Hey all,
Here's that column you love to read on Tuesdays, Notes on a Pac 12 Scorecard. We still miss you, Alan Malamud.
Stanford 56- USC 48 3OT: The undefeated Stanford Cardinal came into the Coliseum for a big, big game with the Trojans. The game was a big one with, epic momentum shifts, controversial plays, and blown calls that all contributed to this being one of the best games of the college season. When it was done, after SU QB Andrew Luck threw for 330 yards and ran for another score and after USC QB Matt Barkley threw for 284 yards and 3 TDs of his own, the game ended on a fumble. USC RB Curtis McNeal had a great day, rushing for 145 yards on 20 carries with 2 TDs, but he fumbled the ball into the end zone in the third overtime and the Cardinal came away with the ball and the win.
Telling Stat: 111; In their last two trips to the Coliseum, Stanford has scored 55 and 56 points respectively. Those are two highest total ever allowed by USC in a single game.
Utah 27- Oregon State 8: It's a couple of months too late for Utah fans, but the Utes did finally get their first Pac 12 victory last week. The Utes had a dominant second quarter in which they outscored the Beavers 21-0 to pull away for the win. Utah RB John White IV was his team's workhorse, carrying the ball 35 times for 205 yards and 2 TDs. The Utah defense did its' part by shutting down the Beavers. They forced 4 OSU turnovers and held them to just 32 yards rushing on 26 carries.
Telling Stat: Just enough air; Utah completed only 6 of 14 passes for 62 yards in their win over OSU. However, two of those completions went for touchdowns.
Arizona State 48- Colorado 14: Before most of the Sun Devil faithful had a chance to sit down, QB Brock Osweiler had already put ASU up, 7-0 with a 25-yard TD pass. After one quarter of play, ASU led 21-0, and the rout was on. Osweiler would finish 18 of 28 for 307 yards and 2 TDs, while RB Cameron Marshall gained 114 yards on 15 carries with 3 TDs. As has been the norm for CU this year, they put up a bunch of yards, but killed themselves with turnovers (5) and plenty of missed assignments on defense. The loss was the Buffaloes 22nd straight on the road.
Telling Stat: When T.O.P means nothing; CU held the ball for almost 34 minutes, yet lost by 34 points.
Washington 42- Arizona 31: Up in Seattle, the crowd at Husky Stadium was treated to the Chris Polk show. Polk became the only player in UW history to go over 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game. The RB from Redlnads, CA finished the night with 144 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving. He also scored 5 of his team's 6 TDs. None of those was more important than his jaunt from two yards out with 3:59 left that sealed the victory for the Dawgs. As for the Wildcats, QB Nick Foles did throw for 388 yards and 2 TDs in the losing effort.
Telling Stat: They couldn't shoot straight; UW QB Keith Price and UofA QB Nick Foles each threw three interceptions in this wild affair.
UCLA 31- California 14: The bRuins came into this game still stinging after being embarrassed last week by Arizona. CAL came into this game riding high after whipping Utah last week. So, naturally UCLA came out and smacked the Golden Bears. What? Huh? Yeah, they did it playing strong defense and getting a good effort out of QB Kevin Prince. Prince only completed 9 out of 18 passes for 92 yards, but it was his 163 yards rushing on 19 carries that kept the CAL defense off balance all afternoon. RB Derrick Coleman also had a big day for the bRuins, gaining 80 yards on 16 carries with 3 TDs. UCLA's defense got into the act too by forcing 5 Golden Bear turnovers.
Telling Stat: 4 for 7 ain't bad; UCLA forced CAL to turn the ball over on four of their seven second half possessions to help secure a victory.
Oregon 43- Washington State 28: The Ducks led this one just 15-10 at the half. They hadn't raced out to one of their usual early big leads. One reason for this was that Duck QB Darron Thomas had thrown two first half interceptions. So, UO HC Chip Kelly benched him in favor of backup QB Brian Bennett who went and threw for 2 TDs and no interceptions in the second half to lead the Ducks to victory. The Cougars gave the Duck defense all they could handle, gaining 462 yards and holding the ball for over 40 minutes, but just couldn't get out of their own way. The Cougars gave up an interception return, blocked punt return, and a kickoff return for touchdowns.
Telling Stat: They just didn't need the ball; With scoring TDs on three types of returns, UO's offense only ran 48 plays on offense in the game, yet score 43 points.
Observations
...A scenario to ponder; Many folks down south are arguing that the loser of the LSU-Alabama game should get a rematch in the BCS title game. However, two teams could be out there with a slightly better record and stronger arguments. Penn State and Oregon could each finish as 12-1 conference champs. Oregon's only loss would be to LSU and Penn State's only loss would be to Alabama. Wouldn't those two schools have a legit argument for a title game shot?
...And then there were still two; Florida Atlantic and New Mexico are still the only two winless schools in the FBS. The sad thing is that the Lobos are giving up and average of 46.8 points per game and they haven't played Boise State yet.
...Some Pueblo; A great feel good story belongs to the Colorado State- Pueblo Thunderwolves. In 2008, CSUP started playing football again for first time since 1984. In just four short seasons the Thunderwolves are now the #4 ranked team in Division II. It's neat to see a program come back in this age of contraction.
...The Pac 12 is a joke- Part I; USC HC Lane Kiffin got fined 10,000 big ones by the league for his comments about the poor level of officiating in USC's loss to Stanford last week. It must be awful to be fined for being right.
...A big one for Bucky; Rumor has it that Wisconsin is petitioning the NCAA cut all football games down to just 59 minutes in length.
...College Park blues; In 2011, Maryland has a new HC in Randy Edsall, new fancy/ugly uniforms, and they stink at 2-6. In 2010, they had HC Ralph Friedgen (2010 ACC Coach of the Year), not so fancy/ugly uniforms, and went 9-4. Hmmmmmm.
...The Pac 12 is a joke- Part II; For USC's TJ McDonald to get suspended for doing what safeties have done for the last 50+ years is just plain stupid.
...Hmmm stat; Houston QB Case Keenum has thrown 32 TD passes so far this season. New Mexico has scored 13 TDs total this year as a team.
...A sad saga; The demise of the Big East is taking on a sadly epic tone. You think they can get Edward Gibbon to record the decline and fall?
...Quietly making noise; Wyoming is 5-2 and tied for second place in the Mountain West Conference. Yeah, they have some tough games coming up, but they are only a win away from qualifying for just their third bowl game in the last 18 years.
...Early, early report; There will be 35 bowl games this year. That means 70 teams are needed to fill those games. Right now, nine weeks into the season, there are 32 bowl eligible teams.
...Balloon Mortgage schedule; Kansas State's getting smacked by Oklahoma, 59-14 was just one payment on their back loaded schedule. The Wildcats will take on Okie State, TAMU, and Texas in the next three weeks.
Until next week folks, remember that in Cover-2 the corners have to funnel their receivers into the middle of the field.
-The Commissioner
