Today, I am going to preview the Washington State Cougars. This will be my final Pac-12 Football preview and one of my last posts for the 2015-2016 school year. Anyways, the Cougars will be losing wide receiver Dom Williams and offensive lineman Joe Dahl. They will bring back quarterback Luke Falk, running back Gerard Wicks, and wide receivers River Cracraft and Gabe Marks.
The Cougars open the 2016 season against FCS Eastern Washington, who almost beat Oregon last year. WSU will defeat EWU 63-14. Next up is Boise State, a darkhorse team for the upcoming season's playoff. WSU will pull out with the win, 42-35. Idaho comes into Pullman from across the Washington-Idaho border. The Cougars will smother the Vandals 70-3 with their high-powered offensive attack.
By now, Washington State should be in the top 25. They will take on the Oregon Ducks after a bye week. the Ducks may be in the top 10 before this game. WSU will pull out the upset 35-31 to reach 4-0. After this will be top-ranked Stanford on "The Farm". Stanford will survive in overtime 65-59. After this is a showdown with UCLA at home. The Bruins will pull away with the victory 45-35. Now at 4-2 and unranked again, the Cougars travel to top 25 newcomer Arizona State. WSU will defeat the Sun Devils 52-48 in a high-scoring affair. Back in the polls, Washington State will demolish Oregon State 56-17. The Cougars' passing consistency will push them past Arizona 34-21, Cal 45-35, Colorado 35-20, and rival Washington 38-23.
Cougar fans should be looking forward to this season, where I've got the Cougars going 10-2. WSU will probably be ranked 14th and going to the Alamo Bowl this season. This concludes my previews on the each Pac-12 football team's upcoming football season. I am excited for next season to begin, and furthermore, GOOOOOOOOOOO BRUINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Monday, May 23, 2016
2016-2017 Pac-12 Football Team Previews and Record Predictions: Washington Huskies
Today, I will preview the Washington Huskies. The Huskies had one of the youngest football squads in the nation last season, with merely 14 seniors. The Huskies will be losing wide receivers Marvin Hall and Jaydon Mickens, tight end Joshua Perkins (not related to UCLA running back Paul Perkins), and linebacker Travis Feeney. Quarterback Jake Browning , running backs Myles Gaskin and Dwayne Washington (what a coincidence), wide receivers John Ross and Brayden Lenius, defensive back Budda Baker, and defensive lineman Joe Mathis all return for the Huskies.
The Huskies have one of the easier non-conference schedules in the Pac-12. They open the season at home against Rutgers. Washington will win 28-10. Next up is Idaho, another bad team. Washington will win 34-0 with their outstanding defense. After that comes FCS Portland State. This will result in another shutout Huskies victory, 63-0.
Once again, Washington will begin the season at 3-0. However, Arizona will spoil this with a 27-21 victory against the Huskies. UW will hold tough, but fall 52-34. Oregon will cause a three-game losing streak for Washington by beating them 38-27. Now at 3-3, Washington will be hunting for a victory. This will be easy to pick up against Oregon State 41-14. The Huskies will travel to Utah for a showdown in Salt Lake City. Washington will fall short 27-14 and sit at 4-4 before heading off to Berkeley to take on Cal. They will defeat the Bears 27-24 to reach 5-4, one win away from a bowl game. But USC will spoil this chance with a 42-31 victory over Washington. Arizona State will put UW on the line for a bowl game after defeating them 31-24. Finally, Washington State will end the Huskies' postseason hopes with a 38-23 Cougars win.
Sorry, Husky fans, but I've got Washington falling just short of a bowl game. They will go 5-7, and be looking forward to next season. Next week will be my final preview on Pac-12 football, as it will preview the Washington State Cougars. Please stay tuned, Pac-12 fans!
The Huskies have one of the easier non-conference schedules in the Pac-12. They open the season at home against Rutgers. Washington will win 28-10. Next up is Idaho, another bad team. Washington will win 34-0 with their outstanding defense. After that comes FCS Portland State. This will result in another shutout Huskies victory, 63-0.
