Posts Tagged ‘Cal’

The Demise of the PAC12. The Future of the Mountain West

Posted: August 6, 2023 in Uncategorized
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Well, well, well. As I stated August, 2022 (read my SDSU, Big 12 and PAC 12 Implosion piece) when the Bruins and Trojans accepted the invitation to join the Big 10, the PAC 12 was two schools away from complete collapse. The time has arrived. Surprisingly, not initially at my insistence of Oregon and Washington causing the rupture, rather Colorado and Arizona triggered the crumble of the once power 5 conference.

The flight of the Ducks and run of the Huskies to the Big 10 was long anticipated by yours truly. Now the Big 10 has four schools in the treasured fourth window (Pacific time) of college football (sorry, basketball has no influence in any of the August, 2022 forward movement). Two schools to four schools doubles options and flexibility surrounding scheduling on Saturday . . . and Friday (!). Yes, the Big 10 media contract insists on Friday night games. Guess which four newbies will shoulder the dreaded, unnatural Friday night exposure?

The wait-for-me exit of Arizona State and Utah to the Big 12 was their only viable option. The Big 10 wanted nothing to do with either school. Staying with the now four remaining schools was the equivalent of eating under cooked chicken and wondering why your were vomiting for days after. However, Brett Yormark’s long standing desire to provide the Big 12 with a fourth window of linear TV (to those of you wondering, linear TV is normal TV. You know, pre-app and similar broadcast platforms) remains unfulfilled. Will Mr. Yormark shy away from his stated West coast desire or is another addition or two possible?

Concerning the remains of the once vaunted PAC 12, I present to you the chalk outline of Stanford, Cal, Washington State and Oregon State. Bow your head. Pray. You recovered? Here we go.

Stanford has enough money (the root and cause of all realignment movement) to hit the Notre Dame independent road. Cal does not. Both schools are woefully short on football centered alumni (they don’t care. Shhh). The idea floated by certain commentators and wishful thinkers that the Big 10 is interested in either school is, dare I say, poppycock. Yes, harsh language for harsh idiotic ideas. Both schools feature a yawn of recent achievement in the land of football. Cal is sub .500 the last ten years while Stanford is sub .500 three of the last four years. Both results are dismal in the eyes of Midwest decision makers. Cal has no other option other than to join the Mountain West, no matter how distasteful the idea. God forbid, joining a conference with six schools featuring the word “State” in their title. The horror. If Stanford dips their toe in the water of independence, I predict a BYU experience at best. Stanford has zero national appeal and marginal regional appeal (I’m generous. Candidly, they have no appeal outside the Bay area). Joining the Mountain West provides stability as opposed to the who-knows-what-will-happen journey of life without conference affiliation.

Washington State and Oregon State generate no interest with any of the remaining Power Four conferences. Pullman (population 33,000 ) and Corvallis (population 60,000) are small towns surrounded by smaller towns in the middle of nowhere. Traveling to and from is a pain. Both schools are perfectly suited for the Mountain West. The Cougars and Beavers offer a football upgrade for the Mountain West which is most welcome. Basketball, not so much.

Finally, the remaining PAC 12 schools are staring geography in the face. Distance matters. As does a lack of outside interest, athletic departments with budget deficits and nowhere else to go. Welcome to the Mountain West!

Aztecs 45, Cal 40

Posted: September 11, 2016 in Uncategorized
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Wow.

A barn burner.  Hanging on for dear life.  Fingers slipping from the edge.

You get the idea.

Among many mind blowing (as far as football is concerned) numbers, please consider the following:

4 plus hours of football (what is this?  A Red Sox/Evil Empire game?).

Cal ran 94 offensive plays.

SDSU had 70 offensive plays (for a game total of 164).

Their qb threw 72 passes (he completed 41).

15 kickoffs.

SDSU limited Cal to less than six minutes of ball time in the second and fourth quarters.

SDSU was flagged 14 times for 105 yards.

Once we took the lead at 28-21, we held the lead; 31-21, 38-21, 38-28, 38-34, 45-34, 45-40.

42,473 butts in the seats without the promise of post-game fireworks (the game was the fireworks show).

A tip of the hat to Donnel Pumphrey for the inevitable run past Marshall Faulk.  The fact Donnel teared up on the sideline is testament to a young man noting his place in NCAA history.

While Christian Chapman struggled, he limited bad decisions to a botched snap and one interception.  14/23 for 129 yards (while averaging just shy of ten yards per completion) was enough production in light of pound and ground for 334 yards (281 of those yards belonging to Mr. Pumphrey).  The offensive line, tight ends and fullback were exceptional.

The defense made plays when all seemed lost.  How do we win when we give up 604 yards of Cal offense?  How do we win when we give up 522 passing yards?  By making three interceptions and returning one for a touchdown.  That’s how.  The old “bend, but do not break” applied.  Trite?  Perhaps.  But, applicable.  Damontae Kazee’s acrobatic pick with seconds remaining sealed the win.  A wild end to a wild ride.

At last, we beat a Rigged 5 team.  A signature win?  I say no.  But, a quality win nonetheless.

2-0.

Aztecs 31, University of New Hampshire 0.

Posted: September 5, 2016 in Uncategorized
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Yes, a good start.  As mentioned in my SDSU season preview, non-con games at home are often a source of disappointment.  Thankfully, the Aztec defense completely eliminated any semblance of University of New Hampshire (UNH from this point forward) offense.  How complete?

