of the season
Utah- another team I didnt know i'd be worried about. Much better than the team i saw last year
UCLA- had a chance to show they belonged and now just hanging on. a win over SC will save the season
Colorado- didn't expect much and they delivered.

 

[mrwallace2ku]

Whiz...Just perplexed why that line isn't quite a bit higher in ASU's favor. Doesn't make any sense to me.

Me as well Whiz...here's my thought to date.

Huskies are at home, they seem to thrive there as do most home teams, even tho the "roadies" are winning in the Pac to date. I don't think ASUs D is going to over power your Dawgs this weekend. I see your boys moving the rwak as Coach P continues to tweek that O. Your D? Will play better against a "rusty" Talyor Kelly coming off a high ankle sprain. How much mobility will he have? How many times will he be willing to scramble off and test that ankle under duress?

No...I think Vegas has it just about right here...should see the public jump all over that ASU line during the week and then see the "wise guy" late cash swing to the Dawgs side.

Game result...mild upset for your Dawgs by the Lake in my OP.