Pac-12: Brandon Bair
Preseason position reviews: Defensive tackle
July, 11, 2011
7/11/11
9:00
AM ET
By
Ted Miller | ESPN.com
No team in the Pac-12 wows you at defensive tackle. No team is a sure thing. There is a lot of "maybe" at the position. And probably some maybe not.
The uncertainty of quality -- both in terms of returning stars and depth -- made this a difficult position to rank. For example, Washington has a nice foursome at tackle, led by Alameda Ta'amu, who might be the best tackle in the conference.
That's great. Good for the Huskies. But they ranked 97th in the country in run defense last year. You sort of pause over that, you know?
So a lot of this ranking is feel thing, a projection of potential. And "great shape" here is relative to the conference. Nebraska, for example, wouldn't exchange its tackles -- Jared Crick and Baker Steinkuhler -- for any Pac-12 tandem.
Some of this figures to inspire a bit of debate.
Great shape
USC: This may be in some part based on fumes from the Trojans reputation at the position. It definitely includes a vote of faith that they will get a 100 percent Christian Tupou back from the knee injury that killed his 2010 season. If so, the threesome of Tupou, George Uko and DaJohn Harris is strong. And if you toss in Armond Armstead -- who missed spring with an undisclosed medical condition that threatens his career -- you'd have a clear No. 1.
Washington: Ta'amu seemed to find himself during the second half of last year, and the 330-pounder could end up getting some All-American consideration if he consistently plays like he did against Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl. Sione Potoa'e and Semisi Tokolahi are both experienced, and Lawrence Lagafuaina a space-grabbing, 344-pound redshirt freshman.
Colorado: The Buffaloes are sneaky good here, even though they only ranked 48th in the nation in run defense in 2010. Both starters, Will Pericak and Curtis Cunningham, are back, but Conrad Obi was a revelation this spring. He looked like a future NFL draft choice, not a player who'd mostly been a bust. Nate Bonsu, who missed spring with a knee injury, also should help.
Good shape
Utah: The Utes, who ranked 11th in the nation in run defense in 2010, lost Sealver Siliga, but they believe they have a budding star in, er, Star Lotulelei, while James Aiono, LT Tuipulotu and Joape Peta are solid. Also, Dave Kruger, who played end this spring, is 280 pounds and can play inside.
Arizona: The loss of backup Willie Mobley to a knee injury hurts depth, but Justin Washington figures to take a step forward after an impressive true freshman season, Sione Tuihalamaka started four games in 2010. Depth is a question. The Wildcats ranked 33rd in the nation in run defense last fall.
Oregon: On the one hand, Oregon lost both starting defensive tackles in Brandon Bair and Zac Clark from a unit that ranked 27th in the nation in run defense. On the other, they played so many guys last fall, the new starters are experienced players. Further, Ricky Heimuli, Taylor Hart, Wade Keliikipi, Isaac Remington and Jared Ebert played well enough this spring to suggest the position will be a strength in the fall.
Arizona State: If Lawrence Guy didn't make his ill-fated decision to enter the NFL draft, the Sun Devils, who were 16th in the nation against the run last fall, would be in great shape here. As it was, Will Sutton had a great spring and looks like a potential All-Conference guy. Grinder Bo Moos is listed as the starter at the other tackle, though he could be eclipsed by Corey Adams. Toa Tuitea saw limited action last year.
UCLA: The Bruins defensive line was terrible last year, ranking 108th in the nation against the run, but the talent is there for a significant turnaround. Cassius Marsh, Nate Chandler, Justin Edison, Donovan Carter and Seali'i Epenesa should do a much better job plugging the middle.
California: Cal is actually fine here, despite the loss of NG Derrick Hill. For one, when you run a 3-4 defense, it's hard to rate your DTs, even if your DEs often operate like them. The Bears have two solid options at NG in Aaron Tipoti and Kendrick Payne, and it's also possible that touted 350-pound incoming freshman Viliami Moala will eclipse both of them.
We'll see
Oregon State: Dominic Glover moves inside from end and Kevin Frahm has experience, but this unit didn't play well last year -- 89th in run defense -- even with one of the best DTs in the nation in Stephen Paea. 340-pound Castro Masaniai could help but he missed spring after shoulder surgery and has off-field issues. There's also Mana Tuivailala and Ben Motter.
Stanford: Like Cal, Stanford runs a 3-4, so it naturally it is going to suffer a bit in DT rankings. More important: The loss of Sione Fua is significant. Terrence Stephens and Henry Anderson had solid springs but neither has much experience.
Washington State: Brandon Rankin, a returning starter, was listed No. 2 on the depth chart behind Anthony Laurenzi after spring practices, with redshirt freshman Toni Pole No. 1 at the other tackle. Justin Clayton, Steven Hoffart and Xavier Cooper provide depth. It's not unreasonable for Cougars fans to expect improvement, perhaps significant improvement. But a team that ranked 115th in the nation in run defense the previous season is automatically a "We'll see" here.
The uncertainty of quality -- both in terms of returning stars and depth -- made this a difficult position to rank. For example, Washington has a nice foursome at tackle, led by Alameda Ta'amu, who might be the best tackle in the conference.
That's great. Good for the Huskies. But they ranked 97th in the country in run defense last year. You sort of pause over that, you know?
So a lot of this ranking is feel thing, a projection of potential. And "great shape" here is relative to the conference. Nebraska, for example, wouldn't exchange its tackles -- Jared Crick and Baker Steinkuhler -- for any Pac-12 tandem.
Some of this figures to inspire a bit of debate.
Great shape
USC: This may be in some part based on fumes from the Trojans reputation at the position. It definitely includes a vote of faith that they will get a 100 percent Christian Tupou back from the knee injury that killed his 2010 season. If so, the threesome of Tupou, George Uko and DaJohn Harris is strong. And if you toss in Armond Armstead -- who missed spring with an undisclosed medical condition that threatens his career -- you'd have a clear No. 1.
Washington: Ta'amu seemed to find himself during the second half of last year, and the 330-pounder could end up getting some All-American consideration if he consistently plays like he did against Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl. Sione Potoa'e and Semisi Tokolahi are both experienced, and Lawrence Lagafuaina a space-grabbing, 344-pound redshirt freshman.
Colorado: The Buffaloes are sneaky good here, even though they only ranked 48th in the nation in run defense in 2010. Both starters, Will Pericak and Curtis Cunningham, are back, but Conrad Obi was a revelation this spring. He looked like a future NFL draft choice, not a player who'd mostly been a bust. Nate Bonsu, who missed spring with a knee injury, also should help.
Good shape
Utah: The Utes, who ranked 11th in the nation in run defense in 2010, lost Sealver Siliga, but they believe they have a budding star in, er, Star Lotulelei, while James Aiono, LT Tuipulotu and Joape Peta are solid. Also, Dave Kruger, who played end this spring, is 280 pounds and can play inside.
Arizona: The loss of backup Willie Mobley to a knee injury hurts depth, but Justin Washington figures to take a step forward after an impressive true freshman season, Sione Tuihalamaka started four games in 2010. Depth is a question. The Wildcats ranked 33rd in the nation in run defense last fall.
Oregon: On the one hand, Oregon lost both starting defensive tackles in Brandon Bair and Zac Clark from a unit that ranked 27th in the nation in run defense. On the other, they played so many guys last fall, the new starters are experienced players. Further, Ricky Heimuli, Taylor Hart, Wade Keliikipi, Isaac Remington and Jared Ebert played well enough this spring to suggest the position will be a strength in the fall.
Arizona State: If Lawrence Guy didn't make his ill-fated decision to enter the NFL draft, the Sun Devils, who were 16th in the nation against the run last fall, would be in great shape here. As it was, Will Sutton had a great spring and looks like a potential All-Conference guy. Grinder Bo Moos is listed as the starter at the other tackle, though he could be eclipsed by Corey Adams. Toa Tuitea saw limited action last year.
UCLA: The Bruins defensive line was terrible last year, ranking 108th in the nation against the run, but the talent is there for a significant turnaround. Cassius Marsh, Nate Chandler, Justin Edison, Donovan Carter and Seali'i Epenesa should do a much better job plugging the middle.
California: Cal is actually fine here, despite the loss of NG Derrick Hill. For one, when you run a 3-4 defense, it's hard to rate your DTs, even if your DEs often operate like them. The Bears have two solid options at NG in Aaron Tipoti and Kendrick Payne, and it's also possible that touted 350-pound incoming freshman Viliami Moala will eclipse both of them.
We'll see
Oregon State: Dominic Glover moves inside from end and Kevin Frahm has experience, but this unit didn't play well last year -- 89th in run defense -- even with one of the best DTs in the nation in Stephen Paea. 340-pound Castro Masaniai could help but he missed spring after shoulder surgery and has off-field issues. There's also Mana Tuivailala and Ben Motter.
Stanford: Like Cal, Stanford runs a 3-4, so it naturally it is going to suffer a bit in DT rankings. More important: The loss of Sione Fua is significant. Terrence Stephens and Henry Anderson had solid springs but neither has much experience.
Washington State: Brandon Rankin, a returning starter, was listed No. 2 on the depth chart behind Anthony Laurenzi after spring practices, with redshirt freshman Toni Pole No. 1 at the other tackle. Justin Clayton, Steven Hoffart and Xavier Cooper provide depth. It's not unreasonable for Cougars fans to expect improvement, perhaps significant improvement. But a team that ranked 115th in the nation in run defense the previous season is automatically a "We'll see" here.
This will be my final post on our 2010 top 25 players rankings. It's also a line between looking back at the Pac-10 and looking forward to the Pac-12.
This post projects ahead: These players are the leading candidates for a preseason top 25.
First, here's who's back in 2011 -- 11 players -- from our top-25.
1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
4. Darron Thomas, QB, Oregon
6. Juron Criner, WR, Arizona
7. Chris Polk, RB, Washington
11. Omar Bolden, CB, Arizona State
13. Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State
14. Matt Barkley, QB, USC
18. Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
22. Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon
23. Jermaine Kearse, WR, Washington
And here's who's back -- nine players -- from our "left-out list."
