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We know the Pac-10 features USC…and another nine teams. Each week, I will pick one of the "forgotten nine" who has an interesting matchup, watch its game, and provide you with some observations/analysis that you can bring to the cooler talk.
The most interesting matchup involving a Pac-10 team not named USC this weekend was the game between 24th-ranked Oregon State and 6th-ranked TCU at Cowboys Stadium. Although the game was technically on "neutral" turf, Cowboys Stadium is less than 20 miles away from the TCU campus, so one could have expected TCU to have the crowd behind them in this marquee matchup. The college football world highly anticipated this game for several reasons. First, the game represented a formidable early challenge for TCU, who looks to be the first mid-major to reach the BCS Championship Game. A loss to Oregon State early would seriously jeopardize TCU's chances at cracking the top 5 later in the season. Second, many see Oregon State as a dark horse in a highly competitive Pac-10 Conference. The Beavers feature dynamic playmakers, most notably running back Jacquizz Rodgers and his brother, wide receiver James Rodgers. Basically, a loss by either team would end its national championship hopes. Unfortunately, for the Beavers, they got the short end of the stick tonight. The game was a great back-and-forth affair, but in the end, TCU managed to salvage a victory and keep its lofty goals intact. Here are five takeaways from tonight's battle:
1. TCU quarterback Andy Dalton may not have gaudy statistics, but he sure knows how to win. During the game, much was made about Dalton's win total as a starter. After tonight's victory, he took over sole position as TCU's all-time winningest quarterback (one ahead of legend Sammy Baugh). Furthermore, he leads all active college quarterbacks in wins (slightly ahead of Boise State's Kellen Moore and Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor). Honestly, as I watched the game, I was not very impressed with Dalton's arm or pure passing abilities. He threw an interception on TCU's first drive of the game (the first of two on the night). He never really got into a rhythm and his pedestrian line testifies to that (17-for-27, 175 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions). But Dalton proved his worth with his legs tonight. Dalton rushed 15 times for 64 total yards and 2 touchdowns. But even more impressive, and not evident in the box score, was that Dalton ran for a first down on SEVEN different third-down situations. Talk about clutch. And Dalton does not slide like most quarterbacks. Instead, he lowers his head and dives for first downs and for extra yardage. While I am sure the head coach cringes every time Dalton does that, you gotta love his moxie.
2. Oregon State quarterback Ryan Katz will be a great quarterback in a year or two. Head coach Mike Riley has told reporters that Katz has an NFL-arm, and Riley was not exaggerating. Katz made very impressive throws throughout the game, highlighted by a 30-yard strike to James Rodgers and a 34-yard bomb to Jordan Bishop, both of which were caught by the two receivers without breaking stride. Katz showed incredible arm strength and throw velocity. However, Katz' accuracy needs some sharpening, and that will come over time. Also, Katz' decision-making was suspect at times during tonight's game, and again, that should improve with experience. Katz finished 9-for-25 with 159 yards and 2 touchdowns. His 17.7 yards-per-completion average means that he is a downfield passer who makes Oregon State a legitimate quick-strike offense.
3. James Rodgers is the real deal and should get nationwide attention for his playmaking ability. Last season I was skeptical on James Rodgers' emergence; I thought he simply lucked into some big plays and beneficial matchups. But his performance tonight made me a believer. James Rodgers is lightning fast and deceivingly strong. On multiple occasions, James Rodgers blew by a notoriously quick TCU defense. In the third quarter, James Rodgers caught a short pass from Katz and turned it into an important 22-yard gain. Simply put, if Oregon State can find consistent ways to get this guy the ball in open space, he can win some games for that team.
4. As good as James Rodgers is, Oregon State needs his brother, Jacquizz, more. I think the reason why the Beavers lost tonight was because they could not get Jacquizz Rodgers going on the ground. Although he ended up gaining 75 yards on 18 carries (1 touchdown), most of that came in the second half. Through the first half, Quizz only had 10 carries for 24 yards, 15 yards of which game on one carry. Oregon State made a concerted effort to feature Jacquizz in their first drive of the third quarter (3 carries, 24 yards, 1 touchdown), and that's when they were able to put together their best drive of the game. But in the end his performance was not enough to get the Beavers over the hump. I believe that if Oregon State hopes to win any game, either Jacquizz Rodgers has to rush for over 100 yards or James Rodgers has to catch for over 100 yards. If neither happens, the Beavers cannot win.
5. Of the teams ranked in the preseason top 10, TCU had the most impressive victory (Boise State/Virginia Tech pending). They beat a dangerous Oregon State team by limiting its key playmakers. Last season's top ranked defense stepped up to the challenge and their team leader, Andy Dalton, put the team on his back. It was also staggering how dominant TCU was on the ground. If you did not know the final score, and I told you that one team out-rushed the other 278 to 73, you would probably guess that Jacquizz had a huge game. On the contrary, Ed Wesley rushed 17 times for 134 yards, Matthew Tucker added 74 yards, and of course I told you about Dalton's 64.
