Nebraska moved the ball because they philosophically committed to the run and had a physical OL that created holes. Not saying we can't win, just that it is pretty obvious we aren't a team that can/will do it the same way.

So georgio can Keek a touchdown!

I think the game will play out similar to Colorado: a shootout that's close for most of the game and Ca l coming out with the win by 1 TD.

I expect to see some sloppiness particularly since we're playing away and even the snaps still look horrible.

But I think we answered some questions with our running situation (CJ in the red zone, Biggie on return) and, hopefully, our D has learned to better protect against the pass after Colorado.

If our D holds them to 3 TDs or less I think we win.

This is the kind of game we could have controlled and won comfortably with someone like Vereen at RB, he would have moved the chains consistently and popped a few long ones too. We'll need to sustain drives with crisp playcalling and solid passing to win this on the road, because even against a below average P12, D Isi will probably get little more than 4ypc.

Rushinbear;572189 said:

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One thing UW showed yesterday is that they keep trying. Down by 20 on more than one occasion, Price kept firing, even when gimpy, and they kept moving the ball.

Price is nimble and has a quick trigger - something that has given us trouble. Their WRs are good although none is a Richardson (the FR Haseem? is a player). We are going to have to play press D and give the front 7 time to get to Price. If he is hit hard, his mobility may suffer dramatically.

Polk showed signs of being a weapon, although NU played the run very well. I think we are at least as good there.

Their D is not good and is a little banged up. NU ran mostly vanilla stuff and moved it at will. ZM will have to be more accurate to match Martinez, who won it for them. We don't have a back equal to NU's Burkhead - powerful and reasonably shifty - so look for more motion, trapping, variety.

We will be behind at some point in the game. What we do then will tell the tale. If we compete to the end, we will win by 2 on a FG in the last minute. Look for BB to make a difference.

Go Bears.

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CJAnderson can channel Burkhead. But I thought that Nebraska revealed a nice area for us to exploit. In the 4th quarter, NU ran him (Burkhead) time and again off of right guard/center for significant yardage. Cheadle may not be a great pass blocker, but he's very good on run blocking. I'd like to see us run it at their left side defense.
I think our run defense can do a much better job on Polk than the Corn Huskers did. Polk is sure-fire NFL running back. It should be a real challenge, but one we ought to handle well. Kearse is the guy that bothers me the most. Last season, it was his catch in the last minute that led to their victory. The season before, Nnbuife can burned badly by Kearse again bringinon on our defeat.
Kassem is someone we will have to keep our eyes on. Likewise, Austin twonames, is a real threat at tight end. They have lots of weapons on offense. Our defense will really be tested!

OneTopOneChickenApple;572264 said:

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Add the weather factor. Rain may make us use more running plays. Now with Bigelow, that might actually give us an advantage in the running game.

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It looks like this will be a nice week weather-wise in the Seattle area, including Sat. However it occurred to me that this will be our first game on turf while UW has been on it each week. Hope we bring our quick feet.

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Seattle&state=WA&site=SEW&lat=47.6537&lon=-122.299

BerlinerBaer;572183 said:

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U Dub looks like a classic Pac team: high-powered offense and a crappy defense. As long as we can get another 55% performance from Zach with no more than his usual pick, okay OL performance, and our WRs can catch the passes that hit them on the numbers we should put up 35+.

Our D is good but should still stuggle against their skill players. Kearse and Polk have killed us in the past and should do so again. Looks like a shootout.



Yes, and the sheen of that home win against Hawaii has come off now that the Rainbows got blown out by UNLV... they truly are putrid when off the islands.

Sark has our number and I'd expect UW to be at least a TD favorite if Price is healthy.

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Just looked up the numbers.

Wasington is giving up 452 yds per game, ranking 108 nationally.
Hawaii is supposed to be crappy, and E. Wash is Div 1-AA and just lost to what, Montana?

Home game, first conference game, lots of emotion but those are not good numbers for the Mutts.

UDub plays the opponent...kinda like u$c does....it's hard to get a handle on a team like that .....but I suspect the huskies will be ready for Cal.....now go back to playing your golf........

