I thought the Sun Devils were going to pull it out, darn it. Looking like an exciting year in the Pac 10 so far...

so does the ASU game mean that USC is beatable?

They have looked beatable in the First Half. But it always looks like they are beating themselves rather than other teams beating them.

And if you don't put them away in the 3rd, you can forget about it. They are an offensive jauggernaut and so far, they have owned the 4th quarter.

The USC/Cal game will be very intriguing.

Seems to be, with five teams in the AP Top 25 this week. This weekend ought to be pretty exciting:

Oregon at ASU
Cal at UCLA

I still think USC will get beaten this year. They've got Notre Dame, Cal, UCLA and Fresno State, not to mention the possibility of a surprise from the other Pac-10 teams. I'm not going out on any limbs, though, seeing as I'm sucking in the predictions department so far this season.

MDB, I'd reorder your first four:

USC
ASU
Oregon
Cal

but agree with the last six. I'm waiting for Cal's first big test this weekend in LA to decide whether or not they are a little overrated right now.

[ October 03, 2005, 04:52 PM: Message edited by: wilderblue ]

with the way Notre Dame is playing, I think that USC might suffer two losses, with the second coming in Berkeley

I'm going to that game.

I fogot about the UCLAME/Cal game this weekend. I'm rooting for a Cal win.

USC has a brutal road schedule. At Oregon, At ASU, At Cal, At Notre Dame and you can even count the UW game at Husky Stadium as a tough game because it will be loud & a sellout. I also think they are going to lose a game somewhere along the road, but in a way, I wouldn't mind if they did go all the way.

The Duck/Sundevil game will be televised on FSN with a 7:15pm start. The way these two offenses can score, the game could go until midnight.

GO DUCKS.

Need a date?

thanks wilderblue but I'm going with my ex

it's his season tickets

I'm leaving the BF at home for this one

Ah, one of the joys of the homosexual lifestyle. Not just being friends with an ex, but going to a football game with an ex, and with the current bf (apparently) not minding! Can you imagine a breeder boy being able to pull this off? (And how many of them have exes who have football season tickets!)

Jim

ok - won't reach for the dull kitchen knife yet...

anybody else listening? HINT HINT

Predictions?

As usual this year it's all about risk:

Oregon over ASU
UCLA over Cal

and

no walking limbs here:

USC over Arizona

[ October 04, 2005, 08:39 PM: Message edited by: wilderblue ]

Hottest kicker?

Nice win by the Ducks on the road in a place where they rarely win.! They break a 4 game losing streak to the Sundevils.

WTF with the Cougs losing to Stanford AT HOME???

1. U$C
2. UCLA
3. Oregon
4. Cal
5. ASU
6. OSU

The next four are a toss-up:

7. WSU
8. UW
9. Arizona
10. Stanford

Good morning MDB,

Have to quibble with your rankings. The fact that USC had trouble with Arizona doesn't make them #1 this week in my book.

1. Oregon
1. (tie) UCLA
3. USC
4. Cal
5. ASU
6. Stanford
7. Arizona
8. WSU

didn't play:
UW
OSU

Cal got exposed as having a few kinks to work out before USC and Oregon.

Hi Wilderblue. Well, in my book, U$C is #1 until someone beats them...and they did whallop the Ducks.

GO DUCKS!

Anybody predicting any upsets this weekend?

Notre Dame over USC?
OSU over Cal?

I'll say USC tops ND.

Brady: Oh no .... Matt, I can't do it. It's too big. (gasp).

Matt: Shut up Brady, and take it like a man.

(panting sounds)

I'm hoping Notre Dame takes out USC

then Cal takes out USC and USC takes out UCLA and somehow Cal makes it to the BCS

td:

I fear you live in a fantasy world. I guess we'll know in a month or so though if the beat-USC fantasy will be a reality.

Some big Pac-10 games still to be played: USC/Cal, USC/UCLA, Cal/Oregon, UCLA/ASU. It's an exciting season in the Pac-10 and it's not over yet!

