Category: Week 2

Fresno State vs. Oregon State: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction

Fresno State vs. Oregon State: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction Bulldogs looking to take out a Pac-12 foe Contact/Follow @MWCwire Can Fresno State get the win? WEEK 2: Oregon State (1-0) vs Fresno State (1-0) WHERE: Valley Children’s …

Fresno State vs. Oregon State: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction

Bulldogs looking to take out a Pac-12 foe

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Can Fresno State get the win?

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fb7dafw2b08817yr player_id=none image=https://mwwire.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

WEEK 2: Oregon State (1-0) vs Fresno State (1-0)

WHERE: Valley Children’s Stadium, Fresno, Ca  

TV: CBS Sports Network 

STREAMING: FuboTV. We have the hook-up for a free trial.

RADIO: Fox Sports AM 1340

SERIES RECORD: Fresno State Leads (8-5)

WEBSITES: osubeavers.com | gobulldogs.com

GAME NOTES (PDF): Oregon State Game Notes (PDF)  | Fresno State Game Notes (PDF)

ODDS: Oregon State -1

All eyes will be on Fresno as the Bulldogs host Oregon State. Two teams that are top 25 calibers facing off late night Saturday. Oregon State is coming off a statement opening win over Boise State 34-17. Bevers forced 5 turnovers and held Boise State to under 200 yards passing. The Oregon State defense was so good that Boise State made a switch at QB. Offensively they started hot, scoring 24 points in the first half and nearly running the ball for 200 yards. With one of the top offensive lines in the nation and a good passing game, this team can put points up at any time.

Fresno State is coming off a 35-7 win over Cal Poly. The Bulldogs kept a lot of the offense under wrap but may have a problem with the offensive line. Rotating nine guys in the line and giving up three sacks to an FCS school. A positive sign was the transfer WR from Cal Nikko Remigio who had a couple of highlight plays to go along with nine catches for 100 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Defensively the Bulldogs have to do a better job of closing out plays and keeping the QB in the pocket. Cal Poly QB Jaden Jones had 59 rushing yards and most of it came from extending plays and breaking out of the pocket. Some positives were the true freshman 17-year-old starting defensive tackle Gavriel Lightfoot recorded his first career sack. The transfer CB Cam Lockridge also had an impressive showing with three tackles and two pass breaks. A lot will be needed again from these two guys as they will have their hands full with a really good Oregon State team.

Oregon State vs. Fresno State: Get To Know The Beavers

A Battle in the trenches 

Oregon State dominated the line on both sides of the ball last week and well the Bulldogs struggled last week. If Fresno State is going to have any success this week it starts in the trenches. Protect Haener and establish a run game. During the first drives in last week’s game, the Bulldog’s offense looked sharp. Good O-line play led to the offense opening up which led to six points every time. If the O-line can play better and be more physical the Bulldogs will find success offensively. They have skilled players to put points but you have to protect the quarterback for that to happen. 

Defensively the Bulldogs faced a more mobile quarterback last week but that is no excuse for not finishing plays. Chance Nolan QB for the bevers isn’t the fast guy you will see but does enough to extend plays and keep the drive going. Fresno State has to do a better job keeping Nolan in the pocket and creating an uncomfortable pocket for him.  Can’t be happy with only getting one sack last week. I do believe Kevin Coyle will switch things up and make adjustments to get to the quarterback more.

Turnovers 

The good news for the Bulldogs, they didn’t turn over the ball last week but didn’t get any takeaways either. Meanwhile, Oregon State created five turnovers but also turned the ball three times.  

Last week Oregon State’s key to victory was winning the turnover battle. The Bulldogs are going to have to do that this week if they want to improve to 6-0 at home against the Beavers. We saw it last year when the Dogs were careless with the ball and the results weren’t good. Whoever can take care of the ball in this game will win this game. 

Third down

Whichever team can convert third downs will be in a great position to win this game. Both teams have a great offense and both teams can put up points. I believe whichever team can stop third down conversions and whichever offense is on the field more will be set up for great success. Oregon State was 4-13 on third down last week. Fresno State was 5-10 on third down. This game could come down to a late conversion situation. 

Prediction 

This game is a toss-up. A lot is on the line for both teams. Expect a near sellout at Valley Children’s Stadium. I believe this game is going to come down to the wire and come down to who wins the turnover battle. The Red Wave gives the Bulldogs an extra boost and squeaks one out.

Fresno State 38, Oregon State 35


Advertisement

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]

Cal vs. UNLV: Getting To Know The Golden Bears

Cal vs. UNLV: Getting To Know The Golden Bears Rebels vs. Bears Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire Can UNLV start 2-0? UNLV is back in action after a week off from its dominant Week 0 win over Idaho State. Now, the difficulty level has been …

Cal vs. UNLV: Getting To Know The Golden Bears

Rebels vs. Bears

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Can UNLV start 2-0?

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fb7dafw2b08817yr player_id=none image=https://mwwire.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

UNLV is back in action after a week off from its dominant Week 0 win over Idaho State. Now, the difficulty level has been raised as the Rebels go on the road to face the Cal Golden Bears.

This will be a good test for UNLV to see if they have improved enough to compete and maybe even beat this Cal team that will likely be fighting for bowl eligibility this year.

To get a deep dive on this Cal team we reached out to Jackson Moore who does a number of things for 247 Sports including covering Cal for BearTerritory.com.