Shayne Skov, LB, Stanford
Chase Thomas, LB, Stanford
Mychal Kendricks, LB, California
John Boyett, FS, Oregon
Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State
Jeff Tuel, QB, Washington State
Delano Howell, SS, Stanford
So that's 20 front-runners for the next list we'll put together this summer. Also, don't forget that competition will be more intense with the inclusion of Utah and Colorado for the next list.
Or will the Utes and/or Buffaloes get shutout? Neither welcomes back a first-team all-conference player from the Mountain West or Big 12, respectively (Colorado doesn't have a second-team player coming back, either).
Should be pretty interesting.
This post projects ahead: These players are the leading candidates for a preseason top 25.
First, here's who's back in 2011 -- 11 players -- from our top-25.
1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
4. Darron Thomas, QB, Oregon
6. Juron Criner, WR, Arizona
7. Chris Polk, RB, Washington
11. Omar Bolden, CB, Arizona State
13. Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State
14. Matt Barkley, QB, USC
18. Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
22. Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon
23. Jermaine Kearse, WR, Washington
And here's who's back -- nine players -- from our "left-out list."
Shayne Skov, LB, Stanford
Chase Thomas, LB, Stanford
Mychal Kendricks, LB, California
John Boyett, FS, Oregon
Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State
Jeff Tuel, QB, Washington State
Delano Howell, SS, Stanford
So that's 20 front-runners for the next list we'll put together this summer. Also, don't forget that competition will be more intense with the inclusion of Utah and Colorado for the next list.
Or will the Utes and/or Buffaloes get shutout? Neither welcomes back a first-team all-conference player from the Mountain West or Big 12, respectively (Colorado doesn't have a second-team player coming back, either).
Should be pretty interesting.
Welcome to the "How the heck could you be so stupid, Pac-12 blog!" post.
Our ranking of the top-25 Pac-10 -- not Pac-12 yet -- players is over. Here is our final tally.
Sure each of you has some sort of gripe with the list, and I would hope you would. The cool kids hang out here, and cool kids don't agree on everything because then they wouldn't be cool.
The most popular harrumph was the omission of Stanford's two-way player, Owen Marecic. I completely understand that. I likely would have ranked him 26th, but even then I would have paused. I will tell you why in a moment.
The angry mobilization by typically "read but don't comment" Stanford fans was great, though. I anticipated both the irritation with Marecic's absence and the general frustration with the lack of Stanford players on the list. Both reactions were perfectly reasonable, and the zealousness was fun. There were plenty of "What about Stanford?" moments for me while I toiled over the final list.
So now I will take on the unenviable task of briefly explaining why players didn't make the list. I'm guessing I will want to take a shower afterwards because the "left-out list" includes many outstanding players, many of whom will be high draft choices this year and in years to come.
But Marecic gets special treatment; he goes first. Here's my reasoning.
Yes, Marecic is a great story. Two-way player. Good on both sides of the ball. Tough guy. Quiet. Cool hair. Cult hero. Really, really smart. Tenth in the Heisman Trophy vote. Jim Harbaugh struggled each week to top the previous week's praise of a guy he repeatedly called "his favorite player."
But here's the problem: 1. He was the second best fullback in the conference (USC's Stanley Havili was the best; he didn't make the list); 2. He was Stanford's fourth-best linebacker -- see the numbers here.
And then he had the Shayne Skov, Chase Thomas, Sione Fua, Delano Howell, Jonathan Martin, David DeCastro problem. If you were picking a team for a high-stakes game, you'd pick those guys -- all Cardinal teammates -- before Marecic. And none of those guys made the list.
Yes, you would. Trust me. If, say, you were playing for $10 million, you'd pick one of them. Why? Because a good fullback and solid-to-middling linebacker isn't as valuable as an outstanding one-way player.
Nor would you pick Marecic over Shane Vereen, No. 25 on our list. Before you scream at your computer screen, let your mind drift back to this unhappy memory, Stanford fans.
Now, Stanford fans, take heart. This summer, we will begin an top-25 preseason list, and at this point you figure to get as many as six guys on that list, including No. 1 overall.
Also, it might help to look at the list below. Not exactly chopped liver.
This list is roughly in the order of consideration.
Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA: He's a cool dude. He's going to be off the NFL draft board before the end of the second round. But he didn't put up great numbers for a bad defense.
Brandon Bair, DT, Oregon: Bair's production went down over the second half of the season. He got beaten up a bit, and offensive coordinators starting paying him more attention. Further, I was already uncomfortable with seven players from one team on the list.
Shayne Skov, LB, Stanford: Love his game. Got better as year went on. Just missed the cut. He, Vontaze Burfict and Mychal Kendricks are your first-team All-Pac-12 LBs in 2011.
Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona: 21.5 sacks over the past two seasons, including a conference-leading 11 in 2010. But Brooks Reed was a better player, and Elmore had a couple of off games. At one point, he was fighting to retain his starting job over D'Aundre Reed.
Chase Thomas, LB, Stanford: A close second to Skov as the most productive player on the Stanford defense.
Sione Fua, NT, Stanford: Fua might have been the conference's most underrated player. So why stop now?
Mychal Kendricks, LB, California: 15 tackles for a loss. Highly productive. Highly talented. But he didn't fully arrive in 2010.
Jake Locker, QB, Washington: He may still end up a first-round draft choice but his numbers just weren't good enough this fall.
John Boyett, FS, Oregon: Got caught in the shuffle of Ducks. Further, the coaches didn't pick him first- or second-team All-Pac-10, rating him behind Cal's Chris Conte, UCLA's Rahim Moore, USC's T.J. McDonald and Washington's Nate Williams, none of whom made the top-25.
Mike Mohamed, LB, California: A very good player who perhaps slipped a little in 2010.
Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford: The top-25 was hard on O-linemen.
David DeCastro, OG, Stanford: See above.
Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State: No true freshman made the list, not Wilson, not USC's Robert Woods. But Coug fans: You will have your first top-25 player this preseason. Maybe more than one.
Colin Baxter, C, Arizona: Baxter dropped because the Wildcats offensive line underachieved.
Jeff Tuel, QB, Washington State: A good QB. Folks will see that this year. Still, only ranked sixth in the conference in passing efficiency.
Chris Conte, S, California: First-team All-Pac-10. Safeties didn't fare well on the list.
Delano Howell, SS, Stanford: Second-team All-Pac-10. See above.
Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona State: A solid tackle who was eclipsed by better players.
Our ranking of the top-25 Pac-10 -- not Pac-12 yet -- players is over. Here is our final tally.
Sure each of you has some sort of gripe with the list, and I would hope you would. The cool kids hang out here, and cool kids don't agree on everything because then they wouldn't be cool.
The most popular harrumph was the omission of Stanford's two-way player, Owen Marecic. I completely understand that. I likely would have ranked him 26th, but even then I would have paused. I will tell you why in a moment.
The angry mobilization by typically "read but don't comment" Stanford fans was great, though. I anticipated both the irritation with Marecic's absence and the general frustration with the lack of Stanford players on the list. Both reactions were perfectly reasonable, and the zealousness was fun. There were plenty of "What about Stanford?" moments for me while I toiled over the final list.
So now I will take on the unenviable task of briefly explaining why players didn't make the list. I'm guessing I will want to take a shower afterwards because the "left-out list" includes many outstanding players, many of whom will be high draft choices this year and in years to come.
But Marecic gets special treatment; he goes first. Here's my reasoning.
Yes, Marecic is a great story. Two-way player. Good on both sides of the ball. Tough guy. Quiet. Cool hair. Cult hero. Really, really smart. Tenth in the Heisman Trophy vote. Jim Harbaugh struggled each week to top the previous week's praise of a guy he repeatedly called "his favorite player."
But here's the problem: 1. He was the second best fullback in the conference (USC's Stanley Havili was the best; he didn't make the list); 2. He was Stanford's fourth-best linebacker -- see the numbers here.
And then he had the Shayne Skov, Chase Thomas, Sione Fua, Delano Howell, Jonathan Martin, David DeCastro problem. If you were picking a team for a high-stakes game, you'd pick those guys -- all Cardinal teammates -- before Marecic. And none of those guys made the list.
Yes, you would. Trust me. If, say, you were playing for $10 million, you'd pick one of them. Why? Because a good fullback and solid-to-middling linebacker isn't as valuable as an outstanding one-way player.
Nor would you pick Marecic over Shane Vereen, No. 25 on our list. Before you scream at your computer screen, let your mind drift back to this unhappy memory, Stanford fans.
Now, Stanford fans, take heart. This summer, we will begin an top-25 preseason list, and at this point you figure to get as many as six guys on that list, including No. 1 overall.
Also, it might help to look at the list below. Not exactly chopped liver.
This list is roughly in the order of consideration.
Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA: He's a cool dude. He's going to be off the NFL draft board before the end of the second round. But he didn't put up great numbers for a bad defense.
Brandon Bair, DT, Oregon: Bair's production went down over the second half of the season. He got beaten up a bit, and offensive coordinators starting paying him more attention. Further, I was already uncomfortable with seven players from one team on the list.
Shayne Skov, LB, Stanford: Love his game. Got better as year went on. Just missed the cut. He, Vontaze Burfict and Mychal Kendricks are your first-team All-Pac-12 LBs in 2011.
Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona: 21.5 sacks over the past two seasons, including a conference-leading 11 in 2010. But Brooks Reed was a better player, and Elmore had a couple of off games. At one point, he was fighting to retain his starting job over D'Aundre Reed.
Chase Thomas, LB, Stanford: A close second to Skov as the most productive player on the Stanford defense.
Sione Fua, NT, Stanford: Fua might have been the conference's most underrated player. So why stop now?
Mychal Kendricks, LB, California: 15 tackles for a loss. Highly productive. Highly talented. But he didn't fully arrive in 2010.
Jake Locker, QB, Washington: He may still end up a first-round draft choice but his numbers just weren't good enough this fall.
John Boyett, FS, Oregon: Got caught in the shuffle of Ducks. Further, the coaches didn't pick him first- or second-team All-Pac-10, rating him behind Cal's Chris Conte, UCLA's Rahim Moore, USC's T.J. McDonald and Washington's Nate Williams, none of whom made the top-25.
Mike Mohamed, LB, California: A very good player who perhaps slipped a little in 2010.
Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford: The top-25 was hard on O-linemen.
David DeCastro, OG, Stanford: See above.
Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State: No true freshman made the list, not Wilson, not USC's Robert Woods. But Coug fans: You will have your first top-25 player this preseason. Maybe more than one.
Colin Baxter, C, Arizona: Baxter dropped because the Wildcats offensive line underachieved.
Jeff Tuel, QB, Washington State: A good QB. Folks will see that this year. Still, only ranked sixth in the conference in passing efficiency.
Chris Conte, S, California: First-team All-Pac-10. Safeties didn't fare well on the list.
Delano Howell, SS, Stanford: Second-team All-Pac-10. See above.
Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona State: A solid tackle who was eclipsed by better players.
Pac-12 lunch links: A key to USC's offense
March, 1, 2011
3/01/11
2:30
PM ET
By
Ted Miller | ESPN.com
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do & die,
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Theirs but to do & die,
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
- Arizona goes young with its new receivers coach.
- Some Arizona State QBs -- one former, one current -- work for a good cause.
- Debating the good and bad of California's special teams.
- Breaking down the Colorado secondary.
- Some Oregon numerology. Some combine updates on DT Brandon Bair and WR Jeff Maehl. More on Bair.
- Some notes from Stanford's full-contact practice.
- An interesting look at UCLA penalties, and how getting them might be a good thing.
- Is this guy the key to USC's offensive line?
- More on plans for renovations at Washington.
We continue our countdown of the Pac-10's 25 best players from 2010.
Note: Because we are ranking players based on this past season, it's Pac-10, not Pac-12.
Here are the preseason rankings (click each name to read the blurb).
No. 17. Kenny Rowe, DE, Oregon
2010 numbers: Rowe led Oregon with seven sacks, five forced fumbles and 16.5 tackles for loss. He also led all Ducks defensive linemen with 48 total tackles. He added three pass defenses, three quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery.
Preseason ranking: No. 13
Making the case for Rowe: Rowe ranked third in the conference in tackles for loss and sixth in sacks and earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors. Also notable is leading the conference with five forced fumbles. He led the Ducks with four tackles for a loss and a sack in the BCS national championship game against Auburn. Rowe is undersized at 6-foot-3, 232 pounds, and is a "tweener" prospect for the NFL. He didn't always hold up well against the run, but he has been a highly productive playmaker the past two seasons, piling up 18.5 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss.
No. 18. Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
No. 19. Casey Matthews, LB, Oregon
No. 20. Talmadge Jackson, CB, Oregon
No. 21. Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
No. 22. Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon
No. 23. Jermaine Kearse, WR, Washington
No. 24. Jurrell Casey, DT, USC
No. 25. Shane Vereen, RB, California
Note: Because we are ranking players based on this past season, it's Pac-10, not Pac-12.
Here are the preseason rankings (click each name to read the blurb).
No. 17. Kenny Rowe, DE, Oregon
[+] Enlarge
Steve Dykes/Getty ImagesKenny Rowe led the Ducks with seven sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss last season.
Steve Dykes/Getty ImagesKenny Rowe led the Ducks with seven sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss last season.Preseason ranking: No. 13
Making the case for Rowe: Rowe ranked third in the conference in tackles for loss and sixth in sacks and earned second-team All-Pac-10 honors. Also notable is leading the conference with five forced fumbles. He led the Ducks with four tackles for a loss and a sack in the BCS national championship game against Auburn. Rowe is undersized at 6-foot-3, 232 pounds, and is a "tweener" prospect for the NFL. He didn't always hold up well against the run, but he has been a highly productive playmaker the past two seasons, piling up 18.5 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss.
No. 18. Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
No. 19. Casey Matthews, LB, Oregon
No. 20. Talmadge Jackson, CB, Oregon
No. 21. Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
No. 22. Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon
No. 23. Jermaine Kearse, WR, Washington
No. 24. Jurrell Casey, DT, USC
No. 25. Shane Vereen, RB, California
All-Pac-10: Checking the recruiting grades?
February, 1, 2011
2/01/11
5:25
PM ET
By
Ted Miller | ESPN.com
So are you pumped or despairing heading into signing day? Perhaps you shouldn't be too much of either.
We went back and looked at our 2010 All-Pac-10 team, and you might be surprised at the recruiting rankings of many of the 22 position players on the team.
Click on the name to see what ESPN Recruiting wrote about each when he was a prospect.
We have some quick notes after the list, too.
Offense
QB Andrew Luck, So., Stanford: Grade: 82. Ranked 7th among QBs.
RB LaMichael James, So., Oregon: Grade: 80. Ranked 24th among RBs.
RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Jr., Oregon State: Grade: 75. Ranked 104th among RBs.
WR Juron Criner, Jr., Arizona: Grade: 73. Ranked 155th among WRs.
WR Jeff Maehl, Sr., Oregon: Grade: 40. Unranked among CBs.
WR Jermaine Kearse, Jr., Washington: Grade: 74. Ranked 126th among WRs.
OL Chase Beeler, Sr., Stanford: Grade: 75. Ranked 42nd among OTs. (Signed with Oklahoma).
OL Colin Baxter, Sr., Arizona: Grade: 40. Unranked among OLs.
OL Tyron Smith, Jr., USC: Grade: 81. Ranked 14th among OTs.
OL Bo Thran, Sr., Oregon: Grade: 40. Unranked among OLs.
OL Jonathan Martin, Jr., Stanford: Grade: 78. Ranked 33rd among OTs.
Defense
DL Brandon Bair, Sr., Oregon : Grade: 40. Unranked among TEs.
DL Cameron Jordan, Sr., California: Grade: 40. Unranked among OTs.
DL Stephen Paea, Sr., Oregon State: An ungraded, unranked JC transfer.
DL Jurrell Casey, Jr., USC: Grade: 80. Ranked 11th among DTs.
LB Chase Thomas, So., Stanford: Grade: 79. Ranked 18th among DEs.
LB Mason Foster, Sr., Washington: Grade: 67. Ranked 101 among ILBs.
LB Casey Matthews, Sr., Oregon: Grade: 78. Ranked 14th among ILB.
DB Talmadge Jackson, Sr., Oregon: Grade: 74. Ranked 92nd among RBs.
DB Omar Bolden, Jr., Arizona State: Grade: 40. Unranked among DBs.
DB Delano Howell, Jr., Stanford: Grade: 74. Ranked 89th among ATH.
DB John Boyett, So., Oregon: Grade: 72. Ranked 85th among Ss.
Some notes:
In other words, sometimes recruiting evaluations hit the mark. And sometimes they do not.
We went back and looked at our 2010 All-Pac-10 team, and you might be surprised at the recruiting rankings of many of the 22 position players on the team.
Click on the name to see what ESPN Recruiting wrote about each when he was a prospect.
We have some quick notes after the list, too.
Offense
QB Andrew Luck, So., Stanford: Grade: 82. Ranked 7th among QBs.
RB LaMichael James, So., Oregon: Grade: 80. Ranked 24th among RBs.
RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Jr., Oregon State: Grade: 75. Ranked 104th among RBs.
WR Juron Criner, Jr., Arizona: Grade: 73. Ranked 155th among WRs.
WR Jeff Maehl, Sr., Oregon: Grade: 40. Unranked among CBs.
WR Jermaine Kearse, Jr., Washington: Grade: 74. Ranked 126th among WRs.
OL Chase Beeler, Sr., Stanford: Grade: 75. Ranked 42nd among OTs. (Signed with Oklahoma).
OL Colin Baxter, Sr., Arizona: Grade: 40. Unranked among OLs.
OL Tyron Smith, Jr., USC: Grade: 81. Ranked 14th among OTs.
OL Bo Thran, Sr., Oregon: Grade: 40. Unranked among OLs.
OL Jonathan Martin, Jr., Stanford: Grade: 78. Ranked 33rd among OTs.
Defense
DL Brandon Bair, Sr., Oregon : Grade: 40. Unranked among TEs.
DL Cameron Jordan, Sr., California: Grade: 40. Unranked among OTs.
DL Stephen Paea, Sr., Oregon State: An ungraded, unranked JC transfer.
DL Jurrell Casey, Jr., USC: Grade: 80. Ranked 11th among DTs.
LB Chase Thomas, So., Stanford: Grade: 79. Ranked 18th among DEs.
LB Mason Foster, Sr., Washington: Grade: 67. Ranked 101 among ILBs.
LB Casey Matthews, Sr., Oregon: Grade: 78. Ranked 14th among ILB.
DB Talmadge Jackson, Sr., Oregon: Grade: 74. Ranked 92nd among RBs.
DB Omar Bolden, Jr., Arizona State: Grade: 40. Unranked among DBs.
DB Delano Howell, Jr., Stanford: Grade: 74. Ranked 89th among ATH.
DB John Boyett, So., Oregon: Grade: 72. Ranked 85th among Ss.
Some notes:
- Nine of 22 earned grades of three stars or above. Four players were four-star players. None were five stars. (See grading scale here).
- The highest ranked players were: Luck (82), Smith (81), James (80) and Casey (80).
- Seven players were unranked. Seven players were ranked 85th or worse at their position.
In other words, sometimes recruiting evaluations hit the mark. And sometimes they do not.
ESPN.com's 2010 All-Senior Pac-10 team
January, 25, 2011
1/25/11
5:11
PM ET
By
Ted Miller | ESPN.com
The SEC and Big Ten Bloggers -- Chris Low and Adam Rittenberg -- had an excellent idea: An All-Conference team of only seniors (fourth or fifth-year guys with no more eligibility).
And being the radical sort of guy I am, we're going to do an "All-Underclass" Pac-10 team Wednesday morning, which will feature players who will have at least two years of eligibility left next year. So stay tuned!
And here's my All-Pac-10 team without regard to year, just for reference.
So here's my take for the seniors of 2010.
[Edit note: We subbed in USC TE Jordan Cameron after realizing that Stanford TE Coby Fleener has another year of eligibility.]
