Scout.com: Pac-10 Fearless Predictions, Aug. 30

Pac-10 Fearless Predictions, Aug. 30

California LB Zack Follett

By Staff

CollegeFootballNews.com
Posted Aug 5, 2008

Here we go with all the picks and predictions for the week one games, kicking off with the Pac 10 and the showdown between Zack Follett's Cal vs. Michigan State and Tennessee's trip to UCLA.

Monday, September 1

Game of the Week
Tennessee (0-0) at UCLA (0-0), 8:00 EST, ESPN, Monday, September 1
Why to watch: Last year, California made a statement in an opening day win over Tennessee, and now UCLA is trying to do the same. Meanwhile, the Vols need this win to show that they intend to be a player in the national title chase. The game itself between the Vols and the Bruins will almost be the undercard to the debut of Rick Neuheisel on the UCLA sidelines. Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow were lured out of the NFL to try and ignite a program that hasn’t won the Pac-10 since 1998 and slipped further behind USC under Karl Dorrell. However, the anointed saviors will have their work cut out for them, inheriting a roster in transition and a dicey quarterback situation that’s having the same injury issues as last year. There are changes in the Tennessee staff as well, and they’re under just much scrutiny. In the twilight of his coaching career, Phil Fulmer hired Dave Clawson to run a more inventive offense that’ll spread the field out in multiple sets. Although the Vols have won 10 games three times over the last five years, they’re trying to get creative in order to get over the hump. Like UCLA, it’s been since 1998 that Tennessee won a league championship and the locals are getting restless.
Why Tennessee might win: UCLA will have problems scoring. New starting QB Kevin Craft isn’t exactly green, transferring over from San Diego State, but he could have huge problems against one of the nation’s best pass defenses. Eric Berry and Demetrice Morley are the stars of an air-tight secondary that’ll neutralize the Bruins’ improving situation at receiver and tight end. While the Vol D-line will be vulnerable early on, it might not happen right away. The UCLA offensive line is a patchwork group that’s going to struggle mightily if Craft isn’t able to make plays deep.
Why UCLA might win: With the return of Brigham Harwell after being banged up, and the maturation of Brian Price, the strength of the Bruins will be at defensive tackle. Add in the Reggie Carter-led linebackers and UCLA will be able to take RB Arian Foster out of the game, forcing QB Jonathan Crompton to come up with big plays. The successor to Erik Ainge, Crompton has just one career start and will be walking into a carnival-like atmosphere in the Rose Bowl. Neuheisel and his staff have been focusing from day one on the Vols; they’ve been preparing like this is the Rose Bowl.
Who to watch: The Volunteers think so highly of WR Gerald Jones they’ve developed a package dubbed the G-Gun specifically designed to get the most out of his explosive skill set. Clawson won’t waste any time rolling it out on the rebuilt UCLA D, lining up Jones as a quarterback in a set popularized by Darren McFadden at Arkansas.
What will happen: While it’s unrealistic for the new Tennessee offense to click right away, it houses more than enough talent at the skill positions and on the interior to move the ball. The Vols will get a blue-collar effort from Foster, who’ll work his way into a decent, but not explosive day, while getting just enough from Crompton to kick off the Neuheisel era on a sour note. However, UCLA will represent itself well. If it’s possible, this will be a good-looking loss.
CFN Prediction: Tennessee 31 ... UCLA 23 ... Line: Tennessee -7
Must See Rating: (5 90210 - 1 90210, at least what you’ll say among your friends) … 4
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Thursday, August 28