Once again, Washington will begin the season at 3-0. However, Arizona will spoil this with a 27-21 victory against the Huskies. UW will hold tough, but fall 52-34. Oregon will cause a three-game losing streak for Washington by beating them 38-27. Now at 3-3, Washington will be hunting for a victory. This will be easy to pick up against Oregon State 41-14. The Huskies will travel to Utah for a showdown in Salt Lake City. Washington will fall short 27-14 and sit at 4-4 before heading off to Berkeley to take on Cal. They will defeat the Bears 27-24 to reach 5-4, one win away from a bowl game. But USC will spoil this chance with a 42-31 victory over Washington. Arizona State will put UW on the line for a bowl game after defeating them 31-24. Finally, Washington State will end the Huskies' postseason hopes with a 38-23 Cougars win.
Sorry, Husky fans, but I've got Washington falling just short of a bowl game. They will go 5-7, and be looking forward to next season. Next week will be my final preview on Pac-12 football, as it will preview the Washington State Cougars. Please stay tuned, Pac-12 fans!
Monday, May 16, 2016
2016-2017 Pac-12 Football Team Previews and Record Predictions: Utah Utes
This week, I will preview the Utah Utes. The Utes are probably going to lose the most talent of any team in the Pac-12. They will be losing quarterbacks Travis Wilson and Kendal Thompson, running backs Devontae Booker and Bubba Poole, wide receiver Kenneth Scott, linebackers Jared Norris and Gionni Paul, and punter Tom Hackett (the only "good" Pac-12 Special teams player besides UCLA kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn). The returners include defensive backs Dominique Hatfield and Boobie Hobbs, running back Joe Williams, tight end Harrison Handley, and wide receiver Britain Covey.
Utah's season opener comes against FCS Southern Utah. The Utes will win this match easily, 63-6. Next up as a showdown with Holy War rival BYU. BYU will win this game 38-34, with revenge against the Utes after last season's Las Vegas Bowl (Utah won 35-28). Utah will play against San Jose State after this unfortunate loss. The Utes will beat SJSU 48-21 to advance to 2-1.
The Utes will lose their first conference game to USC, 35-28. They will go below .500 winning percentage for the first time since 2013 after falling to Cal 38-30. The Utes will fall to Arizona 31-21 the following week. Utah will have some reassurance with a 38-17 victory against Oregon State. UCLA will send the Utes to 3-5 by beating Utah 38-28. The Utes will defeat Washington 27-14 and go to 4-5 going into their bye week.
After the bye week, Utah will squeeze by Arizona State 24-21 on a late touchdown. Oregon will get revenge for last season's 62-20 drubbing of the Ducks. Utah will fall to Oregon 47-33. One win away from the postseason, the Utes will put all they've got into a 34-24 victory over Colorado.
This season will be a hectic ride for the Utah Utes. Since they are losing many key players, they will just barely reach bowl eligibility with a 6-6 record. Stay tuned for next week for my preview on the Washington Huskies!
Utah's season opener comes against FCS Southern Utah. The Utes will win this match easily, 63-6. Next up as a showdown with Holy War rival BYU. BYU will win this game 38-34, with revenge against the Utes after last season's Las Vegas Bowl (Utah won 35-28). Utah will play against San Jose State after this unfortunate loss. The Utes will beat SJSU 48-21 to advance to 2-1.
The Utes will lose their first conference game to USC, 35-28. They will go below .500 winning percentage for the first time since 2013 after falling to Cal 38-30. The Utes will fall to Arizona 31-21 the following week. Utah will have some reassurance with a 38-17 victory against Oregon State. UCLA will send the Utes to 3-5 by beating Utah 38-28. The Utes will defeat Washington 27-14 and go to 4-5 going into their bye week.