GO DUCKS!
wb

David Lonie is hotter. Seeing him shirtless and hearing him talk with his Aussie accent is like instant wood.

The Bears might have lost their first game, but that will not have any bearing on this week's contest. The Bears again will be able rush whenever they want. For the first time this year, the passing game will be just as good.

The Beavers only hope is that the Cal defensive backfield—which has been excellent the last two weeks—is not as good as they have appeared. Hass might get free a few times, by Hughes and Co. will shut down everyone else.

Prediction: Cal 49 OSU 23

Well, ya got the OSU 23 part right.

Big wins for Oregon and Oregon State tonite...Civil War should be exciting this year...

Hey MDB, how about the Ducks landing at #13 on the first BCS poll?

This week's highly subjective rankings according to me:

USC
Oregon
OSU
UCLA
WSU
Stanford
Cal
Arizona
UW

(ASU - didn't play)

So, what happens if Oregon wins the rest of their games and UCLA's only loss comes to USC? With Oregon & UCLA not playing each other and with identical records, how would they decide who would be 2nd in the Pac-10?

More Duck quacks: Stewart Mandel responds to a question on yahoo sports:

Oregon is 6-1, with a good shot at 10-1. What would it take to get the Ducks into a BCS game if they win out? --Wil Keepers, Yuba City, Calif.

It all depends on who else is out there, but I think the Ducks would have a pretty good chance at an at-large invite to the Fiesta Bowl, especially if Texas wins the Big 12 and goes to the Rose Bowl. In that event the Fiesta would have two spots to fill. Organizers would likely bend over backward to get Penn State or Notre Dame on one side, but it would make sense to have a Pac-10 team as the other participant. The question is, will UCLA be 10-1 as well? Also, as the Big 12's host bowl, would the Fiesta look more favorably on a 10-1 Texas Tech team?

What would screw things up for the Ducks, of course, is USC and/or Texas losing. There would go that Fiesta spot, and I don't think the Orange or Sugar would be interested.

[ October 19, 2005, 12:43 PM: Message edited by: wilderblue ]

To answer my own question:

http://www.pigskinpost.com/blog/index.php/...lbag_october_20

... I took a look around, and I found an old article about Rose Bowl tiebreakers ( http://www.pac-10.org/sports/m-footbl/spec.../102802aai.html ). That may or may not be relevant here, but in that case, Oregon would get bounced because they would have one fewer 1-A win (because they played Montana). However, if both teams finished 10-1, either might be eligible for a BCS berth, and if they were eligible but not automatic (top 6 are automatic), then it would be up to the individual BCS bowls. If neither got a BCS bid, then they would use the conference tiebreakers, which I would guess have the same format as the Rose Bowl tiebreakers, in which case UCLA would win out due to Oregon's game against Montana.

Washington State head coach Bill Doba is the clear pick to win the Stupid Head Coach of the Week Award.

The Cougars had a 10-point lead and the ball in Cal territory with 6 minutes to go in the game, yet lose! Instead of punting on 4th down and forcing Cal to drive the length of the field, Doba decides to go for it and run a quarterback sneak on 4th down from the Cal 40-yard-line... naturally the Cougars fail to get the first down, Cal throws a long TD pass to get within 3 points... and then WSU further self-destructs with its worthless coach watching helplessly from the sideline as Cal scores two TDs in the final 5 minutes to win it. Unbelievable. No wonder that horrible team is 0-4 in the Pac-10.

Anyone predicting any upsets? Stanford over UCLA perhaps? Other than this, I'd probably go with the predictable: USC over WSU by a lot, OSU over Arizona by a lot, ASU over UW by a lot.

I wonder just how much of a bloodbath the Cougs/Trojans game today will be? Will the Cougs show up? Do they really stand any resonable chance? In reading about the game today, Doba, thank God, says "no surprise on side kick" to open the game. Thank goodness. But I just have to wonder will the Cougs find yet, another creative way to lose this one? I now its desperate, but anyway GO COUGS!!!!!