1. What was learned from this Cal team after it opened up with a win over UC Davis?

The season-opener validated a lot of Cal’s fall camp storylines. The Golden Bears’ lost a big group of senior receivers and tight ends but replaces them with high-ceiling though young and inexperienced players. Four-Star redshirt freshmen J.Michael Sturdivant and Mavin Anderson looked the part without many hiccups. As did new transfer quarterback Jack Plummer who is perhaps not as exciting as former starter Chase Garbers but is a steady passer who rarely turns it over. The new O-Line was Cal’s biggest concern and they got off to a slow start but ultimately found a rhythm.

Likewise on defense, Cal played well as they returned some missing 2021 players back from injury and a trio of transfers who all made an impact – inside linebacker Jackson Sirmon (Washington) and outside linebackers Odua Isibor (UCLA) and Xavier Carlton (Utah). The defense looks more like a Justin Wilcox defense than last year’s did.

The biggest storyline that was not clear from fall camp was the emergence of 4-Star true freshman running back Jaydn Ott. Returner Damien Moore was a Doak Walker Award preseason candidate but after just three carries the Golden Bears switched gears to Ott, who had a 100-yard day and was the Pac-12’s Freshman of the Week.

2. Who are the most impactful players for this Cal team?

QB Jack Plummer – Cal has a diverse group of receiving weapons and the Purdue transfer has been a good fit. He’s not a big play-maker or scrambler, but is an accurate passer and rarely ever puts the ball in harm’s way. His interception in Week 1 came after a wide receiver bobbled a throw to the defense.

WR Jeremiah Hunter – The 6-foot-2 junior is the team’s No. 1 wide receiver. He’s an athletic leaper with an especially long wingspan that makes him tough to cover noth in the open field and one-on-one throws.

OL Ben Coleman – Coleman is Cal’s top offensive lineman and has moved from guard to left tackle this year.

NG Ricky Correia – The 6-foot-4 junior nose guard had a breakout offseason and is now the key D-Lineman to know after star Brett Johnson suffered a season-ending injury before the season.

ILB Jackson Sirmon – Sirmon was a two-time All-Pac-12 honorable mention at Washington and transferred to play under his father, Cal DC Peter Sirmon. He has quickly become the leader of the defense.

CB Lu-Magia Hearns, S Daniel Scott – Hearns emerged as Cal’s lockdown corner as a true freshman last season. Scott is Cal’s only returning sixth-year super senior as a star safety.

UNLV vs. California: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction

3. What are the expectations for Justin Wilcox? He has just two bowl appearances going into this sixth season?

The Justin Wilcox era is in a weird spot. In his first three years, his teams and recruiting classes kept getting better and better. Then came the COVID-19 season where they only played four games, and a 2021 season where they were hit with injuries, several heartbreaking losses and an overall disappointing year. And at the same time, Wilcox landed a big extension while Oregon was knocking on his door. Yet most of Cal’s eligible super seniors decided not to come back, leading to a new era on the depth chart this season.

Cal appears to be in it for the long haul with Wilcox, which doesn’t put a lot of immediate pressure on this year’s team. But a third straight losing season would be tough to swallow. Cal recruited especially well in 2020 and 2021 and now those players are taking over. If Cal can just go bowling and finish with a winning season, it would regain momentum. That would set the table for 2023 as nearly the whole team is eligible to return. They could be poised for Wilcox’s best season at Cal so far if this year’s team can set the table.

4. Cal has had one of the worst offenses in the Pac-12 during Wilcox’s career. Last year was an improvement, so how good can this offense be?

Cal has struggled on offense and now nearly the whole starting offense is gone. Their 2021 core of senior receivers and tight ends all graduated or transferred for their extra year. Cal lost three linemen including one transfer to Oklahoma. Now they are breaking in a new quarterback too.

But the general consensus is that the replacements are more explosive than the outgoing group – they just need to settle in and get some experience. Plummer is viewed as a better fit for the scheme. Cal has four second- and third- year receivers that were highly regarded recruits and are now taking center stage. They also plugged some holes on the O-Line. The bar is low, but if the O-Line is not a liability this should be the most effective offense since Bill Musgrave came in as offensive coordinator in 2020.

5. How do you see this game playing out?

I anticipate that Cal will see a similar flow of their events as Week 1, but in a more difficult fashion against a better opponent. Cal started off slow and took a while to get going on offense. Once they got into a rhythm they were tough to stop. The defense played solid with few mistakes. I think UNLV will go toe-to-toe with Cal for a while – I expect the Golden Bears’ defense to make life difficult on the Rebels and at some point in the second half Cal will hit a big play or two on offense to separate. I look for a score in the 28-17 range.


Advertisement

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=645997055]

Oregon State vs. Fresno State: Get To Know The Beavers

Oregon State vs. Fresno State: Get To Know The Beavers Sneaky good matchup Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire Beavers taking the next step? Fresno State hosts a pretty big matchup by playing Oregon State this weekend. The Beavers are on the rise …

Oregon State vs. Fresno State: Get To Know The Beavers

Sneaky good matchup

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Beavers taking the next step?

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fb7dafw2b08817yr player_id=none image=https://mwwire.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Fresno State hosts a pretty big matchup by playing Oregon State this weekend. The Beavers are on the rise after a bowl appearance last year and in the Week 1 game took care of Boise State in a fairly convincing fashion.

With the Beavers taking on another Mountain West school, we reached out to Angie Machado of Beaver Blitz to get insight on this Oregon State team after the first week of the season.

1. What did Oregon State learn about itself after the Week 1 win over Boise State?

Oregon State defense has struggled mightily over the past several years, but in 2022 it looks to be a major strength. Last year, midseason, Jonathan Smith dismissed DC Tim Tibesar and elevated inside linebackers coach Trent Bray to the interim position. By December, Bray had the interim tag removed and spent all offseason installing his new aggressive form of defense. Against Boise we saw the team swarm to the ball and have five takeaways.