After the bye week, Utah will squeeze by Arizona State 24-21 on a late touchdown. Oregon will get revenge for last season's 62-20 drubbing of the Ducks. Utah will fall to Oregon 47-33. One win away from the postseason, the Utes will put all they've got into a 34-24 victory over Colorado.
This season will be a hectic ride for the Utah Utes. Since they are losing many key players, they will just barely reach bowl eligibility with a 6-6 record. Stay tuned for next week for my preview on the Washington Huskies!
Monday, May 9, 2016
2016-2017 Pac-12 Football Team Previews and Record Predictions: USC Trojans
This week, I will preview UCLA's crosstown rival, the USC Trojans. They will lose star quarterback Cody Kessler, running back Tre Madden, center Max Tuerk, fullback Soma Vainuku, defensive ends Greg Townsend Jr. and Claude Pelon, linebackers Su'a Cravens and Anthony Sarao, cornerback Kevon Seymour, and defensive tackle Antwaun Woods. The Trojans will bring back cornerbacks Iman Marshall and Adoree' Jackson, defensive tackle Rasheem Green, linebacker Cameron Smith, safety Chris Hawkins, running backs Ronald Jones and Justin Davis, tight ends Tyler Petite and Taylor McNamara, and wide receivers Darreus Rogers and Juju Smith-Schuster. The Trojans' starting quarterback will be future-junior quarterback Max Browne. Last season, Browne saw action against Arkansas State (3 completions on 5 attempts, 66 yards), Idaho (4-6, 43 yards), and Arizona state (1-1, 4 yds.)
USC has the toughest schedule in the Pac-12, and arguably, the toughest schedule in the country. They also open the season against Alabama, who won last season's national championship and will be this preseason's #1 team. Alabama will probably crush USC, 48-17. This will be the first time USC has lost their season opener since 1997. They will host and survive Utah State 31-28 in their home opener.
Now at 1-1, the Trojans face yet another tough game, this time against the #2 team in the country, Stanford. Stanford will win 44-28. After this, SC will travel to Utah. Utah does have some holes to fill on both sides of the ball, which may propel the Trojans to a 35-28 win. They come back home to take on Arizona State, who will repeat what they did two years ago. The Sun Devils will beat the Trojans on a Hail Mary, 41-38.
By now, USC will be in quite the pickle by their bye week. After that, they will beat Colorado 42-27.The Trojans were in a 3-3 situation last season as well. They will have another shootout against Arizona the following week, but Arizona will win it 44-41 in overtime. They will lose to Cal 31-27, Oregon 52-38, beat Washington 42-31, lose to UCLA 45-35, and finally, fall to Notre Dame 38-14.
Sorry, Trojans. I'm trying to avoid as much bias as possible, but I'm predicting that USC will go 4-8. This will be the first time since 2000 that USC will fail to reach bowl eligibility. This will also be the first time since 2011 that the Trojans will miss a bowl game. In 2011, the Trojans succumbed to the Reggie Bush scandal and underwent NCAA sanctions, which banned them from postseason appearances. They were lifted from this ban in 2012. Next week, I will preview the Utah Utes.
USC has the toughest schedule in the Pac-12, and arguably, the toughest schedule in the country. They also open the season against Alabama, who won last season's national championship and will be this preseason's #1 team. Alabama will probably crush USC, 48-17. This will be the first time USC has lost their season opener since 1997. They will host and survive Utah State 31-28 in their home opener.
Now at 1-1, the Trojans face yet another tough game, this time against the #2 team in the country, Stanford. Stanford will win 44-28. After this, SC will travel to Utah. Utah does have some holes to fill on both sides of the ball, which may propel the Trojans to a 35-28 win. They come back home to take on Arizona State, who will repeat what they did two years ago. The Sun Devils will beat the Trojans on a Hail Mary, 41-38.
By now, USC will be in quite the pickle by their bye week. After that, they will beat Colorado 42-27.The Trojans were in a 3-3 situation last season as well. They will have another shootout against Arizona the following week, but Arizona will win it 44-41 in overtime. They will lose to Cal 31-27, Oregon 52-38, beat Washington 42-31, lose to UCLA 45-35, and finally, fall to Notre Dame 38-14.
