§ I was really hoping that ASU would wear their new home all-“marown” uniforms but it doesn’t matter as this will be the first Buff game not on TV anywhere. Starting next year with the new Pac-12 deal and network, all football games will be televised in some capacity. Mark and Larry will call the game for us on 850 KOA if you have a “listen” party.
§ Injury Report (let’s just get it over with): There are a whole bunch of guys out, mostly DBs. Tyler is listed as“day-to-day” as is CB DD Goodson (both will likely check for concussion symptoms Thursday), Perkins is questionable at best, Espinoza is probable, hoping that Sandersfeld is as well. It is official that post-concussion problems have ended DE Tony Poremba’s career a few games early. Shawn Daniels is again listed as almost ready, but does anyone but his mom care?
§ P-Rich actually said there is a tiny chance he could play at ASU, but probably not.
In the first real good news in a while, Ray Polk has been cleared from his concussion and will be healthy “enough” from his other injuries to play in his home state of Arizona.
§ This is the first game against a Pac-12 South opponent as we finish the season with 5 straight against our divisional foes. That certainly makes for interesting division races if most schedules are set up that way in the future, ending the last weekend with all the intra-division rivalries.
§ ASU is yet another team (but thankfully the last) who has had a week off to heal (get star DE Junior Onyeali back), study film (so much to choose from) and practice to prepare to take on the hapless Buffs. Our biggest advantage? They have no idea who is actually going to play, especially in our secondary. It may not really matter though.
§ ASU’s QB Brock Osweiler is huge at 6’8”, can obviously see the field well and has played great so far, exceeding fans’ expectations in Tempe. He has completed 66% of his passes for 1.191 yards and 10 TDs, mostly to a trio of senior wideouts, with just 2 INTs (both vs. Oregon). Unfotunately, he can also run the hurry up similar to Oregon.
§ The ASU weak link has been an offensive line that has not given its RBs many holes to run through, although they have still been decent; nor have they provided great protection to Osweiler. The front seven has to step it up and get some pressure on him. We may get some people back in the secondary, but the game can’t be played entirely by them. This is a game Greg Brown needs to get creative for and call some new blitzes.
§ One pathetic goal for this week might be: Do NOT give up 500 yards of offense, or 45+ points, for the fourth consecutive week.
§ The CU offense needs to just keep working at this point with whoever can go out there. Nick Hirshman did fine in his first real action. With the film of himself, reps in practice and a little added confidence, he will be much better this week against a lesser defense. I am surprised EB and Embree have not called a few trick plays but that might open it up for Hirschman some.
§ The Sun Devils have been solid but not spectacular on defense. They are stout on third down and in the red zone. The heart of the Sun Devil’s defense is one of the most feared players in the league (if not one of the best names with Chidera Uzo-Diribe) LB Vontaze Burfict. Although he might have been a little overhyped in the presseasonand offenses have probably stayed away from him, some of their fans have been somewhat disappointed in him. However, EB will be acutely aware of where he is as Burfict has been described as: "deliciously violent" and "what you get after you kick Ray Lewis' dog." Listen for his name on Saturday.
§ Burfict’s biggest weakness is his penchant for committing personal fouls at the worst moments. In fact, ASU has been guilty of many stupid penalties and mistakes, especially when they were down vs. Oregon. If CU can get some breaks early and play physical, they might get into Burfict’s or someone else’s head and get a big play.
§ Since only 1 of their five remaining opponents have a winning record and they are prohibitive favorites in this game, facing a terrible road team with more than half their positions on manned by backups, ASU fans are already talking about the Pac-12 championship. So, once again our best hope might be if ASU is looking well ahead, figuring (who could blame them) that CU is just too beat up to challenge. So, we get a couple of lucky breaks early, some ASU defensive player blows up, some Buff freshman makes a big play and maybe, just maybe, the Buffs might be able to accidently win one.
§ However, even with a slip up (or even two), ASU should still represent the South in the playoff for the Rose Bowl…although P-Rich (you have to love his attitude) pointed out the scenario that CU could win out, and with a little help (from ASU losing some more) end up winning the South, and then with a win in the Pac-12 championship, would be 7-7 and bowl eligible and in the Granddaddy themselves.
§ CU did get some national press this week, although of the not so prestigious sort as they entered as #9 in this week’s “Bottom 10”, after having been on the waiting list for a few weeks. If they don’t make some magic happen they will be “ranked” for awhile.
And, for the insomniacs among you…
§ Stuart’s TIPS: http://www.cuatthegame.com/2011/preview-arizona-state/
§ David G’s Key Matchups: http://www.ralphiereport.com/2011/10/26/2517090/colorado-buffaloes-arizona-state-sun-devils-key-match-ups
§ Arizona State’s Gamenotes: http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/gameday/asu11/asunotes.pdf?SPSID=3843&SPID=255&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=600
§ One of the ASU blogs “House of Sparky” (yes. that’s its name!) just put out a two-part midseason review of their team if you would like a more in depth look at this week’s Goliath: http://www.houseofsparky.com/2011/10/20/2502763/midseason-review-the-sun-devil-offense http://www.houseofsparky.com/2011/10/24/2509787/midseason-review-sun-devils-defense-vontaze-burfict
§ Note on last week’s opponent and the NCAA’s stupidest player, Oregon cornerback and punt returner Cliff Harris. First of all, it was Harris who was flagged for taunting before kickoff last Saturday that allowed CU to kickoff from the 45 (not that it mattered). Remember then that it was Harris who fielded a punt at the 5 and turned to run only to be tackled for a safety and the Buffs only points, enabling them to keep a home non-shutout streak alive. To top it all off Harris was cited yet again Monday night for multiple driving infractions and has been suspended indefinitely. The only player who could compete for this honor is Stephen Garcia, formerly of South Carolina, who had been suspended five times already in his career when he tested positive for alcohol and marijuana. Garcia was “shocked and flabbergasted” when he was kicked off the team. However, he no longer qualifies since he is no longer in the NCAA, a distinction not too long for Harris, a likely future Raider or Bengal.
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