By Nick Bartlett, SuperWest Sports activities
It was one other down week for the 2 groups from the West within the Pac-12 and ACC in motion.
Cal reverted to its inconsistent methods in surrendering an enormous result in Duke, whereas Stanford and Washington State rested safely of their byes.
Oregon State continued its downward slide at App State, main the OSU athletic division to resolve that one thing needed to be accomplished.
Right here’s my tackle all 4 groups heading into Week Seven.
The Bears must play significantly better going ahead to make a run within the ACC
The Golden Bears should not who we thought they had been. After a scorching begin to the season, they’ve regarded extra like their preseason expectations the final three weeks.
If California nonetheless needs to make a run within the ACC this 12 months, it’ll want its protection to start out enjoying higher. They’ve allowed 103 factors over the past three video games. The three video games prior, they allowed 32.
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele can even want to enhance his kind a bit. Cal may nonetheless be in place to strike in convention play, however they gotta win their subsequent two matchups. North Carolina and Virginia Tech are must-win video games for the Bears.
Firstly of the 12 months, Cal’s ACC schedule regarded straightforward down the stretch, however with the advance of Virginia, that’s not the case. In addition they nonetheless must journey to Louisville and host SMU in Berkeley.
It feels just like the Bears are beginning to slip into their Justin Wilcox methods, and that may show harmful. So long as Cal wins its subsequent two matchups, there’s no should be spooked.
No extra tips, solely treats.
Notes
- Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has thrown for 1,487 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions
- Kendrick Raphael leads the staff with 414 dashing yards and 4 dashing touchdowns
- Mason Mini has 26 catches, 297 receiving yards, and three landing receptions
- Hezekiah Lots leads the staff with 4 interceptions and 7 cross defections
The Cardinal may shock some groups within the ACC in the event that they proceed to enhance
Stanford received a pleasant victory in opposition to San Jose State two weeks in the past, making a 12-point comeback within the Invoice Walsh Legacy Sport. Ben Gulbranson put the Tree on his shoulders and willed the staff to victory.
If the switch QB can play like this transferring into the ACC slate, Stanford may shock some groups. His passing yards have gone up in every of the primary 5 video games.
The Cardinal are 1-1 within the ACC, and this seems like a well-timed bye. Frank Reich had a 5-1 report coming off bye weeks within the NFL. This will likely show useful as a result of Stanford must play higher.
The Tree’s cross protection ranks 132nd nationally, permitting 315 yards per sport, and so they allowed 473 yards in opposition to SJSU.
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings must be coming in assured after throwing for 285 yards and 4 touchdowns every week in the past. The Mustangs have the Twenty fifth-best passing assault within the nation.
Stanford travels to Dallas after which hosts Florida State subsequent. It’s paramount for the Cardinal to separate these video games earlier than they go to the 305.
Notes
- Ben Gulbranson has thrown for 1,167 yards, 5 touchdowns, and three interceptions
- Micah Ford leads the staff with 347 yards dashing and three dashing touchdowns
- CJ Williams is the staff’s second main receiver with 295 yards
- Matt Rose leads the staff with 40 tackles and 4 TFL’s
The Beavers have fallen on arduous instances, requiring drastic measures
Does anybody know what to say about Oregon State proper now?
The Beavers suffered one other heartbreaking loss in Boone, encapsulated by Trent Walker getting blasted, resulting in the game-sealing interception.
OSU responded by firing its particular groups coordinator, Jamie Christian. His unit has confirmed traditionally unhealthy this 12 months, but it surely’s extra than simply him. The offense hasn’t been in a position to end video games in opposition to Fresno State, Houston, or App State.
Since Trent Bray has taken over, he’s slowly squeezed the life out’ve the fanbase.
The constructive information for the Beavs is that their schedule will get a lot simpler down the stretch. They host Wake Forest subsequent week, which ought to show winnable, however Bray is 0-2 all-time in opposition to Jake Dickert.
The next week they host FCS Lafayette, not UL Lafayette, in order that they’ll most likely get a win there.
There’s no solution to artificially sugar-coat it: Oregon State’s in a troublesome spot.
However their straightforward schedule offers the fanbase purpose to remain attentive.
Notes
- Maalik Murphy has thrown for 1,523 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions
- Anthony Hankerson leads the staff with 366 yards dashing and two touchdowns
- Trent Walker leads the staff with 43 receptions and 584 yards receiving
- Dexter Foster leads the staff with 48 mixed tackles and three TFL
The Cougars are starting to ascertain their identification underneath first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers
Washington State had a good victory in opposition to Colorado State the final time they performed. WSU now sits at 3-2 with no horrible losses.
The rating of North Texas was terrible, but when the Imply Inexperienced beat South Florida, that loss isn’t even that unhealthy.
It seems like WSU’s beginning to get an identification underneath Jimmy Rogers.
The protection struggled in opposition to North Texas and Washington, however has confirmed constant in opposition to lesser competitors. They’ve solely allowed 23 factors of their three victories.
If the Cougs are going to compete in opposition to Ole Miss and Virginia, they’ll want to enhance on the bottom. Washington state ranks 131st nationally in dashing yards per sport.
Zevi Eckhaus can even must go apepoop. Ever since Eckhaus took over because the beginning quarterback, WSU has felt completely different. Even within the Apple Cup, he offered a carry.
The Cougs journey to Oxford to face No. 4 ranked Ole Miss on Saturday. The Cougars are overmatched, however there’s no expectations.
They’ll want the spirit of Gardner Minshew.
Notes
- Zevi Eckhaus has thrown for 540 yards, 4 touchdowns, and no interceptions
- Josh Meredith leads the staff with 255 receiving yards
- Tony Freeman leads the staff with 21 receptions, he additionally has 212 receiving yards
- Isaac Terrell leads the staff with 2.5 sacks and 5.5 TFL’s
Writes about soccer and basketball as a Senior Author and hosts “The Nick Bartlett Present” for SuperWest Sports activities.
