8-2 on picks this week, running the season record to 26-2. I gave Jake Locker too much credit, and I never saw a strong performance by UCLA coming.
UCLA 31, #23 Houston 13
This one shocked me. After looking utterly anemic on offense and defenseless on defense against Stanford, the Bruins erupt for 31 points in the Rose Bowl. Sophomore tailback Johnathan Franklin broke out with 26-158 and three touchdowns despite operating behind a rebuilt and patched-up offensive line. Qb Kevin Prince still hasn’t found himself, managing just 9-17 for 99 yards and 1 int triggering the UCLA pistol.
Nevada 52, Cal 31
In the Friday night special the Wolfpack, behind Colin Kaepernick’s 5 tds passing, shows how the Pistol is supposed to work, dismantling the Cal Bears in a shocker.
Nebraska 56, Washington 21
Jake Locker demonstrates how to shoot yourself in the foot, 4-20 passing for 71 yards and 2 picks. Ugly. Not even his mother will kiss him after that game.
USC 32, Minnesota 21
USC shows neither life, nor spark, nor desire, but they are big and fast and in many cases, bound for the next level. Saturday they face Washington State in Pullman, affording them another opportunity to coast by on sheer talent before facing losable games in October versus Washington, Stanford, Cal, and Oregon. Unless the Trojans get a heart transplant between now and then, they will be no better than 3-2 after the first full month of conference play.
Stanford 68, Wake Forest 24
This score is a wake up notice for the rest of the conference, particularly the Ducks. The Cardinal have talent and attitude, an inspirational, motivational coach, and the number one draft pick next spring in Andrew Luck. Luck was 17-23 for 204 yards and 4 tds in the walkover win, and the defense held the Deacons to 283 yards. They travel to Notre Dame Saturday. Already 16th in the country, another loud win, this time in the shadow of Touchdown Jesus on national tv, will announce them to the country as 4-0 and formidable. A showdown looms in Autzen on October 2nd, a huge, turning point test for both teams if they hold serve in week four.
Oregon State 35, Louisville 28
James Dockery picks off a pass late in the fourth quarter to turn away the Cardinals, and the Bavers even their record at 1-1. Saturday night they face #3 Boise State on ABC in the blue turf special, two K-Mart teams getting their moment on the microphone. Hard for Duck fans to know who to root for in that one. I guess I'll manage a half hearted wave of the pennant: go beavs.
Arizona 34, Iowa 27
Grigsby wasn't a factor, 14 carries for 27 yards, but the Hawkeyes didn't have an answer for Nick Foles, who is quietly putting together a Tea Party Heisman campaign, 28-39 for 303 yards and 2 scores to upend #9 in the country. Arizona hosts Cal on Saturday night, a game that should tell a lot about both teams. The Wildcats have climbed to #14 just above Stanford, and suddenly the PAC-10 schedule has some teeth.
I take my hat off to you. You picked them very well indeed. Better than I did.
ReplyDeleteI, too, was shocked about the UCLA & Cal games. Several local radio types had Cal as their dark horse team to win the PAC-10. If so, they have a lot of work to do.
And this is the second time in three games Locker has looked very poor. It might be him or maybe it's the surrounding players. Either way, his stock is probably dropping.