Offensively, the Beavers run game struggled a bit against Boise State, but that is a bit misleading as the Broncos loaded the box to make stopping the run the emphasis. We did see quarterback Chance Nolan look more comfortable throwing the deep ball, but I will be looking for him to take that into week two as consistency has been one of the areas he has struggled with over the past year.

2. Fresno State has a stellar passing offense led by QB Jake Haener, how will Oregon State’s defense fare against that passing game?

This to me is the key matchup to the game. Yes, Fresno State has a stellar passing attack with top level quarterback and receivers, however, the Beavers defensive strength is in the secondary. This will be a major test for the veteran secondary led by seventh year safety Jaydon Grant. To me, I may give the slight edge to Fresno’s offense, however, this then comes down to Fresno State’s offensive line vs Oregon State’s front seven and whether or not the Beavers can get pressure on Haener and force him into bad decisions. A year ago I had zero faith in the Beavers pass rush ability, but after watching both Fresno State’s opener against Cal Poly and the Beavs game against Boise, I think the Beavers front seven may hold the edge on this part of the matchup. All said, this is going to be a really fun battle to watch as I really think it’s a toss-up.

3. Who are the key players that Fresno State needs to know in this matchup?

Offensively, of course, quarterback Chance Nolan is a name to know. He is a mobile quarterback who will have designed run plays called and tuck and run if the pocket breaks down. Tight end Luke Musgrave has become one of the Beavers top receiving targets. He’s big bodied and is a complete mismatch for any defensive back. The Bulldogs will see several running backs on Saturday, including South Carolina transfer Deshaun Fenwick, and true freshman Damien Martinez, who are both straight ahead downhill runners and Trey Lowe who is a change of pace back and usually called in on third downs as he is a receiving threat out of the backfield. The real strength of the Beavers offense however is the offensive line, who excel in protecting Nolan while also opening running lanes for the backs.

Defensively, as noted above, safety Jaydon Grant has experience and is a vocal leader for the defense. Fellow defensive back Rejzohn Wright is a long corner who looked solid in coverage last weekend and had the team’s first of five turnovers is joined on the other side by Alex Austin who, after taking some lumps as a true freshman years ago, has grown into one of the teams most consistent playmakers. Inside linebacker Omar Speights is a four year starter and quietly holds down the middle of the defense, especially good in run support.

4. Oregon State lost every game on the road last year, what was the poor reason that plagued them away from Reser Stadium and is that changing this year?

Actually, they beat USC on the road last season, but yes, they did struggle on the road last year, mostly from self-inflicted penalties and not playing a complete four quarters. This is a veteran team who at least says all the right things that they are focused on being a better road team. Heading to Fresno State may be a tough task as the Beavers are 0-7 on the road down in the Valley and we know it is an extremely hostile place to play.

5. How do you see this game playing out?

So in my preseason picks, I had this game picked as a loss. After seeing the two teams play last week, I think it is closer than I thought during the preseason and really see it as a toss-up. I think Fresno State has a very strong passing game, but I was not impressed with the offensive line and protection. Seeing the pressure that OSU was able to get on Boise State early, makes me think that this game will be tougher on Haener than Fresno State fans want to admit. I do love the match-up between the FSU receivers and the OSU secondary, and feel that this could be one of the Beavers toughest games on the schedule.

Offensively, I have concerns about Oregon State’s receivers and consistency. Chance Nolan has elevated his deep ball ability, but OSU receivers have struggled to consistently make the big catch. While Boise State stacked the box against the Beavers, I think Fresno will need to respect the pass a little more and that opens up the Beavers run game.

This game has all the makings for a classic and I think it really could be decided by a field goal or less. Until Oregon State can win a big game on the road, I’m going with Fresno State 31-Oregon State 30


Advertisement

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]

Hawaii vs. Michigan: Get To Know The Wolverines

Hawaii vs. Michigan: Get To Know The Wolverines Now it’s Warriors turn to see the Wolverines Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire Michigan… again…. Another Mountain West team is facing Michigan this week and it is the Hawaii Warriors who are …

Hawaii vs. Michigan: Get To Know The Wolverines

Now it’s Warriors turn to see the Wolverines

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Michigan… again….

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fb7dafw2b08817yr player_id=none image=https://mwwire.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Another Mountain West team is facing Michigan this week and it is the Hawaii Warriors who are making the very long trip to Ann Arbor for a paycheck game and to get some good experience against a top notch opponent.

To get more questions answered about the Wolverines we reached out to the fine folks at Wolverines Wire to answer a few questions. The big one is the new quarterback J.J. McCarthy who is getting his chance to start after it was Cade McNamara‘s turn against Colorado State last week

Hawaii vs. Michigan: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction

1. J.J. McCarthy is getting his turn to start after Cade McNamara, after seeing the former who do you think should be the starter going forward?

It’s hard to give a precise answer here because we have never seen J.J. McCarthy start a game in college. We have seen McCarthy in a reserve role before and he looks the part of a high-level collegiate starter. What I can say, is that Cade McNamara started last week, and he has said that he feels he has played the best football of his life this spring, but against Colorado State that didn’t match up. McNamara was errant early and just didn’t connect with the same receivers he had last year. McCarthy came in during the second half and led Michigan to two touchdowns during his drives. Depending on how he looks against Hawaii, I think it sets up to be McCarthy’s job to lose.