Offense
QB Jake Locker, Washington
RB Owen Marecic, Stanford
RB Allen Bradford, USC
TE Jordan Cameron, USC
WR Jeff Maehl, Oregon
WR Ronald Johnson, USC
OL Chase Beeler, Stanford
OL Jordan Holmes, Oregon
OL Adam Grant, Arizona
OL Colin Baxter, Arizona
OL Bo Thran, Oregon
Defense
LB Casey Matthews, Oregon
LB Mason Foster, Washington
LB Mike Mohamed, California
DE Cameron Jordan, California
DT Stephen Paea, Oregon State
DT Brandon Bair, Oregon
DE Brooks Reed, Arizona
CB Talmadge Jackson, Oregon
CB Shareece Wright, USC
S Chris Conte, California
S Nate Williams, Washington
Specialists
K Nate Whitaker, Stanford
P Reid Forrest, Washington State
PR/KR Ronald Johnson, USC
And being the radical sort of guy I am, we're going to do an "All-Underclass" Pac-10 team Wednesday morning, which will feature players who will have at least two years of eligibility left next year. So stay tuned!
And here's my All-Pac-10 team without regard to year, just for reference.
So here's my take for the seniors of 2010.
[Edit note: We subbed in USC TE Jordan Cameron after realizing that Stanford TE Coby Fleener has another year of eligibility.]
Offense
QB Jake Locker, Washington
RB Owen Marecic, Stanford
RB Allen Bradford, USC
TE Jordan Cameron, USC
WR Jeff Maehl, Oregon
WR Ronald Johnson, USC
OL Chase Beeler, Stanford
OL Jordan Holmes, Oregon
OL Adam Grant, Arizona
OL Colin Baxter, Arizona
OL Bo Thran, Oregon
Defense
LB Casey Matthews, Oregon
LB Mason Foster, Washington
LB Mike Mohamed, California
DE Cameron Jordan, California
DT Stephen Paea, Oregon State
DT Brandon Bair, Oregon
DE Brooks Reed, Arizona
CB Talmadge Jackson, Oregon
CB Shareece Wright, USC
S Chris Conte, California
S Nate Williams, Washington
Specialists
K Nate Whitaker, Stanford
P Reid Forrest, Washington State
PR/KR Ronald Johnson, USC
Todd McShay, Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl are at the Shrine Game practices and are sending notes throughout the workouts on who's doing well and who's struggling.
Their Day 1 material had some observations about three Pac-12 guys.
Arizona offensive tackle Adam Grant gets a thumbs-up, while Oregon DE Kenny Rowe gets a thumbs-down in this practice review.
And Arizona DE Ricky Elmore was a "top performer" on Day 1.
There will daily updates from these guys, and with 15 Pac-12 players in the game, there should be plenty of info on players of interest.
These are the Pac-12 players in the game.
Brandon Bair, DT, Oregon
Jordan Cameron, TE, USC
David Carter, DT, UCLA
Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona
Adam Grant, OT, Arizona
Trevor Hankins, P, Arizona State
Alex Linnenkohl, C, Oregon State
Jeff Maehl, WR, Oregon
Mike Mohamed, LB, California
Caleb Schlauderaff, OG, Utah
Justin Taplin-Ross, SS, Utah
Ryan Whalen, WR, Stanford
Nate Williams, SS, Washington
Zach Williams, OG, Washington State
Kenny Rowe, DE, Oregon*
* Playing for East team.
Their Day 1 material had some observations about three Pac-12 guys.
Arizona offensive tackle Adam Grant gets a thumbs-up, while Oregon DE Kenny Rowe gets a thumbs-down in this practice review.
And Arizona DE Ricky Elmore was a "top performer" on Day 1.
There will daily updates from these guys, and with 15 Pac-12 players in the game, there should be plenty of info on players of interest.
These are the Pac-12 players in the game.
Brandon Bair, DT, Oregon
Jordan Cameron, TE, USC
David Carter, DT, UCLA
Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona
Adam Grant, OT, Arizona
Trevor Hankins, P, Arizona State
Alex Linnenkohl, C, Oregon State
Jeff Maehl, WR, Oregon
Mike Mohamed, LB, California
Caleb Schlauderaff, OG, Utah
Justin Taplin-Ross, SS, Utah
Ryan Whalen, WR, Stanford
Nate Williams, SS, Washington
Zach Williams, OG, Washington State
Kenny Rowe, DE, Oregon*
* Playing for East team.
Ted Miller talks with Oregon defensive lineman Brandon Bair.
What the heck are we supposed to do Saturday?
Follow me on Twitter.
A couple of Oregon fans talk to an SEC defense about Auburn QB Cam Newton.
Dirk from Auburn: Do you really think the Duckies can keep up with an SEC team in the national championship game. This is big boy football and the SEC is the big boys.
Ted Miller: Poor ole Duckies. I just hope they get out of Glendale alive!
If I may humbly speak for Oregon and the Pac-10, we are just grateful that the SEC has allowed the conference to step on the field -- for one shining moment! -- with the big boys.
SEC teams are so big. So absolutely huge. Gosh, we're all really impressed over here, I can tell you that. Forgive us, for this, our dreadful toadying and barefaced flattery. But you are so strong and, well, just so super. Fantastic. Amen.
Dave from Florence, Ore., writes: Ted, assuming both the Rodgers brothers are back, with Ryan Katz having a bit more experience, plus a lighter non-conference schedule, how do you see Oregon State doing next year?
Ted Miller: Not that much lighter on the ole schedule: at Wisconsin and BYU are the nonconference games (with a TBA remaining that, hopefully, won't be filled with a top-five team).
Hey, Beavers, ever thought of playing San Jose State or Utah State or New Mexico State or something?
The Beavers offense should be much improved: QB Ryan Katz in his second year, both Rodgers brothers back, a good crew of receivers and (cross your fingers) better O-line play with four starters back. A good start on the line would be a healthy Michael Philipp at guard, not tackle.
The bigger issue is defense. It loses its best players: DT Stephen Paea -- that leaves a HUGE hole in the D-line -- LBs Dwight Roberson and Keith Pankey, CB James Dockery and DE Gabe Miller. No returning defensive player even earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors from the coaches. The Beavers thrive when they play high-pressure defense. Where's the pressure going to come from next year? Dominic Glover? Taylor Henry? A JC transfer. We'll see.
I love Katz's upside, and James Rodgers paired with Markus Wheaton is a nice combo at receiver, but the offense may have to outscore folks, particularly early on as the defense figures itself out. Still, there is no clear No. 2 behind Oregon in the Pac-12 North. If there are some "changes" at Stanford -- goodbye Andrew Luck and Jim Harbaugh -- then the Beavers might even end up picked No. 2.
Owen from Palo Alto, Calif., writes: Hey Ted, a chat with many contenders for awards ran today and Andrew Luck took some questions. When asked about the draft, he said, "It's not a distraction because I'm putting it off until after the bowl game to think about it." However, when asked about the new Pac-12 alignment, he said, "It's going to be fun to have the opportunity to play Utah and Colorado now and have a championship game," and "I'm excited to have the opportunity to go play Colorado and Utah." How far should we read into this, if at all?
Ted Miller: How far? Perhaps one inch.
Luck goes to Stanford. He's smart. He knows that if a reporter asks him about next season, he's not going to go, "I haven't thought about it because I'm going to be in the NFL... oops!"
And think about it: If he indeed hasn't thought about it -- come on! -- then he should talk about next year as if he were still going to be on the Farm.
If Luck enters the draft, he almost certainly would be the No. 1 overall pick. He's a franchise NFL QB in the grand sense of the word (and his character, humility and social skills -- he's a funny guy -- will take him far as the "face" of a franchise).
I'd rate his chances of returning at about three percent.
Pierce from Tempe, Ariz., writes: Given the injury to Tuinei and Huff filling in, I count at least 7 starters for the Oregon offense, 8 if you want to count a combination of Weems, York, and Asper, who have all started and played at both tackle and guard.I also count at the very least 6 returning starters: Turner, Kaddu, Harris, Gildon, Boyett, and Pleasant. The Oregon depth chart also notes that Dion Jordan and Wade Keliikipi have registered starts on the D-Line. Onto the question. Do you think that because of the pace of Oregon and the necessity of substitutions that basing predictions based on returning starters is something to be leery of?
Ted Miller: "Official" returning starters started at least five games, so Weems could be considered a returning starter. But, as I said, when I calculated returning starters, I was looking at end-of-season depth charts and not working my way through those calculations -- or factoring in injuries.
Yes, returning starters isn't a foolproof way to measure teams, particularly when a team -- such as Oregon -- plays a lot of guys. Nonetheless, we have to make distinctions.
And, for example, losing Brandon Bair and Kenny Rowe -- the Ducks two best D-linemen -- is a blow. They are proven, productive guys. Sure, their backups saw action. But let me put it this way. Can you name them right now?
Raymond from Tucson writes: Arizona loses two coaches to Colorado:From a Fans perspective which also means its an outsiders perspective. Can I blame coaches for leaving the spastic and over the top personality of Mike Stoops? How much can an adult take of child like antics?Arizona players have been quoted to say Stoops over-charged, in your face, ready to explode behavior gets them pumped-up. I wonder if the coaching staff shares the same perspective? Cool Hand Luke type coaches over the years have displayed poker face and chess like thinking behavior with great success. Tom LaundryBill WalshTony Dungy.I dont expect Coach Stoops to act like the list above because its not in his nature. But it would be nice to see some self control to possibly eliminate sideline confusion.If I see the confusion so does the opposing team.
Ted Miller: Yes, Mike Stoops is very animated on the sidelines. He seemed more animated this year than last, and more than a few times he probably wishes he had been less animated.
Does Stoops' hyperkinetic way on the sidelines bother some Arizona fans? Yes. Do I think athletic director Greg Byrne wishes Stoops would chill a bit? Yes. Does Stoops intensity bother some of his assistant coaches? Maybe, though it's not like football coaches are a bunch of shrinking violets.
If Stoops asked my opinion, I'd say he might want to ratchet it back a bit. But, to be honest, I find it entertaining. It's sorta his thing. Like I said: It bothers some folks a little. And it bothers some a lot.
But on the list of things college coaches do that are bad, I'd rate rate Stoops' sideline behavior somewhere in the mid-90s, two or three notches below below a coach talking about himself in the third person.
John from Oregon writes: Now that all the bowl games are set, say the Cam Newton is found guilty and is suspended. and if they punish not only Newton, but Auburn too and make them forfeit their wins, then who would be playing for the National Championship? Would they leave it and claim Oregon as the Champion?
Ted Miller: Don't worry. This won't happen.
The NCAA made a quick ruling that Newton is eligible. The larger investigation will take months. And months.
