Pac-12: Rich Rodriguez
Jesse Scroggins is a guy who should be able to provide some insight into USC's high-profile quarterback competition. After all, he practiced with Cody Kessler and Max Wittek for a year. He's witnessed their strengths and weaknesses and their makeup and leadership skills.
So, what's his take? Does he like the scrappy Kessler or the big-armed Wittek?
"I don't know and I don't care," Scroggins said. "I'll know when I see them on the field. I got NAU first. I'm not really worried about that game."
Scroggins has his own QB battle to think about, only he's now in Tucson, not L.A. He wants to fill Matt Scott's shoes, not Matt Barkley's.
The USC parting wasn't completely amicable. Scroggins, one of the nation's top-rated prep quarterbacks in 2010, had some struggles with off-field distractions that hurt his academics, but he rallied in the classroom only to find out that, nonetheless, he was seen by coaches as the odd-man out due to USC trying to fit its roster under NCAA-mandated scholarship limitations. Essentially, he was pushed out the door.
"Certain things happened that shouldn't have happened but everything happens for the best," Scroggins said.
Scroggins went to El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., and put up middling numbers -- 1,148 yards passing, eight touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games -- and arrived at Arizona with a toe injury. That injury sidelined him for most of spring practices. When he made a surprise appearance in the spring game, his first pass was intercepted.
But then he completed 6 of 16 passes for 44 yards and two touchdowns, understandably showing plenty of rust but also flashing at times the ability that made him such a hot recruit. While senior B.J. Denker, who arrived at Arizona with no recruiting pedigree, emerged from spring leading the QB competition, it's far from over.
"I feel like it's all even from today until fall camp starts," Scroggins said. "It's going to be competition until the first game."
One thing is clear: No quarterback on the Wildcats' roster, including touted incoming freshman Anu Solomon, is Scroggins' equal when it comes to arm strength. The Wildcats thrived throwing the ball downfield last fall with the strong-armed Scott. Things wouldn't change with Scroggins behind center.
While coach Rich Rodriguez's offense is widely seen as a read-option that requires a speedy quarterback, which Scroggins isn't, the reality is Rodriguez adapts his play calling for his available talent. Sure, Scott was a good runner, but he led the Pac-12 in passing last fall with 301.7 yards per game. The Wildcats run-pass ratio was even (544 rush, 538 pass).
"Coach Rodriguez's offense goes around the quarterback, whatever your strengths are, that's the type of thing he's going to go with," Scroggins said. "I can run. I just would rather pass first."
Scroggins, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior, said his toe is about "90 percent" and that he's actively running. He expects to be full-go this summer for "voluntary" summer workouts with his teammates, a time when he can build relationships and inspire confidence in him within the locker room.
He's been around long enough to realize that Arizona's locker room is different than USC's.
"Everybody doesn't think they are the guy," Scroggins said. "Guys just want to play football here. It's not about five stars and four stars here. These aren't those type of guys. They have the ability and the skill but we just want to play football rather than talk about it."
Of course, there are folks on the USC end of things who would say the Scroggins of 2010 viewed himself as "the guy." Adversity may have humbled and matured Scroggins, who eagerly noted he's posted 3.0 GPAs his past two semesters.
He called leaving USC "discouraging," but "probably the best thing for me." After a year in junior college, he picked the Wildcats over Arkansas, Wisconsin, Auburn and U-Mass. He was won over by the Wildcats' wide-open scheme, the honest pitch from co-offensive coordinator Rod Smith and the more laid back environment in Tucson.
"I wanted a family environment, something that reminded me of my family," he said.
As for his old "family," yes, Scroggins is excited about the prospect of sticking it to the Trojans in the Coliseum on Oct. 10.
"Definitely," he said.
So, what's his take? Does he like the scrappy Kessler or the big-armed Wittek?
"I don't know and I don't care," Scroggins said. "I'll know when I see them on the field. I got NAU first. I'm not really worried about that game."
Scroggins has his own QB battle to think about, only he's now in Tucson, not L.A. He wants to fill Matt Scott's shoes, not Matt Barkley's.
[+] Enlarge
Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY SportsAfter spending two seasons with USC, Jesse Scroggins transferred to El Camino College before making the move to Arizona.
Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY SportsAfter spending two seasons with USC, Jesse Scroggins transferred to El Camino College before making the move to Arizona."Certain things happened that shouldn't have happened but everything happens for the best," Scroggins said.
Scroggins went to El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., and put up middling numbers -- 1,148 yards passing, eight touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games -- and arrived at Arizona with a toe injury. That injury sidelined him for most of spring practices. When he made a surprise appearance in the spring game, his first pass was intercepted.
But then he completed 6 of 16 passes for 44 yards and two touchdowns, understandably showing plenty of rust but also flashing at times the ability that made him such a hot recruit. While senior B.J. Denker, who arrived at Arizona with no recruiting pedigree, emerged from spring leading the QB competition, it's far from over.
"I feel like it's all even from today until fall camp starts," Scroggins said. "It's going to be competition until the first game."
One thing is clear: No quarterback on the Wildcats' roster, including touted incoming freshman Anu Solomon, is Scroggins' equal when it comes to arm strength. The Wildcats thrived throwing the ball downfield last fall with the strong-armed Scott. Things wouldn't change with Scroggins behind center.
While coach Rich Rodriguez's offense is widely seen as a read-option that requires a speedy quarterback, which Scroggins isn't, the reality is Rodriguez adapts his play calling for his available talent. Sure, Scott was a good runner, but he led the Pac-12 in passing last fall with 301.7 yards per game. The Wildcats run-pass ratio was even (544 rush, 538 pass).
"Coach Rodriguez's offense goes around the quarterback, whatever your strengths are, that's the type of thing he's going to go with," Scroggins said. "I can run. I just would rather pass first."
Scroggins, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior, said his toe is about "90 percent" and that he's actively running. He expects to be full-go this summer for "voluntary" summer workouts with his teammates, a time when he can build relationships and inspire confidence in him within the locker room.
He's been around long enough to realize that Arizona's locker room is different than USC's.
"Everybody doesn't think they are the guy," Scroggins said. "Guys just want to play football here. It's not about five stars and four stars here. These aren't those type of guys. They have the ability and the skill but we just want to play football rather than talk about it."
Of course, there are folks on the USC end of things who would say the Scroggins of 2010 viewed himself as "the guy." Adversity may have humbled and matured Scroggins, who eagerly noted he's posted 3.0 GPAs his past two semesters.
He called leaving USC "discouraging," but "probably the best thing for me." After a year in junior college, he picked the Wildcats over Arkansas, Wisconsin, Auburn and U-Mass. He was won over by the Wildcats' wide-open scheme, the honest pitch from co-offensive coordinator Rod Smith and the more laid back environment in Tucson.
"I wanted a family environment, something that reminded me of my family," he said.
As for his old "family," yes, Scroggins is excited about the prospect of sticking it to the Trojans in the Coliseum on Oct. 10.
"Definitely," he said.
Another healthy mailbag. Settle in.
As always, follow the Pac-12 blog on Twitter.
To the notes!
Ex-Buff fan in Pac-12 dungeon writes: I am so sick of Colorado being the loser on the block. We were two points away from having ZERO wins last year. I was pumped about our new coach until I hear that he can't even hang on to the few good players we have. Not to mention we have? you guessed it ZERO quality recruits for 2014. Give it to me straight doc: how bad will this year be in terms of win total? Because last year, besides Southern Miss, we were the absolute laughing stock of college football. A retirement home football team could have beaten us.
Kevin Gemmell: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Buck up little camper. Step away from the ledge, inhale deeply, take a cleansing breath and settle down.
I tend to lean more on the glass-half-full side of life. How about this ... you were only 14 points away from having four wins last year -- three more games were decided by a touchdown or less. If you want to make the argument for the lone win, then you also have to concede that they were competitive in those other games.
As for recruiting, it's May. Relax. Yes, we post the recruiting roundup every few weeks. But that's simply to inform. Mike MacIntyre knows how to recruit -- and more importantly he knows how to recruit California. That's going to pay huge dividends in the future.
Players who have left -- meh. Do you need them? If they aren't on board with what Mac's trying to do, so be it. See ya. Make room for someone who is. Of those who left, how many were all-conference?
Win total this year, well, that's going to take a leap of faith on the part of the fans. Remember, San Jose State lost more games in MacIntyre's first year than the year before. But in Year 2 there was progress and by Year 3 they were a Top 25 team. So, and I know Colorado fans are tired of hearing this, you're going to have to be patient and let him do what he does. You probably won't see the results in the win/loss column this year -- although I do think Colorado can do better than 1-11. My best advice is don't lose faith. I think you guys have a good thing going with MacIntyre. It's just going to take time.
BHollandz next to Burrito Stadium writes: I used to be a Coach Riley supporter until I witnessed the horrific season of 2011 and the blunders of the 2012 season. Alamo Bowl game anyone????People say that Oregon State has the best coach it will ever get and that us fans should just be satisfied with that. Well, I'm not satisfied. I want a Rose Bowl and eventually a shot a Championship. Do you think it's possible for OSU to attract a high profile coach to succeed Coach Riley and get the Beavers to the next level? This is big time Pac-12 football after all.
Kevin Gemmell: This is a lot darker and more cynical from you than I expected. The grass always seems greener, but be aware Riley isn't going anywhere for a while. Which high-profile coach would you like?
Maybe a guy who has been a coach of the year? Perhaps someone with more than 80 career wins? Experience at the professional ranks would probably be good also. It's got to be someone who sells tickets and knows how to pack Reser Stadium and you'll want a veteran guy with almost 40 years of coaching experience.
You see where I'm going with this ... you've got him! Yes, he had two bad seasons. But in his 10 years since coming back, he's won at least eight games six times, led OSU to eight bowl games and consistently had the Beavers ranked in the Top 25. Last year was the hottest start in the history of the school. And you're already talking replacements?
Maybe I'm biased since I've known him since the Chargers days, but I know he shares the same goals as you. I do think that mistakes were made in the Alamo Bowl -- it had more to do with not adjusting offensively -- not getting more help to account for Alex Okafor -- but I'm not sold that a coach should be judged by one game. When you look at his body of work, it's outstanding. I don't know if he's the best coach you'll ever get. But he has more career wins at Oregon State than any other coach before him (81). That should be celebrated.
Ryan in New York writes: I have to give you chaps credit. You know how to make a point without being mean or hurtful. Good point about for every Ryan, there's a UCLA guy screaming just the opposite. But remember there's one difference. Us Trojans love SC above all. UCLA fans hate SC more than they love themselves.......Also, excellent point on Devon Kennard too. He must stay healthy and play well. Pass the good word to your partner in crime -- Theodore. Peace.
Kevin Gemmell: I won't get into which fan base loves itself or hates the other more. That's for the individual to decide through deep and meditative soul searching. I'm a big Kennard fan and think USC is going to experience a nice defensive boost by moving to the 3-4. Some guys are just better equipped for different schemes.
Now, I know I'm going to tick you off with this next point, but it's apt. UCLA's Datone Jones got into a 3-4 and absolutely exploded -- showing the potential that many believed he had but we'd rarely seen with him in the even front. Coming full circle, I see the same type of production from Kennard and Breslin, Leonard Williams and George Uko and even Dion Bailey moving back to safety. This is a good move for the Trojans. So says the clown.
Nameless in Escondido, Calif., writes: When will Stanford let Ricky Seale play, had another great spring. One of the best backs from San Diego no way he cannot play at Stanford.
Kevin Gemmell: Because Stanford closes its practices and is usually tight-lipped when it comes to position battles, all I can say is I don't know. Obviously there is something going on behind the scenes that is holding Seale back -- either he's not performing in practice or others are simply performing better.