2. Hawaii has not looked good on defense this year, giving up 112 total points in two games. What do you expect from McCarthy and this offense going up against a not-so-great defense?

McCarthy is a flat-out playmaker. He can use his legs as much as he can use his arm to make plays. He runs at four-four to four-five 40-time. We already know that the Wolverines can run the ball with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, so if McCarthy can live up to everything we’ve been told and what we’ve seen in small portions, then I think Michigan can have an explosive night on Saturday.

3. Hawaii is going to want to spread the ball around and throw it under Timmy Chang‘s offense, how good is the Michigan secondary in going up against a team that might throw it close to 40 times?

Michigan lost three starters from 2021, but the Wolverines return players with experience. The starting nickel, Mike Sainristil, converted to defense this past spring after playing receiver his first three years. Granted he played cornerback in his high school days, but it’s still a pretty large transition. Against Colorado State, the Wolverines played the pass great, but Michigan also was in the backfield on Clay Millen a ton — they sacked him seven times. But, I think Michigan has the talent and experience to hold up against Hawaii in the passing game on Saturday due to its pass rush and experience in the secondary.

Behind enemy lines: Michigan football vs. Hawaii

 

4. Give Hawaii fans some hope, what is the biggest weakness on this Michigan team?

Honestly, Michigan is fairly loaded at every position, but if you look at PFF, the Wolverines were ranked 112th in pass blocking. PFF gave the maize and blue a 50.1 grade after facing Colorado State. Michigan was without its starting left tackle, Ryan Hayes, against the Rams but he is expected to return this coming weekend. Michigan also started a new right tackle this past Saturday in Trente Jones, who looked good most of the game but allowed a sack on a third down. If I were Hawaii, I would bring a lot of pressure from the right side of the line and just see what happens.

5. How do you see this game playing out?

Look this is a starting quarterback audition for J.J. McCarthy and after Cade McNamara’s performance this past weekend, the door is wide open. McCarthy was a five-star phenom coming out of high school and I fully expect him to take advantage of this opportunity that Jim Harbaugh has given him. I know that Michigan is favored by 51 points, and I wasn’t sure the Wolverines would cover, but the more I think about what’s at stake for McCarthy, I think the Michigan offense will take advantage of a Hawaii team that allows 56 points-per-game. My prediction is Michigan 63, Hawaii 10.


Advertisement

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=645997055]

Hawaii vs. Michigan: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction

The Hawaii Warriors face long odds as they prepare to battle the Michigan Wolverines. Here’s how to watch and what to watch for.

Hawaii vs. Michigan: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction

The Hawaii Warriors face long odds as they prepare to battle the Michigan Wolverines. Here’s how to watch and what to watch for.

Contact/Follow @Nachbeazy & @MWCwire

A big test at the Big House.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fb7dafw2b08817yr player_id=none image=https://mwwire.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

WEEK 2: Hawaii Warriors (0-2) vs. Michigan Wolverines (1-0)

WHEN: Saturday, September 10 — 2:00 PM HT/5:00 PM PT/6:00 PM MT

WHERE: Michigan Stadium; Ann Arbor, MI

WEATHER: Chance of rain, high of 84 degrees and low of 62 degrees

TV: Big Ten Network

STREAMING: Fans can sign up to receive a free one-week trial of Fubo, which includes BTN, by following this link.

RADIO: You can stream the Hawaii radio broadcast on ESPNHonolulu.com & Sideline Hawaii app (Google | Apple). You can find the Michigan broadcast on the affiliates of the Michigan Radio Network, including flagship 950 AM (WWJ) in Detroit.

SERIES RECORD: Michigan leads the all-time series, 3-0. In the last meeting on September 3, 2016, the Wolverines defeated the Warriors, 63-3, in Ann Arbor.

LAST WEEK: Hawaii lost at home to Western Kentucky, 49-17, while Michigan defeated Colorado State at home, 51-7.

WEBSITES: HawaiiAthletics.com, the official Hawaii athletics website | MGoBlue.com, the official Hawaii athletics website

GAME NOTES (PDF): Hawaii | Michigan

ODDS: Michigan -52.5

SP+ PROJECTION: Michigan by 54.6

FEI PROJECTION: Michigan by 41.8

PARKER FLEMING PROJECTION: Michigan 100% win probability (51.98-3.00)

Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is a great football program.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, another quarterback who has taken the reigns at his alma mater, took years and rode a hot seat nearly the entire time to get the historic Wolverines back into the top echelon of college football. It is important to remember the state of the Hawaii football program as it was back in December before criticizing the job that head coach Timmy Chang and his staff has done so far. At that time, starters and even team captains wanted nothing to do with the program and took their talents elsewhere. Today, there is a newfound pride within a team that is doing their best to represent the state.

Although it hasn’t shown on the scoreboard yet, the players have bought into the culture that  Chang is creating and that is the first step to rebuilding the program. Yes, this season will test the strength and resolve of the ‘Braddahhood’ culture, but we need to look at this season as realistic stepping stones. The first step is to stick together.

This will be put to the test on Saturday as the Warriors travel to Ann Arbor to take on #4 Michigan. The Wolverines enter the game as 51.5 point favorites, the largest point spread in program history. Obviously, the home team has the edge in talent, the more experienced coaching staff, the five-star facilities, the home stadium that has a capacity of 107,601 and pretty much any other angle within this matchup. It will be a test to see how the Warriors react to the adversity. Let’s look at this game with the proverbial glass half full.

