t was fairly every week for the 4 groups from the West within the Pac-12 and ACC.
Issues lastly got here to a head in Corvallis with Oregon State’s seventh-straight loss, leading to Trent Bray being fired as head coach of the Beavers.
Against this, Jimmy Rogers and his Cougars appeared to show a nook, practically upsetting No. 5 Ole Miss on the street.
In the meantime, Stanford fell behind SMU early and didn’t put up a lot of a struggle the remainder of the best way.
Struggling Cal welcomed a bye, hoping to make use of the time to show round their disappointing season.
Right here’s my tackle all 4 groups heading into Week Eight.
Bears seeking to exploit North Carolina’s porous offense
The Golden Bears aren’t who we thought they had been. After a scorching begin to the season, they’ve appeared extra like their preseason expectation within the final three outings.
If California desires to make a run within the ACC this yr, they have to beat North Carolina. The Tar Heels are 2-3, however they haven’t been aggressive in opposition to Energy 4 groups.
Cal ought to have the ability to exploit North Carolina’s porous offense. UNC ranks 119th in factors scored per recreation.
That is necessary as a result of the Bears’ protection has struggled lately. Over the past three video games, they’ve allowed 103 factors; within the three video games prior, they allowed 32.
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele may also want to enhance his type a bit. He ought to have the ability to take action in opposition to a Tar Heels protection that ranks 106th in cross yards allowed per recreation.
It appears like Cal is beginning to slip into their Justin Wilcox methods, and that may show harmful. At the start of the yr, the Golden Bears schedule appeared straightforward down the stretch, however with the development of Virginia that’s not the case.
Wilcox has gotta beat Invoice Belichick, and he ought to accomplish that.
Notes
- Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has thrown for 1,487 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions
- Kendrick Raphael leads the group with 414 dashing yards and 4 dashing touchdowns
- Trond Grizzell leads the group with 400 receiving yards; he’s additionally added a landing reception
- Cade Uluave leads the group with 52 tackles and 6.5 TFLs
The Cardinal rebuild will get one other massive check this week in opposition to Florida State
The Cardinal by no means threatened SMU in Dallas, which is a reminder that Stanford’s nonetheless in a rebuilding mode.
And issues are gonna get more durable this week, as they host Florida State, which is coming off a tough loss in opposition to Pittsburgh. If Stanford’s going to compete in opposition to the Seminoles, they gotta rating early.
The Tree fell behind the Mustangs 17-0, and will by no means get themselves again within the contest. FSU has the fifth-ranked scoring offense within the nation, in order that they’re gonna want to attain factors on offense.
On protection, Ben Gulbranson might be able to discover success in opposition to the Noles 63rd-ranked cross protection; they’re thirty eighth in dashing yards allowed per recreation.
Micah Ford may also have to be simpler on this contest. He solely averaged 3.3 yards per carry in opposition to SMU. If the Cardinal may get Bryce Farrell, CJ Williams, and a 3rd receiver going on the similar time, they’d show a tough guard.
Stanford’s schedule is nasty going ahead, however a aggressive exhibiting in opposition to Florida State would construct confidence throughout the program.
Notes
- Ben Gulbranson has thrown for 1,445 yards, six touchdowns, and 4 interceptions
- Cole Tabb has rushed for 194 yards and one landing
- CJ Williams leads the group with 404 yards receiving and likewise has a landing reception
- Collin Wright has Stanford’s solely interception on the season, which was a pick-six. He additionally has two cross deflections
Robb Akey takes over as interim coach heading into the Idaho contest
Tright here aren’t any phrases to explain the start of Oregon State’s season, however the Beavers lastly made the transfer. OSU fired Trent Bray, and Robb Akey shall be taking up because the Interim Head Coach.
Even throughout the 0-6 begin, the Beavs had confirmed aggressive, however that modified in opposition to Wake Forest. The time had come.
Akey’s solely head teaching expertise was on the College of Idaho from 2007-12, throughout which era he compiled a 20-50 report, with one successful season in 2009.
He in all probability received’t be the long-term man, so all ideas are on who would be the choice main OSU into the brand new Pac-12. Issues look bleak now, however Indiana completed 3-9 earlier than hiring Curt Cignetti.
The proper rent may transfer the haystack. A couple of names to think about are Jason Eck, Bronco Mendenhall, and possibly a return to Corvallis for Jonathan Smith?
With a bowl recreation out of the query, the Beavs ought to deal with making ready for the long run. They’ve a simple schedule for the rest of the yr.
They need to get their first win this week in opposition to FCS Lafayette.
Notes
- Maalik Murphy has thrown for 1,653 yards, 9 touchdowns, and eight interceptions
- Cornell Hatcher Jr. is second on the group in dashing yards with 177 and two dashing touchdowns
- Taz Reddicks is second on the group with 324 receiving yards
- Trent Bray went 5-14 because the Head Coach at Oregon State
The Cougars can verify their enchancment with a win at Virginia
The Cougars had their most spectacular results of the Jimmy Rogers period on Saturday, practically beating Ole Miss in Oxford.
Whereas the sport gave hope to Washington State’s fanbase, they’ll have one other alternative this week in opposition to Virginia. If the Cougs can get a win in Charlottesville, it will put just a little juice again into WSU’s model.
The important thing to stopping Virginia is making them one-dimensional. UV encompasses a balanced assault averaging the Thirtieth-most passing yards per recreation, and 18th dashing. They’re eighth within the nation in factors scored per recreation.
Wazzu may get dealt with on the bottom, however ought to have the ability to restrict the Cavaliers passing assault. Washington State ranks fortieth in passing yards allowed per recreation, having restricted the Rebels to 253 yards final week.
On offense, the Cougars are beginning to discover their dashing assault. WSU ran for 285 yards of their final two contests, together with 127 in opposition to Ole Miss. And Zevi Eckhaus is constant to show a dependable quarterback for Washington State.
The Cougs are nonetheless a little bit of a thriller, however thriller attracts intrigue.
Notes
- Zevi Eckhaus has thrown for 758 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions
- Kirby Vorhees leads the group with 244 yards dashing, he’s additionally added a dashing landing
- Tony Freeman leads the group in catches and receiving yards with, 30 and 302
- Parker McKenna leads the group with 45 tackles, additionally has 2.5 TFL’s