And I'm a big Seale fan, having covered him since he was as sophomore in high school. I spent many a Friday night in Wilson Stadium watching him tear up defenses.
But I'm not in the position group meetings so I don't know what's being discussed. It's a deep group and the return of Tyler Gaffney (another San Diego great) makes it even deeper. From a coach's perspective, though, this is the proverbial great problem to have.
Darin in Monterey, Calif., writes: Good video with Mike Riley, My question is now that the Beavers have a pretty solid O-line, do you think that Storm will top 1,000 yards this year on the ground? It seems Oregon State has been lacking on thousand yard rushers like Simonton, Jackson, and jacquizz. I do like what i saw last year in Woods and Ward.
Kevin Gemmell: Yes, assuming he stays healthy, I have no problem going out on a very easy limb to go out on and say Woods is going to be a 1,000-yard rusher in 2013.
When you consider the receivers they had last year -- and the quietly efficient season of Connor Hamlett -- it made sense that the passing game was the stronger element of the offense. But with Markus Wheaton gone and question marks on exactly who is going to step up at the other receiver spot opposite Brandin Cooks, I think we're going to see an even bigger commitment to the run game -- which will take some of the pressure off the receiving corps. As noted in the video, the running game improved from 2011 to 2012. I think we're going to see it take an even bigger step in 2013 behind Woods.
Andy in Phoenix writes: Right now we only play one game back east the Alamo Bowl and not to many games against other Power 5 conferences except Big 12. Any word on what the bowl line up will look like in 2014?
Kevin Gemmell: I don't. The Pac-12 is heading into the final year of a four-year agreement with its current bowl lineup. Whenever I ask about it, I get the company line that they are very pleased with their bowl partners and look forward to continuing to work with them.
I agree: I'd love to see a Pac-12/SEC bowl game. But at the same time, let's remember that the Pac-12 hasn't exactly dominated the postseason of late -- so there isn't a lot of room for chest-thumping. Outside of the 2-0 mark in BCS bowl games last year, the Pac-12 went 0-3 against other BCS conferences and 2-1 against non-BCS conferences.
Had they gone 8-0, 7-1 or even 6-2, then I'd say it's time to bump up the competition level and get some more competitive games. But 4-4 isn't blowing anyone's socks off. And the Pac-12 is 40-41 in bowl games since 1999. I think it'd be more beneficial to dominate the current bowl lineup before worrying about bigger, badder competition.
Uh oh Chongo in Danger Island writes: Colorado and Utah are still having a bit of a rough go in the new conference. Two questions - which of those two gets to the Pac-12 title game first, and what do those programs need to do to get there?
Kevin Gemmell: Yikes, the crystal ball just melted down. So much of which team gets to the title game first depends a lot on what happens with other teams in the division. And it doesn't look like Jim Mora, Rich Rodriguez or Todd Graham are going anywhere quickly. And regardless of what happens with Lane Kiffin at the end of this year, USC is still going to be USC.
Utah is in a stronger position right now simply because it has continuity among the coaching staff. The new facilities will be open this summer and I think the addition of Dennis Erickson to the staff is going to pay dividends in years to come. That's probably not a hire the Utes could have made had they still been in the Mountain West -- financially or from a high-profile perspective.
Colorado, well, see the above answer. They are a long ways off from being in the mix for the league title game.
They keys for both of these teams -- and really every other team in the conference -- is depth and player development. Everyone can put a solid 22 on the field. But what does your next 22 look like? When that star player goes down, who can step in so you barely miss a beat? Who can turn that borderline recruit into an all-conference player?
ASU had injuries on the defensive line last year and they went into a skid. Washington battled offensive line injuries last year and were inconsistent. Utah's quarterback carousel last year was unfortunate -- but you've got to have that depth to be able to handle the losses.
The teams that can handle that -- Bryan Bennett stepping up for Darren Thomas; A.J. Tarpley and Jarek Lancaster stepping in for Shayne Skov; Oregon's safeties stepping up when they lost John Boyett -- these are the teams that are ultimately the most successful.
William Shatner at Priceline HQ writes: Hey Kevin, you've been doing a lot more work than Ted these past two weeks. Looks like you could use a vacation. I'll take care of airfare if you tell me what your ideal vacation would be?
Kevin Gemmell: Ted has been hitting the lecture circuit hard the last couple of weeks, appearing at several Ivy League schools to deliver his motivational speeches: "Who else besides Pitt hates freedom?" "Please note that you are wrong," and "Boy, I could sure use a me-tini."
He'll be back Monday.
As for me, every trip through the comments section is a daily vacation. By the way, I loved you as General Mortars in Loaded Weapon 1.
As always, follow the Pac-12 blog on Twitter.
To the notes!
Ex-Buff fan in Pac-12 dungeon writes: I am so sick of Colorado being the loser on the block. We were two points away from having ZERO wins last year. I was pumped about our new coach until I hear that he can't even hang on to the few good players we have. Not to mention we have? you guessed it ZERO quality recruits for 2014. Give it to me straight doc: how bad will this year be in terms of win total? Because last year, besides Southern Miss, we were the absolute laughing stock of college football. A retirement home football team could have beaten us.
Kevin Gemmell: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Buck up little camper. Step away from the ledge, inhale deeply, take a cleansing breath and settle down.
I tend to lean more on the glass-half-full side of life. How about this ... you were only 14 points away from having four wins last year -- three more games were decided by a touchdown or less. If you want to make the argument for the lone win, then you also have to concede that they were competitive in those other games.
As for recruiting, it's May. Relax. Yes, we post the recruiting roundup every few weeks. But that's simply to inform. Mike MacIntyre knows how to recruit -- and more importantly he knows how to recruit California. That's going to pay huge dividends in the future.
Players who have left -- meh. Do you need them? If they aren't on board with what Mac's trying to do, so be it. See ya. Make room for someone who is. Of those who left, how many were all-conference?
Win total this year, well, that's going to take a leap of faith on the part of the fans. Remember, San Jose State lost more games in MacIntyre's first year than the year before. But in Year 2 there was progress and by Year 3 they were a Top 25 team. So, and I know Colorado fans are tired of hearing this, you're going to have to be patient and let him do what he does. You probably won't see the results in the win/loss column this year -- although I do think Colorado can do better than 1-11. My best advice is don't lose faith. I think you guys have a good thing going with MacIntyre. It's just going to take time.
BHollandz next to Burrito Stadium writes: I used to be a Coach Riley supporter until I witnessed the horrific season of 2011 and the blunders of the 2012 season. Alamo Bowl game anyone????People say that Oregon State has the best coach it will ever get and that us fans should just be satisfied with that. Well, I'm not satisfied. I want a Rose Bowl and eventually a shot a Championship. Do you think it's possible for OSU to attract a high profile coach to succeed Coach Riley and get the Beavers to the next level? This is big time Pac-12 football after all.
Kevin Gemmell: This is a lot darker and more cynical from you than I expected. The grass always seems greener, but be aware Riley isn't going anywhere for a while. Which high-profile coach would you like?
Maybe a guy who has been a coach of the year? Perhaps someone with more than 80 career wins? Experience at the professional ranks would probably be good also. It's got to be someone who sells tickets and knows how to pack Reser Stadium and you'll want a veteran guy with almost 40 years of coaching experience.
You see where I'm going with this ... you've got him! Yes, he had two bad seasons. But in his 10 years since coming back, he's won at least eight games six times, led OSU to eight bowl games and consistently had the Beavers ranked in the Top 25. Last year was the hottest start in the history of the school. And you're already talking replacements?
Maybe I'm biased since I've known him since the Chargers days, but I know he shares the same goals as you. I do think that mistakes were made in the Alamo Bowl -- it had more to do with not adjusting offensively -- not getting more help to account for Alex Okafor -- but I'm not sold that a coach should be judged by one game. When you look at his body of work, it's outstanding. I don't know if he's the best coach you'll ever get. But he has more career wins at Oregon State than any other coach before him (81). That should be celebrated.
Ryan in New York writes: I have to give you chaps credit. You know how to make a point without being mean or hurtful. Good point about for every Ryan, there's a UCLA guy screaming just the opposite. But remember there's one difference. Us Trojans love SC above all. UCLA fans hate SC more than they love themselves.......Also, excellent point on Devon Kennard too. He must stay healthy and play well. Pass the good word to your partner in crime -- Theodore. Peace.
Kevin Gemmell: I won't get into which fan base loves itself or hates the other more. That's for the individual to decide through deep and meditative soul searching. I'm a big Kennard fan and think USC is going to experience a nice defensive boost by moving to the 3-4. Some guys are just better equipped for different schemes.
Now, I know I'm going to tick you off with this next point, but it's apt. UCLA's Datone Jones got into a 3-4 and absolutely exploded -- showing the potential that many believed he had but we'd rarely seen with him in the even front. Coming full circle, I see the same type of production from Kennard and Breslin, Leonard Williams and George Uko and even Dion Bailey moving back to safety. This is a good move for the Trojans. So says the clown.
Nameless in Escondido, Calif., writes: When will Stanford let Ricky Seale play, had another great spring. One of the best backs from San Diego no way he cannot play at Stanford.
Kevin Gemmell: Because Stanford closes its practices and is usually tight-lipped when it comes to position battles, all I can say is I don't know. Obviously there is something going on behind the scenes that is holding Seale back -- either he's not performing in practice or others are simply performing better.
And I'm a big Seale fan, having covered him since he was as sophomore in high school. I spent many a Friday night in Wilson Stadium watching him tear up defenses.
But I'm not in the position group meetings so I don't know what's being discussed. It's a deep group and the return of Tyler Gaffney (another San Diego great) makes it even deeper. From a coach's perspective, though, this is the proverbial great problem to have.
Darin in Monterey, Calif., writes: Good video with Mike Riley, My question is now that the Beavers have a pretty solid O-line, do you think that Storm will top 1,000 yards this year on the ground? It seems Oregon State has been lacking on thousand yard rushers like Simonton, Jackson, and jacquizz. I do like what i saw last year in Woods and Ward.
Kevin Gemmell: Yes, assuming he stays healthy, I have no problem going out on a very easy limb to go out on and say Woods is going to be a 1,000-yard rusher in 2013.
When you consider the receivers they had last year -- and the quietly efficient season of Connor Hamlett -- it made sense that the passing game was the stronger element of the offense. But with Markus Wheaton gone and question marks on exactly who is going to step up at the other receiver spot opposite Brandin Cooks, I think we're going to see an even bigger commitment to the run game -- which will take some of the pressure off the receiving corps. As noted in the video, the running game improved from 2011 to 2012. I think we're going to see it take an even bigger step in 2013 behind Woods.
Andy in Phoenix writes: Right now we only play one game back east the Alamo Bowl and not to many games against other Power 5 conferences except Big 12. Any word on what the bowl line up will look like in 2014?
Kevin Gemmell: I don't. The Pac-12 is heading into the final year of a four-year agreement with its current bowl lineup. Whenever I ask about it, I get the company line that they are very pleased with their bowl partners and look forward to continuing to work with them.
I agree: I'd love to see a Pac-12/SEC bowl game. But at the same time, let's remember that the Pac-12 hasn't exactly dominated the postseason of late -- so there isn't a lot of room for chest-thumping. Outside of the 2-0 mark in BCS bowl games last year, the Pac-12 went 0-3 against other BCS conferences and 2-1 against non-BCS conferences.
Had they gone 8-0, 7-1 or even 6-2, then I'd say it's time to bump up the competition level and get some more competitive games. But 4-4 isn't blowing anyone's socks off. And the Pac-12 is 40-41 in bowl games since 1999. I think it'd be more beneficial to dominate the current bowl lineup before worrying about bigger, badder competition.
Uh oh Chongo in Danger Island writes: Colorado and Utah are still having a bit of a rough go in the new conference. Two questions - which of those two gets to the Pac-12 title game first, and what do those programs need to do to get there?
