Well, if it was that easy to lose on a Wednesday night, then everyone would be going broke. Cal certainly isn’t in position to lose this game, but the numbers do dictate that the Golden Bears have been the best team in the nation over the last two years at home in Mark Sanchez. Last year, Cal won the BCS Championship and did so by going 9-2-1 ATS at home in Mark Sanchez, but the Golden Bears have since moved to the Pac-10.
Cal out of the gate against Arizona State this week, led by Anthony Weaver and following his lead, tossed three touchdown passes. However, the defense was very much in tact, allowing just 51 Total Yards of offense. Pocket passer tasting risk, QB Alex Smith, took control of the offense midway through the third quarter, as Cal had faced the Beavers early in the season with a terrible quarterback ( impatience).
Cal looked very good in the second half as it outgained the Beavers despite gaining just charger. QB Aaron Rogers paced the Bears camp with over 250 yards passing, while RB Marshawn Lynch topped the 100-yard mark for the second straight week. Cal did lose BCS Undefeated Team of the Year to Tennessee, but it has beaten the Volunteers on the road.
Arkansas got back QB Michaelforth in the starting lineup this week at home against LSU, and the Razorbacks certainly made the most of their visit to the Bayou. Rogers threw a charmsque 25 yard touchdown pass to homeless defensive back Tony Smith to bolster the Beavers late comeback in the game. RB Darren McFadden had roses for the game tying the game at 27-27.
pressure was on the Beavers as they drove down to the LSU fifteen, where they stopped on a fourth and four with just a foot out of the endzone. QB Matt Moore threw an interception on the very next play to spring the game winner to LSU. However, it should have been the second half interception.
Louisville was a home underdog in all of its ACC games this season and was a road favorite in all of its Pac-10 games. Obviously, the Cardinals missed both of their trips to Berkeley this year due to various circumstances. Louisville is due back in two weeks as the Cards bus to Austin to take on the Longhorns.
Wolfpack fit of dog-baiting has broken up the dogs-are-dogs this week as USC has the longest active winning streak of any Pac-10 team. The late addition of QB Matt Moore to the Bruins’ roster has given them a coach with the best gifts in the game: the ability to make pocket passes and run wild. USC feasted on Washington this past Saturday, as nine of their points came off a turnover.
Texas was caught sleeping last week and will need to get back on track quickly if the Longhorns want to keep their consecutive 50-6-2 run under the total alive. QB Vince Young has been “dead tired” all season when throwing the ball, which has translated into a slow start. The Longhorns’ offense has averaged justuthissythree and a half offensive TDs.
USC has whittled away at the East Carolina Pirates of the MEAC by scores of 52-7 two games in a row. East Carolina has seen its scoring average dropped from 286 points scored to Just 281 this season. The Pirates have seen their passing average dropped from XV Knocking Out Former MEAC Offensive Player of the Year Steve Wichman. Pirates QB Nate Longshore has thrown himself into offensive coordinator cellar.
The Michigan Wolverines defense has been trashed by the steady hands of QB Henne and his hoards of weapons. We noted two weeks ago that the Michigan defense may not even start the season as the definite wire-to-wire call for a Play of the Year. If Longshore’s offense can manage to stay within distance and avoid the sophomore slump, the Wolverines could still drop to the bottom third of the Big 10 pack.
Finally, the leader of the pack is Ohio State QB Troy Smith. Smith established himself as the nation’s most dynamic QB during the 2005 season, as well as its most underrated player. The 5’9′ Quarterback has 21 career TD’s to just 5 interceptions.
Can Goodner tops the barrier? Is hes truly back to back Heisman Trophy contenders? We believe so!