[OutsiderFan]

Vegas opened Colorado as a PK over Stanford.  The public immediately bet Stanford to -3.  That tells you a lot about what "the market" thinks about Colorado.

[OutsiderFan]

Vegas opened Colorado as a PK over Stanford.  The public immediately bet Stanford to -3.  That tells you a lot about what "the market" thinks about Colorado.

[Phogge]

And Montez runs wild when Stanford has zero ILB’s who can catch him.

[Phogge]

And Montez runs wild when Stanford has zero ILB’s who can catch him.

[OutsiderFan]

And Montez runs wild when Stanford has zero ILB’s who can catch him.

LOL at the notion Montez is some hero QB. Montez ran 7 times for -2 against UCLA. He's not Khalil Tate.

[OutsiderFan]

And Montez runs wild when Stanford has zero ILB’s who can catch him.

LOL at the notion Montez is some hero QB. Montez ran 7 times for -2 against UCLA. He's not Khalil Tate.

[Phogge]

He may not have to be.

[Phogge]

He may not have to be.

[BostonCard]

I don't know, the fact that we are only 3 point favorites (albeit on the road) against the last place team in the South kind of tells us a bit about what the public thinks of Stanford.  A good team should be able to be at least a touchdown favorite against the Buffs.  Washington is a double digit road favorite over OSU; Washington State is a 7.5 pt road favorite over Cal.

BC

[BostonCard]

I don't know, the fact that we are only 3 point favorites (albeit on the road) against the last place team in the South kind of tells us a bit about what the public thinks of Stanford.  A good team should be able to be at least a touchdown favorite against the Buffs.  Washington is a double digit road favorite over OSU; Washington State is a 7.5 pt road favorite over Cal.

BC

[Goose]

I don't know, the fact that we are only 3 point favorites (albeit on the road) against the last place team in the South kind of tells us a bit about what the public thinks of Stanford.  A good team should be able to be at least a touchdown favorite against the Buffs.  Washington is a double digit road favorite over OSU; Washington State is a 7.5 pt road favorite over Cal.

BC

I think you are right. The public knows that Stanford has been very inconsistent. The public also knows that Colorado has been close to winning a couple of games at home that could have gone either way. This game may be regarded by the Colorado team as one of their few "winnable" games. The press in Colorado has been saying that their team is "close" to being good, and just needs to break through. Which Stanford will they get? Stanford has won exactly once on the road this year. That won't inspire much confidence. On top of that, there is altitude and (possibly, given the lack of weather forecast accuracy) temperature to deal with.

If Stanford plays as well or better than they did against Arizona, we should win. Anything less, we probably lose. That isn't a real high bar, but we need to at least reach that.

[Goose]

I don't know, the fact that we are only 3 point favorites (albeit on the road) against the last place team in the South kind of tells us a bit about what the public thinks of Stanford.  A good team should be able to be at least a touchdown favorite against the Buffs.  Washington is a double digit road favorite over OSU; Washington State is a 7.5 pt road favorite over Cal.

BC

I think you are right. The public knows that Stanford has been very inconsistent. The public also knows that Colorado has been close to winning a couple of games at home that could have gone either way. This game may be regarded by the Colorado team as one of their few "winnable" games. The press in Colorado has been saying that their team is "close" to being good, and just needs to break through. Which Stanford will they get? Stanford has won exactly once on the road this year. That won't inspire much confidence. On top of that, there is altitude and (possibly, given the lack of weather forecast accuracy) temperature to deal with.

If Stanford plays as well or better than they did against Arizona, we should win. Anything less, we probably lose. That isn't a real high bar, but we need to at least reach that.

[bbm233]

Well, we have been lousy away from home: crushed by USC and UCF, and a last second win in Corvallis. Add our injury situation, the parity/medocrity of most Pac 12 teams, and Shaw's tendency to turtle...I don't think the public is wrong to think this will be a close game.

[bbm233]

Well, we have been lousy away from home: crushed by USC and UCF, and a last second win in Corvallis. Add our injury situation, the parity/medocrity of most Pac 12 teams, and Shaw's tendency to turtle...I don't think the public is wrong to think this will be a close game.

[SamuelMcF]

Agree it will be closer than we want, but one point of solace is that Colorado's D and Arizona's D are nearly identically dreadful. They allow almost exactly the same YPG at around 480, dead last in the conference, and Colorado's PPG allowed is 34, only slightly better than Arizona's 37 - also last in the conference. Colorado is also second-to-last to Arizona in sacks per game (1.5 to 1), so their pass rush is only slightly better than Arizona's awful one. They also commit a LOT more penalties - 2nd most in the conference for the 3rd most yards.