Tyler from Tucson writes: Why, oh why, did the Wildcats' DE Ricky Elmore not make the 1st Team All-Pac-10 Defense team?
Jake from Midland, Texas writes: What's the deal with the snub of Washington State WR Marquess Wilson for Pac-10 offensive Freshman of the Year?
Ted Miller: Two of my toughest choices, and I've had some post-decision regret over USC's Robert Woods over Marquess Wilson.
With Elmore, who would you kick off my D-line? He started fast and had a long lull before playing well vs. Arizona State. What clinched it was the coaches picking fellow Wildcats DE Brooks Reed ahead of Elmore. I'd probably rate them No. 5 and No. 6 among my D-linemen.
As for Wilson: I saw Woods a lot this year. He's really impressive. I didn't see as much of Wilson. That made a difference. While Wilson's numbers were better as a receiver, Woods was pushed over the top by his work returning kicks.
Am I certain that I wouldn't pick Wilson over Woods if I did the team again Saturday? No.
But Cougars fans should want Wilson to be angry about the slight. That should motivate him during the offseason.
Andrew from Portland writes: I'm traveling to the Natty with a bunch of friends and fellow Duck alum. For all of us that have never been to the Glendale/Phoenix area, can you put together a little travel guide for us since you're a resident of the area? Specifically, can you tell me (1) what area to book a hotel (I've heard that Scottsdale is the way to go, even though it's somewhat far from the stadium), (2) what bars/nightlife to go to, and (3) restaurants to eat at?
Ted Miller: I live in North-North Scottsdale, near Cave Creek and Carefree. That's a ways from Glendale. And the wife and I don't get out much because The Lord of Miller Manor just turned two, and he yells a lot -- he makes Stoops look like he's asleep.
The good news about our location: We are a short drive from the best restaurant in the state of Arizona: Binkley's. It's a special event sort of place -- if you run into Phil Knight and he says, "Hey, can I buy you dinner?" This is where you go.
Even closer to Miller Manor: Spotted Donkey. Really enjoy that place. Down south in civilization, we've had good luck with these guys. I haven't been here yet, but it's high on the to-go list. This is good nuts and bolts Mexican, and you might run into a bunch of sportswriters -- this guy and this guy always go there. These guys offer good steaks and their Ocean Club -- part of the chain -- is good for seafood and a cool scene. This place is old school Phoenix.
If I were coming to town, I would stay near downtown Scottsdale -- it's where all the cool stuff happens. Good restaurants and bars. Good scene.
Here's a entry from the preseason -- a fan survey of best restaurants and bars around the Pac-10 -- though a couple of Arizona State fans were later critical of it.
Hope this gets you started. By the way, it's 71 degrees today.
Brrrr.
Grant from Claremont, Calif., writes: Great article on Chip Kelly!
Daniel from Eugene, Ore., writes: I was wondering why you didn't include this story in your lunchtime links? It's a brief little article about DJ Davis' tribute to Declan Sullivan from the Civil War. Considering the bad pub that a lot of our players got after the Rose Bowl last years (and rightfully so), it's nice to see stories about the good things our players do as well.
Mudpuppy from Eugene writes: You should check out the myth of Auburn's size advantage posted by our friends at Addicted to Quack.
Ted Miller: All three worth noting.
Follow me on Twitter.
A couple of Oregon fans talk to an SEC defense about Auburn QB Cam Newton.
Dirk from Auburn: Do you really think the Duckies can keep up with an SEC team in the national championship game. This is big boy football and the SEC is the big boys.
Ted Miller: Poor ole Duckies. I just hope they get out of Glendale alive!
If I may humbly speak for Oregon and the Pac-10, we are just grateful that the SEC has allowed the conference to step on the field -- for one shining moment! -- with the big boys.
SEC teams are so big. So absolutely huge. Gosh, we're all really impressed over here, I can tell you that. Forgive us, for this, our dreadful toadying and barefaced flattery. But you are so strong and, well, just so super. Fantastic. Amen.
Dave from Florence, Ore., writes: Ted, assuming both the Rodgers brothers are back, with Ryan Katz having a bit more experience, plus a lighter non-conference schedule, how do you see Oregon State doing next year?
Ted Miller: Not that much lighter on the ole schedule: at Wisconsin and BYU are the nonconference games (with a TBA remaining that, hopefully, won't be filled with a top-five team).
Hey, Beavers, ever thought of playing San Jose State or Utah State or New Mexico State or something?
The Beavers offense should be much improved: QB Ryan Katz in his second year, both Rodgers brothers back, a good crew of receivers and (cross your fingers) better O-line play with four starters back. A good start on the line would be a healthy Michael Philipp at guard, not tackle.
The bigger issue is defense. It loses its best players: DT Stephen Paea -- that leaves a HUGE hole in the D-line -- LBs Dwight Roberson and Keith Pankey, CB James Dockery and DE Gabe Miller. No returning defensive player even earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors from the coaches. The Beavers thrive when they play high-pressure defense. Where's the pressure going to come from next year? Dominic Glover? Taylor Henry? A JC transfer. We'll see.
I love Katz's upside, and James Rodgers paired with Markus Wheaton is a nice combo at receiver, but the offense may have to outscore folks, particularly early on as the defense figures itself out. Still, there is no clear No. 2 behind Oregon in the Pac-12 North. If there are some "changes" at Stanford -- goodbye Andrew Luck and Jim Harbaugh -- then the Beavers might even end up picked No. 2.
Owen from Palo Alto, Calif., writes: Hey Ted, a chat with many contenders for awards ran today and Andrew Luck took some questions. When asked about the draft, he said, "It's not a distraction because I'm putting it off until after the bowl game to think about it." However, when asked about the new Pac-12 alignment, he said, "It's going to be fun to have the opportunity to play Utah and Colorado now and have a championship game," and "I'm excited to have the opportunity to go play Colorado and Utah." How far should we read into this, if at all?
Ted Miller: How far? Perhaps one inch.
Luck goes to Stanford. He's smart. He knows that if a reporter asks him about next season, he's not going to go, "I haven't thought about it because I'm going to be in the NFL... oops!"
And think about it: If he indeed hasn't thought about it -- come on! -- then he should talk about next year as if he were still going to be on the Farm.
If Luck enters the draft, he almost certainly would be the No. 1 overall pick. He's a franchise NFL QB in the grand sense of the word (and his character, humility and social skills -- he's a funny guy -- will take him far as the "face" of a franchise).
I'd rate his chances of returning at about three percent.
Pierce from Tempe, Ariz., writes: Given the injury to Tuinei and Huff filling in, I count at least 7 starters for the Oregon offense, 8 if you want to count a combination of Weems, York, and Asper, who have all started and played at both tackle and guard.I also count at the very least 6 returning starters: Turner, Kaddu, Harris, Gildon, Boyett, and Pleasant. The Oregon depth chart also notes that Dion Jordan and Wade Keliikipi have registered starts on the D-Line. Onto the question. Do you think that because of the pace of Oregon and the necessity of substitutions that basing predictions based on returning starters is something to be leery of?
Ted Miller: "Official" returning starters started at least five games, so Weems could be considered a returning starter. But, as I said, when I calculated returning starters, I was looking at end-of-season depth charts and not working my way through those calculations -- or factoring in injuries.
Yes, returning starters isn't a foolproof way to measure teams, particularly when a team -- such as Oregon -- plays a lot of guys. Nonetheless, we have to make distinctions.
And, for example, losing Brandon Bair and Kenny Rowe -- the Ducks two best D-linemen -- is a blow. They are proven, productive guys. Sure, their backups saw action. But let me put it this way. Can you name them right now?
Raymond from Tucson writes: Arizona loses two coaches to Colorado:From a Fans perspective which also means its an outsiders perspective. Can I blame coaches for leaving the spastic and over the top personality of Mike Stoops? How much can an adult take of child like antics?Arizona players have been quoted to say Stoops over-charged, in your face, ready to explode behavior gets them pumped-up. I wonder if the coaching staff shares the same perspective? Cool Hand Luke type coaches over the years have displayed poker face and chess like thinking behavior with great success. Tom LaundryBill WalshTony Dungy.I dont expect Coach Stoops to act like the list above because its not in his nature. But it would be nice to see some self control to possibly eliminate sideline confusion.If I see the confusion so does the opposing team.
Ted Miller: Yes, Mike Stoops is very animated on the sidelines. He seemed more animated this year than last, and more than a few times he probably wishes he had been less animated.
Does Stoops' hyperkinetic way on the sidelines bother some Arizona fans? Yes. Do I think athletic director Greg Byrne wishes Stoops would chill a bit? Yes. Does Stoops intensity bother some of his assistant coaches? Maybe, though it's not like football coaches are a bunch of shrinking violets.
If Stoops asked my opinion, I'd say he might want to ratchet it back a bit. But, to be honest, I find it entertaining. It's sorta his thing. Like I said: It bothers some folks a little. And it bothers some a lot.
But on the list of things college coaches do that are bad, I'd rate rate Stoops' sideline behavior somewhere in the mid-90s, two or three notches below below a coach talking about himself in the third person.
John from Oregon writes: Now that all the bowl games are set, say the Cam Newton is found guilty and is suspended. and if they punish not only Newton, but Auburn too and make them forfeit their wins, then who would be playing for the National Championship? Would they leave it and claim Oregon as the Champion?
Ted Miller: Don't worry. This won't happen.
The NCAA made a quick ruling that Newton is eligible. The larger investigation will take months. And months.
Tyler from Tucson writes: Why, oh why, did the Wildcats' DE Ricky Elmore not make the 1st Team All-Pac-10 Defense team?
Jake from Midland, Texas writes: What's the deal with the snub of Washington State WR Marquess Wilson for Pac-10 offensive Freshman of the Year?
Ted Miller: Two of my toughest choices, and I've had some post-decision regret over USC's Robert Woods over Marquess Wilson.
With Elmore, who would you kick off my D-line? He started fast and had a long lull before playing well vs. Arizona State. What clinched it was the coaches picking fellow Wildcats DE Brooks Reed ahead of Elmore. I'd probably rate them No. 5 and No. 6 among my D-linemen.
