The Monday Morning Wash - Victory is Sweet
by John Berkowitz on Sep 13, 2010 6:44 AM PDT
Email
PrintWashington did what they were supposed to do on Saturday, posting a convincing win over a Syracuse program picked to finish last in the Big East. Though the scoreboard didn't show it, the Orange are a better team than they were three years ago. Unfortunately for Syracuse, the Huskies look like they are a season or two ahead of them in the rebuilding process.
Up next is #7 Nebraska, who beat Idaho 38-17 on Saturday. What won the game for the Huskers was their defense, who picked off five passes from Idaho QB Nathan Enderle, and sacked him seven times to add insult to injury. Nebraska converted three second-quarter picks into touchdowns to go up 31-3 at half.
Despite the win coach Bo Pellini wasn't happy with the performance of his offense despite the fact that they picked up 471 yards. The Huskers turned the ball over four times and had 10 penalties for 123 yards. Pellini thinks his team could be headed for trouble if his offense isn't more consistent in Seattle next weekend.
"Our attention to detail needs to pick up. Our attitude needs to pick up, and our standards need to pick up," he said. "We'll get that fixed. We'll be fully ready as a football team to go to Seattle. I promise you that."
"We have high standards around this place," Pelini said. "It was pretty obvious that we were careless with the ball, we were undisciplined, we had too many penalties.
"When we're hitting, we're a pretty good football team. We lost our focus and something happened in there. That won't happen again."
Honor Roll
Jermaine Kearse had nine receptions for 189 yards and three touchdowns.
Jake Locker was 23/33 for 289 yards and four touchdown passes.
Chris Polk had 20 carries for 117 yards, 52 coming on a long touchdown run.
Devin Aguilar had seven catches for 81 yards and some very solid downfield blocks.
Erik Folk kicked two FG's and recovered a fumble on a kickoff return.
Mason Foster had 10 tackles and a sack.
Pac 10 Power Ratings
1. Oregon...The Ducks started slow against the Volunteers, but pulled away in the third quarter to rack up an impressive win on the road. Nobody in the Pac 10 is close to Oregon right now. Up next is Portland State...my condolences ahead of time to Nigel Burton.
2. Arizona...The Wildcats roll over the Citadel with an offense continuing to put up great numbers. It will be interesting to see what they can do against #9 Iowa at home.
3. Oregon State...The Beavers had the week off and return to face Louisville at home.
4. Stanford...The Cardinal dominated UCLA in every phase of the game. The Cards get scrappy Wake Forest this week at home.
5. Washington...Good win over Syracuse, but the true measuring stick will be next week against Nebraska. If Washington can avoid special team mistakes they just may upset the Cornhuskers. Yes...I think Washington can beat USC when they face off in LA in three weeks.
6. USC...Two questionable performances in a row from the Trojans make them look extremely vulnerable once conference play starts. Virginia should have beaten USC on Saturday night. USC faces Minnesota on the road next week, who were Gophers upset over the weekend by South Dakota.
7. California...The Bears blew a shaky Colorado squad off the field on Saturday. Next up is Nevada, who beat the snot out of Colorado State (who was beaten handily by Colorado). The Bears may have some challenges with the Wolfpack.
8. Arizona State...The Devils are 2-0 in the Big Sky. NAU gave them more problems than expected. They finally face a real opponent this week when they travel to face #11 Wisconsin in the inhospitable confines of Camp Randall Stadium.
9. UCLA...This team is in trouble right out of the gate. The offensive line can't block, the QB is gimpy, and the defense is rebuilding. The Bruins draw Houston at home and better get that offense cranked up in a hurry or they will be staring down an oh-and-three record.
10. Washington State...A win is a win...even if it's Montana State and you look hideous in the process. This may well be the only win WSU gets this year, so enjoy the moment, Cougs. The Cougars are not getting better. I don't believe in Paul Wulff. Next up is an SMU team they somehow beat last season. This time the game is in Dallas and I am not predicting a win.
45 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I hope RN and Paul Wulff are retained .
Kind of like when i wanted AZ to keep Mackovic, and USC Ted tollner, and like other teams wanted us to keep HWSNBN.