71 rushing yards.  70 passing yards.  That complete.  For good measure, each UNH rushing attempt averaged a meager 2.3 yards while each passing attempt was capped at 3.5 yards.  That is Rocky Long defense.  Also, not once did UNH enter the treasured red zone.  Include 0-14 on third down attempts.  Impressive Aztec defense.

Christian Chapman did quite well with a line of 16/25/283.  Two td passes and zero interceptions.  Christian averaged a respectable 17.1 yards per completion.  Stretching the field makes for a clicking offense.  Eric Judge (5/54) and Mikah Holder (4/160) were the primary beneficiaries of Christian’s arm.   Donnel Pumphrey was well contained by the UNH defense.  Any team that holds Donnel to 98 yards rushing is to be applauded.  I did note that when Donnel ran to the right side, not much happened.  When he ran up the middle and to the left, he was successful.  However, the Aztecs did churn 461 yards of total offense by the end of the game.  Well balanced.

Cal is next.  Here comes the week long moan of not beating a PAC-12 team since the beginning of time or at least the creation of football.  Please stop.  If Donnel runs free and Mr. Chapman has consecutive productive, error free games, we beat Cal.  Recall, they played Hawaii two weeks ago and allowed 31 points.  The Rainbow offense is nowhere near our offense.

1-0.

 

35-7, Cal Whomps The Aztecs

Posted: September 13, 2015 in Uncategorized
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First, the good since the game wasn’t all bad.  The Aztec offense had the ball for 34 plus minutes.  Granted, we did little to nothing with the ball, but we at least possessed the ball.  Tanner Blain had 4 of 9 punts land inside the 20 yard line.  Plus, Mr. Blain averaged 40.6 yards per boot.  Rashaad Penny had a rushing line of 5/34 for better than six and a half yards per carry.  So much for the good.

Now for the bad.  The flags were flying.  Each time offensive momentum seemed to build, behold, the yellow flag.  12 penalties for 136 yards stops a lot of momentum.  5 personal fouls (a couple seemed less than devious, though bad football cannot be explained away by less than average officiating) indicates an unprepared team.

During the third quarter, Cal found their running game.  Daniel Lasco and Vic Enwere (especially) ran through the San Diego State defense like a fat man cutting a steak.  Both Mr. Lasco and Mr. Enwere averaged 6.5 yards per carry.  Both these gentlemen were well acquainted with the Aztec defensive backs because those five were all that stood between Mr. Lasco and Mr. Enwere consuming more yardage.

The combined efforts of Maxwell Smith and Christian Chapman resulted in 14/32 for 173 yards with 2 interceptions (one each).  After the impressive first drive that resulted in the only SDSU score, Mr. Smith returned to his USD game demeanor:  largely ineffective.  Mr. Chapman displayed impressive mobility coupled with bad decision-making.  Aztec coaches Long, Horton and Morgan must decide between Mr. Smith’s 10/19/136 or Mr. Chapman’s 4/14/37 performance to determine the best season solution at the quarterback spot.  I’m not a fan of rotating quarterbacks, though I’m sure none of the above mentioned coaches care.  While my prior posts have shown a clear preference for Mr. Smith to be the starting quarterback, I now find myself lobbying on behalf of the more dynamic (he can run when he needs to) Mr. Chapman, youth be damned.  Candidly, when the Aztecs register a grand total of 325 offensive yards and a long pass of a pathetic 33 yards, let us lean decidedly to the future development of a redshirt freshman.

Speaking of total yards, our lauded Aztec defense was awful.  Specifically, Damontae Kazee and Malik Smith were less than stellar.  While the blitz was occasionally effective, our lack of defensive pressure allowed the Cal quarterback far too much time far too often.  Yet, I do not offer that fact as an excuse for our bad pass coverage.  Allowing 485 total yards on the road or home or anywhere is further proof of an unprepared defense.

Thus, game two.

As for next week against South Alabama, beware and be prepared.

 

 

 

37-3, Aztecs Butt Ugly Over USD

Posted: September 6, 2015 in Uncategorized
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Aztecs be concerned.  37-3 should be a time to expand the chest and walk about in pride.  But, not this game.  While not calling for fear, do find substantial pause for thought.

Granted, the defense was tremendous.  But, they should be tremendous against USD.  Holding the Toreros to less than 200 yards total offense deserves praise.  As does five picks.  As does two defensive touchdowns.  A great first game against a team that did not have a chance (no offense, USD).

And now for the concern.  Maxwell Smith was awful.  I mean Nick Bawden awful.  9/21 with an interception.  100 yards.  Sailing the ball past wide open receivers (and tight ends and running backs) all night.  Mr. Smith was appallingly ineffective.  Further proof (do you need any?) includes the 6/14 on third down conversions.  Against USD.  Please.  The offensive line must improve quickly.  As in the next few practices prior to Cal or we score no more than 10 points against the Bears.  The Aztec offense generated a measly 305 total yards.  Boo.  One offensive touchdown.  One.  Our defense outscored our offense.  Say those words again.  How about the 15 first downs?  Put up 15 first downs against any other opponent, even South Alabama, and we lose.  Badly.

Speaking of offense, thank you, Donny Hageman.  3/3 from 33, 36 and 37.  Confidence.  Perhaps the rest of the offense will consult with you.  Charge a fee.

To those of us sporting those ugly rose-colored glasses, lose them.  Stomp on those distorters (new word).  Smash.  Grind into the asphalt.  Say, “grrr” while doing so.  Very little to cheer about this effort.

On behalf of the 48,785 (a third of whom wandered in during the fourth quarter to discover a football game in progress), thank you.