Kevin Gemmell: Yikes, the crystal ball just melted down. So much of which team gets to the title game first depends a lot on what happens with other teams in the division. And it doesn't look like Jim Mora, Rich Rodriguez or Todd Graham are going anywhere quickly. And regardless of what happens with Lane Kiffin at the end of this year, USC is still going to be USC.
Utah is in a stronger position right now simply because it has continuity among the coaching staff. The new facilities will be open this summer and I think the addition of Dennis Erickson to the staff is going to pay dividends in years to come. That's probably not a hire the Utes could have made had they still been in the Mountain West -- financially or from a high-profile perspective.
Colorado, well, see the above answer. They are a long ways off from being in the mix for the league title game.
They keys for both of these teams -- and really every other team in the conference -- is depth and player development. Everyone can put a solid 22 on the field. But what does your next 22 look like? When that star player goes down, who can step in so you barely miss a beat? Who can turn that borderline recruit into an all-conference player?
ASU had injuries on the defensive line last year and they went into a skid. Washington battled offensive line injuries last year and were inconsistent. Utah's quarterback carousel last year was unfortunate -- but you've got to have that depth to be able to handle the losses.
The teams that can handle that -- Bryan Bennett stepping up for Darren Thomas; A.J. Tarpley and Jarek Lancaster stepping in for Shayne Skov; Oregon's safeties stepping up when they lost John Boyett -- these are the teams that are ultimately the most successful.
William Shatner at Priceline HQ writes: Hey Kevin, you've been doing a lot more work than Ted these past two weeks. Looks like you could use a vacation. I'll take care of airfare if you tell me what your ideal vacation would be?
Kevin Gemmell: Ted has been hitting the lecture circuit hard the last couple of weeks, appearing at several Ivy League schools to deliver his motivational speeches: "Who else besides Pitt hates freedom?" "Please note that you are wrong," and "Boy, I could sure use a me-tini."
He'll be back Monday.
As for me, every trip through the comments section is a daily vacation. By the way, I loved you as General Mortars in Loaded Weapon 1.
I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you.
- BYU's offensive coordinator gets a strong endorsement from Rich Rodriguez.
- Arizona State is still fighting to get the Notre Dame game in Tempe. Brady Hoke rumored to arbitrate.
- Cal hired a new strength and conditioning coach.
- Colorado's defensive linemen are trimming up.
- Five of the most influential Oregon plays of the past 10 seasons.
- The Oregon State spring tour continues with USC.
- Tracking Stanford's third-down efficiency.
- Johnathan Franklin brings good competition to the position in Green Bay.
- USC appears twice on Athlon's ranking for the 25 greatest dynasties of the AP era.
- A look at the running back hopefuls to replace John White.
- Can Jonathan Amosa make it with the Packers?
- Washington State news and notes.
The name's Dangerously. Johnny Dangerously.
Did you know your last name is an adverb?
Did you know your last name is an adverb?
- Can Rich Rodriguez lead Arizona to a major bowl game in five years? One writer says yes. (But no to Washington and California).
- A post-spring exit interview with ASU linebackers coach Paul Randolph.
- Sad news for the Cal family with the passing of Chuck Muncie.
- Mike MacIntyre is waiting for all the facts before passing judgment on Jordan Webb.
- An analysis of Oregon's special teams.
- Are the Beavers lucky to be missing UCLA this year?
- Another vote for Shayne Skov as Stanford's Most Important Player (at least on defense).
- Tough break for the Bruins, who likely lose defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa for the 2013 season.
- The Trojans are looking to ramp up the power running game in 2013.
- Utah's new football facility is to be ready by July.
- What are the expectations for Desmond Trufant in 2013?
- A WSU defensive lineman was given a liar-liar-pants-on-fire citation.
- Eager to stir the pot in mid-May, Jon Wilner predicts the first-and-second team all-league teams. Very ambitious. Very brave.
Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez talks about the team's quarterback competition, Arizona's defense, and gives his thoughts on the College Football Playoff.
ARIZONA WILDCATS
2012 record: 8-5
2012 conference record: 4-5 (fourth in South Division)
Returning starters: Offense: 6; defense: 11; kicker/punter: 0
Top returners
RB Ka'Deem Carey, WR David Richards, LB Jake Fischer, LB Marquis Flowers, WR Terrence Miller, OL Fabbians Ebbele, OL Mickey Baucus.
Key losses
QB Matt Scott, WR Dan Buckner, C Kyle Quinn, DL Dominique Austin, OL Trace Biskin.
2012 statistical leaders (*returners)
Rushing: Ka'Deem Carey* (1,929 yards)
Passing: Matt Scott (3,620 yards)
Receiving: Austin Hill* (1,364, suffered ACL tear in spring, out indefinitely)
Tackles: Jake Fischer* (119)
Sacks: Marquis Flowers* (5.5)
Interceptions: Marquis Flowers* and Jonathan McKnight* (3)
Spring answers
1. Plenty of weapons: Yes, Austin Hill's injury is brutal. Yes, it's a big blow to the Wildcats. Is it a game-changer? Maybe, maybe not. It's not like the Cats are strapped for receiving options. Johnny Jackson, David Richards, Tyler Slavin and Garic Wharton still make up an awfully formidable receiving corps. If a couple emerge, Arizona will be OK. If they all do, the Wildcats might not miss a beat.
2. The whole defense returns: Great -- except that the defense struggled last season. Having a ton of starters back is a good thing -- but only if they get better. A second year in the 3-3-5 should naturally lend itself to less thinking and more playing. And it's not just the starting 11. There are 20 defensive players who notched at least one start last season -- so there is depth to go with the experience.
3. O-line rising: It's no easy task replacing center Kyle Quinn. But the good thing about Arizona's line is that its members are versatile and can play multiple positions. Mickey Baucus (LT) and Fabbians Ebbele (RT) started every game last year and Chris Putton started multiple games at both guard spots and can also play center. The five isn't set -- but there is room and depth to mix and match.
Fall questions
1. QB roulette? Unlike with some other Pac-12 teams with quarterback competitions, Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez doesn't want to name his starter and then stand by his man. He could name a different starter the next day. And then a different one the day after that. Rodriguez said he could have three different quarterbacks start the first three weeks of the season. Many feel B.J. Denker had the strongest spring with Jesse Scroggins slowed by injury. Stay tuned.
2. Ready to lead? Did Matt Scott make Ka'Deem Carey look good? Or did Carey make Scott look good? Most think it was a bit of both. With Scott gone and Carey now a national name, the target will be squarely on the chest of last season's national leader in rushing. Carey isn't going to surprise anyone. Can he duplicate 2012's production with the increased attention and a new quarterback at the helm?
3. Injuries stink: That's not so much a fall question as a statement on the olfactory unpleasantness of injuries. The Wildcats had as many as 20 injuries this spring, meaning a lot of players who might not start in the fall got to start in the spring. That's great for depth, but it leaves a lot of holes and a lot of questions still be to be answered when the bulk of those injured players return in the fall.
2012 record: 8-5
2012 conference record: 4-5 (fourth in South Division)
Returning starters: Offense: 6; defense: 11; kicker/punter: 0
Top returners
RB Ka'Deem Carey, WR David Richards, LB Jake Fischer, LB Marquis Flowers, WR Terrence Miller, OL Fabbians Ebbele, OL Mickey Baucus.
Key losses
QB Matt Scott, WR Dan Buckner, C Kyle Quinn, DL Dominique Austin, OL Trace Biskin.
2012 statistical leaders (*returners)
Rushing: Ka'Deem Carey* (1,929 yards)
Passing: Matt Scott (3,620 yards)
Receiving: Austin Hill* (1,364, suffered ACL tear in spring, out indefinitely)
Tackles: Jake Fischer* (119)
Sacks: Marquis Flowers* (5.5)
Interceptions: Marquis Flowers* and Jonathan McKnight* (3)
Spring answers
1. Plenty of weapons: Yes, Austin Hill's injury is brutal. Yes, it's a big blow to the Wildcats. Is it a game-changer? Maybe, maybe not. It's not like the Cats are strapped for receiving options. Johnny Jackson, David Richards, Tyler Slavin and Garic Wharton still make up an awfully formidable receiving corps. If a couple emerge, Arizona will be OK. If they all do, the Wildcats might not miss a beat.
2. The whole defense returns: Great -- except that the defense struggled last season. Having a ton of starters back is a good thing -- but only if they get better. A second year in the 3-3-5 should naturally lend itself to less thinking and more playing. And it's not just the starting 11. There are 20 defensive players who notched at least one start last season -- so there is depth to go with the experience.
3. O-line rising: It's no easy task replacing center Kyle Quinn. But the good thing about Arizona's line is that its members are versatile and can play multiple positions. Mickey Baucus (LT) and Fabbians Ebbele (RT) started every game last year and Chris Putton started multiple games at both guard spots and can also play center. The five isn't set -- but there is room and depth to mix and match.
Fall questions
1. QB roulette? Unlike with some other Pac-12 teams with quarterback competitions, Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez doesn't want to name his starter and then stand by his man. He could name a different starter the next day. And then a different one the day after that. Rodriguez said he could have three different quarterbacks start the first three weeks of the season. Many feel B.J. Denker had the strongest spring with Jesse Scroggins slowed by injury. Stay tuned.
2. Ready to lead? Did Matt Scott make Ka'Deem Carey look good? Or did Carey make Scott look good? Most think it was a bit of both. With Scott gone and Carey now a national name, the target will be squarely on the chest of last season's national leader in rushing. Carey isn't going to surprise anyone. Can he duplicate 2012's production with the increased attention and a new quarterback at the helm?
3. Injuries stink: That's not so much a fall question as a statement on the olfactory unpleasantness of injuries. The Wildcats had as many as 20 injuries this spring, meaning a lot of players who might not start in the fall got to start in the spring. That's great for depth, but it leaves a lot of holes and a lot of questions still be to be answered when the bulk of those injured players return in the fall.
Here on the Pac-12 blog, we bring more than just game coverage, team analysis, statistical trends and rarely-accurate bowl projections.
We also bring the stuff that matters. Like Twitter stats.
Inspired by Kelly Hines of Tulsa World, who went through every FBS coach's Twitter account and ranked them by followers, we thought we'd do the same for just the Pac-12. You can see Hines' article here and note where the Pac-12 coaches rank against their peers. Twitter, of course, is quite fluid with followers coming and going often.
At the time of Hines' publication, UCLA coach Jim Mora was the leader of the league's coaches in number of followers. But he's since dropped about 6,000 followers (rough weekend), meaning Washington's Steve Sarkisian is the leader.
LSU's Les Miles headlines the group as the only coach with more than 100,000 followers, followed by Notre Dame's Brian Kelly, Tennessee's Butch Jones, Georgia's Mark Richt and Arkansas' Bret Bielema rounding out the top five.
Here's where the Pac-12 coaches currently ranks, along with links to their Twitter accounts.
If Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has a Twitter account, it's super secret. You can follow the Utes at @Utah_Football.
Same for new Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre, who probably has a little more on his mind than getting his new Twitter account set up. You can follow the Buffs official football feed @RunRalphieRun.
While you're updating your twitter, why not swing by and follow the Pac-12 blog (48,527). That's right, Bieber. Don't get too comfy.
#hashtagjokesaregettingold
We also bring the stuff that matters. Like Twitter stats.
Inspired by Kelly Hines of Tulsa World, who went through every FBS coach's Twitter account and ranked them by followers, we thought we'd do the same for just the Pac-12. You can see Hines' article here and note where the Pac-12 coaches rank against their peers. Twitter, of course, is quite fluid with followers coming and going often.
At the time of Hines' publication, UCLA coach Jim Mora was the leader of the league's coaches in number of followers. But he's since dropped about 6,000 followers (rough weekend), meaning Washington's Steve Sarkisian is the leader.