A positive outcome to take away from this game is that the coaches will get a chance to see which guys are going to fight for four quarters regardless of the score. When the going gets tough, who are the guys that’ll lay it on the line and leave it all out on the field? Sometimes games like this can lead to a turning point. The scoreboard will probably not work in the Warriors’ favor, but if they can take something meaningful and positive away from this game, maybe it can spark something going forward into conference play. It could be something like one of the quarterbacks winning the locker room by showing courage and a no-quit attitude that their teammates see in them, or maybe even just guys finding out which teammates they want to be in the fox hole with. Adversity can bring a team together if handled properly, and we’ll see if the Warriors can handle this tough task and come out the other end stronger.

Another positive is that we should see non-starters get some solid and valuable playing time. Yes, you want your players to stay in the fight, but you also want to leave the game healthy so, at some point, there should be an opportunity to see what the backups can do. What better way is there to earn more playing time than balling out against the fourth-best team in the nation? On the most recent depth chart, there are still many positions listed with an “or” and hopefully after this game the coaches can get a better idea of what unit rotations looks like.

One player I’d like to see get more opportunities is wide receiver Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala. Both James Phillips and Dior Scott, who have taken the majority of reps in the slot, had costly drops leading to interceptions last week against Western Kentucky and haven’t seemed to be able to create consistent separation or make plays after the catch. Slotback has historically been an important position in a Hawaii offense and they need to get more production out of that spot. I think Mokiao-Atimalala can be a playmaker and he should get some looks on Saturday.

Last week, Michigan opened their season with a dominant victory over Colorado State. What stuck out to me the most was how the Wolverines defense suffocated the Rams offensive attack. It seemed like Colorado State quarterback Clay Millen had no chance on third and fourth downs as he was repeatedly put under pressure or sacked. If you thought Michigan’s pass rush would be lacking without stud ends Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo, think again. A team like Michigan just reloads with talent such as defensive end Eyabi Anoma, who started his career at Alabama and was a consensus five-star recruit coming out of high school.

Mountain West Football: First Look At The Michigan Wolverines

On offense, the Wolverines have a similar problem to Hawaii as they also have an ongoing quarterback competition. The difference is while the reason Hawaii doesn’t have a solidified starter is because they all have struggled, both Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy has shown they can play at a high level. McNamara is seen as more of a field general-type leader while McCarthy is the exciting prospect that came into the program with high expectations. Last season, McNamara was the starter, but McCarthy had multiple packages within the offense that utilized his athleticism. McNamara started the opener against Colorado State and it is expected that McCarthy will get the start against the Warriors. Whoever it is that gets the start will have a plethora of receiving options, including local product and Saint Louis graduate Roman Wilson, who led the Wolverines with 65 yards and a touchdown in the opener.

Saturday could very well feel like the longest game of the season, but this is going to be by far the best team the Warriors will face and the schedule should feel downhill from here. There will be opportunities to learn and grow from this game. This is also a special opportunity for the players to play in such an amazing college football atmosphere against a program rich in history and I hope they’re able to soak it in. As always, let’s go Bows!

Final score prediction, from Matthew Kenerly: Michigan 63, Hawaii 0

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=645997055]


Advertisement

PODCAST: Mountain West Football Week 2 Preview

PODCAST: Mountain West Football Week 2 Preview Who will make an impression? Contact/Follow @MWCwire All teams in action this weekend Jeremy and Matt are back to preview a giant slate of Week 2 games in Mountain West play. There are FCS games, games …

PODCAST: Mountain West Football Week 2 Preview

Who will make an impression?

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f1343a1wt7q817p7 player_id=none image=https://mwwire.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

All teams in action this weekend

Jeremy and Matt are back to preview a giant slate of Week 2 games in Mountain West play.

There are FCS games, games against Power 5 teams, and also one conference game on Friday night when Boise State heads to New Mexico to take on the Lobos. They dive deep into all 12 games and of course, make a few bold and dumb predictions along the way to have some fun.

You can find the Mountain West Wire podcast below or subscribe to the show via Stitcher Radio, TuneIn, Spotify, iTunes, and more. Listen in, subscribe and rate it and let us know what you think!

Advertisement[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]

Idaho State vs. San Diego State: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction

The San Diego State Aztecs host the Bengals in search of their first win of 2022. Here’s how to watch the livestream and what to watch for.

Idaho State vs. San Diego State: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction

After record high temperatures in last week’s season opener, the Aztecs and Bengals may encounter Hurricane Kay this Saturday.

Contact/Follow @tedmcgovern & @MWCwire

The FCS Bengals will face the Aztecs’ wrath following a disappointing season-opener.

WEEK 2: Idaho State Bengals (0-1, 0-0 Big Sky) vs. San Diego State Aztecs (0-1, 0-0 MW)

WHEN: Saturday, September 10th — 5:00 p.m. PST / 8:00 p.m. EST

WHERE: Bashor Field at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA (35,000)

WEATHER: Rain with temperatures ranging from 74-82 degrees

STREAMING: Mountain West Network

RADIO: 101.5 KGB / XTRA 1360 / iHeart Radio App / SiriusXM ch. 383

SERIES RECORD: This will be the 2nd matchup between these two schools. SDSU leads Idaho State, 1-0.

LAST MEETING: SDSU defeated the Bengals at Qualcomm Stadium, 38-21, on September 4, 2004.

WEBSITES:  ISUbengals.com official website of Idaho State Bengals | GoAztecs.com, the official San Diego State athletics website

ODDS: San Diego State -37

OVER/UNDER: N/A

San Diego, CA- After last week’s season-opening 38-20 loss at their new stadium, the Aztecs are going to try something completely different.  This week they’re going to attempt to play defense.