The ST and OL/DL lines are going to have to play out of their minds (markedly improve) this weekend if we expect any chance of victory.
Ditto
Reminds me of the time a reporter asked Don James what he thought of Joe Kapp.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
Since this is a power poll
… I would have to say that Cal is unquestionably being underrated. in addition, I watched the whole UCLA – Stan game and came away open to the notion that WSU might actually be better right now.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
Agreed.
I love my Huskies, but I think it’s a bit premature to rank us above U SC and Cal. Cal has looked pretty stinkin’ good so far and Colorado isn’t a pansy.
WSU>UCLA = OUCH. I’m not sure I agree with you, but just the fact that somebody can make that statement must really, really hurt if you’re a UCLA fan. Either way, both coaches are sitting on seats that are rapidly warming up.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
did you get a chance to see that game?
… Stanford really wasn’t very good at all and yet they dominated UCLA at the Rose Bowl. It was horrible. I’m betting that even UCLA fan would be open to the notion that, at least this week, they might be as bad as WSU. With no o-line relief coming back and a very questionable situation (health-wise) at QB, its not looking too good for them at the moment.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
UCLA and WSU
UCLA is bad right now but WSU is historically bad.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Sep 13, 2010 7:57 AM PDT up reply actions
LOL - I know it is hard to imagine ...
… that another team is as bad as the Cougs … but there is a level of suckiness that gets reached that represents rock bottom. The Cougs are already there. UCLA has gotten there. Since the Cougs at least have a W, and all other aspects of rock bottom being equal, I’ll give the Cougs the 9 spot in the Power Poll.
I do freely acknowledge that the Bruins have a “high potential” but dramatically underachieving WR unit and that the QB has been hurt. If that situation reverses, I might change my opinion. But I’m saying it and I believe it – WSU is better than UCLA right now.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
I can't say that
Head to head Ucla could potentially destroy WSU. Let’s consider the opponents played- Ucla gets the beatdown by a nationally recognized program that is on the verge of becoming a marque football program. Meanwhile WSU was down 22-7 and squeaked out a home victory vs. a Big Sky Montana State program.
WSU’s victory was an embarrassment to the Pac 10. The Cougs should have no business being that far behind in a game from a school that obscure. Ucla in my power poll sits at 9th, while WSU is dead last and it isn’t even a contest.
All I saw was purple
I'm guessing you haven't actually watched either team play yet this year ...
… because, if you had, you’d note the following:
1. the Cougs D-Line is much better than the Bruins O-Line
2. Kevin Prince is bad … really bad (he’s injured, but they keep playing him)
3. the vaunted UCLA receivers look like crap
4. the Cougs are getting better QB play
5. the Cougs have a true frosh LB who looks like he might be able to even out the odds against the Bruin’s true frosh RB (who ought to be playing more)
6. the Bruins are not figuring out this whole pistol thing yet
The Cougs errors this season have been special teams and field position in nature. they still suck, but UCLA sucks worse so far.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
Our special teams have actually been pretty good
Turnovers leading to great field position, however, has been a big problem.
by Brian Floyd on Sep 13, 2010 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions
right. really meant to focus on the field position issue with my comment.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
But yeah, I agree with your points
Tuel is better than Prince, the DL is decent when they’re firing, WSU WRs > UCLA WRs.
I get the feeling it’d come down to which coach screws up more.
by Brian Floyd on Sep 13, 2010 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions
I watched part of the Ucla/Stanford game and the WSU game wasn’t on. Does it matter? Look at each opponent. WSU should never be behind 22-7 to a Big Sky program.
What’s all the fuss about? We’re talking about the worst 2 teams in the league. I think at this point it’s irrelevent to talk about both. They both stink.
All I saw was purple
well, you were the one that initiated said fuss
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
by Gekko Mojo on Sep 13, 2010 5:21 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
You mean we should actually watch a game???
Where is the fun in that? (Sarcasm Alert) This is the internet where I can be an expert on everything, especially stuff I know nothing about!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Lear it doesn’t take an expert to know that Stanford is with out a doubt a more worthy opponent then the Montanya State hillbillies. How much of an expert to you need to be to know that Ucla looked horrible vs. a top 25 program and Washington State looked dreadful vs. a top 225 program?