LSU's Les Miles headlines the group as the only coach with more than 100,000 followers, followed by Notre Dame's Brian Kelly, Tennessee's Butch Jones, Georgia's Mark Richt and Arkansas' Bret Bielema rounding out the top five.
Here's where the Pac-12 coaches currently ranks, along with links to their Twitter accounts.
- Steve Sarkisian 46,510
- Jim Mora 43,166
- Mike Leach 42,226
- Lane Kiffin 29,853
- Mike Riley 14,939
- Rich Rodriguez 8,320
- David Shaw 6,443
- Sonny Dykes 3,564
- Mark Helfrich 3,382
- Todd Graham 2,063
If Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has a Twitter account, it's super secret. You can follow the Utes at @Utah_Football.
Same for new Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre, who probably has a little more on his mind than getting his new Twitter account set up. You can follow the Buffs official football feed @RunRalphieRun.
While you're updating your twitter, why not swing by and follow the Pac-12 blog (48,527). That's right, Bieber. Don't get too comfy.
#hashtagjokesaregettingold
Optimism is an important part of the sporting experience. From fans to coaches to players, the vast majority espouse great hopes in advance of every season, even when bad things happen that seem to poleax those hopes.
A player or coach is never going to say, "We're doomed," when a star player gets hurt. It's "Next man in." As it should be. No one likes a whiner.
And woe to the sportswriter who, armed with a laptop, acts as the killjoy.
Take Arizona. It already was searching for a replacement for highly productive quarterback Matt Scott when, on the last week of spring practices, star receiver Austin Hill went down with a knee injury.
No worries, said fellow receiver David Richards.
"We have a lot of other weapons," Richards said. "I don't think we'll really lose a step. I don't think it will hurt us that bad even though he was a great receiver."
Richards added he plans to step up his game and help fill the void. That's good because he's now the Wildcats leading returning wide receiver after catching 29 passes for 298 yards with three TDs last year.
That, of course, is long way from the 81 passes for 1,364 yards with 11 scores Hill contributed as a sophomore. But we are not here to party poop. We are here to offer hope.
Hill's injury and the departure of second-leading receiver Dan Buckner leave a void without a doubt. Whoever wins the quarterback job won't have an obvious go-to option. On the positive side, he also won't be fixated on one guy, as, say, USC was last year with Marqise Lee.
The Wildcats have solid experience coming back at receiver. Richards is the leader of four wide outs who caught at least 19 passes last year, a crew that includes Tyler Slavin, Johnny Jackson and Garic Wharton. The imposing Terrence Miller also returns after receiving a medical hardship year from the NCAA. The 6-foot-4, 234 pounder had 13 receptions in the first four games before he got hurt.
Finally, there's a trio of promising redshirt freshmen -- Trey Griffey, Clive Georges and Jarrell Bennett -- who hinted this spring they are ready to help.
Let's just say there are plenty of teams in the country and even the Pac-12 that would trade their receivers for Arizona's, including rival Arizona State, which is essentially crossing its fingers over incoming players being ready to take over leading roles.
Hill's injury was a hit, but it didn't change the preeminent questions for the Wildcats: Quarterback and defense. Arizona has no idea who will be behind center, while the defensive question hangs on how much better 11 returning starters and some redshirt freshmen and newcomers can be compared to the overmatched group from 2012.
Richards, following the lead of his coaches, didn't reveal much about the QB competition, though B.J. Denker seemed to have the best spring, with USC transfer Jesse Scroggins sitting out and touted true freshman Anu Solomon arriving this summer.
"All the quarterbacks pretty much had a good spring," Richards said. "I think it will be a good camp with them all competing. The person that works the hardest and proves he wants to be the leader of this team will be the quarterback."
That same could be said of who will become that QB's top target.
A player or coach is never going to say, "We're doomed," when a star player gets hurt. It's "Next man in." As it should be. No one likes a whiner.
And woe to the sportswriter who, armed with a laptop, acts as the killjoy.
Take Arizona. It already was searching for a replacement for highly productive quarterback Matt Scott when, on the last week of spring practices, star receiver Austin Hill went down with a knee injury.
No worries, said fellow receiver David Richards.
"We have a lot of other weapons," Richards said. "I don't think we'll really lose a step. I don't think it will hurt us that bad even though he was a great receiver."
Richards added he plans to step up his game and help fill the void. That's good because he's now the Wildcats leading returning wide receiver after catching 29 passes for 298 yards with three TDs last year.
That, of course, is long way from the 81 passes for 1,364 yards with 11 scores Hill contributed as a sophomore. But we are not here to party poop. We are here to offer hope.
Hill's injury and the departure of second-leading receiver Dan Buckner leave a void without a doubt. Whoever wins the quarterback job won't have an obvious go-to option. On the positive side, he also won't be fixated on one guy, as, say, USC was last year with Marqise Lee.
The Wildcats have solid experience coming back at receiver. Richards is the leader of four wide outs who caught at least 19 passes last year, a crew that includes Tyler Slavin, Johnny Jackson and Garic Wharton. The imposing Terrence Miller also returns after receiving a medical hardship year from the NCAA. The 6-foot-4, 234 pounder had 13 receptions in the first four games before he got hurt.
Finally, there's a trio of promising redshirt freshmen -- Trey Griffey, Clive Georges and Jarrell Bennett -- who hinted this spring they are ready to help.
Let's just say there are plenty of teams in the country and even the Pac-12 that would trade their receivers for Arizona's, including rival Arizona State, which is essentially crossing its fingers over incoming players being ready to take over leading roles.
Hill's injury was a hit, but it didn't change the preeminent questions for the Wildcats: Quarterback and defense. Arizona has no idea who will be behind center, while the defensive question hangs on how much better 11 returning starters and some redshirt freshmen and newcomers can be compared to the overmatched group from 2012.
Richards, following the lead of his coaches, didn't reveal much about the QB competition, though B.J. Denker seemed to have the best spring, with USC transfer Jesse Scroggins sitting out and touted true freshman Anu Solomon arriving this summer.
"All the quarterbacks pretty much had a good spring," Richards said. "I think it will be a good camp with them all competing. The person that works the hardest and proves he wants to be the leader of this team will be the quarterback."
That same could be said of who will become that QB's top target.
PHOENIX -- Although the new College Football Playoff format likely will ignite a spirited debate between Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott and his SEC counterpart, Mike Slive -- as well as every other major conference commissioner -- there is at least one area where Scott and Slive agree: increasing the value of scholarships to cover cost of attendance.
And, just like Slive, Scott was willing to say for the record this week that if the NCAA isn't going to facilitate a solution, maybe then it's part of the problem.
Scott said the Pac-12 is "in lockstep with the SEC" on the matter, suggesting that a $2,000 stipend added to the existing scholarship structure would be a straightforward solution to a longstanding issue, one the NCAA needs to prioritize.
"And if it gets blocked completely, if there no movement in this direction, I think it will cause some real soul-searching among some of the conferences as to whether this structure -- one size fits all; if everyone can't do it, then no one should do it -- can make sense for us long term," he said.
That "structure," of course, is the NCAA.
The College Football Playoff, which will be a revenue gold mine for the major conferences, figures to push forward the issue of improving the lot of student-athletes, who are generating the revenue. That said, the front-line concerns during Pac-12 meetings at the Biltmore resort in Phoenix this week were how the new playoff system will be set up.
While little news was made this week, there was plenty of discussion about the makeup of a playoff selection committee and the lack of uniform standards across the major conferences, whether that's about conference and nonconference scheduling or how many support staff members each school can hire.
The selection committee, however it will be made up, will face significant scrutiny. It will be asked to make subjective distinctions between teams that often will have little common ground for comparison. The process will amount to a four-team BCS system but with human faces -- humans who can be blamed by disappointed fans of the team deemed No. 5.
Scott echoed Slive in suggesting the committee needs a strong resume of football expertise, and that picking former coaches might be one direction to take.
"Coaches have tremendous comfort with other coaches, as long as they are not too distant [from their coaching careers]," Scott said. "Ideally they are former coaches that have worked at multiple institutions across multiple conferences that would have a broad feel and perspective."
Said Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez: "I think it’s a good idea to have a big committee. I know there is an issue that if you can’t get two or three people to agree on something, how are you going to get 20? With that being said, I think you can find 20 quality people to be on a committee. I still think you have to use some kind of poll to help. But you’ve got to have someone that can watch the games -- somebody that actually gets a chance to watch film or watch them on TV and make a true evaluation of who the best teams in the country are."
But most college coaching careers are regional. And most coaches will have fan bases that strongly view them as a foe.
As far as athletic directors making up the committee, as many do for the NCAA basketball tournament, more than a few Pac-12 ADs offered up a "no, thanks," though the Pac-12 blog was amused with Oregon State's Bob De Carolis gamely volunteering that he thought it would be "fun."
One way to make things easier for a selection committee is creating scheduling standards to which all of the participating major conferences agree. The Pac-12 and Big 12 play nine conference games. The Big Ten has announced it will play nine conference games starting in 2016. Within the SEC and ACC, which play eight conference games, there has been resistance to adding another.
Conferences that play eight conference games not only have an easier path to a good record and potential inclusion in a playoff, but -- perhaps counterintuitively -- also increase the perception of strength of schedule because it reduces the number of losses within a conference.
"I think a big thing for us is whether we all have level playing fields," said Stanford coach David Shaw, whose Cardinal, like USC, have the burden of an annual matchup with Notre Dame on top of a nine-game conference schedule.
"All those things need to come to the forefront so that when this does come about, we all are playing by similar rules, so we can be judging apples and apples," Shaw said.
While the momentum seems to be toward everyone playing nine conference games, there continues to be a strong divide in the Pac-12 over whether the conference should revert to eight conference games if it doesn't become a playoff qualifying standard. Playing nine conference games makes scheduling easier and improves ticket sales, but it also hurts the Pac-12 competitively.
The issue didn't come up this week, as it had during past conference meetings, but it again could become relevant.
"We've had serious discussions, and I've raised the issue, from a competitive standpoint," Washington athletic director Scott Woodward said. "It's been one of my key issues. I love playing a nine-game conference schedule. It's good for football. But I want our counterparts in other conferences to do so as well, and make sure we're not at a competitive disadvantage."
Scott said strength of schedule will be a critical component of the selection process, but it might require a couple of years for conferences and teams to recognize what that means.
"Frankly, the first time a team gets punished, is maybe out of the playoff or gets a No. 3 or No. 4 seed rather than a one or two seeding as a result of playing an FCS team or playing a weak nonconference schedule, that will change behavior," Scott said.
"Change" has been a constant in college football of late. The tension surrounding the new College Football Playoff is there in part because we don't yet know what that change is going to look like.
And, just like Slive, Scott was willing to say for the record this week that if the NCAA isn't going to facilitate a solution, maybe then it's part of the problem.
[+] Enlarge
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY SportsIn regards to increasing the value of scholarships to cover cost of attendance, Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott is "in lockstep with the SEC."
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY SportsIn regards to increasing the value of scholarships to cover cost of attendance, Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott is "in lockstep with the SEC." "And if it gets blocked completely, if there no movement in this direction, I think it will cause some real soul-searching among some of the conferences as to whether this structure -- one size fits all; if everyone can't do it, then no one should do it -- can make sense for us long term," he said.
That "structure," of course, is the NCAA.
The College Football Playoff, which will be a revenue gold mine for the major conferences, figures to push forward the issue of improving the lot of student-athletes, who are generating the revenue. That said, the front-line concerns during Pac-12 meetings at the Biltmore resort in Phoenix this week were how the new playoff system will be set up.
While little news was made this week, there was plenty of discussion about the makeup of a playoff selection committee and the lack of uniform standards across the major conferences, whether that's about conference and nonconference scheduling or how many support staff members each school can hire.