The most interesting matchup involving a Pac-10 team not named USC this weekend was the game between 24th-ranked Oregon State and 6th-ranked TCU at Cowboys Stadium. Although the game was technically on "neutral" turf, Cowboys Stadium is less than 20 miles away from the TCU campus, so one could have expected TCU to have the crowd behind them in this marquee matchup. The college football world highly anticipated this game for several reasons. First, the game represented a formidable early challenge for TCU, who looks to be the first mid-major to reach the BCS Championship Game. A loss to Oregon State early would seriously jeopardize TCU's chances at cracking the top 5 later in the season. Second, many see Oregon State as a dark horse in a highly competitive Pac-10 Conference. The Beavers feature dynamic playmakers, most notably running back Jacquizz Rodgers and his brother, wide receiver James Rodgers. Basically, a loss by either team would end its national championship hopes. Unfortunately, for the Beavers, they got the short end of the stick tonight. The game was a great back-and-forth affair, but in the end, TCU managed to salvage a victory and keep its lofty goals intact. Here are five takeaways from tonight's battle:
1. TCU quarterback Andy Dalton may not have gaudy statistics, but he sure knows how to win. During the game, much was made about Dalton's win total as a starter. After tonight's victory, he took over sole position as TCU's all-time winningest quarterback (one ahead of legend Sammy Baugh). Furthermore, he leads all active college quarterbacks in wins (slightly ahead of Boise State's Kellen Moore and Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor). Honestly, as I watched the game, I was not very impressed with Dalton's arm or pure passing abilities. He threw an interception on TCU's first drive of the game (the first of two on the night). He never really got into a rhythm and his pedestrian line testifies to that (17-for-27, 175 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions). But Dalton proved his worth with his legs tonight. Dalton rushed 15 times for 64 total yards and 2 touchdowns. But even more impressive, and not evident in the box score, was that Dalton ran for a first down on SEVEN different third-down situations. Talk about clutch. And Dalton does not slide like most quarterbacks. Instead, he lowers his head and dives for first downs and for extra yardage. While I am sure the head coach cringes every time Dalton does that, you gotta love his moxie.
2. Oregon State quarterback Ryan Katz will be a great quarterback in a year or two. Head coach Mike Riley has told reporters that Katz has an NFL-arm, and Riley was not exaggerating. Katz made very impressive throws throughout the game, highlighted by a 30-yard strike to James Rodgers and a 34-yard bomb to Jordan Bishop, both of which were caught by the two receivers without breaking stride. Katz showed incredible arm strength and throw velocity. However, Katz' accuracy needs some sharpening, and that will come over time. Also, Katz' decision-making was suspect at times during tonight's game, and again, that should improve with experience. Katz finished 9-for-25 with 159 yards and 2 touchdowns. His 17.7 yards-per-completion average means that he is a downfield passer who makes Oregon State a legitimate quick-strike offense.
3. James Rodgers is the real deal and should get nationwide attention for his playmaking ability. Last season I was skeptical on James Rodgers' emergence; I thought he simply lucked into some big plays and beneficial matchups. But his performance tonight made me a believer. James Rodgers is lightning fast and deceivingly strong. On multiple occasions, James Rodgers blew by a notoriously quick TCU defense. In the third quarter, James Rodgers caught a short pass from Katz and turned it into an important 22-yard gain. Simply put, if Oregon State can find consistent ways to get this guy the ball in open space, he can win some games for that team.
4. As good as James Rodgers is, Oregon State needs his brother, Jacquizz, more. I think the reason why the Beavers lost tonight was because they could not get Jacquizz Rodgers going on the ground. Although he ended up gaining 75 yards on 18 carries (1 touchdown), most of that came in the second half. Through the first half, Quizz only had 10 carries for 24 yards, 15 yards of which game on one carry. Oregon State made a concerted effort to feature Jacquizz in their first drive of the third quarter (3 carries, 24 yards, 1 touchdown), and that's when they were able to put together their best drive of the game. But in the end his performance was not enough to get the Beavers over the hump. I believe that if Oregon State hopes to win any game, either Jacquizz Rodgers has to rush for over 100 yards or James Rodgers has to catch for over 100 yards. If neither happens, the Beavers cannot win.
5. Of the teams ranked in the preseason top 10, TCU had the most impressive victory (Boise State/Virginia Tech pending). They beat a dangerous Oregon State team by limiting its key playmakers. Last season's top ranked defense stepped up to the challenge and their team leader, Andy Dalton, put the team on his back. It was also staggering how dominant TCU was on the ground. If you did not know the final score, and I told you that one team out-rushed the other 278 to 73, you would probably guess that Jacquizz had a huge game. On the contrary, Ed Wesley rushed 17 times for 134 yards, Matthew Tucker added 74 yards, and of course I told you about Dalton's 64.
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