I for one am glad CFB season is back and I am very much looking forward to this game coming up on Saturday. I am definitely a fan of the Big 12 and KSU in general. I also enjoy seeing any team in the Big 12 pound a Pac-10 opponent and that is exactly what I am expecting to happen here.
KSU’s strength last year was it’s rushing offense. The key pieces to that attack Roberson and Sproles are back this year. I think they have some work to do on their offensive line, but that seems to be a constant in college football these days. I’m not worried about KSU’s OL coming together, especially against Cal. KSU’s passing offense was not spectacular last year, but that may have been more from a lack of emphasis rather than ability. I think Roberson showed much more maturity last year and this year I expect him to have complete command of the offense. I do not think he can burn a team passing the ball only, but set up from the run/option attack he can be very dangerous through the air.
Cal’s defense last year was not spectacular. Their rushing defense actually ranked 19th which is respectable, but I’ve always thought some Pac-10 rushing defense stats were inflated due to the fact that it is a pass happy league, IMHO. Add to that the Bears return only three starters to their defense and this will likely be a unit that will need time to gel. I’m of the opinion that playing KSU is not the best time to have a defense in need of chemistry. Cal’s defense pretty much sucked so the large amount of turnover may be a good thing. While change can certainly lead to positive results I usually like to see a softer opening schedule to give all the new players time to learn the system in real live action. I don't expect Cal to stop KSU on the ground which should lead to big plays through the air as well. I think it will get ugly.
KSU’s defense was also quite stout racking up impressive numbers against inferior OOC teams and the tough Big 12 as well. Tedford is probably known for his offensive mind and ability to develop qb’s. As far as I can tell none of Cal’s qb’s are tearing up summer practice and the battle will between a senior, who may know the system and a JUCO transfer that is currently learning it. Either way I would expect the offense to be handcuffed in it’s opening game. KSU has an aggressive defense that can become susceptible to misdirection and over pursuit. However for playing such an aggressive brand of defense they tend to stay fundamentally sound for the most part. I don’t think Cal will be able to muster the running game to keep KSU off balance. KSU biggest ? may be in their secondary. I think this is where they will have to do their damage, but with a new qb with little to no experience I don’t know that this is the best setting for that to happen.
KSU has shown time and time again that they can somewhat seamlessly move JUCO’s into the starting lineup and not skip too many beats. This is what I will expect them to do again this year. Cal on the other hand will have to prove that they can use JUCO players and freshman to fill key roles and add depth in much the same way KSU does. I will be surprised if Cal can find a cohesive unit on either side of the ball with so much turnover in game one, on the road against a good team. I will be even more surprised if they can find solid depth so early in the season as well. I think they will need both of these things in game one to have any chance to cover this spread. It’s a large number which is scary, but Snyder would run up the score on his own mother if given half the chance. Cal may be able to hang in this one for awhile, but I expect the superior team to punish them from beginning to end. I expect this one to get out of hand and unlike the Holiday Bowl last year I expect them to come out focused and bent on destroying Cal. I wouldn’t compare Cal’s team favorably to ASU’s end of the year team last year.
Therefore I like KSU (-26.5)
I haven't seen a total yet, but I'm expecting a good total to play the over on.
This is a local number, but I understand that it’s currently at 26.5 to 27.5 on the web. I like all these numbers as well but I like mine the best. I wish I had gotten in at 24, but I don’t really think it will matter. I fully expect a blowout in this one. Being on this side of a large number scares me a bit, but I do like KSU to cover it.
Don't listen to me. Tell me what you think, God knows I've been wrong before.
KSU’s strength last year was it’s rushing offense. The key pieces to that attack Roberson and Sproles are back this year. I think they have some work to do on their offensive line, but that seems to be a constant in college football these days. I’m not worried about KSU’s OL coming together, especially against Cal. KSU’s passing offense was not spectacular last year, but that may have been more from a lack of emphasis rather than ability. I think Roberson showed much more maturity last year and this year I expect him to have complete command of the offense. I do not think he can burn a team passing the ball only, but set up from the run/option attack he can be very dangerous through the air.
Cal’s defense last year was not spectacular. Their rushing defense actually ranked 19th which is respectable, but I’ve always thought some Pac-10 rushing defense stats were inflated due to the fact that it is a pass happy league, IMHO. Add to that the Bears return only three starters to their defense and this will likely be a unit that will need time to gel. I’m of the opinion that playing KSU is not the best time to have a defense in need of chemistry. Cal’s defense pretty much sucked so the large amount of turnover may be a good thing. While change can certainly lead to positive results I usually like to see a softer opening schedule to give all the new players time to learn the system in real live action. I don't expect Cal to stop KSU on the ground which should lead to big plays through the air as well. I think it will get ugly.
KSU’s defense was also quite stout racking up impressive numbers against inferior OOC teams and the tough Big 12 as well. Tedford is probably known for his offensive mind and ability to develop qb’s. As far as I can tell none of Cal’s qb’s are tearing up summer practice and the battle will between a senior, who may know the system and a JUCO transfer that is currently learning it. Either way I would expect the offense to be handcuffed in it’s opening game. KSU has an aggressive defense that can become susceptible to misdirection and over pursuit. However for playing such an aggressive brand of defense they tend to stay fundamentally sound for the most part. I don’t think Cal will be able to muster the running game to keep KSU off balance. KSU biggest ? may be in their secondary. I think this is where they will have to do their damage, but with a new qb with little to no experience I don’t know that this is the best setting for that to happen.
KSU has shown time and time again that they can somewhat seamlessly move JUCO’s into the starting lineup and not skip too many beats. This is what I will expect them to do again this year. Cal on the other hand will have to prove that they can use JUCO players and freshman to fill key roles and add depth in much the same way KSU does. I will be surprised if Cal can find a cohesive unit on either side of the ball with so much turnover in game one, on the road against a good team. I will be even more surprised if they can find solid depth so early in the season as well. I think they will need both of these things in game one to have any chance to cover this spread. It’s a large number which is scary, but Snyder would run up the score on his own mother if given half the chance. Cal may be able to hang in this one for awhile, but I expect the superior team to punish them from beginning to end. I expect this one to get out of hand and unlike the Holiday Bowl last year I expect them to come out focused and bent on destroying Cal. I wouldn’t compare Cal’s team favorably to ASU’s end of the year team last year.
Therefore I like KSU (-26.5)
I haven't seen a total yet, but I'm expecting a good total to play the over on.
This is a local number, but I understand that it’s currently at 26.5 to 27.5 on the web. I like all these numbers as well but I like mine the best. I wish I had gotten in at 24, but I don’t really think it will matter. I fully expect a blowout in this one. Being on this side of a large number scares me a bit, but I do like KSU to cover it.
Don't listen to me. Tell me what you think, God knows I've been wrong before.