The selection committee, however it will be made up, will face significant scrutiny. It will be asked to make subjective distinctions between teams that often will have little common ground for comparison. The process will amount to a four-team BCS system but with human faces -- humans who can be blamed by disappointed fans of the team deemed No. 5.
Scott echoed Slive in suggesting the committee needs a strong resume of football expertise, and that picking former coaches might be one direction to take.
"Coaches have tremendous comfort with other coaches, as long as they are not too distant [from their coaching careers]," Scott said. "Ideally they are former coaches that have worked at multiple institutions across multiple conferences that would have a broad feel and perspective."
Said Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez: "I think it’s a good idea to have a big committee. I know there is an issue that if you can’t get two or three people to agree on something, how are you going to get 20? With that being said, I think you can find 20 quality people to be on a committee. I still think you have to use some kind of poll to help. But you’ve got to have someone that can watch the games -- somebody that actually gets a chance to watch film or watch them on TV and make a true evaluation of who the best teams in the country are."
But most college coaching careers are regional. And most coaches will have fan bases that strongly view them as a foe.
As far as athletic directors making up the committee, as many do for the NCAA basketball tournament, more than a few Pac-12 ADs offered up a "no, thanks," though the Pac-12 blog was amused with Oregon State's Bob De Carolis gamely volunteering that he thought it would be "fun."
One way to make things easier for a selection committee is creating scheduling standards to which all of the participating major conferences agree. The Pac-12 and Big 12 play nine conference games. The Big Ten has announced it will play nine conference games starting in 2016. Within the SEC and ACC, which play eight conference games, there has been resistance to adding another.
Conferences that play eight conference games not only have an easier path to a good record and potential inclusion in a playoff, but -- perhaps counterintuitively -- also increase the perception of strength of schedule because it reduces the number of losses within a conference.
"I think a big thing for us is whether we all have level playing fields," said Stanford coach David Shaw, whose Cardinal, like USC, have the burden of an annual matchup with Notre Dame on top of a nine-game conference schedule.
"All those things need to come to the forefront so that when this does come about, we all are playing by similar rules, so we can be judging apples and apples," Shaw said.
While the momentum seems to be toward everyone playing nine conference games, there continues to be a strong divide in the Pac-12 over whether the conference should revert to eight conference games if it doesn't become a playoff qualifying standard. Playing nine conference games makes scheduling easier and improves ticket sales, but it also hurts the Pac-12 competitively.
The issue didn't come up this week, as it had during past conference meetings, but it again could become relevant.
"We've had serious discussions, and I've raised the issue, from a competitive standpoint," Washington athletic director Scott Woodward said. "It's been one of my key issues. I love playing a nine-game conference schedule. It's good for football. But I want our counterparts in other conferences to do so as well, and make sure we're not at a competitive disadvantage."
Scott said strength of schedule will be a critical component of the selection process, but it might require a couple of years for conferences and teams to recognize what that means.
"Frankly, the first time a team gets punished, is maybe out of the playoff or gets a No. 3 or No. 4 seed rather than a one or two seeding as a result of playing an FCS team or playing a weak nonconference schedule, that will change behavior," Scott said.
"Change" has been a constant in college football of late. The tension surrounding the new College Football Playoff is there in part because we don't yet know what that change is going to look like.
Every game counts. But some games count more. Or tell us more.
We've gone through the Pac-12 and picked out one game that seems most important -- or potentially most revealing -- for each team from our vantage point today.
And then we let you vote from a list of potential options.
Here's our last entry.
Arizona
Most important game: Nov. 30 at Arizona State
Why it's important: Kevin already has written that this is Arizona State's "Most Important Game." I tend to agree, though, I think you could make a case for the Sun Devils game at UCLA on Nov. 23.
The Sun Devils visit to UCLA, while not a highly charged rivalry game, probably will play a bigger role in deciding the Pac-12's South Division than their hosting Arizona in the final regular-season game.
Of course, this Pac-12 blog series has required a lot of "What if?" thinking, often also asking for the suspension of pure emotions in favor of big picture thinking. And by "the suspension of pure emotions," I mean, for example, all the Arizona fans who already are fuming that their "Most Important Game" Pac-12 blog entry started off with two -- TWO! -- paragraphs that focused on those louts at Tempe Normal.
Two paragraphs on the Sun Devils! HIJACKING OUR ENTRY! Arrrraghhhh!
Let's put it this way: The 2013 Territorial Cup is bigger for Arizona than Arizona State, no matter that the expectations are higher for the Sun Devils next fall.
Arizona State won at Arizona last year, overcoming a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to win, 41-34. That gave Todd Graham a 1-0 edge over Rich Rodriguez for the first-year head coaches in the rivalry game. Those old acquaintances do not have a particularly warm relationship, so they already fully "feel" the emotions of this rivalry.
If Graham improved to 2-0 versus Rich Rod, and then his Sun Devils advanced to the Pac-12 title game as the South Division champions, you could officially declare a small stagger had appeared between the programs. It wouldn't be irreversible by any means, but 730 days of gloating from your rival can be hard to stomach.
Let's start with an optimistic vision of Arizona's upcoming season.
The Wildcats pillow-soft nonconference slate means they will almost certainly start 3-0. Missing Stanford and Oregon State also is a boost in terms of scheduling degree of difficulty. If they answer questions at quarterback and on defense, this team could be a darkhorse contender in the South Division. Even though Arizona State, UCLA and USC are seen as the division favorites, the perceived distance between those three and the Wildcats is far from vast.
In fact, if things fall Arizona's way, the Territorial Cup could have South Division implications. Just imagine, Wildcats fans, how much fun it would be to not only win the South and earn a shot at the program's first Rose Bowl but also to dump the Sun Devils, who were widely viewed as division favorites in the preseason. And doing that in their own house, though that's not uncommon in a rivalry where the home team has lost four in a row.
The less optimistic vision of Arizona's upcoming season -- 7-5 looks like a good over-under for this team -- could be salvaged with a win over Arizona State, particularly if that knocks the Sun Devils out of the top spot in the division.
Even if the Sun Devils didn't need a Territorial Cup victory to win the South, Arizona State's enjoyment of its division title would be significantly watered down if they had to listen to crowing Wildcats fans:
The Pac-12 blog's ultimate hope is this rivalry game develops into a showdown of ranked teams. That way national attention could come to one of the nation's most underrated rivalries in terms of pure, unadulterated dislike.
Maybe that happens this year.
Or maybe I should write another paragraph about the Sun Devils?
We've gone through the Pac-12 and picked out one game that seems most important -- or potentially most revealing -- for each team from our vantage point today.
And then we let you vote from a list of potential options.
Here's our last entry.
Arizona
Most important game: Nov. 30 at Arizona State
Why it's important: Kevin already has written that this is Arizona State's "Most Important Game." I tend to agree, though, I think you could make a case for the Sun Devils game at UCLA on Nov. 23.
Of course, this Pac-12 blog series has required a lot of "What if?" thinking, often also asking for the suspension of pure emotions in favor of big picture thinking. And by "the suspension of pure emotions," I mean, for example, all the Arizona fans who already are fuming that their "Most Important Game" Pac-12 blog entry started off with two -- TWO! -- paragraphs that focused on those louts at Tempe Normal.
Two paragraphs on the Sun Devils! HIJACKING OUR ENTRY! Arrrraghhhh!
Let's put it this way: The 2013 Territorial Cup is bigger for Arizona than Arizona State, no matter that the expectations are higher for the Sun Devils next fall.
Arizona State won at Arizona last year, overcoming a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to win, 41-34. That gave Todd Graham a 1-0 edge over Rich Rodriguez for the first-year head coaches in the rivalry game. Those old acquaintances do not have a particularly warm relationship, so they already fully "feel" the emotions of this rivalry.
If Graham improved to 2-0 versus Rich Rod, and then his Sun Devils advanced to the Pac-12 title game as the South Division champions, you could officially declare a small stagger had appeared between the programs. It wouldn't be irreversible by any means, but 730 days of gloating from your rival can be hard to stomach.
Let's start with an optimistic vision of Arizona's upcoming season.
The Wildcats pillow-soft nonconference slate means they will almost certainly start 3-0. Missing Stanford and Oregon State also is a boost in terms of scheduling degree of difficulty. If they answer questions at quarterback and on defense, this team could be a darkhorse contender in the South Division. Even though Arizona State, UCLA and USC are seen as the division favorites, the perceived distance between those three and the Wildcats is far from vast.
In fact, if things fall Arizona's way, the Territorial Cup could have South Division implications. Just imagine, Wildcats fans, how much fun it would be to not only win the South and earn a shot at the program's first Rose Bowl but also to dump the Sun Devils, who were widely viewed as division favorites in the preseason. And doing that in their own house, though that's not uncommon in a rivalry where the home team has lost four in a row.
The less optimistic vision of Arizona's upcoming season -- 7-5 looks like a good over-under for this team -- could be salvaged with a win over Arizona State, particularly if that knocks the Sun Devils out of the top spot in the division.
Even if the Sun Devils didn't need a Territorial Cup victory to win the South, Arizona State's enjoyment of its division title would be significantly watered down if they had to listen to crowing Wildcats fans:
Sparky: "We won the South!"
Wilbur: "Scoreboard, baby!"
The Pac-12 blog's ultimate hope is this rivalry game develops into a showdown of ranked teams. That way national attention could come to one of the nation's most underrated rivalries in terms of pure, unadulterated dislike.
Maybe that happens this year.
Or maybe I should write another paragraph about the Sun Devils?
Every game counts. But some games count more. Or tell us more.
We're going through the Pac-12 and picking out one game that seems most important -- or potentially most revealing -- for each team from our vantage point today.
And then we'll let you vote from a list of potential options.
We're going in reverse alphabetical order.
Arizona State
Most important game: Nov. 30 vs. Arizona
Why it's important: This time last year, Arizona State fans were simply wondering what they were going to get with Todd Graham as their head coach and how quickly it would take for Michael Eubank to win the starting quarterback spot. There was also a consensus that no matter what happens, just beat Arizona.
They did.
But an eight-win season and a bunch of talent returning on both sides of the ball -- including quarterback Taylor Kelly and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Will Sutton -- means the Sun Devils can raise the expectation bar higher than it was last year. Their hopes for 2013 should include roses. Whether the Sun Devils are actually good enough to turn those hopes into reality depends on how they navigate a very demanding 2013 slate.
No matter how high the hopes get, however, there is and always will be one constant. Beat Arizona.
But before things get all territorial, the Sun Devils have to go through a gauntlet as tough as any team in the league.
Last year Arizona State faced seven teams that finished the year with winning records. One of those was an FCS team, meaning the Sun Devils faced six sub-.500 opponents. And they did what they were supposed to do in those games -- going 5-1 with the only loss coming on the road to Missouri. But when the schedule ramped up, they lost four in a row to Oregon, UCLA, Oregon State and USC before rebounding nicely to close the year with wins over Washington State, Arizona and Navy. The combined record of ASU's 2012 opponents was 80-82 (.493) and if you only count the FBS schools, it was 72-79 (.476).
The 2013 season promises to be tougher. Then again, so do the Sun Devils. The combined 2012 record of this year's opponents is 87-67 (.564). And if you take out FCS Sacramento State, the combined FBS teams were 81-62 (.566). It features both Rose Bowl participants in Wisconsin and Stanford and the national runner up in Notre Dame. All three of those games will be huge toward building ASU's national credibility.
But they aren't as important as Arizona.
Right now ASU and UCLA are perceived as the frontrunners in the South -- and USC isn't too far behind. Last year's showdown with the Bruins was epic -- with both teams scoring late before a game-winning UCLA field goal sealed it for the Bruins. It's a budding new rivalry and it could again determine the 2013 South champion.
But it's not as important as Arizona.
