Been waiting on this week for the games I have outlined below. Will be adding additional info as it comes in.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
></o>
COLORADO @ MISSOURI -7 (playing Mizzou)
Big, big revenge game for Tigers in this one. LY game was on the road in Boulder early November that Tigers completely dominated but let go early and were not able to rally. Tigers led in Time of possession 33 min to 27, led in rushing 170 to 80, led in passing 278 to 187 but lost the game 21 – 16. Mizzou held a 447 to 250 yardage advantage but lost 4 turnovers, all TO’s were from Brad Smith. The game ended when Smith was picked off inside at the 10yd line with less than 2 minutes to go. This is the first of 3 circled games on the Mizzou schedule. This will be first big test for Colorado as they have not faced a team that could move the ball yet gave up over 500 yards to UNT team 2 weeks back that played without top RB. I know B Smith had this one circled as this loss cost them chance at B12 north title. Met him during the summer through a kid who played high school locally here in Dallas suburb and they both wished they had that one to do over again. I expect CU will get Tigers best effort so far this year.
<o></o>
WAKE @ NCST –9 (playing Pack)
NCST had Nat’l Title aspirations LY with what they thought was easy game @ Wake before going to Ohio St for date with Natl Champs. NCST came out flat, getting down by as many as 25 points early. NCST admittedly in the paper prior to the game that they were overlooking Wake and news got back to Wake HC Grobe and his players who came out inspired. HC Amato admitted after that his team had looked ahead. NCST clearly outplayed Wake in the second half but kept several Wake drives alive with personal foul penalties late. It might be noted that NCST played without McLendon and Sterling Hicks at wideout. NCST loaded on defense and they are especially tough against the run. Wake was unable to move the ball against BC other than trickeration to create big plays and BC also blew 2 fairly short FG. I expect more talented Wolfpack team to be better prepared this week.
<o></o>
RUTGERS @ SYRACUSE –6’
Orange needing win at Rutgers and following week against Notre Dame got completely ambushed by Scarlet Knight in a win that complete the best Rutgers season since ’98. Knights completely dominated the Orange winning possession battle 39 minutes to 21 minutes. Rutgers outrushed the Orange and Walter Reyes 167 yds to 37yds and did not commit a turnover in the upset victory. The loss to Rutgers knocked the Orange out of bowl consideration and also cost the Big East to not be able to fulfill it Bowl tie-in. Big East opener for both but expect big effort from the Orange.
<o></o>
ASU @ OREGON-3 (playing Ducks)
LY's game saw reeling Duck squad in the midst of a 3 game losing streak. This after knocking off Michigan. ASU who was also struggling jumped on Ducks early in the first but after Ducks pulled to within 21-14 early in the 3<SUP>rd</SUP>, they allowed ASU to run off 35 straight points. ASU won the game 59-14. It was the most lopsided road loss in the Mike Belotti era as coach of the Ducks. Oregon was dominated on the clock 36 min to 24, on the ground and in the air 336 to 125. Ducks also threw in 3 turnovers and 9 penalties in what Belotti called the worst game he’s ever been involved in. Why Oregon in this game…other than revenge for the Ducks they are catching ASU off 2 consecutive home revenge wins over Iowa and Oregon St. ASU still shaky at best on defense as OSU moved the ball up and down the field with turnovers (5) costing them a chance at the win. In the OSU/ASU game on Saturday, OSU TE was running into the endzone for an apparent TD only the have the ball knocked out of his hands and recovered for a touchback. QB Anderson was sacked and fumbled on the OSU 12. ASU recovered and then scored on a WR 12 yd TD pass (trickeration). ASU totaled less that 250 total yards compared to 400 for Oregon St. Previous road game saw ASU struggle versus N’western and they really don’t play very good defense despite 4-0 record. They have also lost a couple RB’s due to suspensions and injuries. I expect this line to come down as many play SunDevils due to recent showing and Oregon play versus Oklahoma on Nat'l TV.
<o></o>
Any additional input is appreciated.
