Nov 19, 2011; Stanford CA, USA; Detailed view of the Pac-12 logo on painted on the field before the game between the Stanford Cardinal and the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium. Stanford defeated California 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports
What an emotional roller coaster that weekend was! If you didn’t have a little fun watching college football, than you should just rename your self Debbie Downer; because despite the Cougs losing, that was one hell of a weekend!
The Pac 12 fared quit well over this opening weekend, going 7 and 3. However my picks didn’t do quite as well, going 6 and 4.
Here’s the rundown:
Utah State at Utah
My Pick: Utah State 28 – Utah 17
Final Score: Utah State 26 – Utah 30
Utah’s Top Performers:
Passing: T.Wilson – 17/28, 302 yards, 2 TD
Rushing: J.Poole – 12 carries, 47 yards
Receiving: A. Denham – 6 rec, 113 yards
Utah State’s Chuckie Keeton was as advertised, passing for 314 yards and 2 TDs, while also rushing for 85 yards and adding another TD on the ground. That wasn’t enough though, as Utah held off a very good Utah State team, as it came to the final play of the game with Utah State missing a Hail Mary pass by maybe 3 yards.
USC at Hawaii
My Pick: USC 49 – Hawaii 21
Final Score: USC 31 – Hawaii 13
USC’s Top Performers:
Passing: C. Kessler – 10/19, 95 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; M. Wittek – 5/10, 77 yards.
Rushing: T. Madden – 18 carries, 109 yards; J. Davies – 14 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: M. Lee – 8 rec, 104 yards
USC won this game, but either one of their QB’s have won the starting job. Both Max Wittek and Cody Kessler turned in a sub par performance, leading the starting QB position still up in the air for this upcoming week verse none other than WSU. I believe it will be Kessler, but looks like Kiffin wont name a starter until game time, playing mind games it looks like.
Northern Arizona at Arizona
My Pick: Arizona 63 – Northern Arizona 7
Final Score: Nothern Arizona 0 – Arizona 35
Arizona’s Top Performers:
Passing: B. Denker – 9/13, 87 yards, 1 TD
Rushing: D. Jenkins – 12 carriers, 139 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: G. Wharton – 2 rec, 35 yards
With Ka’deem Carey serving a one game suspension, former Wildcat turned Coug, turned back to Wildcat, Daniel Jenkins turns in a big performance. His 91 yard TD run was of historical proportions, being as it was the third longest in school history. Rich Rodriguez option running attack was on full display, being as he only passed the ball 13 times, completely opposite of the Cougs Air Raid.
Nicholls State at Oregon
My Pick: Nicholls State 0 – Oregon 100
Final Score: Nicholls State 3 – Oregon 66
Oregon’s Top Performers:
Passing: M. Mariota – 12/21, 234 yards, 1 TD
Rushing: D. Thomas – 18 carries, 128 yards, 2 TD; M. Mariota – 5 carries, 113 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving: J. Huff – 5 rec, 118 yards
Oregon’s new head ball coach, Mark Helrich, showed no signs of slowing down, where Chip Kelley left off. It was the same old Oregon we have all grown to hate, although very fun to watch. This was virtually a pre season game for the Ducks, whose schedule gets a lot tougher from here on out, with a trip to Virginia to take on the Cavaliers, then back home to take on Tennessee.
Eastern Washington at Oregon State
My Pick: Oregon State 31 – Eastern Washington 24
Final Score: Eastern Washington 49 – Oregon State 46
Oregon State’s Top Performers:
Passing: S. Mannion – 37/43, 422 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing: S. Woods – 16 carries, 68 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving: B. Cooks – 13 rec, 196 yards, 2 TDs
What a game! I knew Eastern would give Oregon State fits, but I didn’t think they could actually win a game in Corvallis. Sorry to all my Eastern friends for ever doubting your football team, never again. Vernon Adams, the Eagles star QB, is making an early push for the Walter Payton Award (The FCS Heisman), he passed for 411 yards, and 4 TDs, also adding 107 yards on the ground, with 2 rushing TDs as well. This is a tough one for OSU to swallow, but Eastern is a very good FCS team.
Nevada at UCLA
My Pick: UCLA 42 – Nevada 21
Final Score: UCLA 58 – Nevada 20
UCLA’s Top Performers:
Passing: B. Hundley – 22/33, 274 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing: J. James – 21 carries, 155 yards, 1 TD; B. Hundley – 7 carries, 63 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving: S. Evans – 6 rec, 81 yards, 1 TD
It took awhile for UCLA to really get going, only leading Nevada, 17 to 13 at half. Jim Mora must give one hell of a halftime speech, because his Bruins came out pedal to the metal in the second half, in route to a 58 to 20 win. Heisman hopeful Brett Hundley added to his legacy with a solid performance as well.
Boise State at Washington
My Pick: Washington 28 – Boise State 17
Final Score: Washington 38 – Boise State 6
Washington’s Top Performers:
Passing: K. Price – 23/31, 324 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: B. Sankey – 25 carries, 161 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving: J. Mickens – 9 rec, 109 yards
Washington wasn’t going to lose this game. Opening up their newly renovated stadium, playing in front of a sold out crowd, Boise State had no chance. Though I thought they would at the very least put up a fight. Former Coug commit, Bishop Sankey, continues to make us Coug fans think “What If?” as he had a career day going for 161 yards and 2 TDs. UW made a statement this game, they could be very good….sadly.
Northwestern at Cal
My Pick: Northwester 34 – Cal 24
Final Score: Northwestern 44 – Cal 30
Cal’s Top Performers:
Passing: J. Goff – 38/63, 445 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INT
Rushing: B. Bigelow – 16 carries, 65 yards
Receiving: C. Harper – 11 rec, 151 yards, 2 TD
Northwestern was just the better team when it came down to it. Cal hung in there all game, but like us Coug fans know, its all about the fourth quarter, and Cal let one slip away, getting outscored in the 4th, 17 to 6. Cal, freshman QB, Jered Goff, had a rough go for his first ever start, he passed for 445 yards, but also threw 3 costly interceptions. Still not bad for his first ever collegiate game.
Colorado at Colorado State
My Pick: Colorado 14 – Colorado State 24
Final Score: Colorado 41 – Colorado State 37
Colorado’s Top Performers:
Passing: C. Wood – 33/46, 400 yards, 3 TD
Rushing: C. Powell – 15 carries, 42 yards
Receiving: P. Richardson – 10 rec, 208 yards, 2 TD
In the battle of what many were calling the “Weed Bowl” (Does this mean the Apple Cup will be called the same?) Colorado won in impressive form. Many, including me, thought this would be a lot closer than it was; but the Buffs held off a strong 3rd quarter push from the Rams, to win 41 to 27. This was an easy opponent for the Buffs to start out with, will see going forward if there is any improvement from a horrid 2012 season.
Washington State at Auburn
My Pick: WSU 28 – Auburn 24
Final Score: WSU 24 – Auburn 31
Washington State’s Top Performers:
Passing: C. Halliday – 35/65, 344 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: T. Caldwell – 7 carries, 53 yards, J. Laufasa – 5 carries, 10 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: G. Marks – 9 rec, 81 yards
We should of won. We looked way better than Auburn, and played better as well. If it wasn’t for 3 interceptions, and 2 big plays, we would have won the game easily. Good news is though, we should of won, and we did play better than our opponent, how many times have we been able to say that in the past? I hate going to moral victories as much as the next guy, but I did see a lot to be happy with. Hopefully Halliday can get it together for next weekend verse USC, if not, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Leach go with a youth movement at QB. GO COUGS!