Comparing Colorado's offense to Oregon State's surprisingly good offense, which we faced (and beat) on the road, they are worse by nearly every metric (also noting place in P12):

Oregon State
PPG 33.6 - 4th
YPG 431 - 6th
Passing YPA 7.4 - 8th
INTs thrown 2 - T2nd
Rushing YPA 5.0 - T2nd
3rd down conv 49% - 1st

Colorado
PPG 25.7 - 9th
YPG 406 - 9th
Passing YPA 7.0 - 10th
INTs thrown 10 - 11th
3rd down conv 43% - T6th
Rushing YPA 4.2 - 8th

[SamuelMcF]

Agree it will be closer than we want, but one point of solace is that Colorado's D and Arizona's D are nearly identically dreadful. They allow almost exactly the same YPG at around 480, dead last in the conference, and Colorado's PPG allowed is 34, only slightly better than Arizona's 37 - also last in the conference. Colorado is also second-to-last to Arizona in sacks per game (1.5 to 1), so their pass rush is only slightly better than Arizona's awful one. They also commit a LOT more penalties - 2nd most in the conference for the 3rd most yards.

Comparing Colorado's offense to Oregon State's surprisingly good offense, which we faced (and beat) on the road, they are worse by nearly every metric (also noting place in P12):

Oregon State
PPG 33.6 - 4th
YPG 431 - 6th
Passing YPA 7.4 - 8th
INTs thrown 2 - T2nd
Rushing YPA 5.0 - T2nd
3rd down conv 49% - 1st

Colorado
PPG 25.7 - 9th
YPG 406 - 9th
Passing YPA 7.0 - 10th
INTs thrown 10 - 11th
3rd down conv 43% - T6th
Rushing YPA 4.2 - 8th

[Phogge]

I think Cal beats WSU.

[Phogge]

I think Cal beats WSU.

[Goose]

I think Cal beats WSU.

It could happen. Modster is back, they got some of their OL back, they got running backs back, and they had two weeks to work on it. They should be better on offense, which WSU may not be expecting. If the Cal defense can keep it close, it is possible.

I kind of hope it doesn't happen though. If it does, WSU will be very motivated when they face us, even more than usual. Getting beat at Cal will for sure make them mad. It also might be nice if Cal felt they had no chance to be bowl eligible when we play them. That is also a motivating factor for them. I don't see them beating UCLA or USC, so it is WSU and us they are targeting. Lose to WSU and they are pretty much toast.

[Goose]

I think Cal beats WSU.

It could happen. Modster is back, they got some of their OL back, they got running backs back, and they had two weeks to work on it. They should be better on offense, which WSU may not be expecting. If the Cal defense can keep it close, it is possible.

I kind of hope it doesn't happen though. If it does, WSU will be very motivated when they face us, even more than usual. Getting beat at Cal will for sure make them mad. It also might be nice if Cal felt they had no chance to be bowl eligible when we play them. That is also a motivating factor for them. I don't see them beating UCLA or USC, so it is WSU and us they are targeting. Lose to WSU and they are pretty much toast.

[d4cohn]

I think Cal beats WSU.

I disagree. If Garbers was back, then yes, I think Cal could beat WSU. But Cal will simply not score enough with Modster as QB
to keep up with Gordon and company at Wazzu.

[d4cohn]

I think Cal beats WSU.

I disagree. If Garbers was back, then yes, I think Cal could beat WSU. But Cal will simply not score enough with Modster as QB
to keep up with Gordon and company at Wazzu.

[Goose]

I think Cal beats WSU.

I disagree. If Garbers was back, then yes, I think Cal could beat WSU. But Cal will simply not score enough with Modster as QB
to keep up with Gordon and company at Wazzu.

It all depends on ball control and efficiency. I think it probable that the Cal defense can stop WSU at least two or three times in the game. If Cal can run the ball, take lots of time off the clock, and only get stopped once or twice, they win. The key is limiting WSU possessions. If the number is small, Cal can keep up, maybe. If it is large, they can't, for sure.

[Goose]

I think Cal beats WSU.

I disagree. If Garbers was back, then yes, I think Cal could beat WSU. But Cal will simply not score enough with Modster as QB
to keep up with Gordon and company at Wazzu.

It all depends on ball control and efficiency. I think it probable that the Cal defense can stop WSU at least two or three times in the game. If Cal can run the ball, take lots of time off the clock, and only get stopped once or twice, they win. The key is limiting WSU possessions. If the number is small, Cal can keep up, maybe. If it is large, they can't, for sure.

[OutsiderFan]

The dirty secret about Cal is the slippage of their defense. I know Cal fans are apoplectic about their offense, but the D has not been as good since really the Washington game. They were not very good against Ole Miss, then ASU ran roughshod over them. They did slow Oregon for 3 quarters, but so too did Stanford. But they were not good against Oregon State or Utah.

I don’t see Cal being able to score enough to beat a Cougar team that put up 35 on Oregon.

[OutsiderFan]

The dirty secret about Cal is the slippage of their defense. I know Cal fans are apoplectic about their offense, but the D has not been as good since really the Washington game. They were not very good against Ole Miss, then ASU ran roughshod over them. They did slow Oregon for 3 quarters, but so too did Stanford. But they were not good against Oregon State or Utah.