I wouldn’t watch a WSU game even if it was televised. It is unwatchable football for 3 years running…
All I saw was purple
Just saying . . .
it’s awfully hard to know what you’re talking about if you haven’t seen the games. Just like Oregon fans telling us what is wrong/right with the Huskies when they haven’t even seen our games.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
I get that
Yet I still come full circle with the opponent. Stanford or Montana State? Even in a down Furd season, Stanford would still be the game that strengthens your strength of schedule. I’d gladly take a beat down of 35-0 over a come from behind 4th quarter ralley over Montana State anyday. WSU has no business being on the same field with those guys.
All I saw was purple
So let me get this straight, you'd take a loss over a win based on some perverted principle?
If you paid attention to the circumstances of each game, you would agree that UCLA was worse than wsu last weekend.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
Cal...who have they played?
SACRAMENTO STATE IS TERRIBLE!
COLORADO IS TERRIBLE!
You might as well say that Arizona State is underrated. I think they are going to struggle against Nevada.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Sep 13, 2010 7:56 AM PDT up reply actions
One more thing....
I think that there is a lot of parity lined up behind the Ducks. Spots 2-7 or 8 are pretty interchangeable at this point.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Sep 13, 2010 8:01 AM PDT up reply actions
As a Big 12 fan
Colorado IS terrible. Their coach is a lame duck in his 5th year and they’ve seemingly regressed every year he’s been there. Their defense is generally pretty porous, but their offense is generally what loses them games, with mind-blowing meltdowns that put them in an insurmountable hole.
Until they get a REALLY good coach (it’s not tremendously easy to win at CU, their fan and alumni support is lousy), expect them in the bottom third of the Pac 12 year in and year out.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Mike Bellotti
I think Mike Belotti will be the next head coach at Colorado.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Sep 13, 2010 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions
Colorado
Hawkins is just about done. I think Belotti is the hot name in Boulder and rightfully so. Who ever the next head coach is in Boulder, the Bufs need to hire the guy that can bring in a very good coaching staff. That’s the selling point for these head coaches.
All I saw was purple
Bellotti?
Did he wear out his welcome at Eugene? He seemed to quit coaching at a strange time, and stepping down as AD was really strange, although I was on an extended cruise at the time and got news only from CNN international. Does anyone know why Belotti went from king of Eugene to gone in less than 16 months? This is stranger than his marriage.
It was very weird
My conspiracy theory is that Bellotti got forced out because the Oregon fans weren’t satisfied with Bellotti’s results. They have this crazy idea that they should be national champs every year. So they forced out Bellotti in favor of Chip Kelly.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
I agree with Lear
Moreover, I think Mike Bellotti wanted to get back into coaching and if he’d signed his AD contract he would’ve been locked in and out of the national spotlight. Resigning as AD and accepting an ESPN job was a great move to ensure that he is available and recognized. He’s going to get back into coaching at some point- I wouldn’t be surprised if he was Ucla’s target after they fire RN. Colorado or Ucla? Both places would be a good fit for Bellotti to emerge from the broadcasting booth.
All I saw was purple
Now that's a good question!
Who’s going to replace Slick Rick at UCLA? Very interesting question, I’d love to see a possible list, but it will probably be a long time before we see one.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
I think Bellotti would be warmer to Ucla rather then Colorado
Bellotti fought the recruiting battle in Eugene, OR for so many years. How nice would it be to sit right square in the middle of the hot bed?
On the other hand Colorado fits Bellotti like Eugene fits Bellotti. But does Bellotti want a project on his hands? I’m thinking he’s tired of projects, I think he wants to finally be at a place that has all the built in advantages. I see Bellotti in Westwood come this offseason.
All I saw was purple
I doubt Neuheisel gets canned this offseason
UCLA is off to a bad start, but I have serious doubts Neuheisel will get the axe. First off, know this – UCLA is cheap. They would not be thrilled at having to eat contracts (I’m pretty sure Chow is on a multi-year contract in addition to Neuheisel) and take on new ones to lure a new coach, and canning a guy after 3 years isn’t something I think UCLA would want to do in general. And given the bad luck with injuries and whatnot on the OL, I think officials there would be willing to give Neuheisel some benefit of the doubt this season, with next year as a make or break for him.
who they have played is irrelevant...
