The plan coming in for the Cougar defense was to limit Oregon’s explosive and chunk plays. Good plan but then CJ Verdell showed with all time record rushing numbers. Herberts touchdown (per game) TD throwing game stat ended, and I understand why (ball control and heavy run game). Our Defense showed up when needed and prevented a few scores and made a few picks too. Oregon did just enough to win the day (or should I say THE NIGHT). Our offense controlled the ball and kept it out of the hands of Anthony Gordon and that prolific offense enough. It was just enough to win by two.
Washington State came in at 4-3, two wins away from bowl eligibility. The Ducks were 6-1. are now 7-1 and WE were ranked at 11 now at number SEVEN and in a sweet spot for a national championship run with a little help from the top. Two teams are guaranteed a loss, Alabama/LSU OR Penn State/Ohio State (quality losses) but I think three. I think Georgia will beat #6 Florida (still quality loss but late season loss). Shakeup…not much except the Florida loss, if we continue to win, will push us up a slot. #6 or #5 means nothing at years end. I see us just on the outside looking in but, I’d there’s maybe a chance in a million. What’s that line, “SO YAH SAY THERE’S A CHANCE”. After all, we lost to the number 11th team in the country that now has two losses. Only in the off chance Auburn beats Alabama in the Iron Bowl, will we the committee take a second look at us..HIGHLY UNLIKELY. So our job is simple (easier said than done) OUR JOB, JUST WIN. The rest will take care of itself. It’s college football and Armageddon can, and has happened before at the top.
Back to last Saturdays game…It was Washington State’s game to take until the smallest guy on the field showed up to dash all hopes with two seconds left on the clock. The most unlikely hero Oregon could possibly turn to, would head out on to the field, and after being bolstered by fellow players on the sideline, Camden Lewis stepped up to the ball down by one and drained a field goal with no time left and broke the lose streak to Wazzu. A great back and forth game marred by officiating that was worse than repacement refs at a grade school flag football game. When Referees affect the integrity of the game, there’s a big problem. Jesus, call the game and let the kids play. DON’T LET THE GAME CALL YOU! Throwing flags for phantom fouls because “they thought it might have happened” or “maybe they missed it” or “the coach or players said so” is wrong and over using instant replay for a half hour to get a call right when I saw illegal touching sitting at home on the TV set with absolute clarity without replay or the coach going balistic, IS WRONG. Calling Pass interference countless times where there existed none is wrong, the list goes on. Drawn offsides…BS, C’mon. Admit it, This game was called badly. We weathered the calls and eked out the win.
Next up USC, another damned Air Raid offense with a more potent run game. Jeeze. However, their record coming in is a bit more impressive. In league play, they hammered Stanford 45-20, outlasted Utah 30-23, lost to Washington 28-14, came back and slaughtered Arizona 41-14, and beat Colorado 35-31. Out of league they lost to BYU and Notre Dame by slim margins. They are second in the Pac 12 South with an identical 4-1 conference record as Utah but in overall record Utah has them beat.
I think we received a preview Saturday night, of the USC game from Mario Cristobal. Ball control and don’t give Kalil Tate chances to ball out. Sure, this is a version of the air raid but not the pure version. Next weeks version will throw in a run game, to boot, so our Defense has to be doubely aware. A stouter defense so running up the gut every play may be forfeit. We may need to rely more on the arm of Herbert which isn’t neccescarily a bad thing. Cristobal is starting to look more like David Shaw than Mike Leach if there were a scale on such things. See you next week for the prime time Duck / USC game. It should be another exciting one. Honestly, to quote a movie, “I’m getting too old for this shit”.
-Bortzy-
Another GREAT article brother!
Thanks brother but I’m a bit busy lately. I have big doubts about our breaking the top 4 by seasons end. That’s unless Bama loses another or Georgia drops another. Of course we have to win out. A lot of permutations can happen but there are three locks I anticipate but the fourth sloth is up for grabs.