As for Wilson: I saw Woods a lot this year. He's really impressive. I didn't see as much of Wilson. That made a difference. While Wilson's numbers were better as a receiver, Woods was pushed over the top by his work returning kicks.
Am I certain that I wouldn't pick Wilson over Woods if I did the team again Saturday? No.
But Cougars fans should want Wilson to be angry about the slight. That should motivate him during the offseason.
Andrew from Portland writes: I'm traveling to the Natty with a bunch of friends and fellow Duck alum. For all of us that have never been to the Glendale/Phoenix area, can you put together a little travel guide for us since you're a resident of the area? Specifically, can you tell me (1) what area to book a hotel (I've heard that Scottsdale is the way to go, even though it's somewhat far from the stadium), (2) what bars/nightlife to go to, and (3) restaurants to eat at?
Ted Miller: I live in North-North Scottsdale, near Cave Creek and Carefree. That's a ways from Glendale. And the wife and I don't get out much because The Lord of Miller Manor just turned two, and he yells a lot -- he makes Stoops look like he's asleep.
The good news about our location: We are a short drive from the best restaurant in the state of Arizona: Binkley's. It's a special event sort of place -- if you run into Phil Knight and he says, "Hey, can I buy you dinner?" This is where you go.
Even closer to Miller Manor: Spotted Donkey. Really enjoy that place. Down south in civilization, we've had good luck with these guys. I haven't been here yet, but it's high on the to-go list. This is good nuts and bolts Mexican, and you might run into a bunch of sportswriters -- this guy and this guy always go there. These guys offer good steaks and their Ocean Club -- part of the chain -- is good for seafood and a cool scene. This place is old school Phoenix.
If I were coming to town, I would stay near downtown Scottsdale -- it's where all the cool stuff happens. Good restaurants and bars. Good scene.
Here's a entry from the preseason -- a fan survey of best restaurants and bars around the Pac-10 -- though a couple of Arizona State fans were later critical of it.
Hope this gets you started. By the way, it's 71 degrees today.
Brrrr.
Grant from Claremont, Calif., writes: Great article on Chip Kelly!
Daniel from Eugene, Ore., writes: I was wondering why you didn't include this story in your lunchtime links? It's a brief little article about DJ Davis' tribute to Declan Sullivan from the Civil War. Considering the bad pub that a lot of our players got after the Rose Bowl last years (and rightfully so), it's nice to see stories about the good things our players do as well.
Mudpuppy from Eugene writes: You should check out the myth of Auburn's size advantage posted by our friends at Addicted to Quack.
Ted Miller: All three worth noting.
We tried to emphasize consistent production this year on our All-Pac-10 team, not just NFL prospects. That's why some big names are missing.
For comparison, here is the coaches team, which was announced Tuesday.
We didn't include a tight end because receiver was a far deeper position. And, unlike the coaches, we didn't make a wishbone backfield just to accomodate Stanford's Owen Marecic. Instead, we made up a specialist position for a guy who starts at both fullback and linebacker: "STUD."
So here you go.
Offense
QB Andrew Luck, So., Stanford
RB LaMichael James, So., Oregon
RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Jr., Oregon State
WR Juron Criner, Jr., Arizona
WR Jeff Maehl, Sr., Oregon
WR Jermaine Kearse, Jr., Washington
OL Chase Beeler, Sr., Stanford
OL Colin Baxter, Sr., Arizona
OL Tyron Smith, Jr., USC
OL Bo Thran, Sr., Oregon
OL Jonathan Martin, Jr., Stanford
Defense
DL Brandon Bair, Sr., Oregon
DL Cameron Jordan, Sr., California
DL Stephen Paea, Sr., Oregon State
DL Jurrell Casey, Jr., USC
LB Chase Thomas, So., Stanford
LB Mason Foster, Sr., Washington
LB Casey Matthews, Sr., Oregon
DB Talmadge Jackson, Sr., Oregon
DB Omar Bolden, Jr., Arizona State
DB Delano Howell, Jr., Stanford
DB John Boyett, So., Oregon
Specialists
PK Nate Whitaker, Sr., Stanford
P Bryan Anger, Jr., California
KOR Robert Woods, Fr., USC
PR Cliff Harris, So., Oregon
STUD (FB-LB) Owen Marecic, Sr., Stanford
For comparison, here is the coaches team, which was announced Tuesday.
We didn't include a tight end because receiver was a far deeper position. And, unlike the coaches, we didn't make a wishbone backfield just to accomodate Stanford's Owen Marecic. Instead, we made up a specialist position for a guy who starts at both fullback and linebacker: "STUD."
So here you go.
Offense
QB Andrew Luck, So., Stanford
RB LaMichael James, So., Oregon
RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Jr., Oregon State
WR Juron Criner, Jr., Arizona
WR Jeff Maehl, Sr., Oregon
WR Jermaine Kearse, Jr., Washington
OL Chase Beeler, Sr., Stanford
OL Colin Baxter, Sr., Arizona
OL Tyron Smith, Jr., USC
OL Bo Thran, Sr., Oregon
OL Jonathan Martin, Jr., Stanford
Defense
DL Brandon Bair, Sr., Oregon
DL Cameron Jordan, Sr., California
DL Stephen Paea, Sr., Oregon State
DL Jurrell Casey, Jr., USC
LB Chase Thomas, So., Stanford
LB Mason Foster, Sr., Washington
LB Casey Matthews, Sr., Oregon
DB Talmadge Jackson, Sr., Oregon
DB Omar Bolden, Jr., Arizona State
DB Delano Howell, Jr., Stanford
DB John Boyett, So., Oregon
Specialists
PK Nate Whitaker, Sr., Stanford
P Bryan Anger, Jr., California
KOR Robert Woods, Fr., USC
PR Cliff Harris, So., Oregon
STUD (FB-LB) Owen Marecic, Sr., Stanford
Oregon turned in the greatest regular season in program history. How about that for a recap?
And the Ducks are one win -- over the Auburn Tigers -- away from perfection and their first national title.
The curious thing is the Ducks may have ended up here because of the very reason many thought they wouldn't in the preseason: quarterback Jeremiah Masoli getting booted from the program. After losing a veteran quarterback who might have become a Heisman Trophy candidate, it seemed reasonable to demote Oregon from national title contender to merely Pac-10 front-runner.
But it became clear fairly early that coach Chip Kelly made the right choice when he opted to start sophomore Darron Thomas. While not as good a runner as Masoli, Thomas is a better, more consistent passer. And he is a perfect manager for the Ducks' up-tempo, grind-you-down offense.
The Ducks first sent a national message during a visit to Tennessee. The Volunteers jumped out to a quick lead. Then Oregon rolled up 45 consecutive points in a 48-13 win. There was a bit of a struggle at Arizona State, and then the Duck again fell behind early against then-No. 9 Stanford, 21-3. Wham. Oregon wins 52-31. That victory would grow larger in stature as the season went on -- No. 4 Stanford might be more than just the best one-loss team -- and it is now the highest quality win posted this season.
Oregon wouldn't be challenged again until a visit to California. Of course, it drives Ducks fans crazy that the 15-13 win over Cal is treated like it was closer than it was, that the Bears missed a field goal for the win. That field goal was missed on the first play of the fourth quarter. And the Ducks burned the final 9:25 off the clock before taking a knee at the Bears' 13-yard line.
While much is made of the Ducks' No. 1 scoring offense (49.33 ppg), which is understandable, they also are strong on defense, ranking 14th in the nation in scoring (18.42). And they absolutely own the second half, outscoring foes 277-77, while allowing just 24 fourth-quarter points.
Offensive MVP: Running back LaMichael James is a Heisman Trophy finalist. He led the nation with 152.9 yards rushing per game and 21 touchdowns. He also caught 13 passes for 169 yards and a TD. Simply, he's the best running back in the nation and is the Ducks' most dangerous weapon.
Defensive MVP: While leading tackler Casey Matthews deserves a tip of the cap, this goes to defensive tackle Brandon Bair, who led the Ducks with 15.5 tackles for a loss. He also had three sacks and eight pass breakups (tipped balls at line of scrimmage). He led all Ducks defensive linemen with 45 total tackles.
Turning point: The win over Stanford -- 18-point lead goes "poof!" -- on Oct. 2 showed that no lead was safe against the Ducks. That knowledge allowed the Ducks to stay loose and play with confidence despite adversity.
What’s next: A national championship? Whatever happens in the showdown with Auburn, the Ducks almost certainly will begin next year ranked in the top five. The offensive line, receivers and front seven take some hits due to graduation, but the Ducks should have Thomas and James back, as well as a lot of experienced players. Since the Ducks play so many guys, they aren't easily measured merely by returning starters. But an experienced QB running Kelly's offense will be the main reason they will be expected to win a third consecutive conference title in the first year of Pac-12 play. The opener against LSU will be interesting.
And the Ducks are one win -- over the Auburn Tigers -- away from perfection and their first national title.
The curious thing is the Ducks may have ended up here because of the very reason many thought they wouldn't in the preseason: quarterback Jeremiah Masoli getting booted from the program. After losing a veteran quarterback who might have become a Heisman Trophy candidate, it seemed reasonable to demote Oregon from national title contender to merely Pac-10 front-runner.
But it became clear fairly early that coach Chip Kelly made the right choice when he opted to start sophomore Darron Thomas. While not as good a runner as Masoli, Thomas is a better, more consistent passer. And he is a perfect manager for the Ducks' up-tempo, grind-you-down offense.
The Ducks first sent a national message during a visit to Tennessee. The Volunteers jumped out to a quick lead. Then Oregon rolled up 45 consecutive points in a 48-13 win. There was a bit of a struggle at Arizona State, and then the Duck again fell behind early against then-No. 9 Stanford, 21-3. Wham. Oregon wins 52-31. That victory would grow larger in stature as the season went on -- No. 4 Stanford might be more than just the best one-loss team -- and it is now the highest quality win posted this season.
Oregon wouldn't be challenged again until a visit to California. Of course, it drives Ducks fans crazy that the 15-13 win over Cal is treated like it was closer than it was, that the Bears missed a field goal for the win. That field goal was missed on the first play of the fourth quarter. And the Ducks burned the final 9:25 off the clock before taking a knee at the Bears' 13-yard line.