The way ASU's schedule sets up is interesting. It's frontloaded with four tough, consecutive games against Wisconsin, Stanford, USC and Notre Dame. That's as tough a stretch as any team in the country. And it closes against Oregon State, at UCLA and home to Arizona. How ASU negotiates the schedule early will go a long way toward how the rest of the country feels about them.
But, all together now, it's not as important as beating Arizona.
The home team has lost the last four meetings between the schools. Last year's score, 41-34, is considered a blowout by recent historical standards. The teams played to 31-27 in '11, 30-29 (2OT) in '10 and 20-17 in '09. The average margin of victory has been less than a field goal.
It's as fierce a rivalry as there is in the nation and in a recruiting destination-state like Arizona, bragging rights mean everything. The addition of Graham and Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez has also added a new and exciting element to the showdown. And as the old adage goes, anything can happen in a rivalry game.
Suppose ASU isn't as good as advertised and it goes 1-4 to start the season and one of the LA schools takes the South. Nothing would rectify a disappointing year like beating your rival. Suppose ASU is as good as advertised and they are in the looking at 10-11 wins heading into the Arizona game. Nothing puts a stamp on a year like heading to the postseason at your rival's expense.
So while ASU certainly has plenty of important games that carry national significance -- it's still hard to imagine anything ever trumping the Territorial Cup as most important.
We're going through the Pac-12 and picking out one game that seems most important -- or potentially most revealing -- for each team from our vantage point today.
And then we'll let you vote from a list of potential options.
We're going in reverse alphabetical order.
Arizona State
Most important game: Nov. 30 vs. Arizona
They did.
But an eight-win season and a bunch of talent returning on both sides of the ball -- including quarterback Taylor Kelly and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Will Sutton -- means the Sun Devils can raise the expectation bar higher than it was last year. Their hopes for 2013 should include roses. Whether the Sun Devils are actually good enough to turn those hopes into reality depends on how they navigate a very demanding 2013 slate.
No matter how high the hopes get, however, there is and always will be one constant. Beat Arizona.
But before things get all territorial, the Sun Devils have to go through a gauntlet as tough as any team in the league.
Last year Arizona State faced seven teams that finished the year with winning records. One of those was an FCS team, meaning the Sun Devils faced six sub-.500 opponents. And they did what they were supposed to do in those games -- going 5-1 with the only loss coming on the road to Missouri. But when the schedule ramped up, they lost four in a row to Oregon, UCLA, Oregon State and USC before rebounding nicely to close the year with wins over Washington State, Arizona and Navy. The combined record of ASU's 2012 opponents was 80-82 (.493) and if you only count the FBS schools, it was 72-79 (.476).
The 2013 season promises to be tougher. Then again, so do the Sun Devils. The combined 2012 record of this year's opponents is 87-67 (.564). And if you take out FCS Sacramento State, the combined FBS teams were 81-62 (.566). It features both Rose Bowl participants in Wisconsin and Stanford and the national runner up in Notre Dame. All three of those games will be huge toward building ASU's national credibility.
But they aren't as important as Arizona.
Right now ASU and UCLA are perceived as the frontrunners in the South -- and USC isn't too far behind. Last year's showdown with the Bruins was epic -- with both teams scoring late before a game-winning UCLA field goal sealed it for the Bruins. It's a budding new rivalry and it could again determine the 2013 South champion.
But it's not as important as Arizona.
The way ASU's schedule sets up is interesting. It's frontloaded with four tough, consecutive games against Wisconsin, Stanford, USC and Notre Dame. That's as tough a stretch as any team in the country. And it closes against Oregon State, at UCLA and home to Arizona. How ASU negotiates the schedule early will go a long way toward how the rest of the country feels about them.
But, all together now, it's not as important as beating Arizona.
The home team has lost the last four meetings between the schools. Last year's score, 41-34, is considered a blowout by recent historical standards. The teams played to 31-27 in '11, 30-29 (2OT) in '10 and 20-17 in '09. The average margin of victory has been less than a field goal.
It's as fierce a rivalry as there is in the nation and in a recruiting destination-state like Arizona, bragging rights mean everything. The addition of Graham and Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez has also added a new and exciting element to the showdown. And as the old adage goes, anything can happen in a rivalry game.
Suppose ASU isn't as good as advertised and it goes 1-4 to start the season and one of the LA schools takes the South. Nothing would rectify a disappointing year like beating your rival. Suppose ASU is as good as advertised and they are in the looking at 10-11 wins heading into the Arizona game. Nothing puts a stamp on a year like heading to the postseason at your rival's expense.
So while ASU certainly has plenty of important games that carry national significance -- it's still hard to imagine anything ever trumping the Territorial Cup as most important.
Pac-12 lunch links: Draft intrigue continues
April, 26, 2013
Apr 26
2:30
PM ET
By
Ted Miller | ESPN.com
Happy Friday.
- Matt Scott isn't the only QB Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez will be watching in the draft.
- A spring review of Arizona State's defensive line.
- Former California WR Keenan Allen, long thought a first-round lock, is still available.
- Colorado football takes up a good cause.
- No Oregon defensive player has been picked higher than Dion Jordan.
- Oregon State's QB controv... er, competition will continue into the fall.
- Part III of a series on Stanford strength coach Shannon Turley.
- A Q&A with UCLA's Datone Jones after he becomes a first-round draft pick.
- USC QB Matt Barkley was one of several projected first-round picks who are still available.
- Star Lotulelei won't be the only former Utah player with the Carolina Panthers.
- Drafting Washington CB Desmond Trufant earns local raves in Atlanta. And if it comes from Atlanta, it surely is awesome.
- Washington State WR Mansel Simmons has been forced to retire due to injuries sustained a fist fight.
- Jon Wilner does a fine job of recapping the changes attached to the new College Football Playoff.
I mean, seriously, Asia? You framed an Asia poster? How hard did the people at the frame store laugh when you brought this in?
- Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez is comfortable in Tucson.
- A review of Arizona State's spring practices.
- Talking line play from both sides for California.
- It wasn't a great spring for Colorado QB Shane Dillon, but he's not going to fade away.
- Oregon's true sophomore troika of D-linemen is pretty darn impressive.
- A freshman tries to make an impression on Oregon State's O-line.
- Perspective from one of Stanford's football strengths.
- UCLA QB Brett Hundley is backing away from social media (but not the Pac-12 Blog, Brett!).
- USC QB Matt Barkley gently suggests that, well, the Trojans' play-calling wasn't great in 2012.
- The Utah offense was encouraging in the spring game.
- Washington defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox talks about the Huskies' spring game.
- Washington State still has a long ways to go, but, really, don't we all?
Welcome to the mailbag.
Follow the Pac-12 blog on Twitter. We can't guarantee it will make you smarter, but it probably will.
To the notes!
Bruce from Los Altos, Calif., writes: Re: Oregon's penalties for NCAA infractions. How do you think these will stack up against the loss of 30 (THIRTY) scholarships which USC lost. Remember, we had exactly ONE player and, at worst, one assistant coach involved. The Oregon situation has more players and the HEAD coach involved in what the NCAA has already called major infractions. Is there any hope that the NCAA will ever reduce the loss of scholarships?
Ted Miller: No. There is no hope the NCAA will ever reduce the loss of scholarships for USC. For one, USC already lost its appeal. Second, the 2014 class will be the final one under NCAA limitations.
Look: Everybody knows USC got screwed by the NCAA. Not just in the "In my opinion, the sanctions for the Reggie Bush case were too severe" way, but in the "The process was corrupt and the judgment unjustifiable" way.
And I don't think anyone in the country has hammered this point home as much as me.
A couple of years ago I was at USC, having a casual conversation with athletic director Pat Haden. Then, for whatever reason, I started to rant about USC's NCAA case. Not because I have any specific affection for USC, nor because I wanted to brownnose Haden, but because it really chafes me how horribly unfair the process was, how faulty the conclusions were, and how devoid of leadership the NCAA was when it refused to take corrective action against this unquestionably failed process.
No, I wasn't standing on a soapbox, but I got pretty wound up, as I am wont to do. You know what Haden said? "Let it go," he told me.
And he was right.
As for comparing the USC and Oregon situations, I have three words: Blueberries and potatoes (you thought I was going to type "Apples and Oranges," but I'm just way too writerly for that!).
I seriously doubt sanctions against Oregon will even approach those against USC. There is a gray area with Oregon, whether you think it passes the stink test or not.
But, well, with the NCAA, you never really know.
Tim from San Diego writes: What is up with Ucla recruiting? They are still recruiting right? After the top ranked class in the Pac this year, why has that momentum translated to more commits? They have 1(?), while the Pac12 blog is providing updates on the other schools recruiting efforts. Please advise.
Ted Miller: Clearly, UCLA is doomed.
I called up Jim Mora and asked about this tragic recruiting situation.
"I was going to recruit some guys," Mora didn't say. "But I first needed to catch up on 'Breaking Bad.' Then I got sleepy. Took a 35-day nap. Then Kevin Gemmell called and we chatted for, like, a week. Just, you know, talking about life and relationships. Noel Mazzone came over and we made a brisket and watched 'The Notebook.' Wait. What was the question?"
Tim, UCLA had just one commitment at this time last year. Didn't get No. 2 until June. Got No. 6 on Sept. 22, same day the Bruins lost to Oregon State in week four.
Seems like everything turned out OK.
Remember: Recruiting is like most things. It's not how you start, it's how you finish.
James from Salt Lake City writes: I just read an article on why the Utes should abandon the spread offense and switch to a power offense that is able to control the clock and slowly wear down defenses. The article states it would be similar to what Stanford has done and states several players like Karl Williams, Radley, Poole, Murphy, and Scott as well as others as their weapons to do this. I have seen the Utes at practice and thought the article was crap until I finished it. It had several good points and made more sense then what they have accomplished so far this spring. I also think they would have more options and success especially whe utilizing both tight ends. This goes against the trending PAC 12 offenses but may also give the Utes an edge in their conference games. What are your thoughts about the Utes running a power offense and do you think they could be more successful in the PAC 12 with it?
Ted Miller: I have a confession. I do have a preference when it comes to offenses. I tend to favor the one playing for the winning team. So I like Oregon's offense. And Stanford's. Also like Alabama's offense.
I know that's flip and not what you're looking for, but what we're ultimately talking about is not a scheme, but what's going to be effective. If Utah has the right personnel and coaching, it can run an effective spread. If it has the right personnel and coaching, it can run a pro-style or power attack.
But, ultimately, it's about winning the game, whether that's 17-10 or 52-35.
I do think changing coordinators and schemes, as the Utes have done three times since 2010, make establishing an offensive identity difficult. I'm sure coach Kyle Whittingham believes the same. When he hired Dennis Erickson to co-coordinate with Brian Johnson, he specifically cited the lack of an offensive identity.
Part of that struggle has been dumb bad luck: Norm Chow leaves after a season to become Hawaii's head coach; quarterback Jordan Wynn can't stay healthy, etc.
My feeling is Erickson has been brought in to help season Johnson, so a couple years down the road Johnson can take over with his own scheme.
As for power versus spread: The general feeling is spread or pistol offenses help teams with fewer five-star athletes compensate with misdirection. Alabama and USC aren't spread teams, because they get those A-list guys.
The question is can Utah push into the top-third of the Pac-12 as a power team? Can it get the athletes and the linemen to make it work, as Stanford has? And that's on both sides of the ball, by the way, because you've got to consistently stop opponents if you're not going to score 45 every Saturday.
Perhaps, James, the Utes look to you like they would be a better power team in the short term -- as in this fall. But this is ultimately about establishing a brand of football the program can recruit to and win with over the long term.
I don't think lining up in an I-formation with the quarterback under center is a long-term answer for the Utes.