“We played bad, like we had 35 missed tackles on defense. That is not Aztec football in any way,” said linebacker Caden McDonald. It was not the nation’s leading elite defense fans recently became accustomed to witnessing. Was it searing heat? Too many siblings on the field? Whatever the case: elite Aztecs defense was missing despite nine defensive starters returning in 2022.

Last week’s season opener also featured many extraordinary circumstances.  The game was in the brand new Snapdragon Stadium; kickoff was scheduled for 12:30 p.m., despite the Aztecs playing mostly at night, and it was aired on CBS.  Every time the Aztecs play on CBS something seems to go wrong.

Also, uncharacteristically, fans were roasted alive during a brutal heat wave that drove temperatures well above 100 degrees.  To make things even worse, there was very little relief at the stadium from the scorching sun. On Saturday the Aztecs may be in for rain as Hurricane Kay makes landfall.

As for the Bengals: they were hammered 52-21 by UNLV on August 27th, and by all measures they are ready for another beating. New head coach Charlie Ragle has taken over the vacant slot left by terminated former coach Rob Phenicie after going 1-10 last season.  So, Idaho State is rebuilding in every direction.  At the very least, the FCS Bengals are becoming battle hardened, through formidable Mountain West football beatings.

Aside from San Diego State’s offensive and defensive failures, quarterback Braxton Burmeister was mildly injured last week when Arizona’s defense put the hurt on his right shoulder. Braxton Burmeister is slated start against Idaho State, after Aztecs head coach Brady Hoke confirmed Burmeister looked pretty good in practice.  If the Aztecs blow it open early, true freshman play caller Will Haskell could take over in the second half.

WHY THE BENGALS WILL WIN

The Bengals completed last season with a 1-10 record.  The last time the Aztecs played a team with just one 2021 win (Arizona) they got throttled.

Quarterbacks Hunter Hays (7-13, 61 yds, 1 TD) and Tyler Vander Waal (7-13, 130 yds, 1 TD) will be looking to connect with wide receivers Xavier Guillory (4 rec. for 73 yards and 1 TD), Jalen Johnson (3 rec. for 69 yards and 1 TD), and tight end Cyrus Wallace (4 rec. for 24 yards).  If the Aztecs are caught flat-footed again, Idaho State could connect and move the chains down the field and score, and win.

WHY THE AZTECS WILL WIN

The Aztecs will use this FCS match to prime their run game. Look for tailbacks Chance Bell and Jordan Byrd will both aim to post some major rush yardage during this game. If the run game comes together, the Aztecs will control the clock, and likely win.

The Aztecs will also have a second chance against a less formidable opponent to show the balanced combination of running and passing that many fans expected to see last week.  Watch for Burmeister and Haskell to connect with Jesse Matthews and Tyrell Shavers.  If the Aztecs play a balanced game, watch for Burmeister and Co., to dispatch 200 yards on the ground and 200 yards in the air.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN

The honeymoon at Snapdragon Stadium is over.  The Aztecs have work to do after last week’s disappointing loss. They will enter this game with resolve and aggressiveness. Facing a rebuilding opponent from the FCS will be an auspicious and timely pallet cleanser, after Arizona stole SDSU’s thunder during their special day. This will likely be a high scoring game, and the Aztecs should win with relative ease.

Final Score: San Diego State 45, Idaho State 14

Mountain West Football: Examining Each Opponent’s Week 2 Depth Chart

What stands out in the depth charts released by each of the Mountain West’s ten Week 2 non-conference opponents?

[mm-video type=playlist id=01fb7dafw2b08817yr player_id=none image=https://mwwire.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Mountain West Football: Examining Each Opponent’s Week 2 Depth Chart

What stands out in the depth charts released by each of the Mountain West’s ten Week 2 non-conference opponents?

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

What to keep in mind before kickoff.

Colorado (link to depth chart)

What stands out: After being supplanted by Jarek Broussard over the last couple of years, Alex Fontenot is back atop the Buffaloes depth chart at running back with Deion Smith.

Why that could be important: Given that Colorado is yet another team still dealing with a quarterback competition into the season, one thing that would certainly help in the interim is a decent running game which could keep defenses from keying on whoever is under center. Against TCU, Fontenot and Smith didn’t find much daylight (15 carries, 61 yards) and it’s an open question as to whether things will improve much against the Air Force defense.

California (link to depth chart)

What stands out: When news broke in late August that defensive end Brett Johnson would miss his second straight year with injury, the Golden Bears turned to Jaedon Roberts to provide a solid bookend for veteran Ethan Saunders.

Why that could be important: It’s no secret that Cal is all about defense, which made losing Johnson, a preseason all-conference pick, a big blow for Justin Wilcox’s team. Roberts played as part of an extensive edge rusher rotation against UC Davis — seven players had between 14 and 30 snaps against the Aggies, according to Pro Football Focus — but he might be in line for a bigger role starting this week against UNLV.

Middle Tennnessee State (link to depth chart)

What stands out: The Blue Raiders have a talented defensive line, but one name behind that group who has also played his way into the starting lineup is redshirt freshman Devyn Curtis, who’s listed as the starter at middle linebacker.

Why that could be important: Is Curtis MTSU’s version of Drew Kulick? At first blush, that appears to be the case. He made 11 appearances and one start for the Blue Raiders between 2020 and 2021, though the latter season got cut short by injury, but he fits right on a defense that generally skews pretty young as it is with six combined freshman and sophomores among the starting eleven.