For once in my nearly 5 decades on this planet, I was actually rooting for Stanford. Heartbreaking!

Now on to more important things: Ducks v Bears. Predictions?

Why the Ducks win, of course! I am concerned that the Ducks have lost Clemens for the year. Maybe Dixon will be a pleasant surprise.

I was sad about Clemens - as much for the team as for him. He was really finding his groove and it was such a bad break (no pun intended) to have that happen in his senior year. He also seems like quite an upstanding/smart young man. Do you know if he's planning on entering the pro draft?

Upset specials?

Arizona over UCLA in a shocker?

GO DUCKS! Wasn't a pretty game but not bad for a Clemensless team.

As for my upset prediction?

Waiting for USC/Stanford to begin. But why? I should be out on a Saturday night! Such is middle age - ha!

Any advice on how to deal with my bi-boyfriend-nonboyfriend who likes to watch games together and have sex but won't do anything in public with me and only wants to see his "buds" or women friends on Saturday nights? Dump him, right? Yes, I answered my own question. Thanks for listening.

GO DUCKS! Nice win by the Ducks. I watched the end of the game standing in the Applebee's in the Ontario Aiport waiting for my flight back to Seattle.

Nice call on the 'Zona win. That helps the Ducks!

U$C is drilling the Cardinal.

WB ask him why he doesn't want to be seen in public with you...then dump his ass.

Did I mention

GO DUCKS GO GO!

[ November 05, 2005, 09:52 PM: Message edited by: Mariner Duck Guy ]

That was a nice win for the Ducks. I was glued to the set. Both teams' play-calling was a bit suspect at times late in the game though. And while Oregon won the game and I'm glad they did, the Ducks are clearly not the same team without Clemens. It will be very interesting to see how Oregon fares in its final two games.

Why does it seem like there have been so many overtime games this season? I'm sure there are stats on these things, but it seems like there have been a lot more OT games than usual around the country this year.

I'm thinking the Ducks had better be on guard this week against WSU. WSU has lost so many close ones and they are still winless in Pac-10 and that means the game has upset written all over it.

As for Cal/USC? What was supposed to be one of the best Pac-10 games of the season now looks to be a snorer. At least the Bears are already bowl eligible despite their miserable Pac-10 season. Pays to play all those wimpy nonconference opponents.

GO DUCKS!

The games against WSU always worry me because they always seem to end up in a shoot-out. Playing at WSU at night in Pullman in mid-November. That's an advantage to the Cougs. Hopefully it won't be snowing on Saturday.

Even though the Cougs are winless in the Pac-10, a lot of their games have been really close and could have gone either way. I just hope this week isn't one of those weeks where the ball bounces their way.

I have a feeling the Ducks are going to keep the ball on the ground this week with Whitehead & Stewart. I just hope they can slow down the Cougar running game. I still think the DUcks will win, but it won't be easy.
This week's Rankings:

1. U$C
2. OREGON
3. UCLA
4. ASU
5. Cal
6. OSU
7. Arizona (with a bullet)
8. Stanford
9. WSU
10. UW

Questions:

1. Do Cal, Fresno St or UCLA have any chance of knocking off USC?

2. Can the Ducks avoid the usual November screw up and beat WSU and OSU and finish with a good chance of going to the Fiesta Bowl?

3. OSU, ASU & Stanford could all still go to bowls - will they?

4. Think Stanford might upset Notre Dame on Nov. 26?

5. Will Arizona finish strong and win their final two games?

Foolish predictions:

LSU knocks off Alabama. Michigan beats Ohio St. Virginia Tech or Miami will lose another game. This will all lead to the Ducks being at least No. 8 in the BCS.

Not that I'm buying my plane ticket to Phoenix yet....

GO DUCKS! GO BEARS!

1. Do Cal, Fresno St or UCLA have any chance of knocking off USC?

Yes, but that's the day hell will freeze over.