I don’t see Cal being able to score enough to beat a Cougar team that put up 35 on Oregon.

[lex24]

They’ve had injuries. Plus they have not been able to play complimentary football. Defense on the field  a ton. Wears down. Plan was to wear other team down with run and ball control passing. That went out the door when Garbers got hurt. 

quote="OutsiderFan" pid='259782' dateline='1572915588']
The dirty secret about Cal is the slippage of their defense. I know Cal fans are apoplectic about their offense, but the D has not been as good since really the Washington game. They were not very good against Ole Miss, then ASU ran roughshod over them. They did slow Oregon for 3 quarters, but so too did Stanford. But they were not good against Oregon State or Utah.

I don’t see Cal being able to score enough to beat a Cougar team that put up 35 on Oregon.
[/quote]

[lex24]

They’ve had injuries. Plus they have not been able to play complimentary football. Defense on the field  a ton. Wears down. Plan was to wear other team down with run and ball control passing. That went out the door when Garbers got hurt. 

quote="OutsiderFan" pid='259782' dateline='1572915588']
The dirty secret about Cal is the slippage of their defense. I know Cal fans are apoplectic about their offense, but the D has not been as good since really the Washington game. They were not very good against Ole Miss, then ASU ran roughshod over them. They did slow Oregon for 3 quarters, but so too did Stanford. But they were not good against Oregon State or Utah.

I don’t see Cal being able to score enough to beat a Cougar team that put up 35 on Oregon.
[/quote]

[Goose]

They’ve had injuries. Plus they have not been able to play complimentary football. Defense on the field  a ton. Wears down. Plan was to wear other team down with run and ball control passing. That went out the door when Garbers got hurt. 

All of the above is true. However, the Cal defense lost a lot of key players to graduation. Their DL has not been able to generate as much pressure as last year. Two important linebackers graduated and their replacements haven't been nearly as good. The word on the street is that Weaver makes lots of tackles because he is making tackles that the other linebackers should make but didn't. The secondary has not been able to force as many turnovers because the weak pass rush requires them to cover longer. To beat WSU, the defense requires run success and ball control passing from the offense.

[Goose]

They’ve had injuries. Plus they have not been able to play complimentary football. Defense on the field  a ton. Wears down. Plan was to wear other team down with run and ball control passing. That went out the door when Garbers got hurt. 

All of the above is true. However, the Cal defense lost a lot of key players to graduation. Their DL has not been able to generate as much pressure as last year. Two important linebackers graduated and their replacements haven't been nearly as good. The word on the street is that Weaver makes lots of tackles because he is making tackles that the other linebackers should make but didn't. The secondary has not been able to force as many turnovers because the weak pass rush requires them to cover longer. To beat WSU, the defense requires run success and ball control passing from the offense.

[indiancardinal]

Any updates on the injury front? Have we lost any more of the troops during bye week practice?

[indiancardinal]

Any updates on the injury front? Have we lost any more of the troops during bye week practice?

[BostonCard]

Any updates on the injury front? Have we lost any more of the troops during bye week practice?

Press conference tomorrow.

BC

[BostonCard]

Any updates on the injury front? Have we lost any more of the troops during bye week practice?

Press conference tomorrow.

BC

[Spiny_Norman]

Depth chart is out. See page 14 of the game notes - https://admin.gostanford.com/documents/2...lorado.pdf

I don't see any notable omissions. QB is Costello or Mills or West. SS is Williamson or Head.  Maddox is backup to Scarlett. Nice to see Toohill listed since he was out at the end vs. Arizona.

[Spiny_Norman]

Depth chart is out. See page 14 of the game notes - https://admin.gostanford.com/documents/2...lorado.pdf

I don't see any notable omissions. QB is Costello or Mills or West. SS is Williamson or Head.  Maddox is backup to Scarlett. Nice to see Toohill listed since he was out at the end vs. Arizona.

[Papa John]

Weather Channel is predicting highs in the mid-60s in Boulder on Saturday afternoon.

[Papa John]

Weather Channel is predicting highs in the mid-60s in Boulder on Saturday afternoon.

[indiancardinal]

Depth chart is out. See page 14 of the game notes - https://admin.gostanford.com/documents/2...lorado.pdf

I don't see any notable omissions. QB is Costello or Mills or West. SS is Williamson or Head.  Maddox is backup to Scarlett. Nice to see Toohill listed since he was out at the end vs. Arizona.

Thanks! great to know that nobody tripped in the dining hall and injured themselves!

[indiancardinal]

Depth chart is out. See page 14 of the game notes - https://admin.gostanford.com/documents/2...lorado.pdf

I don't see any notable omissions. QB is Costello or Mills or West. SS is Williamson or Head.  Maddox is backup to Scarlett. Nice to see Toohill listed since he was out at the end vs. Arizona.

Thanks! great to know that nobody tripped in the dining hall and injured themselves!