Northern Colorado (link to games notes, depth chart on page 46)

What stands out: After losing last year’s leading rusher, Gene Sledge, to the transfer portal, the two-deep at running back features a pair of incoming transfers in Elijah Dotson and David Afari.

Why that could be important: Landing Dotson, after he stepped away from Sacramento State early last season, and Afari, a role player at Miami of Ohio, has already paid dividends. The pair combined for 163 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in their opening loss to Houston Baptist and will likely see plenty of touches as the Bears take aim at Wyoming.

Incarnate Word

What stands out: The Cardinals offense generates a healthy amount of buzz, but defensive end Chris Whittaker made his first start for UIW last Saturday in their win over Southern Illinois.

Why that could be important: UIW might again be plenty capable of winning shootouts this year, but performances like the one Whitaker had against SIU (four tackles, two sacks) will provide a boost to a defense that was merely okay about generating havoc in 2021. Against a Nevada team that has managed to stay balanced on offense in its first two games, enough disruption could force the Wolf Pack to change its plans.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Middle Tennessee vs. Colorado State: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition

The CSU Rams open up Fort Air Raid at home for the first time. We look at three keys for the Rams to walk out with a victory.

[jwplayer tJPh0k22-sNi3MVSU]

Middle Tennessee vs. Colorado State: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition

Fort Air Raid opens up at home for the first time.

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

[mm-video type=playlist id=01g8ggatak2kacq2ps player_id=none image=https://mwwire.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Can the Rams bring the fans back to Canvas?

WEEK 2: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (0-1) vs. Colorado State Rams (0-1)

WHEN: Saturday, September 10th — 2:00 p.m. MST / 1:00 p.m. PST

WHERE: Canvas Stadium; Fort Collins, CO (36,500)

WEATHER: Overcast with chance for rain, high of 59 degrees

TV: Evoca TV/Local3 (Colorado only)

STREAMING: MW Network

RADIO: K99-FM 99.1 / ESPN 1600 AM

SERIES RECORD: This will be the first ever matchup between these two schools.

LAST MEETING: First Meeting

WEBSITES: GoBlueRaiders.com, the official Middle Tennessee athletics website | CSURams.com, the official Colorado State athletics website

GAME NOTES (PDF): Middle Tennessee | Colorado State

ODDS: Colorado State -11

OVER/UNDER: 57

SP+ PROJECTION: Colorado State by 3.5

FEI PROJECTION: Colorado State by 3.2

PARKER FLEMING PROJECTION: Colorado State with a 63.79% chance to win (28.03-23.12)

The Rams kicked off a new era under new head coach Jay Norvell. It wasn’t the prettiest affair, losing 51-7 to then No. 8-ranked Michigan, but you could tell there was something different about this team. There were moments where you could really see the changes on this Rams team and that they just need that one moment to break through.

This week, they host the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in the first home game of the Norvell era. It’s almost like looking in the mirror for the Rams as Middle Tennessee also runs an air raid offense and use a 4-2-5 defensive formation.

Because of the similarities between the teams, Colorado State is going to have the first-team offense and the first-team defense going against each other more in practice because they are facing two similar teams to them in the next two games, according to Kevin Lytle of the Coloradoan.

Now to the keys to victory for the Rams.

Colorado State Football: First Look At The Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

Three Keys to a colorado state victory

1. Give the QB more time.

When Clay Millen had time against Michigan (which was not very often) he had the time to relax and go through his progressions. Against Middle Tennessee, the Rams offensive line will need to provide him with more time if they want the offense to move along as Jordan Ferguson for the Blue Raiders will not let them off easy.

The Rams only managed 219 yards of offense and one touchdown. And that is not a normal day for a Jay Norvell offense. The Rams offense needs more touches. From Tory Horton and Melquan Stovall at receiver to A’Jon Vivens and Avery Morrow in the backfield, it all starts with the offensive line providing the necessary time to set up plays.

2. Open the offense up.

This goes along with the first key. The Rams had a gameplan to get out of Ann Arbor safely and were trying to combat the athletic advantage Michigan had on them. This week we should see more of the offense that the air raid can be, the offense that was brought into to reinspire this CSU fan base.

We saw a glimpse of what could be when Clay Millen hit Tory Horton for a 34 yard touchdown pass to keep the Rams from being shut out. Now we need to see more of that, as well as getting more Rams involved. Dante Wright didn’t see a target, Tanner Arkin only caught one pass, and the passing game played second fiddle to the run game. The time is now to show what this offense can really do.

3. Pressure. Pressure. Pressure.

The Blue Raiders laid an egg against James Madison and former Rams QB Todd Centeio last week, only managing 119 total yards of offense. It was mostly an offensive blitz from the Dukes but their defense was no slouch, either, as they ended the day with four sacks and 13 tackles for loss.

The Rams want their front four to provide the majority of their pressure. Now is the time to unleash whatever aggression they may be holding onto. Mohamed Kamara had the lone sack for the Rams last week. He and CJ Onyechi need to get their motors running, along with the rest of the defensive line, and get after the Blue Raiders.

what will happen

Two teams that didn’t look like they did much last week. But you wouldn’t see that if you watched both games. CSU looked the better squad and Middle Tennessee looked uninspired. The Blue Raiders are going to come out and look to make up for last week, but the Rams will be on the ball and get Fort Air Raid started off on the right foot at home.