Sorry, Trojans. I'm trying to avoid as much bias as possible, but I'm predicting that USC will go 4-8. This will be the first time since 2000 that USC will fail to reach bowl eligibility. This will also be the first time since 2011 that the Trojans will miss a bowl game. In 2011, the Trojans succumbed to the Reggie Bush scandal and underwent NCAA sanctions, which banned them from postseason appearances. They were lifted from this ban in 2012. Next week, I will preview the Utah Utes.
Monday, May 2, 2016
Bruins in the 2016 NFL Draft
The 2016 NFL Draft began last Thursday, April 28th, and boy is it packed with fellow Bruin football players! Out of 7 rounds, there was 1 UCLA player in the 1st round, 1 in the second round, 3 in the 5th round, and 3 in the 7th round.
In case anyone was wondering who the #1 pick in the draft was, it was Jared Goff, the quarterback for the California Golden Bears and will be joining and possibly starting for your fellow Los Angeles Rams. Number 2 was FCS North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz, who is going to the Philadelphia Eagles. Numbers 3 and 4 were both Ohio State Buckeyes (defensive end Joey Bosa (going to the San Diego Chargers) and running back Ezekiel Elliott (going to the Dallas Cowboys)) and number 5 was Florida State cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who is headed to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The only UCLA Bruin that went in the first round of the draft was defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Clark was the 27th overall pick in the draft and is going off to the Green Bay Packers, joining former UCLA quarterback and teammate Brett Hundley. Clark was a major factor in UCLA's defense. Even when two of the biggest players on defense, Myles Jack and Eddie Vanderdoes went out with season-ending injuries, he tried his best to stop the opponent run game, which battered UCLA all season long. Even still, Clark was vital to the team.
Speaking of UCLA linebacker Myles Jack, he was the 5th pick in the second round (36th overall) of the draft, joining Florida State cornerback Jalen Ramsey in going to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jack would've been one of the higher picks in the first round if it weren't for many concerns about his knee. Before the draft, Jack was projected to be the 4th or 5th overall pick. His last play as a Bruin was an interception that won the game against BYU 24-23. Interestingly enough, Myles Jack can play on both sides of the ball, being a running back when he is on offense. This compares to former Washington linebacker Shaq Thompson, who was a 1st round pick in last year's NFL Draft.
The first Bruin to go into the 5th round of the draft (148th overall) was offensive tackle Caleb Benenoch. Benenoch is a big guy, so guarding the quarterback is just what he does best in football. Benenoch is heading off to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Running back Paul Perkins was drafted by the New York Giants right after Benenoch went to the Bucs. Perkins led the Pac-12 in rushing yards in his sophomore year, with 1,575 yards. His style of rushing as a running back can be compared to Marshawn Lynch (Yes, you read this right). Many times, when it looks like Perkins will be tackled for a loss of yards, he can spin off these tacklers and get positive yardage. One of UCLA's running back recruits, Brandon Stephens, can run like Perkins too, so Bruin fans will not need to miss the constant jukes by their running back.
Five picks later, wide receiver Jordan Payton was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, which is ironically the same team that drafted USC quarterback Cody Kessler. Payton is the school's all-time reception leader and the first to surpass 200 catches.
Finally, the three Bruins in the last round of the draft were linebacker Aaron Wallace (drafted by the Tennessee Titans), tight end Thomas Duarte (drafted by the Miami Dolphins), and wide receiver Devin Fuller (drafted by the Atlanta Falcons). All three of these players had great college careers and hopefully they will get some playing time in the pros.
