General Woundwort
09-06-2007, 09:34 AM
Interviewer: What's your prediction for the fight?
Clubber Lang: My prediction?
Interviewer: Yes, your prediction.
Clubber Lang: Pain!
It is time to bring the pain to Oregon State. I may be crazy, but this game doesn't seem nearly as tough as most are making it out to be. For all the talk of OSU's "tough" defense, their defense has been pretty miserable against teams that could throw the ball. Yes, they upset USC last year, and they led the PAC-10 in sacks. But their success against quality teams has hinged on their ability to win shootouts:
vs. Missouri: W 39-38, 369 pass yd allowed
vs. Hawai'i: W 35-32, 401 pass yd allowed
vs Oregon: W 30-28, 274 pass yd allowed
vs USC: W 33-31, 406 pass yd allowed
vs Cal: L 41-13, 341 pass yd allowed
It is an impressive record, but not one built on defense. Matt Moore was the key, and he has graduated. Their pass offense looked horrible against Utah, and without a huge improvement, there is no way they are going to score many points. Going from a home game against a weak defense to a road game against a strong defense is not a good recipe for improvement.
Granted, they held Utah to 7 points, but consider this: Before Utah QB Brian Johnson went out in the middle of the 2nd quarter, the Utes had 128 yards of offense. After he left with back spasms, they gained just 64 yards in 2.5 quarters. The Utes are a middle-of-the-pack (at best) Mountain West conference team with an abysmal running game, and they were able to move the ball with their #1 QB.
The big key for UC will be to protect Mauk against that vaunted pass rush. OSU has a quick but small defense, and they rely on frequent rotations to keep their players fresh. If Mauk plays at all well, UC should score at least 4 TDs, and I don't think OSU has the firepower to answer back, Sammy Strougher or no. The biggest threat to the Bearcats might just be their own kicking game.
My fearless, meaningless prediction: UC 35, OSU 17. The suspension on the bandwagon might just give out this week, what with all the people who will be jumping on.
Clubber Lang: My prediction?
Interviewer: Yes, your prediction.
Clubber Lang: Pain!
It is time to bring the pain to Oregon State. I may be crazy, but this game doesn't seem nearly as tough as most are making it out to be. For all the talk of OSU's "tough" defense, their defense has been pretty miserable against teams that could throw the ball. Yes, they upset USC last year, and they led the PAC-10 in sacks. But their success against quality teams has hinged on their ability to win shootouts:
vs. Missouri: W 39-38, 369 pass yd allowed
vs. Hawai'i: W 35-32, 401 pass yd allowed
vs Oregon: W 30-28, 274 pass yd allowed
vs USC: W 33-31, 406 pass yd allowed
vs Cal: L 41-13, 341 pass yd allowed
It is an impressive record, but not one built on defense. Matt Moore was the key, and he has graduated. Their pass offense looked horrible against Utah, and without a huge improvement, there is no way they are going to score many points. Going from a home game against a weak defense to a road game against a strong defense is not a good recipe for improvement.
Granted, they held Utah to 7 points, but consider this: Before Utah QB Brian Johnson went out in the middle of the 2nd quarter, the Utes had 128 yards of offense. After he left with back spasms, they gained just 64 yards in 2.5 quarters. The Utes are a middle-of-the-pack (at best) Mountain West conference team with an abysmal running game, and they were able to move the ball with their #1 QB.
The big key for UC will be to protect Mauk against that vaunted pass rush. OSU has a quick but small defense, and they rely on frequent rotations to keep their players fresh. If Mauk plays at all well, UC should score at least 4 TDs, and I don't think OSU has the firepower to answer back, Sammy Strougher or no. The biggest threat to the Bearcats might just be their own kicking game.
My fearless, meaningless prediction: UC 35, OSU 17. The suspension on the bandwagon might just give out this week, what with all the people who will be jumping on.