GL,
WinOne!!
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>COLORADO @ MISSOURI -7 (playing Mizzou)
Big, big revenge game for Tigers in this one. LY game was on the road in Boulder early November that Tigers completely dominated but let go early and were not able to rally. Tigers led in Time of possession 33 min to 27, led in rushing 170 to 80, led in passing 278 to 187 but lost the game 21 – 16. Mizzou held a 447 to 250 yardage advantage but lost 4 turnovers, all TO’s were from Brad Smith. The game ended when Smith was picked off inside at the 10yd line with less than 2 minutes to go. This is the first of 3 circled games on the Mizzou schedule. This will be first big test for Colorado as they have not faced a team that could move the ball yet gave up over 500 yards to UNT team 2 weeks back that played without top RB. I know B Smith had this one circled as this loss cost them chance at B12 north title. Met him during the summer through a kid who played high school locally here in Dallas suburb and they both wished they had that one to do over again. I expect CU will get Tigers best effort so far this year.
<o
></o>WAKE @ NCST –9 (playing Pack)
NCST had Nat’l Title aspirations LY with what they thought was easy game @ Wake before going to Ohio St for date with Natl Champs. NCST came out flat, getting down by as many as 25 points early. NCST admittedly in the paper prior to the game that they were overlooking Wake and news got back to Wake HC Grobe and his players who came out inspired. HC Amato admitted after that his team had looked ahead. NCST clearly outplayed Wake in the second half but kept several Wake drives alive with personal foul penalties late. It might be noted that NCST played without McLendon and Sterling Hicks at wideout. NCST loaded on defense and they are especially tough against the run. Wake was unable to move the ball against BC other than trickeration to create big plays and BC also blew 2 fairly short FG. I expect more talented Wolfpack team to be better prepared this week.
<o
></o>RUTGERS @ SYRACUSE –6’
Orange needing win at Rutgers and following week against Notre Dame got completely ambushed by Scarlet Knight in a win that complete the best Rutgers season since ’98. Knights completely dominated the Orange winning possession battle 39 minutes to 21 minutes. Rutgers outrushed the Orange and Walter Reyes 167 yds to 37yds and did not commit a turnover in the upset victory. The loss to Rutgers knocked the Orange out of bowl consideration and also cost the Big East to not be able to fulfill it Bowl tie-in. Big East opener for both but expect big effort from the Orange.
<o
></o>ASU @ OREGON-3 (playing Ducks)
LY's game saw reeling Duck squad in the midst of a 3 game losing streak. This after knocking off Michigan. ASU who was also struggling jumped on Ducks early in the first but after Ducks pulled to within 21-14 early in the 3<SUP>rd</SUP>, they allowed ASU to run off 35 straight points. ASU won the game 59-14. It was the most lopsided road loss in the Mike Belotti era as coach of the Ducks. Oregon was dominated on the clock 36 min to 24, on the ground and in the air 336 to 125. Ducks also threw in 3 turnovers and 9 penalties in what Belotti called the worst game he’s ever been involved in. Why Oregon in this game…other than revenge for the Ducks they are catching ASU off 2 consecutive home revenge wins over Iowa and Oregon St. ASU still shaky at best on defense as OSU moved the ball up and down the field with turnovers (5) costing them a chance at the win. In the OSU/ASU game on Saturday, OSU TE was running into the endzone for an apparent TD only the have the ball knocked out of his hands and recovered for a touchback. QB Anderson was sacked and fumbled on the OSU 12. ASU recovered and then scored on a WR 12 yd TD pass (trickeration). ASU totaled less that 250 total yards compared to 400 for Oregon St. Previous road game saw ASU struggle versus N’western and they really don’t play very good defense despite 4-0 record. They have also lost a couple RB’s due to suspensions and injuries. I expect this line to come down as many play SunDevils due to recent showing and Oregon play versus Oklahoma on Nat'l TV.
<o
></o>Any additional input is appreciated.
GL,
WinOne!!
