By Writer, SuperWest Sports activities
The Beavers emerged victorious for the second straight week, however the different three groups from the West within the Pac-12 and ACC struggled.
Washington State was on the shedding finish of Oregon State’s success, regardless of faring so properly on the highway in prevous outings.
Cal let one slip away at residence towards Virginia, and Stanford was outmatched by Pittsburgh on the Farm.
Right here’s my tackle all 4 groups heading into Week 10.
Cal’s loss towards Virginia felt prefer it could be the tip of the Justin Wilcox period.
The Golden Bears performed the Cavaliers powerful, however threw a pick-six on their remaining drive.
California’s schedule will get tough down the stretch, which places this system in an attention-grabbing place. If the Bears win the rest of their video games, they may end 9-4, together with a bowl win. However they may additionally end below .500.
That will mark the eighth shedding season in 9 years below Wilcox.
These subsequent three video games will show very important in deciding whether or not Ron Rivera decides to maintain Wilcox. Cal travels to Louisville this week to face a scorching group of scorching birds.
The Cardinals have gained their final three video games, together with a notable victory at Miami in mid-October. UL encompasses a balanced offense that ought to be capable of exploit a Bears protection that allowed 73 factors towards the 2 Virginia colleges.
California hopes that its passing assault will be capable of transfer the ball towards Louisville’s passing protection, which ranks sixteenth in yards allowed per sport.
There’s nonetheless time, however Wilcox is sitting in a sauna.
Notes
- Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has thrown for two,195 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. He’s additionally added two touchdowns on the bottom.
- Kendrick Raphael leads the group in dashing with 10 touchdowns and 612 yards.
- Jacob De Jesus leads the group in receptions and receiving yards with 57 and 541. He additionally has three receiving touchdowns.
- TJ Bush Jr. has 29 tackles, 4 sacks, and seven.5 TFL’s at linebacker.
Even although Stanford misplaced to Pittsburgh, they’ve continued to enhance all through the season. Nobody anticipated the Cardinal to compete this yr, however they’ve been respectable, notching two ACC wins.
The important thing for the rest of this season would be the improvement of Elijah Brown. Ben Gulbranson has been a pleasant relaxation cease, however now that Stanford’s most likely not gonna make a bowl, it’s time to prepare for the longer term.
What Gulbranson did will doubtless get ignored, however he offered stability throughout unsure occasions. And for that, he must be applauded.
In concept, the Tree may nonetheless make a bowl sport, however they’d must win their remaining three contests. It’s attainable, however the season finale towards Notre Dame feels unlikely.
If Brown can discover his rhythm from the leap, Stanford may win in Chapel Hill and take again “The Huge Sport.”
The Tree ought to be capable of compete towards North Carolina, which ranks 121st nationally in factors scored per contest. The Tar Heels have the higher defensive unit, however each groups battle to attain, so it must be a decent one.
If the Cardinal proceed to struggle, they may steal one down the stretch.
Notes
- Ben Gulbranson has thrown for 1,813 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
- Micah Ford leads the group on the bottom, with 425 dashing yards and three touchdowns.
- Sam Roush has 37 receptions and 409 yards receiving. He additionally has two landing receptions.
- Scotty Edwards has 47 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and three.5 TFL’s at security. He additionally has one pressured fumble.
Washington State suffered an unpleasant loss, nevertheless it was a actuality test of the place their program at the moment stands.
The Cougars are nonetheless to start with of the Jimmy Rogers period, however they lack offensive expertise outdoors of Joshua Meredith, WSU doesn’t have any talent place gamers who can win one-on-one matchups.
And Meredith isn’t a real No. 1.. Oregon State was capable of stymie Washington State with man-to-man protection.
To spherical out the common season, WSU will want a participant like Tony Freeman or Carter Pabst to make just a few powerful performs, or they’ll want their offensive line to create space.
Kirby Vorhees will most likely be a standout subsequent yr, however he doesn’t have the explosive pace to be thought of a game-changer but.
Washington State’s protection has proven it could actually play with any group within the nation, so they need to be capable of restrict their remaining three opponents. They’ve solely allowed 17 factors their final two outings.
The Cougars may nonetheless end 7-5, however a bowl sport can be a stable touchdown spot for Rogers in yr one. WSU has a bye earlier than internet hosting Louisiana Tech the next week.
Notes
- Zevi Eckhaus has thrown for 1,246 yards, 9 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He’s additionally added 192 yards and 4 touchdowns on the bottom.
- Kirby Vorhees leads the group with 397 yards dashing; he additionally has three dashing touchdowns.
- Joshua Meredith leads the group with 39 receptions and 516 yards by the air. He additionally has two landing receptions.
- Isaac Terrell leads the group with 4.5 sacks and 9.5 TFL’s at defensive finish. He has 18 whole tackles.
The Beavers didn’t save their season with a victory over Washington State, however they made a press release that they’re nonetheless right here.
Oregon State handled its matchup towards the Cougars like a rivalry sport, and it gave hope to their fanbase. If the Beavers can hold taking part in protection the best way they did towards WSU, they may win out.
Their offensive line will even must proceed to maneuver our bodies. The Beavs host Sam Houston State this week in a matchup the place they’re favored by 19.5 factors. They need to get the dub.
The opposite story line surrounding this system is the seek for their subsequent Head Coach.
Whereas it feels unlikely that Robb Akey would be the candidate, he’s making a case for himself. He’ll doubtless must win out to obtain consideration, however wins in two out-of their remaining three would possibly show sufficient.
Akey’s quirky vitality is offering life in Corvallis. Oregon State has Senior Evening this week towards the Bearkats, earlier than touring to Tulsa and Pullman to spherical out their schedule.
The Beavers are nonetheless floating.
Notes
- Maalik Murphy has thrown for 1,749 yards, 9 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
- Anthony Hankerson leads the group with 803 yards dashing and 7 touchdowns.
- David Wells Jr. leads the group with three receiving touchdowns. He has 293 yards receiving and 28 receptions.
- Aiden Sullivan leads the group with three pressured fumbles at linebacker. He additionally has 56 tackles, 4.5 TFL’s, and one sack.
