If the USC/WSU score ends up what you predict do you think that sportswriters will take notice? I doubt it. If I was a betting man (which I'm not) I'd WSU and the points and pray for a WSU upset. I'm going with WSU 35 USC 30. Now if WSU's D shows up big time and Ward can learn from his mistakes, I can see WSU shocking the college football world with something 31-20 (fingers crossed here in the Tri-Cities #GOCOUGS)
Many kids are from SoCal and do have a big chip on their shoulders. WSU did ok with a full house at Wisconsin, a 1/2 full stadium at USC will not be a factor. WSU wins a close one.
WSU is a very talented team. USC looks weak and hasn't played a difficult opponent except Oregon State. The Beavs nearly won even though Nolan threw four picks. I hope that WSU wins big. USC is overrated, they definitely shouldn't be ranked #6, and WSU should be in the top 25.
Odd analysis. If USC isn't #6, who below deserves it in this highly subjective exercise? They have just as much claim as anyone 6--20, imo. USC looks weak? Really? Look at these defensive numbers, and this is where they get criticized most:
Turnover margin: #1 in nation
Red zone defense: #3
Defensive TD's: #3
Sacks: #5
Interceptions: #1
Total defense: top 1/2
Predicted comeback: "They haven't played anyone!" Well, who has? Wisconsin has turned out to be mediocre so no claim there for WSU. Can WSU beat them? Sure, but the spread tells you something, no? I suspect your analysis is more animus?
Don’t forget Sugar Ray Leonard John. One of the best pound for pound boxers ever to circle a ring. Who didn’t love Sugar Ray vs Marvelous Marvin Hagler or Tommy Hearns? Now those were great fights.
Grew up watching those fights with Sugar Ray. Talk about “put up or shut up”those fights were legendary. Remember Duran Duran? Sugar Ray beat them all. It sounds weird or strange to say it. But it takes a rare talent yo make brutal sport such as boxing, look beautiful. Both Ali and Sugar Ray Leanord gave that for us to enjoy. Thanks Tim for your take.
Just watch, after UCLA gives Utah a whooping, Canzano, Wilner, and the rest of the Pac-12 talking heads are going to be claiming, "Utah is just not a very good team so this doesn't tell us much about Kelly's Bruins". This is true especially for Wilner. I don't know what UCLA ever did to that guy but boy is he one salty, bitter Bruin hater.
I guarantee you that would not be my reaction. Utah is good, and will be better at the end of the season. UCLA — at home, with an extra day of rest — will be at its best. If the Bruins are going to win… this is their shot. But I have Utah by a score.
I really like Tennessee (-3) @ LSU. It's got a couple of negatives for the Vols - @LSU and it's the week before Alabama, but Baton Rouge isn't as intimidating at 11AM. The Tennessee secondary is suspect but LSU has not shown it can take advantage of it. I think Kayshon Boutte is as talented as any WR but something hasn't looked right. A win here will set up a hornet's nest in Knoxville for the Tide.
You were warned Canzano not to pick against UCLA!! Down goes Utah. I’m sure you’ll pick your beloved little Duckies in 2 weeks. But you still have time to jump on the UCLA bandwagon. We have room for you. ☺️
I lost a lot of respect for Ali when he called Joe Frazier dumb and said he looked like a gorilla. Joe never got over those insults and Ali never apologized. . Keep in mind that Frazier gave Ali money when he was banned from boxing and needed help.
Typical Canzano. Pick against UCLA at your own peril. And I love how you ignore that a UCLA win sets up a “showdown” with Oregon in 2 weeks. No you’d rather go with your lame narrative about USC and Utah being the more important teams.
Many years ago I was in a downtown Portland restaurant when Ali walked in with Harry Merlo. I immediately walked over (he was watching me all the time), our eyes met, I put out my hand and said, "Welcome to Portland, Champ." He shook it and that was that. That is the only time in my life I did such a thing. I grew up in Hollywood CA and I'm not a fawner. I don't collect autographs. But Ali was my private hero, the only one I ever had. He was courage in the ring and in his personal life.
re Ali v Holmes
reporter's interview of Ali prior to the fight, provoked a great comment which would have been brilliant had Ali won.
Reporter: sic "Holmes has been your sparring partner for five years. Don't you think he has the book on your moves."
Ali: "I taught him everything he knows, I didn't teach him everything I know."
Coachb
Great article John, and I agree with all of your picks…. Except one. I’m a Ducks fan, and we escaped WSU , but the Trojans won’t! WSU 35 USC 31
Love the story about your daughter ❤️
She will always be your favorite everything!
If the USC/WSU score ends up what you predict do you think that sportswriters will take notice? I doubt it. If I was a betting man (which I'm not) I'd WSU and the points and pray for a WSU upset. I'm going with WSU 35 USC 30. Now if WSU's D shows up big time and Ward can learn from his mistakes, I can see WSU shocking the college football world with something 31-20 (fingers crossed here in the Tri-Cities #GOCOUGS)
Wazzu is dangerous. They have the talent to beat anyone, but the composure is going to be a big factor in LA.