2. Can the Ducks avoid the usual November screw up and beat WSU and OSU and finish with a good chance of going to the Fiesta Bowl?

YES...I hope.

3. OSU, ASU & Stanford could all still go to bowls - will they?

ASU - Yes
OSU - Yes
Stanford - No

4. Think Stanford might upset Notre Dame on Nov. 26?

Nope.

5. Will Arizona finish strong and win their final two games?

No, they will go 1-1.

GO DUCKS!

I'll take a stab at answering those...

1. Of those three teams (Cal, Fresno St., UCLA), I think Cal has the best shot at knocking off USC simply because it's a road game in Berkeley. Honestly I think Cal is the worst of those 3 teams and -- even though I'm a bit biased -- I think Fresno State is the best of the three. Fresno State defeated Cal, UCLA & USC the last time the Bulldogs met those three teams (Cal in 2000, UCLA in 2003 and USC in 1992). It may not mean a lot but the Bulldogs' QB Paul Pinegar was a sophomore coming off an injury when he beat UCLA in 2003... and the Bulldogs are a much better team this year than they were then. With that being said, I think Fresno State probably has a very slim chance of beating the Trojans next week. There was a time not long ago when the Bulldogs could sneak up on teams but no longer. I think UCLA will be blown out by USC. The Bruins' defense is horrendous. The fact that UCLA did not have to face Oregon has really helped the Bruins because they would have lost that one too. As for Cal, the Bears may keep it close in the first half but USC will win going away.

2. I think the Ducks need to worry about this week's game at WSU. Oregon seemed very vulnerable against Cal... and would have lost if it were a road game. WSU is not good but not as awful as its record would indicate. I think the Ducks' season will go this way... they will either win both of their remaining two games... or lose both. I think this week's game will set the tone for the Civil War matchup.

3. I say Oregon State will go to a bowl. The Beavers will beat Stanford this week. Stanford will not go to a bowl... asking them to win twice against OSU, Cal and Notre Dame is too much for such an up-and-down team. I think ASU will go bowling and may even qualify this weekend by winning at UCLA.

4. I don't think Stanford will beat Notre Dame but I think it will be a close game.

5. Arizona could very well win twice. They will beat Washington this week. The wild card is the finale vs. ASU. My prediction: if ASU beats UCLA this week, the Sun Devils will then lose to Arizona. If ASU loses to UCLA this week, the Sun Devils will beat Arizona to earn a bowl bid.

[ November 09, 2005, 03:12 PM: Message edited by: TheOtherFSU ]

Well, I'm leaving work a bit early today to get home in time to see the Fresno St/Boise St kickoff. Thank god it's in Fresno so we won't have to endure that ghastly blue field!

Wilder, same here, on this rainy SDiego day. Good way to start the long holiday weekend - I wonder if it'll be raining in Fresno?

I am leaving in about 5 minutes to drive to Fresno for the game. No rain predicted... the forecast changed overnight I guess. Never have I seen the hype for a home Bulldog game like it is for this one tonight. There's something about Boise State though. The Broncos for the last four years have played their best game of the season against the Bulldogs. Boise is really coming on strong and is now looking like the team that was preseason #18. The loss at Georgia to start the year really hurt them nationally but who knew Georgia was going to be as good as they turned out to be either?

The WAC is the last remaining league in the country to have two unbeaten teams in league play. That will end tonight. The last time a WAC game matched unbeaten teams this late in the season was in 1977 when Arizona State met BYU.

You Duck fans had better be cheering for the Bulldogs! It'll make your win look even better and will make those valuable BCS computer points rise.

Why of course the Ducks fans are rooting for the Bulldogs.

What's good for the Bulldogs is even better for the Ducks

I am actually in San Francisco with friends this weekend for some R&R. We arrive tomorrow.

I'm in Fresno now and... it's raining. Damn. I wonder why I ever listen to weather.com.

Big win for the other FSU! Good for the Ducks!

