From: randall@informix.com (Randall Rhea)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college
Subject: Pac-10 Preview
Keywords: pac10 preview
Date: 9 Sep 92 22:15:45 GMT
Organization: Informix Software, Inc.



                             PAC-10 PREVIEW
                         for September 12, 1992



  Washington State (1-0) at Arizona (1-0): Arizona  was  decimated  by
  injuries  last  year,  making their 4-7 record deceptive.  They have
  more experience and more talent this year, and last week's one-sided
  win  over  Utah  State may be indicative of significant improvement.
  They will need to contend with WSU's QB Drew Bledsoe, who passed for
  413  yards  against  Division  1-A  opponent Montana last week.  The
  Cougars won by only a 25-13 score, thanks to several turnovers.  WSU
  appears  to  have little or no running game, which will put pressure
  on Bledsoe to move the offense himself.  The key will  be  how  well
  Arizona  can  defend  against the pass.  WSU must do a better job of
  stopping the run than last year, as Arizona is capable of putting up
  big  yards  on the ground.  Expect a high-scoring affair.  Since the
  Wildcats are at home, and the Cougars seem to have a one-dimensional
  offense,  look for Arizona to win.  Prediction: Arizona 33, Washing-
  ton State 28.


  California (1-0) at Purdue (0-0):  The Boilermakers open their  sea-
  son  against #19 California, who looked very impressive in their 46-
  16 smashing of San Jose State.  The score would have been even  more
  lopsided  if new coach Keith Gilbertson had kept the first string in
  the game longer.  The Bears might actually have improved  over  last
  year's  10-2 breakthrough season.  The biggest Cal question mark go-
  ing into the season was the QB position,  but  sophomore  Dave  Barr
  answered  with a poised 3-TD-pass performance.  Russell White rushed
  for over 200 yards, but perhaps the biggest offensive  star  was  WR
  Sean  Dawkins,  who  grabbed  all  three of Barr's TD passes.  Cal's
  depth at both running back (White, Chapman, Holly) and  receiver  is
  quite  impressive.   The  Cal defense held SJS to -40 (yes, negative
  40) yards rushing, but the Spartans were forced to play with a  2nd-
  string  offensive  line  due to academic disqualifications.  In last
  year's contest at Berkeley, Purdue led through  most  of  the  first
  half,  but  then their lack of size and depth caught up with them as
  the Bears came back for a 42-18 rout.  Purdue showed  much  improve-
  ment  in  their  running game last year, but their defense collapsed
  against strong opponents.  A road game against a Big-10 team is  al-
  ways  tough,  but  right now, Cal has more speed and depth, and they
  have the experience of one game under the belt.  If  the  Bears  can
  get  another  good  game from Barr, their offense should romp, espe-
  cially in the second half.  Prediction:  Cal 38, Purdue 21.


  Oregon (0-1) at Stanford (1-0):  Both teams are coming off of tough,
  narrow  losses.   The  Ducks'  offense  should be improved over last
  year's dismal stats; QB Danny O'Neil passed for  a  career-high  312
  yards in their 24-21 loss to the Rainbows.  The Cardinal offense was
  completely shut down by A&M's defense on August 26th, raising  seri-
  ous  questions about the passing game.  The Stanford defense was ex-
  cellent against the Aggies, especially effective in stopping the run
  until  they  ran out of gas at the end of the game.  If they play as
  well against Oregon, it will be a  long  afternoon  for  the  Ducks.
  Oregon  must  avoid  the  turnovers that cost them last week's game.
  Expect Stanford and star back Glyn Milburn to run the ball well, al-
  lowing  QB Stenstrom and an inexperienced corps of receivers to pass
  at opportune moments.  Prediction: Stanford 21, Oregon 7.


  Fresno State (1-0) at Oregon State  (0-1):   The  Beavers  were  un-
  believably bad last week in a 49-20 loss.  Two late, meaningless OSU
  TDs made the score closer than it should have been.   The  Bulldog's
  two  major  concerns  are a defense that returns only three starters
  and a surprisingly close victory (24-20)  in  last  year's  matchup.
  One never knows- OSU can turn in a good performance at home on occa-
  sion, but on paper, Fresno  should  have  no  problem.   Prediction:
  Fresno State 40, Oregon State 21.


  Cal State Fullerton (1-0) at UCLA (0-0):  The Titans actually won  a
  game  last week ... against Division II Northridge State.   The Rose
  Bowl will not be as inviting a place for one of Division  I's  worst
  teams.   I guess they need the money.  There isn't much to say about
  this game, other than it's too bad that it will be played.   Predic-
  tion: UCLA 49, Fullerton State 7.


  Wisconsin (0-0) at Washington (1-0):   The Husky defense looks  more
  human  this  year  after  a less-than-awesome performance at Arizona
  State last week.   ASU back Mario Bates rushed for over  200  yards,
  unusual  for a UW defense that gave up only 67 ypg rushing last sea-
  son.  If ASU had anything but a fourth-string QB last week, it might
  have  been  a difficult one for UW.   Wisconsin is an improving pro-
  gram, coming off a 5-6 season last  year.   The  Badgers  have  some
  talent,  but  they  are still pretty young, particularly on offense.
  Husky back Napoleon Kaufmann should have another good day against  a
  defense  that  averaged almost 200 ypg rushing last year.  Wisconsin
  might surprise the Huskies early by scoring an early TD or two,  but
  then lack of size and depth will do them in.  Prediction: Washington
  40, Wisconsin 10.


  Southern California (0-0-1) and Arizona State (0-1) are  idle.   The
  week off comes at a good time for both teams.



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Randall Rhea                                        Informix Software, Inc. 
Project Manager, MIS Sales/Marketing Systems    uunet!pyramid!infmx!randall
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college