While much is made of the Ducks' No. 1 scoring offense (49.33 ppg), which is understandable, they also are strong on defense, ranking 14th in the nation in scoring (18.42). And they absolutely own the second half, outscoring foes 277-77, while allowing just 24 fourth-quarter points.
Offensive MVP: Running back LaMichael James is a Heisman Trophy finalist. He led the nation with 152.9 yards rushing per game and 21 touchdowns. He also caught 13 passes for 169 yards and a TD. Simply, he's the best running back in the nation and is the Ducks' most dangerous weapon.
Defensive MVP: While leading tackler Casey Matthews deserves a tip of the cap, this goes to defensive tackle Brandon Bair, who led the Ducks with 15.5 tackles for a loss. He also had three sacks and eight pass breakups (tipped balls at line of scrimmage). He led all Ducks defensive linemen with 45 total tackles.
Turning point: The win over Stanford -- 18-point lead goes "poof!" -- on Oct. 2 showed that no lead was safe against the Ducks. That knowledge allowed the Ducks to stay loose and play with confidence despite adversity.
What’s next: A national championship? Whatever happens in the showdown with Auburn, the Ducks almost certainly will begin next year ranked in the top five. The offensive line, receivers and front seven take some hits due to graduation, but the Ducks should have Thomas and James back, as well as a lot of experienced players. Since the Ducks play so many guys, they aren't easily measured merely by returning starters. But an experienced QB running Kelly's offense will be the main reason they will be expected to win a third consecutive conference title in the first year of Pac-12 play. The opener against LSU will be interesting.
Tracking the offensive, defensive and coach of the year races in the Pac-10.
Offensive Player of the Year
1. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon: James rushed 28 times for 126 yards with two touchdowns in the Ducks' win over Arizona. He also caught three passes for 20 yards. He leads the nation in rushing yards per game (154.8) and his 19 rushing touchdowns rank second. James is the top player for a team on track for its first national title game.
2. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: Luck completed 21 of 30 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-0 win over Oregon State. He's the nation's seventh-rated passer with 28 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. He's completing 70.2 percent of his passes. He's also rushed for 438 yards and three touchdowns. He has led a program that went 1-11 in 2006 to a likely BCS bowl berth.
3. Darron Thomas, QB, Oregon: He ranks 21st in the nation in passing efficiency -- leading the nation's No. 2 team -- and is second in the Pac-10 with 26 touchdown passes. He's also rushed for 496 yards and five TDs.
Defensive Player of the Year
1. Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State: While the Beavers' defense has struggled, it's not because of Paea, who has commanded double-teams all season. And he's surged of late. He's fourth in the conference with seven sacks, tops among interior defensive linemen. He also has 11 total tackles for a loss and four forced fumbles, which is tied for first in the conference.
2. Brandon Bair, DT, Oregon: He's second in the Pac-10 with 15.5 tackles for a loss. He also has six pass breakups.
3. Cameron Jordan, DE, California: The potential first-round NFL draft pick has 12.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and has forced three fumbles.
4. Mason Foster, LB, Washington: He leads the Pac-10 with 12.5 tackles per game, with 9.5 coming for a loss. He's also forced two and recovered two fumbles. The recent improvement of the Huskies' defense helps his candidacy.
6. Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona: He leads the conference with eight sacks, but he hasn't recorded a sack in the past three games, losses to Stanford, USC and Oregon.
6. Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA: The All-American candidate and likely first-round NFL draft pick has recorded 9.5 tackles for a loss, including four sacks, with two interceptions and he's forced and recovered two fumbles. He's been pretty quiet over the second half of the season.
7. Kenny Rowe, DE, Oregon: Rowe ranks fifth in the conference with six sacks and fifth with 12 tackles for a loss. He also has forced four fumbles.
8. Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon: Harris has scored five TDs this year without playing offense. He leads the Pac-10 with five interceptions and 19 pass defenses. But he's still searching for consistency (see the Arizona game).
Coach of the Year
1. Chip Kelly, Oregon: The Ducks are undefeated, ranked No. 2 in the BCS standings and No. 1 both major polls. They are one Civil War win from playing for the national title. But there are credible rumors that Kelly invented the annoying phrases "It is what it is" and "At the end of the day."
2. Jim Harbaugh, Stanford: Stanford is ranked fourth in the BCS standings and likely will play in a BCS bowl game. Harbaugh believes, however, that if he takes a bite (or two) of his wife's dessert, the lack of certain ownership means those calories don't count for him.
Offensive Player of the Year
1. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon: James rushed 28 times for 126 yards with two touchdowns in the Ducks' win over Arizona. He also caught three passes for 20 yards. He leads the nation in rushing yards per game (154.8) and his 19 rushing touchdowns rank second. James is the top player for a team on track for its first national title game.
2. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: Luck completed 21 of 30 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-0 win over Oregon State. He's the nation's seventh-rated passer with 28 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. He's completing 70.2 percent of his passes. He's also rushed for 438 yards and three touchdowns. He has led a program that went 1-11 in 2006 to a likely BCS bowl berth.
3. Darron Thomas, QB, Oregon: He ranks 21st in the nation in passing efficiency -- leading the nation's No. 2 team -- and is second in the Pac-10 with 26 touchdown passes. He's also rushed for 496 yards and five TDs.
Defensive Player of the Year
1. Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State: While the Beavers' defense has struggled, it's not because of Paea, who has commanded double-teams all season. And he's surged of late. He's fourth in the conference with seven sacks, tops among interior defensive linemen. He also has 11 total tackles for a loss and four forced fumbles, which is tied for first in the conference.
2. Brandon Bair, DT, Oregon: He's second in the Pac-10 with 15.5 tackles for a loss. He also has six pass breakups.
3. Cameron Jordan, DE, California: The potential first-round NFL draft pick has 12.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and has forced three fumbles.
4. Mason Foster, LB, Washington: He leads the Pac-10 with 12.5 tackles per game, with 9.5 coming for a loss. He's also forced two and recovered two fumbles. The recent improvement of the Huskies' defense helps his candidacy.
6. Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona: He leads the conference with eight sacks, but he hasn't recorded a sack in the past three games, losses to Stanford, USC and Oregon.
6. Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA: The All-American candidate and likely first-round NFL draft pick has recorded 9.5 tackles for a loss, including four sacks, with two interceptions and he's forced and recovered two fumbles. He's been pretty quiet over the second half of the season.
7. Kenny Rowe, DE, Oregon: Rowe ranks fifth in the conference with six sacks and fifth with 12 tackles for a loss. He also has forced four fumbles.
8. Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon: Harris has scored five TDs this year without playing offense. He leads the Pac-10 with five interceptions and 19 pass defenses. But he's still searching for consistency (see the Arizona game).
Coach of the Year
1. Chip Kelly, Oregon: The Ducks are undefeated, ranked No. 2 in the BCS standings and No. 1 both major polls. They are one Civil War win from playing for the national title. But there are credible rumors that Kelly invented the annoying phrases "It is what it is" and "At the end of the day."
2. Jim Harbaugh, Stanford: Stanford is ranked fourth in the BCS standings and likely will play in a BCS bowl game. Harbaugh believes, however, that if he takes a bite (or two) of his wife's dessert, the lack of certain ownership means those calories don't count for him.
Tracking the offensive, defensive and coach of the year races in the Pac-10. (And, yes, we've got no idea with the defensive award).
Offensive Player of the Year
1. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon: James rushed for 91 yards on 29 carries in the Ducks' win over California. He leads the nation in rushing yards per game (158.0) and rushing touchdowns (17).
2. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: Luck completed 33 of 41 passes for 291 yards with an interception in the Cardinal's victory over Arizona State. He's the nation's 10th-rated passer with 22 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. He's completing 69.6 percent of his passes. He's also rushed for 373 yards and three touchdowns.
3. Darron Thomas, QB, Oregon: He ranks 18th in the nation in passing efficiency -- leading the nation's No. 1 team -- and is second in the Pac-10 with 23 touchdown passes. He's also rushed for 434 yards and four TDs.
Defensive Player of the Year
1. Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona: He leads the conference with eight sacks, which is two more than anyone else. But he hasn't recorded a sack in the past two games, losses to Stanford and USC.
2. Brandon Bair, DT, Oregon: He's second in the Pac-10 with 13 tackles for a loss. He also has six pass breakups. And Oregon's defense continues to climb the statistical ladder.
3. Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA: The All-American candidate and likely first-round NFL draft pick has recorded nine tackles for a loss, including four sacks, with two interceptions and he's forced and recovered two fumbles.
4. Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon: Harris has scored five TDs this year without playing offense. He leads the Pac-10 with five interceptions and 15 pass defenses.
5. Cameron Jordan, DE, California: The potential first-round NFL draft pick has 10.5 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks and has forced three fumbles.
6. Kenny Rowe, DE, Oregon: Rowe ranks second in the conference with six sacks and fourth with 11 tackles for a loss. He also has forced three fumbles.
7. Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State: While the Beavers defense has struggled, it's not because of Paea, who has commanded double-teams all season. And he still has five sacks.
8. Mason Foster, LB, Washington: He leads the Pac-10 with 12.7 tackles per game, with 6.0 coming for a loss. He's also forced two and recovered two fumbles. The badness of the Huskies defense likely dooms his candidacy.
Coach of the Year
1. Chip Kelly, Oregon: The Ducks are undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the BCS standings and both major polls. Is known, however, to sometimes double-up on his meat course and skip the vegetables.
2. Jim Harbaugh, Stanford: Stanford is ranked sixth in the BCS standings and remains a Rose Bowl contender. Can't speak a word of Hungarian.
Offensive Player of the Year
1. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon: James rushed for 91 yards on 29 carries in the Ducks' win over California. He leads the nation in rushing yards per game (158.0) and rushing touchdowns (17).
2. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: Luck completed 33 of 41 passes for 291 yards with an interception in the Cardinal's victory over Arizona State. He's the nation's 10th-rated passer with 22 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. He's completing 69.6 percent of his passes. He's also rushed for 373 yards and three touchdowns.
3. Darron Thomas, QB, Oregon: He ranks 18th in the nation in passing efficiency -- leading the nation's No. 1 team -- and is second in the Pac-10 with 23 touchdown passes. He's also rushed for 434 yards and four TDs.
Defensive Player of the Year
1. Ricky Elmore, DE, Arizona: He leads the conference with eight sacks, which is two more than anyone else. But he hasn't recorded a sack in the past two games, losses to Stanford and USC.