Well my Pac-10 predictions weren't too good last week. I didn't think Washington would win at Arizona. Nor did I think Stanford would win at OSU. With the Beavers' QB going down with an injury, I think Oregon will win the Civil War, especially since it's in Eugene. Nice win for the Ducks at Washington State... it didn't look too good for awhile but those Ducks are plucky.

Anyone care to go out on a limb and predict Fresno State over USC? As bizarre as it sounds, I think Fresno State could actually win -- if it were playing at home. Since the game's at the Coliseum, and since USC is playing better right now than it has all year, I'd have to go with the Trojans. Damn. I'll be at the game -- along with 20,000 OtherFSU fans -- and I plan on wearing my lucky socks (they are unbeaten and only pulled out for the really big games a la Notre Dame's green jerseys) so you never know what could happen.

By the way, I've never seen a worse 9-1 team than UCLA. USC is going to have a field day against the Bruins' defense.

[ November 13, 2005, 04:41 PM: Message edited by: TheOtherFSU ]

As much as I'd love to see FSU upset USC, I have to hope they don't because the Ducks need USC to win their final two games in order to have a chance at the Fiesta Bowl.

As for UCLA: I'd rank Alabama right up there as the worst or second-worst 9-1 team in the nation. Is the SEC the most overrated conference in the country this year?

[ November 14, 2005, 09:23 AM: Message edited by: wilderblue ]

Yeah I forgot about Alabama there. Also overrated. But that's one game I'd love to see... UCLA vs. Alabama this year. The Bruins' defense can't stop anyone, and Alabama can't score. It would be kinda interesting.

As much as I'd like to see Oregon make a BCS bowl, I don't see it happening. Those East Coast and Southern teams are always going to be picked over anyone out west. Yes, it's unfair I know. Oregon fans should be pulling for Stanford to pull the upset of Notre Dame, which could happen. That's the best way to sneak in and get a BCS bid... remove Notre Dame from the mix. I actually think Stanford will beat Cal this week. For the Cardinal to become bowl-eligible after losing to UC Davis is fairly remarkable.

Speaking of bowl prospects, if you think Oregon may get the shaft, consider this: Fresno State could conceivably win at USC, finish 11-1 overall (with only the 3-point loss at Oregon), be ranked in the Top 10, and be relegated to the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve against Southern Miss or Tulsa! It doesn't get much worse than that.

The Emerald Bowl director was on the radio last week saying their dream game is Cal-Fresno State or Stanford-Fresno State but that would require some maneuvering.

That would be great for the Emerald Bowl if they could get either of those matchups. If Cal ends up being the 6th place Pac-10 team (which I think they will because I also think Stanford will win on Saturday), I wonder if they'd push for the Emerald Bowl or the Las Vegas Bowl?

As far as I see it, it's not a stretch to think that Michigan would beat Ohio St and/or Auburn would beat Alabama, either or both of which would increase Oregon's chances for the Fiesta Bowl DRAMATICALLY. It wouldn't hurt if Virginia beat Virginia Tech either.

Of course, Oregon needs to win on Saturday for this story to be true.

Interesting quotes in The Bee today from the coordinator of Pac-10 officiating regarding the Fresno State-Oregon game earlier this season in Eugene:
-----------------------------------------------

During a 37-34 loss at Oregon in September, the Bulldogs racked up a season-high 16 penalties for 155 yards to the Ducks' six for 60 yards. The Bulldogs were whistled for two first-quarter penalties and 14 more in the final three quarters after building a 17-0 lead over the Ducks.

On Monday, Verle Sorgen, the Pac-10 coordinator of football officiating, said the game was poorly officiated. Then, he vowed such officiating won't happen Saturday when No. 16 Fresno State (8-1) plays at No. 1 USC (10-0).

"I was very disappointed in the way it was officiated," said Sorgen, who reviews and grades all games that involve Pac-10 officials. "There were at least five decisions that were incorrect. Calls that were made and calls that weren't made.

"A lot went against Fresno State — not all of them, but a lot of them. I don't know why. Still, that's way too many for any one game. That won't happen again."