Oregon State (0-0) at Stanford (0-0), 9:00 EST, ESPN2, Thursday, August 28
Why to watch: Oregon State and Stanford waste no time kicking off the Pac-10 schedule, meeting in a nationally-televised affair that’ll give the winner an early jump on the rest of the league and show which one plans to be part of the fun. It’s not an overstatement to say the loser is realistically out of the race before September has come around. The Beavers have owned the series of late, winning six of the last seven meetings, but Jim Harbaugh has the Cardinal headed in the right direction in his second season on The Farm. After winning an unexpected three conference games, Stanford is looking to build behind its coach, who’s known for his offenses, and an underrated defense. Beating Oregon State in the opener would be an ideal way to launch the next stage of the reclamation project. Although there are holes to fill throughout the two-deep, the Beavers are hoping to retool rather than rebuild this fall. They just might be able to get it done, provided the play under improves dramatically. Dynamic WR Sammie Stroughter is back from a kidney injury and after missing almost all of last year, and now it’ll be up to QB Lyle Moevao to take advantage.
Why Oregon State might win: Yes, the Beavers lost their entire defensive front seven to graduation. No, they’re not going to get abused up front. In fact, with the return of Victor Butler and Slade Norris at defensive end, and a Brandon Hughes-led secondary that’ll be among the Pac-10’s best, the unit should be a pleasant surprise. Stanford has its own uncertainty at quarterback and a mess of problems on the offensive line, at least there should be issues early on. With no semblance of a running game, it shouldn’t have much success converting on third downs or keeping up in any sort of a firefight.
Why Stanford might win: For a second straight year, the defense will revolve around creating pressure and generating turnovers. While not household names, LB Clinton Snyder, DE Pannel Egboh, and S Bo McNally help form the backbone of a unit that attacks from every angle and punishes the opposition. They’re well-known among the NFL types. The Cardinal will attempt to expose the weaknesses on a fragile Beaver O line that’s the biggest concern of head coach Mike Riley. If Moevao gets moved from his comfort zone, he will make costly mistakes. Stanford will force them.
Who to watch: Even as leading rusher Yvenson Bernard was leaving the program, Oregon State had few concerns about the running game. At some point, Ryan McCants will be better. Until the passing game comes around, the Beavers will ride their 6-1, 236-pound redshirt freshman, who has the talent to respond with a 100-yard effort in the first game of his career and be one of the Pac 10’s breakout Pac 10 performers.
What will happen: While the Stanford defense will keep this game close throughout, the Cardinal still lacks the offensive punch to get over the hump. Oregon State will put its fate on the shoulders of McCants and WR James Rodgers, who’ll burn the over pursuing Stanford D on fly sweeps and short hitches.
CFN Prediction: Oregon State 27... Stanford 19... Line: Oregon State -3
Must See Rating: (5 90210 - 1 90210, at least what you’ll say among your friends) … 2.5
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Saturday, August 30