2. Brandon Bair, DT, Oregon: He's second in the Pac-10 with 13 tackles for a loss. He also has six pass breakups. And Oregon's defense continues to climb the statistical ladder.
3. Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA: The All-American candidate and likely first-round NFL draft pick has recorded nine tackles for a loss, including four sacks, with two interceptions and he's forced and recovered two fumbles.
4. Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon: Harris has scored five TDs this year without playing offense. He leads the Pac-10 with five interceptions and 15 pass defenses.
5. Cameron Jordan, DE, California: The potential first-round NFL draft pick has 10.5 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks and has forced three fumbles.
6. Kenny Rowe, DE, Oregon: Rowe ranks second in the conference with six sacks and fourth with 11 tackles for a loss. He also has forced three fumbles.
7. Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State: While the Beavers defense has struggled, it's not because of Paea, who has commanded double-teams all season. And he still has five sacks.
8. Mason Foster, LB, Washington: He leads the Pac-10 with 12.7 tackles per game, with 6.0 coming for a loss. He's also forced two and recovered two fumbles. The badness of the Huskies defense likely dooms his candidacy.
Coach of the Year
1. Chip Kelly, Oregon: The Ducks are undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the BCS standings and both major polls. Is known, however, to sometimes double-up on his meat course and skip the vegetables.
2. Jim Harbaugh, Stanford: Stanford is ranked sixth in the BCS standings and remains a Rose Bowl contender. Can't speak a word of Hungarian.
BERKELEY, Calif. -- The narrative trajectory of a national championship run is rarely a straight line. There are zigs and zags even during an undefeated season. Some games are prettier than others. Sometimes the biggest statements are made in unexpected ways. It's just the way college football is.
So perhaps it's fitting that the offensive juggernaut that is top-ranked Oregon made its most powerful statement on its worst night of the season by not scoring. The flashy Ducks, who are all about hanging half-a-hundred on foes with lightning-quick drives that make bathroom breaks risky for fans, became yeomanlike in their final possession of a 15-13 victory over California, slowing the pace, grinding out first downs and burning the clock.
Oregon, clinging to a two-point lead, took over at its 20-yard line with 9:25 left in the game, and 18 plays later -- 17 runs -- quarterback Darron Thomas took a knee at the Bears’ 15-yard line. Game over. Ducks survive.
It was the Ducks’ only drive of the night of more than 46 yards. But somewhere Woody Hayes is smiling.
"Coach [Chip] Kelly told us in the huddle before we went out there that this was going to be the drive of the year; this was going to be the drive we remember," Thomas said. "Exactly what he told us was, 'This is going to be the drive you tell your family about 30 years from now.'"
Oregon is 10-0. If they win three more games -- two regular season and the national title game -- they will have plenty to tell their children and grandchildren about.
But this was not the Ducks we've seen this season, at least offensively. They looked vulnerable. They were getting whipped at the line of scrimmage. California was penetrating up front and blanketing Ducks' receivers in the secondary with man-coverage -- even after losing starting cornerbacks Darian Hagan and Marc Anthony to injury.
"It was ripe for the upset," Cal safety Chris Conte said. "We knew that if we came out and executed, this team was very beatable. Watching film,we saw their people making mistakes. We knew if we held them to no big plays, we'd be right in this game. We should have won."
That was a popular theme among the Cal players. But it also is curious that a team that can play with top-ranked Oregon can lose by 28 to Oregon State, the Beavers' only win in their past four games.
Oregon was held to a season-low 317 yards. But it made four of its eight successful third-down conversions on the final drive.
And after 400 words, perhaps we should take note of the Ducks' defense. It held the Bears to just 193 yards, 49 of which came on their first possession, when they took a 7-0 lead after the Ducks failed on one of their six fourth-down conversion attempts (they made four).
"You see the true character of a team when it's not 50-7 or whatever," defensive tackle Brandon Bair said. "It's awesome to see that if our offense struggles, our defense can step up."
The Ducks' defense was certainly helped by the absence of a Cal passing game. Quarterback Brock Mansion, making his second start since Kevin Riley went down with a season-ending knee injury, completed 10 of 28 passes for 69 yards. He didn't throw an interception, and he made a couple of nice passes, but it was clear that running back Shane Vereen, who rushed for 112 yards on 26 carries, was the Bears' only offensive weapon.
Oregon didn't help itself much. It missed two field goals; the first kicker Rob Beard has missed this season. It had eight penalties for 62 yards. And Thomas gifted the Bears a TD when he fumbled into the end zone in the third quarter while cocking to throw, and nose tackle Derrick Hill recovered for a touchdown.
For the first time this year, Oregon was challenged well into the fourth quarter. It was a new experience. Kelly, however, said his team never showed any signs of tightness, and his players agreed.
"We were never worried or thinking about losing," Thomas said. "We never thought about losing."
As for style points, none of the Ducks seemed too concerned that the judges -- the pollsters, the computers, the BCS standings -- might dock them for failing to win in their typical fancypants manner.
"At the end of the season, they are not going to say, 'How many points did they beat Cal by?'" said running back LaMichael James, who finished with 91 yards on 29 carries.
This week, though, they are going to ask about James. The Heisman Trophy candidate had to be helped off the field in the game's waning moments. Afterward, he was wearing a boot on his left foot and was on crutches.
"I'm good," he said. "I'll be at practice next week."
The Ducks are off until Arizona visits Autzen Stadium on Nov. 26. They are moving into territory that the program and long-suffering fan base have never experienced before.
So forgive Kelly and his players for not beating themselves up for winning ugly.
"A win's a win," Kelly said. "We're happy. We're 10-0."
So perhaps it's fitting that the offensive juggernaut that is top-ranked Oregon made its most powerful statement on its worst night of the season by not scoring. The flashy Ducks, who are all about hanging half-a-hundred on foes with lightning-quick drives that make bathroom breaks risky for fans, became yeomanlike in their final possession of a 15-13 victory over California, slowing the pace, grinding out first downs and burning the clock.
Oregon, clinging to a two-point lead, took over at its 20-yard line with 9:25 left in the game, and 18 plays later -- 17 runs -- quarterback Darron Thomas took a knee at the Bears’ 15-yard line. Game over. Ducks survive.
It was the Ducks’ only drive of the night of more than 46 yards. But somewhere Woody Hayes is smiling.
"Coach [Chip] Kelly told us in the huddle before we went out there that this was going to be the drive of the year; this was going to be the drive we remember," Thomas said. "Exactly what he told us was, 'This is going to be the drive you tell your family about 30 years from now.'"
[+] Enlarge
Kyle Terada/US PresswireOregon found a way to win without its high-scoring offense against Cal. Cliff Harris scored the Ducks' first touchdown on a 64-yard punt return.
Kyle Terada/US PresswireOregon found a way to win without its high-scoring offense against Cal. Cliff Harris scored the Ducks' first touchdown on a 64-yard punt return.But this was not the Ducks we've seen this season, at least offensively. They looked vulnerable. They were getting whipped at the line of scrimmage. California was penetrating up front and blanketing Ducks' receivers in the secondary with man-coverage -- even after losing starting cornerbacks Darian Hagan and Marc Anthony to injury.
"It was ripe for the upset," Cal safety Chris Conte said. "We knew that if we came out and executed, this team was very beatable. Watching film,we saw their people making mistakes. We knew if we held them to no big plays, we'd be right in this game. We should have won."
That was a popular theme among the Cal players. But it also is curious that a team that can play with top-ranked Oregon can lose by 28 to Oregon State, the Beavers' only win in their past four games.
Oregon was held to a season-low 317 yards. But it made four of its eight successful third-down conversions on the final drive.
And after 400 words, perhaps we should take note of the Ducks' defense. It held the Bears to just 193 yards, 49 of which came on their first possession, when they took a 7-0 lead after the Ducks failed on one of their six fourth-down conversion attempts (they made four).
"You see the true character of a team when it's not 50-7 or whatever," defensive tackle Brandon Bair said. "It's awesome to see that if our offense struggles, our defense can step up."
The Ducks' defense was certainly helped by the absence of a Cal passing game. Quarterback Brock Mansion, making his second start since Kevin Riley went down with a season-ending knee injury, completed 10 of 28 passes for 69 yards. He didn't throw an interception, and he made a couple of nice passes, but it was clear that running back Shane Vereen, who rushed for 112 yards on 26 carries, was the Bears' only offensive weapon.
Oregon didn't help itself much. It missed two field goals; the first kicker Rob Beard has missed this season. It had eight penalties for 62 yards. And Thomas gifted the Bears a TD when he fumbled into the end zone in the third quarter while cocking to throw, and nose tackle Derrick Hill recovered for a touchdown.
For the first time this year, Oregon was challenged well into the fourth quarter. It was a new experience. Kelly, however, said his team never showed any signs of tightness, and his players agreed.
"We were never worried or thinking about losing," Thomas said. "We never thought about losing."
As for style points, none of the Ducks seemed too concerned that the judges -- the pollsters, the computers, the BCS standings -- might dock them for failing to win in their typical fancypants manner.
"At the end of the season, they are not going to say, 'How many points did they beat Cal by?'" said running back LaMichael James, who finished with 91 yards on 29 carries.
This week, though, they are going to ask about James. The Heisman Trophy candidate had to be helped off the field in the game's waning moments. Afterward, he was wearing a boot on his left foot and was on crutches.
"I'm good," he said. "I'll be at practice next week."
The Ducks are off until Arizona visits Autzen Stadium on Nov. 26. They are moving into territory that the program and long-suffering fan base have never experienced before.
So forgive Kelly and his players for not beating themselves up for winning ugly.
"A win's a win," Kelly said. "We're happy. We're 10-0."
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Ted Miller
Miller has been covering college football since 1997, starting with Auburn and then heading West to Washington and the Pac-12. His columns for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer won first place in the 2007 APSE Best Writing contest. The Atlanta native and University of Richmond graduate presently lives with his wife in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Kevin Gemmell
Gemmell covered San Diego State and the Mountain West Conference for three years before joining ESPN.com. As a Santa Clara graduate, his hope is that the Broncos will one day re-institute football. Until then, he lives vicariously through his readers. Gemmell lives in California with his wife and son.
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