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By Nick Bartlett, SuperWest Sports activities
Cal flashed its great upside potential final week, upsetting then-No. 15 Louisville.
However that was about the one actual vibrant spot for the three West groups in motion within the Pac-12 and ACC.
Stanford dropped to 3-7 total with its loss to North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
Oregon State suffered one in all its worst losses in program historical past, falling to then-winless Sam Houston.
The Cougars used their bye week to lick their wounds and regroup after shedding to the Beavers two weeks in the past.
Right here’s my tackle all 4 groups heading into Week 12.
Document: 6-4, 3-3
Final Week: Defeated Louisville, 29-26
This Week: Bye
I’ve been arduous on Justin Wilcox, however that was a ballsy name on fourth down.
Cal’s win in opposition to Louisville might be thought-about a very powerful in Wilcox’s tenure. These are the kind of outcomes that the Golden Bears ought to be anticipating below him.
California is now bowl-eligible and solely wants another victory to clinch its first successful season since 2019.
The important thing for the Bears coming into the bye is to maintain engaged on their speeding assault. Kendrick Raphael is a strong halfback, however Cal ranks 132nd in speeding yards per sport.
Additionally they want to ascertain a constant identification.
The Golden Bears are good at throwing the ball and defending the go, however it feels spotty. They rank forty first in passing yards allowed per sport and thirtieth in passing yards per contest.
They’ll additionally want Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to proceed to guard the ball. After the three-interception sport in opposition to Duke, he’s solely thrown two within the final 4 outings.
Does anybody actually know what to consider Cal? They’re extra complicated each week.
They get to chill out this weekend, after which journey to the Farm for “The Huge Recreation.”
Notes
- Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has thrown for two,518 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. He’s additionally added two touchdowns on the bottom.
- Kendrick Raphael leads the crew with 167 speeding makes an attempt, 695 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
- Jacob De Jesus ranks sixth nationally in receptions. He leads Cal with 73 receptions, 699 receiving yards, and 4 landing receptions.
- Hezekiah Plenty is tied first nationally with 5 interceptions at cornerback. Plenty additionally has 37 tackles, 11 go deflections, and one TFL.
Document: 3-7, 2-5
Final Week: Misplaced to North Carolina, 20-25
This Week: Bye
Stanford’s loss in opposition to North Carolina stings, however they’re already trying in direction of subsequent season.
Extra necessary than the defeat is the continued improvement of Elijah Brown. He took a number of sacks, however performed respectable apart from that, throwing for 284 yards, one landing, and one interception in opposition to a Invoice Belichick-led protection.
As Brown continues to age, he’ll must develop a greater pocket presence. He can even want his offensive line to enhance. The Cardinal O-line ranks 133rd within the nation in sacks allowed, and has struggled all yr.
Caden Excessive and Brown confirmed chemistry, with Excessive pulling in 10 catches for 102 yards, regardless of having solely eight catches coming into this matchup.
If each gamers keep on the farm subsequent season, they may show to be a promising duo.
The Bears want extra continuity on offense: They rank 128th in factors scored per sport. They may most likely use a couple of transfers as effectively.
The Cardinal have a bye, after which host Cal the next week.
Notes
- Elijah Brown has thrown for 502 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception this yr.
- Micah Ford and Cole Tabb have rushed for a mixed 904 yards and 6 touchdowns. Ford has additionally added 10 receptions for 102 yards.
- CJ Williams leads the crew 53 receptions, 659 receiving yards, and 5 landing receptions.
- Matt Rose is tied twentieth nationally with 83 tackles at linebacker. Rose leads Stanford in tackles and TFL’s with seven. He additionally has two sacks and a pressured fumble
Document: 2-8, 1-0
Final Week: Misplaced to Sam Houston, 21-17
This Week: at Tulsa
The Beavers’ loss in opposition to Sam Houston State possible eradicated Robb Akey from a possibility at changing into Oregon State’s subsequent head coach.
Akey put his belief in Gabarri Johnson, and it backfired.
Johnson threw for 286 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions within the loss in opposition to the Bearkats. He additionally struggled the week prior.
The main target of OSU’s program is on their future coach, however it could be good if they may stay aggressive on the sector.
The Beavs journey to Tulsa this week in what ought to show to be a winnable contest: Oregon State is favored by 2.5 factors.
Each groups enter this sport with solely two wins on the yr.
The important thing to this matchup ought to be whether or not the Golden Hurricanes can cease Anthony Hankerson. Tulsa ranks 114th in yards allowed per sport. The Beavs aren’t superb on the bottom however Hankerson’s powerful.
Each groups are competent in throwing the ball, with Tulsa rating 67th in passing yards per sport, and OSU at 72nd.
It is a must-win for the Beavers. A loss kills all hope.
Notes
- Gabarri Johnson has thrown for 459 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
- Anthony Hankerson leads OSU with 212 speeding makes an attempt, 969 speeding yards, and 9 speeding touchdowns.
- David Wells Jr. leads the crew with three landing receptions. He has 37 receptions for 405 yards.
- Aiden Sullivan leads the Beavers with 6.5 TFL’s and with three pressured fumbles at linebacker. He additionally has 62 tackles.
Document: 4-5, 0-1
Final Week: Bye
This week: vs. Louisiana Tech
Washington State suffered an unsightly loss earlier than the bye, and by some means it’s even worse now. However it was a actuality test of the place their program at present stands.
The Cougars are nonetheless at first of the Jimmy Rogers period, however they lack offensive expertise outdoors of Joshua Meredith.
WSU doesn’t have any ability place gamers who can win one-on-one matchups.
And it received’t get a lot simpler—they’re dealing with Louisiana Tech this week, which ranks 18th in factors allowed per sport. This quantity is a bit of deceiving although, as a result of the Bulldogs rank one hundred and tenth in go yards allowed per sport.
The Cougs will hope gamers equivalent to Carter Pabst and Tony Freeman can reap the benefits of their secondary. Tech is a lot better in opposition to the run, rating thirty ninth nationally in yards allowed per sport.
Washington State’s protection has proven it could possibly play with any squad within the nation, so they need to be capable to restrict a La Tech crew whose offense is mid.
The Cougs have solely allowed 17 factors their final two outings.
It is a should win sport for WSU.
Notes
- Zevi Eckhaus has thrown for 1,246 yards, 9 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He’s additionally added a 192 yards and 4 touchdowns on the bottom.
- Kirby Vorhees leads the Cougars with 397 yards speeding. he additionally has three speeding touchdowns.
- Tony Freeman is tied for the crew lead with two landing receptions. He has 34 receptions and 361 receiving yards.
- Tucker Giant leads WSU with 5 go deflections at security. He additionally has 56 tackles and a couple of.5 TFL’s.
Writes about soccer and basketball as a Senior Author and hosts “The Nick Bartlett Present” for SuperWest Sports activities.
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