Josh from Lynden, Wash., writes: Did you see the USC spring game? Is it possible that the Trojans are actually better at WR this year? With Lee, Agholor and some combo of Blackwell, Flournoy or Rogers? And in all honesty who do you think should be throwing to them this year?
Ted Miller: Are you asking me if losing Robert Woods is a good thing?
No.
All of those guys, other than freshman Darreus Rogers, were there last year. Heck, George Farmer, now out with a knee injury, also was there, at least when he wasn't hurt. The problem last year with the Trojans' passing game, which was pretty darn potent just based on raw numbers, was not a lack of talent. It was execution and play-calling. The Trojans were too focused on the blinding talents of Marqise Lee, instead of distributing the ball to other playmakers, which would have kept defenses off-balance.
That said: I don't think receiver is a question mark for USC. Just about every team in the country would trade their top-two guys for Lee and Agholor.
As for quarterback: Cody Kessler made more plays this spring and was more consistent than Max Wittek, but Wittek has an arm that will make NFL scouts swoon. Coach Lane Kiffin doesn't seem to be in a hurry to name a starter, so the competition is almost certain to go at least a week or two into fall camp.
And, with a fairly forgiving early schedule, I almost wonder if Kiffin might give both guys a chance when the lights are on.
Jeff from Tucson, Ariz. writes: UA will be a much tougher out than last year. Their defense has now had a year to get used to a new scheme, and returns all starters. The offense, even with a bad injury to Austin Hill, has many weapons including the nations leading rusher, and now comes Davonte Neal a transfer from ND. I am excited and believe the Cats will challenge for the South title.
Ted Miller: Hmm.
First off, Arizona wasn't an easy out last year. It beat Oklahoma State, Washington and USC, and pushed Stanford into overtime.
I hear you on the defense, but I'm not so sure you should write off the loss of Hill so easily. And you guys all know where I stand on losing quarterback Matt Scott.
To me, it all comes down to how much production the Wildcats get at quarterback. The defense will be better. The offensive line should at least be as good. Running back Ka'Deem Carey is an All-American. The receivers, even without Hill, are solid.
But Scott ranked sixth in the nation with 343.8 yards of total offense per game in 2012. That is not easy to replace.
John from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, UK writes: Hey Ted,First off, thanks for the Blog. I read it all the time, but right now I am deployed to Afghanistan, so it is particularly nice to read it and get a piece of home. I especially like the creative ideas you guys come up, like the Buy or Sell piece, with in the off season to keep us fanatics involved. I'm a Washington grad, husly fanatic, so I always have to wait until you go over all of the other schools before we get to the Washington schools. Can't we reverse the order every once in a while? It's not our fault we fall at the end of the alphabet! In fact, you could just leave Oregon out if you wanted to.Thanks again.
Ted Miller: John, first off, thanks for your service. Stay safe.
We can't leave out Oregon, but I will now announce that our "Most Important Game" series is dedicated to John and all of our readers whose teams are discriminated against alphabetically.
And we do try to reverse things every once and a while, so Arizona doesn't always have to go first. Or the Cougs last.
Francis from Federal Way, Wash., writes: I know this isn't about the Pac 12 but a football icon has died today in the Great PNW! I know since you used to live here you've heard about PLU (Pacific Lutheran University) and their football coach Frosty Westering. Well he passed away today and he's one of nine other coaches that have won 300+ college football games. Hoping you can give him a shout out and all great things he accomplished on and off the field. I had a chance to have him come and be a "guest coach" for a day for my old high school football team (Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma...Sefo Luifau Colorado recruit). He was such a motivational, positive guy that brought the best out of anyone. Made the crappiest player on the team feel he was just as important as the best player on the team. Anyways, just thought you'd like to know and as a committed reader of the Pac 12 blog hoping you can do a little write up on him! Keep up the good work and GO COUGS!
Ted Miller: Class act. Great coach. Even better man.
I must admit that I never had the privilege to talk to him or write about him, but I certainly, as a nine-year Seattle resident, was familiar with him and his glowing legacy.
My former Seattle Post-Intelligencer colleague Art Thiel frequently cited him as an example of what a coach should be.
Here's his tribute to the man.
Follow the Pac-12 blog on Twitter. We can't guarantee it will make you smarter, but it probably will.
To the notes!
Bruce from Los Altos, Calif., writes: Re: Oregon's penalties for NCAA infractions. How do you think these will stack up against the loss of 30 (THIRTY) scholarships which USC lost. Remember, we had exactly ONE player and, at worst, one assistant coach involved. The Oregon situation has more players and the HEAD coach involved in what the NCAA has already called major infractions. Is there any hope that the NCAA will ever reduce the loss of scholarships?
Ted Miller: No. There is no hope the NCAA will ever reduce the loss of scholarships for USC. For one, USC already lost its appeal. Second, the 2014 class will be the final one under NCAA limitations.
Look: Everybody knows USC got screwed by the NCAA. Not just in the "In my opinion, the sanctions for the Reggie Bush case were too severe" way, but in the "The process was corrupt and the judgment unjustifiable" way.
And I don't think anyone in the country has hammered this point home as much as me.
A couple of years ago I was at USC, having a casual conversation with athletic director Pat Haden. Then, for whatever reason, I started to rant about USC's NCAA case. Not because I have any specific affection for USC, nor because I wanted to brownnose Haden, but because it really chafes me how horribly unfair the process was, how faulty the conclusions were, and how devoid of leadership the NCAA was when it refused to take corrective action against this unquestionably failed process.
No, I wasn't standing on a soapbox, but I got pretty wound up, as I am wont to do. You know what Haden said? "Let it go," he told me.
And he was right.
As for comparing the USC and Oregon situations, I have three words: Blueberries and potatoes (you thought I was going to type "Apples and Oranges," but I'm just way too writerly for that!).
I seriously doubt sanctions against Oregon will even approach those against USC. There is a gray area with Oregon, whether you think it passes the stink test or not.
But, well, with the NCAA, you never really know.
Tim from San Diego writes: What is up with Ucla recruiting? They are still recruiting right? After the top ranked class in the Pac this year, why has that momentum translated to more commits? They have 1(?), while the Pac12 blog is providing updates on the other schools recruiting efforts. Please advise.
Ted Miller: Clearly, UCLA is doomed.
I called up Jim Mora and asked about this tragic recruiting situation.
"I was going to recruit some guys," Mora didn't say. "But I first needed to catch up on 'Breaking Bad.' Then I got sleepy. Took a 35-day nap. Then Kevin Gemmell called and we chatted for, like, a week. Just, you know, talking about life and relationships. Noel Mazzone came over and we made a brisket and watched 'The Notebook.' Wait. What was the question?"
Tim, UCLA had just one commitment at this time last year. Didn't get No. 2 until June. Got No. 6 on Sept. 22, same day the Bruins lost to Oregon State in week four.
Seems like everything turned out OK.
Remember: Recruiting is like most things. It's not how you start, it's how you finish.
James from Salt Lake City writes: I just read an article on why the Utes should abandon the spread offense and switch to a power offense that is able to control the clock and slowly wear down defenses. The article states it would be similar to what Stanford has done and states several players like Karl Williams, Radley, Poole, Murphy, and Scott as well as others as their weapons to do this. I have seen the Utes at practice and thought the article was crap until I finished it. It had several good points and made more sense then what they have accomplished so far this spring. I also think they would have more options and success especially whe utilizing both tight ends. This goes against the trending PAC 12 offenses but may also give the Utes an edge in their conference games. What are your thoughts about the Utes running a power offense and do you think they could be more successful in the PAC 12 with it?
Ted Miller: I have a confession. I do have a preference when it comes to offenses. I tend to favor the one playing for the winning team. So I like Oregon's offense. And Stanford's. Also like Alabama's offense.
I know that's flip and not what you're looking for, but what we're ultimately talking about is not a scheme, but what's going to be effective. If Utah has the right personnel and coaching, it can run an effective spread. If it has the right personnel and coaching, it can run a pro-style or power attack.
But, ultimately, it's about winning the game, whether that's 17-10 or 52-35.
I do think changing coordinators and schemes, as the Utes have done three times since 2010, make establishing an offensive identity difficult. I'm sure coach Kyle Whittingham believes the same. When he hired Dennis Erickson to co-coordinate with Brian Johnson, he specifically cited the lack of an offensive identity.
Part of that struggle has been dumb bad luck: Norm Chow leaves after a season to become Hawaii's head coach; quarterback Jordan Wynn can't stay healthy, etc.
My feeling is Erickson has been brought in to help season Johnson, so a couple years down the road Johnson can take over with his own scheme.
As for power versus spread: The general feeling is spread or pistol offenses help teams with fewer five-star athletes compensate with misdirection. Alabama and USC aren't spread teams, because they get those A-list guys.
The question is can Utah push into the top-third of the Pac-12 as a power team? Can it get the athletes and the linemen to make it work, as Stanford has? And that's on both sides of the ball, by the way, because you've got to consistently stop opponents if you're not going to score 45 every Saturday.
Perhaps, James, the Utes look to you like they would be a better power team in the short term -- as in this fall. But this is ultimately about establishing a brand of football the program can recruit to and win with over the long term.
I don't think lining up in an I-formation with the quarterback under center is a long-term answer for the Utes.
Josh from Lynden, Wash., writes: Did you see the USC spring game? Is it possible that the Trojans are actually better at WR this year? With Lee, Agholor and some combo of Blackwell, Flournoy or Rogers? And in all honesty who do you think should be throwing to them this year?
Ted Miller: Are you asking me if losing Robert Woods is a good thing?
No.
All of those guys, other than freshman Darreus Rogers, were there last year. Heck, George Farmer, now out with a knee injury, also was there, at least when he wasn't hurt. The problem last year with the Trojans' passing game, which was pretty darn potent just based on raw numbers, was not a lack of talent. It was execution and play-calling. The Trojans were too focused on the blinding talents of Marqise Lee, instead of distributing the ball to other playmakers, which would have kept defenses off-balance.
That said: I don't think receiver is a question mark for USC. Just about every team in the country would trade their top-two guys for Lee and Agholor.
As for quarterback: Cody Kessler made more plays this spring and was more consistent than Max Wittek, but Wittek has an arm that will make NFL scouts swoon. Coach Lane Kiffin doesn't seem to be in a hurry to name a starter, so the competition is almost certain to go at least a week or two into fall camp.
And, with a fairly forgiving early schedule, I almost wonder if Kiffin might give both guys a chance when the lights are on.
Jeff from Tucson, Ariz. writes: UA will be a much tougher out than last year. Their defense has now had a year to get used to a new scheme, and returns all starters. The offense, even with a bad injury to Austin Hill, has many weapons including the nations leading rusher, and now comes Davonte Neal a transfer from ND. I am excited and believe the Cats will challenge for the South title.
Ted Miller: Hmm.
First off, Arizona wasn't an easy out last year. It beat Oklahoma State, Washington and USC, and pushed Stanford into overtime.
I hear you on the defense, but I'm not so sure you should write off the loss of Hill so easily. And you guys all know where I stand on losing quarterback Matt Scott.
To me, it all comes down to how much production the Wildcats get at quarterback. The defense will be better. The offensive line should at least be as good. Running back Ka'Deem Carey is an All-American. The receivers, even without Hill, are solid.
But Scott ranked sixth in the nation with 343.8 yards of total offense per game in 2012. That is not easy to replace.
John from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, UK writes: Hey Ted,First off, thanks for the Blog. I read it all the time, but right now I am deployed to Afghanistan, so it is particularly nice to read it and get a piece of home. I especially like the creative ideas you guys come up, like the Buy or Sell piece, with in the off season to keep us fanatics involved. I'm a Washington grad, husly fanatic, so I always have to wait until you go over all of the other schools before we get to the Washington schools. Can't we reverse the order every once in a while? It's not our fault we fall at the end of the alphabet! In fact, you could just leave Oregon out if you wanted to.Thanks again.
