SDSU and Oregon State were basically neck and neck through three quarters. It should have been tied at that juncture, if not for an Aztec fumble just short of the goal line. Cal will need to turn the Aztecs over two or three times (and avoid the same plight themselves) to win this game decisively. Otherwise it could be a low-scoring dogfight, down to the wire.
Good question. SDSU is not yet hitting any kind of rhythm with its new quarterback who is a work in progress IMO, whereas it looked like Oregon State’s McCoy (who torched Cal last year with Idaho for a half) has a better idea, comfort level and skill set to succeed this year. However, SDSU’s defense limited him, and I think the Aztecs’ defense is decent. SDSU will struggle to score against Cal, I believe. If I were prone to betting, I’d take the under.
I would really like to see us put together 6 or 7 consistent drives that end up with scores, 4 or 5 in the end zone and the rest as FG's. Our O-Line needs to come together and exert their will over the opponent. I want to see the O-Line follow the creed of Conan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKRB7bzgAsU
That would make it a thing of beauty for me. Consistently moving the ball, mixing running and passing at will, possessing and chewing clock, getting scores at the end. Hopefully the O-line can move these guys a bit more than they could with Auburn’s future NFLers.
Definitely want multiple field goals to help get this kicker going. He’s got a great record, but needs to get in a groove this season.
It's interesting when you observe the part about our o-linemen moving the Auburn future NFLers. One of the things I used to coach my smaller guys was to just 'get into' the bigger guy. I wasn't worried about moving the big defender out of the hole, just keeping the natural lane that was made by the normal splits. A good smaller or less athletic o-liner can beat a d-liner if he attacks. The other part of the equation is understanding how the d-line reads: is it first step or head movement. You can easily set up a d-liner with a fake move or a jab step (if you are quick enough). Unless they have a slant on that blows up your blocking a smart and aggressive o-liner with nasty should be able to beat a bigger better d-liner. It's up to the coach to teach them.
I get the idea of the RPO but wouldn't Ott's talent be better applied if he had a half-back or full back to help block? Certainly, his presence helped the outside short passing game but I would rather use him as a runner than as a threat. Fricken tired of us running Ott up the center from the RPO, into a wall of defenders. Or...use Rogers cause he is real running threat that has to be accounted for (and might open things up for Ott).
The idea of a single back is that there are fewer guys in the box and that a gifted runner like Ott can beat the coverage. With a blocking back or extra tight end it means the defense shifts a player up and inside the box and changes up their coverage downfield. If you have a back as gifted as Ott you want fewer guys in the box.
Actually, it's even more important to have less guys in the box with a debilitated o-line. Space is a good RB's best friend. See my comment above about being aggressive and merely locking up a d-lineman...you don't have to beat him if you can lock him up because the splits create natural running lanes. A RB like Ott can take one of those lanes with 5 or 6 in the box and turn it into a big gain. Jet did it against Auburn.
That would be a thing of beauty to behold. Let's get the run game going and keep the ball to ourselves for points. I want to hear the lamentations of their women.
SDSU and Oregon State were basically neck and neck through three quarters. It should have been tied at that juncture, if not for an Aztec fumble just short of the goal line. Cal will need to turn the Aztecs over two or three times (and avoid the same plight themselves) to win this game decisively. Otherwise it could be a low-scoring dogfight, down to the wire.
ooof, I thought it was an easy win for OSU
Should I take this as "SDSU is pretty tough", or "OSU isn't that good"?
Good question. SDSU is not yet hitting any kind of rhythm with its new quarterback who is a work in progress IMO, whereas it looked like Oregon State’s McCoy (who torched Cal last year with Idaho for a half) has a better idea, comfort level and skill set to succeed this year. However, SDSU’s defense limited him, and I think the Aztecs’ defense is decent. SDSU will struggle to score against Cal, I believe. If I were prone to betting, I’d take the under.
Probably Cal crushes SDSU, but I hope not! Go Aztecs.
I would really like to see us put together 6 or 7 consistent drives that end up with scores, 4 or 5 in the end zone and the rest as FG's. Our O-Line needs to come together and exert their will over the opponent. I want to see the O-Line follow the creed of Conan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKRB7bzgAsU
That would make it a thing of beauty for me. Consistently moving the ball, mixing running and passing at will, possessing and chewing clock, getting scores at the end. Hopefully the O-line can move these guys a bit more than they could with Auburn’s future NFLers.
Definitely want multiple field goals to help get this kicker going. He’s got a great record, but needs to get in a groove this season.
It's interesting when you observe the part about our o-linemen moving the Auburn future NFLers. One of the things I used to coach my smaller guys was to just 'get into' the bigger guy. I wasn't worried about moving the big defender out of the hole, just keeping the natural lane that was made by the normal splits. A good smaller or less athletic o-liner can beat a d-liner if he attacks. The other part of the equation is understanding how the d-line reads: is it first step or head movement. You can easily set up a d-liner with a fake move or a jab step (if you are quick enough). Unless they have a slant on that blows up your blocking a smart and aggressive o-liner with nasty should be able to beat a bigger better d-liner. It's up to the coach to teach them.
I get the idea of the RPO but wouldn't Ott's talent be better applied if he had a half-back or full back to help block? Certainly, his presence helped the outside short passing game but I would rather use him as a runner than as a threat. Fricken tired of us running Ott up the center from the RPO, into a wall of defenders. Or...use Rogers cause he is real running threat that has to be accounted for (and might open things up for Ott).
The idea of a single back is that there are fewer guys in the box and that a gifted runner like Ott can beat the coverage. With a blocking back or extra tight end it means the defense shifts a player up and inside the box and changes up their coverage downfield. If you have a back as gifted as Ott you want fewer guys in the box.
Sure in theory...but if you have a debilitated OLine, does that plan still work?
Actually, it's even more important to have less guys in the box with a debilitated o-line. Space is a good RB's best friend. See my comment above about being aggressive and merely locking up a d-lineman...you don't have to beat him if you can lock him up because the splits create natural running lanes. A RB like Ott can take one of those lanes with 5 or 6 in the box and turn it into a big gain. Jet did it against Auburn.
That would be a thing of beauty to behold. Let's get the run game going and keep the ball to ourselves for points. I want to hear the lamentations of their women.
Score early and often Bears.
Write On!!
Go BEARS!!