This
game is just a scary proposition. So
many stats and matchups that favor ASU.
Although the South Park folks have a new CU intro to unveil, there are
less than 40,000 tickets sold, for a Conference and home opener, under the
lights and on national TV (part of the problem?) and a designated “blackout”
game. We will get to see the new
renovations on the north end and there are now two “beer gardens” set up (in
Balch Fieldhouse and outside the main gates around the Buffalo statue) for fans
to drown their sorrows and the university to make some cash for the projects.
§ Line: It opened at 13.5 and within a few
hours it was up as high as 17, seeming to have settled between 15-16, which
still seems tempting and low to me.
§ Depth Chart moves/Burn the Redshirt: They have only burn four so far but MacIntyre
admitted they are still working with a few who could play. With the injuries (below) I think it is possible
we see another d-lineman, whether it is Jase Franke or Michael Mathewes, as
well as one of the speedy frosh wide outs.
§ Injuries: DE Christian Shaver is a
question mark for the game (ankle), as is DE Derek McCartney (concussion). Markeis Reed (hernia) is still out, as is
backup DE Garret Gregory, leaving the d-line super thin, increasing the chance of seeing another freshman.
When the Buffs have the ball:
§ Sefo
has looked good, but this offense needs to be a lot better and more explosive
to keep up with what the defense will allow.
They will probably put up some, but it won’t be nearly enough.
§ Bryce
Bobo looks to be a solid complement to Spruce and Fields, but they also need
others to contribute. Can DD Goodson or
Tyler McCulloch, or TEs Irwin or Slavin for that matter, get on the same page
as Sefo and hold onto a couple of balls, or is it time to unveil Lee Walker
and/or Donovan Lee?
§ I
think Michael Adkins is still slowed by his ankle, and therefore Powell, Jones
and Lindsay all had their moments.
However, this week is a different story and someone is going to have to
find yard against a much stiffer defense.
This could be the game that Lindsay breaks out a little since he is able
to squeeze into small spaces and make moves that leave defenders flat-footed.
When the Sun Devils have the ball:
§ Taylor
Kelly and DJ Foster are just way too much for this team to handle, especially
with the injuries to the defensive line.
If they can’t slow down the run game, ASU will be able to do whatever
they want. Addison Gillam, Greg
Henderson and everyone else must play out of their mind for the Buffs to have
any chance in this game.
§ S
Evan White got a lot more reps and I like the idea of using him and putting
Chidobe Awuzie at the corner, since Crawley has reverted to his freshman ways
and no one else has done any better. Let
Witherspoo, John Walker and the rest fight for the nickel spot.
§ De’Jon
Wilson looks to have earned the coaches favor with a lot more playing time the second
game.
§ I
don’t know what else to say without being really negative.
Special Teams:
§ Darragh O’Neill continues to be a stud and is
working on his NFL resume as a strong punter with deep pinning expertise.
§ Wil
Oliver is an adequate kicker at best, shaky from over 40 yards and usually only
good for one decent kickoff. Diego Gonzalez needs to grab the kickoff job and
let Oliver focus on place kicks.
§ The
return game is boring and not that effective and the coverage units are
ridiculous. The kids must not have that much respect for Neinas or he isn’t
doing much of anything out there. This
might be the most dangerous phase of the game this week. I think I would
actually be more surprised if ASU does NOT score a return TD.
§ Overall,it's just going to get ugly and I can't even make a prediction.
§ If
you need some more to keep you occupied
until the late kickoff:
Rumblin’
Preview: http://rumblinbuff.blogspot.com/
Plati’s
CU Game Notes: http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/gameday/asu14/cunotes.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=600
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