Ted Miller: John, first off, thanks for your service. Stay safe.
We can't leave out Oregon, but I will now announce that our "Most Important Game" series is dedicated to John and all of our readers whose teams are discriminated against alphabetically.
And we do try to reverse things every once and a while, so Arizona doesn't always have to go first. Or the Cougs last.
Francis from Federal Way, Wash., writes: I know this isn't about the Pac 12 but a football icon has died today in the Great PNW! I know since you used to live here you've heard about PLU (Pacific Lutheran University) and their football coach Frosty Westering. Well he passed away today and he's one of nine other coaches that have won 300+ college football games. Hoping you can give him a shout out and all great things he accomplished on and off the field. I had a chance to have him come and be a "guest coach" for a day for my old high school football team (Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma...Sefo Luifau Colorado recruit). He was such a motivational, positive guy that brought the best out of anyone. Made the crappiest player on the team feel he was just as important as the best player on the team. Anyways, just thought you'd like to know and as a committed reader of the Pac 12 blog hoping you can do a little write up on him! Keep up the good work and GO COUGS!
Ted Miller: Class act. Great coach. Even better man.
I must admit that I never had the privilege to talk to him or write about him, but I certainly, as a nine-year Seattle resident, was familiar with him and his glowing legacy.
My former Seattle Post-Intelligencer colleague Art Thiel frequently cited him as an example of what a coach should be.
Here's his tribute to the man.
Four of the five Pac-12 teams that entered spring with wide-open quarterback competitions are now finished with practices and are headed into the offseason.
So ... what did we learn? A little but not a lot. We didn't expect much resolution and we didn't get it. So, hey, we lived up to expectations.
Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon State and USC entered the spring with wide-open battles. Of them, only Oregon State is still practicing, and coach Mike Riley has said he won't decide between Cody Vaz and Sean Mannion until the fall.
Which is sort of the message with the other four, too.
Still, here's our best tea leave reading.
Arizona
When I was in Tucson at the beginning of spring practices, coach Rich Rodriguez and offensive coordinator Rod Smith kept saying they just wanted to find a QB with whom they could win.
At the time, I kept thinking, "Well, duh." But I get it now. The translation: Matt Scott isn't walking back down the stadium tunnel. It's difficult to imagine 2013 production at the position will approximate what the Wildcats had in 2012.
The general takeaway from spring practices? The Wildcats probably can be at least adequate on offense and win a few games and be competitive throughout the season with B.J. Denker at quarterback.
The second takeaway? The guys who weren't able to participate this spring -- USC transfer Jesse Scroggins and incoming freshman Anu Solomon -- are Denker's true competition.
So ... this is still wide open and it's wide open in a predictable way.
Denker has the most experience in the offense. Scroggins has a significantly better arm. Solomon is seen as the future. The question with him is readiness and whether he will benefit more from a redshirt season (Pac-12 blog guesses "yes") than playing immediately, even if in only limited packages.
California
California's QB competition also remains officially unresolved, but the scuttlebutt seems to strongly favor redshirt freshman Zach Kline.
Further, there was some movement. For one, senior Allan Bridgford, quite reasonably, recognized he was the odd man out and opted to transfer. Second, it became a three-man race between Kline, junior Austin Hinder and surprising true freshman Jared Goff.
The post-spring depth chart was sort of interesting, though it's likely the Pac-12 blog is reading more into stuff than it should. While all three were separated by the time-honored "OR," Goff was first, Kline second and Hinder third.
Typically, "ORs" go in alphabetical order. You don't need a Berkeley degree to know that's not what happened there. Perhaps this is a case of youngest to oldest?
A further wrinkle: Hinder is the best runner of the troika by a wide margin. It wouldn't be surprising if he's given some specific, situational packages to run next fall.
Colorado
Colorado started with six candidates -- though not with equal standing -- and the top two after spring practices might surprise some, particularly those hoping for new blood: juniors Connor Wood and Nick Hirschman.
Before spring practices began, more than a few folks believed redshirt freshman Shane Dillon was the favorite. But he often looked raw while Wood and Hirschman seemed far more comfortable with the new offense under Mike MacIntyre, something that likely is due to their having significantly more experience.
Of course, there's no reason Dillon can't find his stroke this summer and jump back into the competition. The most obvious precedent of a guy overcoming a poor spring to win the starting job is Arizona State's Taylor Kelly, who was well behind Mike Bercovici and Michael Eubank a year ago.
Further, just like Arizona, Colorado has its own touted incoming true freshman: Sefo Liufau.
Youth is an advantage in some ways. The Buffaloes aren't going to win the Pac-12 in 2013. There's something to be said for, if the race is close, going with Dillon or Liufau and accepting immediate growing pains with an eye toward 2014 and beyond.
+
+USC
USC's QB situation is interesting, in large part because one guy clearly outplayed the competition this spring: Sophomore Cody Kessler.
But Max Wittek is undeniably a more talented passer; he might have the strongest arm in the Pac-12. He also is a strapping 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, while Kessler is a scrappy 6-foot-1 215.
USC isn't known for scrappy. Some might call that, on occasion, a shortcoming.
So there is a bit of controversy here as coach Lane Kiffin didn't seem inclined to say after the spring game -- Kessler passed for 242 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions compared to Wittek's 145 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions -- that Kessler was ahead. When the Trojans released a depth chart Monday, there was an "OR" between Wittek and Kessler and true freshman Max Browne.
This, of course, isn't outrageous coaching behavior. Kiffin, unlike his mentor and predecessor Pete Carroll, might want to keep the competition going as long as possible. He might want to see who asserts himself as the screws tighten. Nothing invalid about that. Will we media sorts similarly harrumph if Riley does the same even if Vaz/Mannion decisively outplays Mannion/Vaz?
(Carroll liked to "anoint" -- his frequently used term -- a QB as early as possible so he could take over requisite leadership for the position).
The problem Kiffin has is some see him sometimes prioritizing talent over performance (see, OT Aundrey Walker), which diminishes the perception of true competition. Carroll seemed to fall into that during his later years at USC before bolting for the Seahawks.
Anyone remember the old USC glory days of "Competition Tuesdays?"
Wittek might end up earning the starting nod. But it will not benefit him if there's a sense in the locker room that he didn't truly win the job. If Kiffin hands him the keys to the offense -- not saying he will, only "if" -- then it will be a disservice to Wittek as much as his teammates.
So ... what did we learn? A little but not a lot. We didn't expect much resolution and we didn't get it. So, hey, we lived up to expectations.
Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon State and USC entered the spring with wide-open battles. Of them, only Oregon State is still practicing, and coach Mike Riley has said he won't decide between Cody Vaz and Sean Mannion until the fall.
Which is sort of the message with the other four, too.
Still, here's our best tea leave reading.
Arizona
When I was in Tucson at the beginning of spring practices, coach Rich Rodriguez and offensive coordinator Rod Smith kept saying they just wanted to find a QB with whom they could win.
At the time, I kept thinking, "Well, duh." But I get it now. The translation: Matt Scott isn't walking back down the stadium tunnel. It's difficult to imagine 2013 production at the position will approximate what the Wildcats had in 2012.
The general takeaway from spring practices? The Wildcats probably can be at least adequate on offense and win a few games and be competitive throughout the season with B.J. Denker at quarterback.
The second takeaway? The guys who weren't able to participate this spring -- USC transfer Jesse Scroggins and incoming freshman Anu Solomon -- are Denker's true competition.
So ... this is still wide open and it's wide open in a predictable way.
Denker has the most experience in the offense. Scroggins has a significantly better arm. Solomon is seen as the future. The question with him is readiness and whether he will benefit more from a redshirt season (Pac-12 blog guesses "yes") than playing immediately, even if in only limited packages.
California
California's QB competition also remains officially unresolved, but the scuttlebutt seems to strongly favor redshirt freshman Zach Kline.
Further, there was some movement. For one, senior Allan Bridgford, quite reasonably, recognized he was the odd man out and opted to transfer. Second, it became a three-man race between Kline, junior Austin Hinder and surprising true freshman Jared Goff.
The post-spring depth chart was sort of interesting, though it's likely the Pac-12 blog is reading more into stuff than it should. While all three were separated by the time-honored "OR," Goff was first, Kline second and Hinder third.
Typically, "ORs" go in alphabetical order. You don't need a Berkeley degree to know that's not what happened there. Perhaps this is a case of youngest to oldest?
A further wrinkle: Hinder is the best runner of the troika by a wide margin. It wouldn't be surprising if he's given some specific, situational packages to run next fall.
Colorado
Colorado started with six candidates -- though not with equal standing -- and the top two after spring practices might surprise some, particularly those hoping for new blood: juniors Connor Wood and Nick Hirschman.
Before spring practices began, more than a few folks believed redshirt freshman Shane Dillon was the favorite. But he often looked raw while Wood and Hirschman seemed far more comfortable with the new offense under Mike MacIntyre, something that likely is due to their having significantly more experience.
Of course, there's no reason Dillon can't find his stroke this summer and jump back into the competition. The most obvious precedent of a guy overcoming a poor spring to win the starting job is Arizona State's Taylor Kelly, who was well behind Mike Bercovici and Michael Eubank a year ago.
Further, just like Arizona, Colorado has its own touted incoming true freshman: Sefo Liufau.
Youth is an advantage in some ways. The Buffaloes aren't going to win the Pac-12 in 2013. There's something to be said for, if the race is close, going with Dillon or Liufau and accepting immediate growing pains with an eye toward 2014 and beyond.
+
+USC
USC's QB situation is interesting, in large part because one guy clearly outplayed the competition this spring: Sophomore Cody Kessler.
But Max Wittek is undeniably a more talented passer; he might have the strongest arm in the Pac-12. He also is a strapping 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, while Kessler is a scrappy 6-foot-1 215.
USC isn't known for scrappy. Some might call that, on occasion, a shortcoming.
So there is a bit of controversy here as coach Lane Kiffin didn't seem inclined to say after the spring game -- Kessler passed for 242 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions compared to Wittek's 145 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions -- that Kessler was ahead. When the Trojans released a depth chart Monday, there was an "OR" between Wittek and Kessler and true freshman Max Browne.
This, of course, isn't outrageous coaching behavior. Kiffin, unlike his mentor and predecessor Pete Carroll, might want to keep the competition going as long as possible. He might want to see who asserts himself as the screws tighten. Nothing invalid about that. Will we media sorts similarly harrumph if Riley does the same even if Vaz/Mannion decisively outplays Mannion/Vaz?
(Carroll liked to "anoint" -- his frequently used term -- a QB as early as possible so he could take over requisite leadership for the position).
The problem Kiffin has is some see him sometimes prioritizing talent over performance (see, OT Aundrey Walker), which diminishes the perception of true competition. Carroll seemed to fall into that during his later years at USC before bolting for the Seahawks.
Anyone remember the old USC glory days of "Competition Tuesdays?"
Wittek might end up earning the starting nod. But it will not benefit him if there's a sense in the locker room that he didn't truly win the job. If Kiffin hands him the keys to the offense -- not saying he will, only "if" -- then it will be a disservice to Wittek as much as his teammates.
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.
PAC-12 TEAM COVERAGE
RECRUITING NATION
Oregon: DuckNation
Follow everything Oregon at DuckNation: Oregon Ducks recruiting, football, news and much more.
• DuckNation | Blog | RecruitingNation
RECRUITING NATION
USC: We Are SC
Follow everything USC at We Are USC: USC Trojans football, basketball, news, recruiting and more.
• We Are SC | Blog | RecruitingNation
RECRUITING NATION
Washington: HuskyNation
Follow everything Washington at HuskyNation: Washington Husky recruiting, football, news and much more.
• HuskyNation | Blog | RecruitingNation