A few key UCLA players barely missed out on the draft. Three of these players are offensive center Jake Brendel, offensive guard Alex Redmond, and place kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn. Brendel and Redmond did a great job protecting quarterbacks Brett Hundley and Josh Rosen and Fairbairn kicked the longest field goal in school history (2nd longest in Pac-12 history) and won the Lou Groza Award, which is given to the best kicker in College Football each season. There was only one kicker that got into the draft: Florida State kicker Roberto Aguayo, who is going to be reunited with former FSU quarterback Jameis Winston with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
I wish all these UCLA players in the draft have great careers in the NFL. They may play against each other at some point, but they will be remembered for their great college careers at UCLA. Next week, I will return to previewing Pac-12 teams, as I will preview the USC Trojans next.
In case anyone was wondering who the #1 pick in the draft was, it was Jared Goff, the quarterback for the California Golden Bears and will be joining and possibly starting for your fellow Los Angeles Rams. Number 2 was FCS North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz, who is going to the Philadelphia Eagles. Numbers 3 and 4 were both Ohio State Buckeyes (defensive end Joey Bosa (going to the San Diego Chargers) and running back Ezekiel Elliott (going to the Dallas Cowboys)) and number 5 was Florida State cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who is headed to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The only UCLA Bruin that went in the first round of the draft was defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Clark was the 27th overall pick in the draft and is going off to the Green Bay Packers, joining former UCLA quarterback and teammate Brett Hundley. Clark was a major factor in UCLA's defense. Even when two of the biggest players on defense, Myles Jack and Eddie Vanderdoes went out with season-ending injuries, he tried his best to stop the opponent run game, which battered UCLA all season long. Even still, Clark was vital to the team.
Speaking of UCLA linebacker Myles Jack, he was the 5th pick in the second round (36th overall) of the draft, joining Florida State cornerback Jalen Ramsey in going to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jack would've been one of the higher picks in the first round if it weren't for many concerns about his knee. Before the draft, Jack was projected to be the 4th or 5th overall pick. His last play as a Bruin was an interception that won the game against BYU 24-23. Interestingly enough, Myles Jack can play on both sides of the ball, being a running back when he is on offense. This compares to former Washington linebacker Shaq Thompson, who was a 1st round pick in last year's NFL Draft.
The first Bruin to go into the 5th round of the draft (148th overall) was offensive tackle Caleb Benenoch. Benenoch is a big guy, so guarding the quarterback is just what he does best in football. Benenoch is heading off to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Running back Paul Perkins was drafted by the New York Giants right after Benenoch went to the Bucs. Perkins led the Pac-12 in rushing yards in his sophomore year, with 1,575 yards. His style of rushing as a running back can be compared to Marshawn Lynch (Yes, you read this right). Many times, when it looks like Perkins will be tackled for a loss of yards, he can spin off these tacklers and get positive yardage. One of UCLA's running back recruits, Brandon Stephens, can run like Perkins too, so Bruin fans will not need to miss the constant jukes by their running back.
Five picks later, wide receiver Jordan Payton was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, which is ironically the same team that drafted USC quarterback Cody Kessler. Payton is the school's all-time reception leader and the first to surpass 200 catches.
Finally, the three Bruins in the last round of the draft were linebacker Aaron Wallace (drafted by the Tennessee Titans), tight end Thomas Duarte (drafted by the Miami Dolphins), and wide receiver Devin Fuller (drafted by the Atlanta Falcons). All three of these players had great college careers and hopefully they will get some playing time in the pros.
A few key UCLA players barely missed out on the draft. Three of these players are offensive center Jake Brendel, offensive guard Alex Redmond, and place kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn. Brendel and Redmond did a great job protecting quarterbacks Brett Hundley and Josh Rosen and Fairbairn kicked the longest field goal in school history (2nd longest in Pac-12 history) and won the Lou Groza Award, which is given to the best kicker in College Football each season. There was only one kicker that got into the draft: Florida State kicker Roberto Aguayo, who is going to be reunited with former FSU quarterback Jameis Winston with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
I wish all these UCLA players in the draft have great careers in the NFL. They may play against each other at some point, but they will be remembered for their great college careers at UCLA. Next week, I will return to previewing Pac-12 teams, as I will preview the USC Trojans next.
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