Many kids are from SoCal and do have a big chip on their shoulders. WSU did ok with a full house at Wisconsin, a 1/2 full stadium at USC will not be a factor. WSU wins a close one.
WSU is a very talented team. USC looks weak and hasn't played a difficult opponent except Oregon State. The Beavs nearly won even though Nolan threw four picks. I hope that WSU wins big. USC is overrated, they definitely shouldn't be ranked #6, and WSU should be in the top 25.
Odd analysis. If USC isn't #6, who below deserves it in this highly subjective exercise? They have just as much claim as anyone 6--20, imo. USC looks weak? Really? Look at these defensive numbers, and this is where they get criticized most:
Turnover margin: #1 in nation
Red zone defense: #3
Defensive TD's: #3
Sacks: #5
Interceptions: #1
Total defense: top 1/2
Predicted comeback: "They haven't played anyone!" Well, who has? Wisconsin has turned out to be mediocre so no claim there for WSU. Can WSU beat them? Sure, but the spread tells you something, no? I suspect your analysis is more animus?
You have this great knack for bringing a tear to my eye. Don’t ever lose it!
Don’t forget Sugar Ray Leonard John. One of the best pound for pound boxers ever to circle a ring. Who didn’t love Sugar Ray vs Marvelous Marvin Hagler or Tommy Hearns? Now those were great fights.
Grew up watching those fights with Sugar Ray. Talk about “put up or shut up”those fights were legendary. Remember Duran Duran? Sugar Ray beat them all. It sounds weird or strange to say it. But it takes a rare talent yo make brutal sport such as boxing, look beautiful. Both Ali and Sugar Ray Leanord gave that for us to enjoy. Thanks Tim for your take.
Picks:
Utah 31 UCLA 30
Washington 35 ASU 23
WSU 41 USC 37
Oregon 54 Arizona 17
OSU 24 Stanford 20
Just watch, after UCLA gives Utah a whooping, Canzano, Wilner, and the rest of the Pac-12 talking heads are going to be claiming, "Utah is just not a very good team so this doesn't tell us much about Kelly's Bruins". This is true especially for Wilner. I don't know what UCLA ever did to that guy but boy is he one salty, bitter Bruin hater.
I guarantee you that would not be my reaction. Utah is good, and will be better at the end of the season. UCLA — at home, with an extra day of rest — will be at its best. If the Bruins are going to win… this is their shot. But I have Utah by a score.
Thoughts on BYU +3' @ Notre Dame?
BYU wins.
I really like Tennessee (-3) @ LSU. It's got a couple of negatives for the Vols - @LSU and it's the week before Alabama, but Baton Rouge isn't as intimidating at 11AM. The Tennessee secondary is suspect but LSU has not shown it can take advantage of it. I think Kayshon Boutte is as talented as any WR but something hasn't looked right. A win here will set up a hornet's nest in Knoxville for the Tide.
I noticed that too. I take BYU to win outright.
Have to agree with your picks. Something tells me UCLA shocks Utah, but that's completely irrational.
You were warned Canzano not to pick against UCLA!! Down goes Utah. I’m sure you’ll pick your beloved little Duckies in 2 weeks. But you still have time to jump on the UCLA bandwagon. We have room for you. ☺️
RG3 in the booth tonight for Pac-12 After Dark. He won't be stuck on these games for long. That dude is GOOD.
I lost a lot of respect for Ali when he called Joe Frazier dumb and said he looked like a gorilla. Joe never got over those insults and Ali never apologized. . Keep in mind that Frazier gave Ali money when he was banned from boxing and needed help.
Typical Canzano. Pick against UCLA at your own peril. And I love how you ignore that a UCLA win sets up a “showdown” with Oregon in 2 weeks. No you’d rather go with your lame narrative about USC and Utah being the more important teams.
I am currently drinking a large glass of water in a UCLA cup. Not Kool Aid. Water. Let’s see what happens vs Utah. I may switch to Kool Aid.
Any Kool Aid in your cup yet Canzano?
Atta boy
Many years ago I was in a downtown Portland restaurant when Ali walked in with Harry Merlo. I immediately walked over (he was watching me all the time), our eyes met, I put out my hand and said, "Welcome to Portland, Champ." He shook it and that was that. That is the only time in my life I did such a thing. I grew up in Hollywood CA and I'm not a fawner. I don't collect autographs. But Ali was my private hero, the only one I ever had. He was courage in the ring and in his personal life.
Love the story about Ali…he was one of a kind. Grew up watching him.
Just thinking about that little bit of a girl boxing just makes me smile. Boy classmates be forewarned. Don’t mess with that one!!