… this is a team that has depth of athletes everywhere. They slightly underachieved last year and, what, we are dropping them to seventh in the conference in our predictions? That’s ludicrous. They didn’t just get ugly overnight. This is a 7 – 10 win team EVERY YEAR going back as far as I can remember the past decade.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
We played UC Davis, Stanfurd played Sac St. UC Davis is usually better than Sac St and Colorado is infinitely better than UCLA
In other words, Go Bears!
I'd pick Stanford No.2 right now
Even is Ucla is as bad as it’s being reported. A 35-0 beatdown in Pac 10 play is enough to convince me that Stanford is rolling w/out Toby. That display was on the road…
All I saw was purple
Not sure what I think because the majority of the schools in the Pac 10 haven’t played anyone of note yet.
UCLA IS TERRIBLE…not quite as bas as WSU but pretty close.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Sep 13, 2010 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Still an impressive victory, bad or not. I think a 35-0 road beatdown is more impressive then some of the cupcakes the Arizona schools are playing. I agree with you that 2 thru 7 or 8 are interchangable.
I think Tennessee is really going to suck this season. So that convincing victory over the Vols makes it tough to really gage how good Oregon is. One thing that stands out is the amount of points the zeros have put up. But that is against New Mexico and a could be-lousy Tennessee team.
All I saw was purple
Stanford #2 is exactly why you should watch the games or at least read something
…Because the Cardinal were wholly as unimpressive as you can be in winning 35-0 on the road. Luck really didn’t do anything out of the ordinary and there really wasn’t anything you point to in that game that would make you think that Stanford could give Oregon a tough fight. Better #2 candidates based on body of evidence being the first 2 weeks are OSU, Cal, USC and Zona
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
by Gekko Mojo on Sep 13, 2010 5:27 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Yep
As much as I’ve been skeptical of Mike Stoops, I have to give credit where credit is due – he seems to have that program firmly entrenched in the upper half of the conference now. They’ve impressed their first two weeks, doing what good programs should. We’ll get a much better sense of them this weekend, but they appear to be among the best of the rest behind Oregon in the conference this year. And Cal has been impressive too, though I have to pause and think of their start to the season last year and how they ended up…
OSU – we’ll see. A lot to like, but some questions still. And USC has talent, but looks quite vulnerable.
I’d put it something like this:
1. Oregon
- big gap -
2. Arizona
3. Stanford
4. Cal
5. USC
6. Oregon State
7. Washington
- gap -
8. Arizona State
- gap -
9. UCLA
10. WSU
I don’t think there’s a big difference yet between #2 and #7 in the conference. We’ll know more after this weekend.
I think that's a darn good (and fair) pecking order.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
I like the way our D line is playing
It’s hard to really gage how far we’ve come on the D line, but to some extent I am happy with the progression. Vs. BYU we didn’t get any pressue on the QB- that might have a lot to do with an experienced, upperclassmen BYU O line. Yet when it came to the run, I thought we did pretty good.
In week 2 our D line held up vs. the run again. And I thought Holt implemented some schemes in order to get more pressure on the QB. But as of now we really don’t know how far the D line has come.
The real test is going to be week 3 vs. Nebraska. Was Pellini downplaying his effective offense vs. Idaho? Don’t know, yet if our D line can continue to work well vs. the run and if Holt can implement a few more wrinkles in order to pressure the Husker QB, I think we have a good shot at the upset.
All I saw was purple
Oregon factoid ...
… its hard to judge how good the Oregon offense really is with the new QB (i.e. – is it “good”, “great” or “world-beating”). However, their special teams are getting off. Tennessee punted eight times last week. Barner was only able to return two. One of them went for a TD. They also scored on an INT return.
I think it is safe to say that punting to Barner is a very bad strategy.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
And if Cliff Harris is back there, it's also a terrible idea
They’ve taken three punts to the house in two games. Ridiculous.
by Brian Floyd on Sep 13, 2010 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions
I would say it's in the Good-Great category for now just because Thomas is so inexperienced.
With that said….DT looked amazingly poised in a very difficult situation and should only improve the rest of the year
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