Oklahoma State (0-0) at Washington State (0-0), 3:30 EST, Saturday, August 30
Why to watch: The Cowboys and Cougars meet for the first time in 56 years while kicking off the Paul Wulff era in Pullman. Actually, the game will be played in Seattle, and it should be entertaining for fans of wide-open, innovative offenses. Wulff returned to his alma mater intent on installing a no-huddle offense that’ll be run from the shotgun 50 to 60% of the time and will try to win shootouts. His first triggerman will be senior Gary Rogers, who won the job in the spring and has the arm to put up huge numbers, and he’ll have the chance against a suspect OSU secondary. Oklahoma State already has an electrifying offense that can put up 40 points on anyone, and won’t change much even thought architect Larry Fedora is now the head man at Southern Miss. In a Big 12 brimming with great quarterbacks, it’s easy to forget that Zac Robinson accounted for 32 touchdowns and 3,671 yards, while throwing just nine picks.
Why Oklahoma State might win: The Cowboy offensive line versus the Cougar defensive line is a mismatch. A big-time mismatch. With four starters back, including all-stars David Washington and Russell Okung, it’ll dominate a pedestrian Wazzu front, giving Robinson the time he needs to connect with WR Dez Bryant and elite pass-catching TE Brandon Pettigrew. When Robinson isn’t knifing through the Cougar D, he’ll be handing off to Kendall Hunter, JUCO transfer Beau Johnson, and Keith Toston, who’ll more than make up for the loss of Dantrell Savage.
Why Washington State might win: Oklahoma State can score, but Washington State can keep pace with the running of Dwight Tardy and a passing attack that’ll go right after the Cowboys’ weakest areas. Rogers isn’t your typical first-year starter; he’ll have a field day hooking up with Brandon Gibson, one of the nation’s best wide receivers. What better way to debut a fancy offense than against a defense that doesn’t generate pressure and has no answers against the pass?
Who to watch: While you don’t get better by losing Savage and Adarius Bowman, Gundy is confident that Hunter and Bryant will be just as explosive in time. Both played extensively—and well—as true freshmen, laying the groundwork for monster sophomore seasons. Bryant, in particular, will feast on a bad Cougar secondary that yields way too many big plays.
What will happen: Washington State will move the ball, but it doesn’t have the depth or talent to win a shootout with a fully-developed attack like the one at Oklahoma State. The Cowboys’ balance will produce more than 500 yards of total offense in a quality road win against a decent Pac-10 opponent on its home turf.
CFN Prediction: Oklahoma State 41 ... Washington State 28 ... Line: OSU -6
Must See Rating: (5 90210 - 1 90210, at least what you’ll say among your friends) … 3
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Michigan State (0-0) at California (0-0), 8:00 EST, ABC, Saturday, August 30
Why to watch: Okay, so it’s not the Rose Bowl or Ohio State vs. USC, but it is an intriguing and important showdown between a Big Ten and Pac-10 teams with something to prove. Michigan State is looking to build on last year’s opening statement from head coach Mark Dantonio, who guided the way to a 7-6 mark (and it wasn’t far off from being much, much better) and the first bowl berth since 2003. Already excited about the path of the program, Spartan fans will be downright giddy with a victory at Cal and six winnable games to follow. Even more excited would be the Big Ten as a whole, as it’s in need of a splashy win with all the negative publicity surrounding it over the off-season. The Pac 10 could also use a big win, too. Ever since imploding down the stretch last year, the Bears have been trying to relocate its formula for success. One of the Pac-10’s biggest mysteries heading into September, they can’t afford a slow start, or even a hint of proof that there’s still a hangover from last year’s 2-5 finish. Rejoice, linebacker fans. Cal’s Zach Follett and Worrell Williams, and Michigan State’s Greg Jones and Eric Gordon each have all-conference skills.
Why Michigan State might win: The balanced Spartan offense will give headaches to a Bear defense that’s soft on the front line and doesn’t get much of an up-field push. The backfield of QB Brian Hoyer and RB Javon Ringer will thrive with the time and the space to make things happen. Hoyer is an underrated passer who made nice strides in his first season as the starter. Ringer will be the best skill position player in the stadium, a dynamite playmaker when he’s not on the shelf, and he’ll get even more opportunities this season. MSU has adopted the rugged personality of Dantonio, a no-nonsense, blue-collar approach that Cal doesn’t see often in the Pac-10.
Why Cal might win: Even with the expected emergence of Cincinnati transfer, and now burgeoning star MSU DE Trevor Anderson, Cal’s O line should be a strength. C Alex Mack and LT Mike Tepper lead the way for one of the nation’s best front walls; it doesn’t give up sacks often, or even much in the way of pressure. With all day to throw, newly anointed starting QB Kevin Riley will be able to survey the field and pick out one of his young and athletic battery mates. As good as Hoyer and Ringer are, they’re going to need more support from a patchwork offensive line and a receiving corps dangerously low on experience.
Who to watch: The Cal skill players have a slew of athletic ability, but little experience. That’ll begin to change Saturday night, but it’ll take time before the Bear attack is consistent. The spotlight will be on RB Jahvid Best and receivers Michael Calvin, Nyan Boateng, and Jeremy Ross, the heir apparents to Justin Forsett, DeSean Jackson, Robert Jordan, and Lavelle Hawkins, respectively. If Riley is really the right choice, and to look like the main man for the program over the next few years, he’ll need his supporting cast to mature in a hurry.
What will happen: Like it or not, Cal will get dragged into an alley fight that’ll go all 15 rounds. The Bears will get their nose bloodied, and in the end, the MSU pass rush will do just enough in the clutch to pull off the upset. This will be the first step back to respectability for the Big Ten.
CFN Prediction: Michigan State 27 … California 21 ... Line: California -5.5
Must See Rating: (5 90210 - 1 90210, at least what you’ll say among your friends) … 4
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Pac 10 Week One Fearless Predictions, Part 2

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