Price is looking more and more like the real deal - I would love to have Montana play all game long.

I think this game is going to come down to whether or not we can pass rush and if our CBs can break up the pass

...plus....Maynard not getting picked for six or more .....and a punt being blocked.....and and ....if Cal is lucky enough that all its PATs are converted.....and.....oh I'll stop here....

BerlinerBaer;572183 said:

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U Dub looks like a classic Pac team: high-powered offense and a crappy defense. As long as we can get another 55% performance from Zach with no more than his usual pick, okay OL performance, and our WRs can catch the passes that hit them on the numbers we should put up 35+.

Our D is good but should still stuggle against their skill players. Kearse and Polk have killed us in the past and should do so again. Looks like a shootout.



Yes, and the sheen of that home win against Hawaii has come off now that the Rainbows got blown out by UNLV... they truly are putrid when off the islands.

Sark has our number and I'd expect UW to be at least a TD favorite if Price is healthy.

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How does Sark have our number when they were horrible here last year... He has Polk and Kearse and they are future first rounders.

CJA could be a Burkhead clone, but he hasn't done it yet and we can't expect him to without more evidence.

If we can develop an answer for the 3 step drop, we will win. Nickel. Have to press at the line. Have to. Maintain contact with their WRs for the full 5 yards off the line.

if our defense plays like it did against Colorado, we're going to get killed. Washington has a lot more talent on the offensive side of the ball. Our secondray is going to be tested big time. if we can hold UW to 24 points or less, i like our chances. that will be a very tall order though.

this game scares me. we'll learn a lot about this team...one way or the other.

ManBear;573015 said:

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if our defense plays like it did against Colorado, we're going to get killed. Washington has a lot more talent on the offensive side of the ball. Our secondray is going to be tested big time. if we can hold UW to 24 points or less, i like our chances. that will be a very tall order though.

this game scares me. we'll learn a lot about this team...one way or the other.

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Well said. Austin Safarian-Jenkins will test the middle of the field so Moncrease and Cattouse better be on their game. I also foresee one of their WRs clearly out the sideline and ASJ running to that point against our smaller DBs. If their QB is truly hurt we have a very good chance at stifling their passing game. This game is really going to be a challenge!

We're going to kill them.

You heard it here first.

While it is true that Maynard has thrown a couple of head-scratcher int's, I disagree w/Blueblood that he has a penchant for just throwing it up when he's in trouble and should throw the ball away. First of all, he's had 3 picks in 3 games; not great, but not that bad, either. Kind of average. Secondly, 2 of the 3 were not when he was pressured, but when there was either miscommunication w/ the WR, or he just made a bad throw. Only one was a "I'm being pressured; oh shxt! kind of throw."

Second point: I'm not sure I fully agree that w/ Vereen, we could run at will against UW; my read is that the OL is far more of a weakness (at least in run blocking) than the running back position (statistically, it appears that CJ gets stuffed about as often as Isi).

I think march2397 does have a point.....however, the question really is who is going to kill who? But I cna go with Cal having a good season if they do blow out the huskies......what worries me that UDub's coach figures out how to exploit his RB against Cal's D.....I don't know what happen to Cal's containment speed? I hope it was the altitude......we're going to find out.......cause I have a sneaky feeling that UDub is going to score first which may be okay because I think its a better motivator for Cal to be slightly behind than slightly ahead most of the game.....

drunkoski;573095 said:

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interesting. what's your basis for this theory? a blowout would mean an 8-4 or better season is a posibility.

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1. Cal clobbered Fresno. Fresno gave Huskers all they wanted at Lincoln. Could easily have won.

2. Huskers beat up the Dawgs. Dawgs banged up and lost decisively.

3. Playing at Colorado is tough. Venue is murder based on just the altitude alone. I don't buy the "it really doesn't affect you long" line. You feel like you can't breathe and are going to die. Cal still beat them.

4. Gotta believe the mistakes are going to get less even if not totally cleaned up. Team knows that, coaches know that. Just gotta believe.

5. Payback is a ____ch.

And lastly, and most compellingly, my wife is a Husky. I cannot possibly live another year and eat any more Dawg sh*te.