Final Score: Colorado State 45, Middle Tennessee 28

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=645997055]

[protected-iframe id=”f7652191f99ba13728097498e8a79cd8-137729785-123448869″ info=”https://open.spotify.com/embed-podcast/show/48681pqFq0kB9dhrtPPoNd” width=”100%” height=”232″ frameborder=”0″]

Nevada Vs Incarnate Word: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds And Prediction

Nevada Vs Incarnate Word: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds And Prediction Nevada looks to improve their record to 3-0 as they face off against Incarnate Word Contact/Follow @BrandonGBlake & @MWCwire Nevada Returns To Action On Saturday To Face Off …

Nevada Vs Incarnate Word: Game Preview, How To Watch, Odds And Prediction

Nevada looks to improve their record to 3-0 as they face off against Incarnate Word

Contact/Follow @BrandonGBlake & @MWCwire

Nevada Returns To Action On Saturday To Face Off Against Incarnate Word

WEEK 2: Nevada Wolf Pack (2-0) vs. Incarnate Word Cardinals(1-0)

WHEN: Saturday, September 10th — 2:30 PM PT/3:30 PM MT

TV: Nevada Sports Net–Go To NevadaSportsNet.com to watch the game

RADIO: Nevada is on ESPN 94.5 in Reno and Incarnate Word is on KUIW Internet Radio

SERIES RECORD: This will the first contest between Nevada and Incarnate Word

WEBSITES: NevadaWolfPack.com, the official Nevada athletics website | UIWCardinals.com, the official Incarnate Word athletics website

ODDS: Nevada -2 (Per VegasInsider.com)

SP+ PROJECTION: Nevada by 4.5

The Nevada Wolf Pack return to action on Saturday as they take on the Incarnate Word Cardinals of the FCS. 

In their last game, the Wolf Pack rode a ball-hawking defense and solid offensive performance to defeat Texas State 38-14. The Wolf Pack defense forced four takeaways and converted three of those turnovers into points as Nevada bruised to an easy victory over the Bobcats.

The Wolf Pack are taking on an Incarnate Word team that is coming off a victory in their season opener over Southern Illinois. The Cardinals racked up 550 yards on offense in their 64-29 win over the Salukis last Saturday. Incarnate Word is one of the better passing offenses in the FCS and this will pose a challenge for Nevada and its secondary. 

Can the Wolf Pack defense stop the passing offense of Incarnate Word on Saturday? Will Nevada settle on a quarterback and find some consistency in the passing game? 

 

Here are my three keys and a prediction for Nevada’s contest against Incarnate Word

 

Stop the Cardinals passing attack

Incarnate Word had a quarterback  named Cameron Ward who was a prolific passer for the Cardinals last season. Ward led the Cardinals to a 10-3 record while throwing for 4,648 yards and 47 touchdowns in 2021. 

Ward left Incarnate Word and transferred to Washington State but it seems that UIW hasn’t missed a beat at quarterback. In comes Lindsey Scott Jr for the Cardinals and in the opener against Southern Illinois, Scott completed 17 of 25 passes for 391 yards and six touchdowns.

Incarnate Word had two wide receivers rack up 100 yard receiving games in the victory over Southern Illinois. Taylor Grimes had 126 receiving yards and two touchdowns while Dareion Chafin had 106 yards and one touchdown last Saturday against the Salukis. In the game against SIU, the Cardinals offense had nine players record at least one catch. This is an offense in UIW that is very prolific and can get the ball to its playmakers and produce big yards. 

The Wolf Pack defense will have its hands full in trying to stop this passing offense. For the Wolf Pack to win, their front four must get pressure on Scott and the ballhawking secondary must contain UIW’s receivers and not let them make the big play 

If Nevada’s defense can do that on Saturday, they have a very good chance to defeat the Cardinals. 

 

Continue to strive for balanced on offense

On Saturday against Texas State, the Wolf Pack offense ran for 134 yards and had four rushing touchdowns. Nevada’s passing stats were not going to remind any Wolf Pack fan of Carson Strong to Romeo Doubs but it was a little bit better than it was Week 0 against New Mexico State.

 

Combining the stats of QBs Nate Cox and Shane Illingworth, Nevada did throw for 144 yards, completed 16 of 20 passess at 7.2 yards an attempt. Nevada’s quarterbacks did not throw a touchdown pass but no interceptions were thrown either. 

 

The important key is that Coach Ken Wilson and offensive coordinator Derek Sage must continue to find balance on offense. We know Nevada wants to run the ball and be physical but in order to keep defenses honest, the passing game must be utilized.

And also, no matter if it is Cox or Illingworth at QB, the passing game must continue to improve this week against Incarnate Word. 

 

On defense, continue to force turnovers while the offense plays mistake free

Another fun stat to say along with Nevada’s 2-0 record is this: The Wolf Pack lead the nation in turnover margin at +9.The reason why is simple, the Wolf Pack offense is playing clean, mistake free football with the offense not turning the ball over in two games and the defense recording six interceptions and three fumble recoveries. 

 

Now I know the skeptics are going to say that Nevada got those turnovers because they played against two of the worst teams in FBS. And my response is those numbers are impressive no matter if you got those numbers against the dregs of college football or against teams like Alabama or Georgia. It is a testament to Nevada doing a great job at forcing turnovers to give their offense a chance to score points. And also it is a testament to Nevada’s offense to protect the ball as to not compromise their defense. 

For Nevada to start the season 3-0, they must continue this formula of clean, turnover free football on offense and the defense forcing turnovers to put their offense in a position to score. Incarnate Word is a team with a  high flying offense so Nevada’s defense must be sharp on Saturday. 

 

Prediction

The Wolf Pack are undefeated because of their ball-hawking, turnover creating defense and an offense that is run-oriented and physical. Nevada does need to continue to strive for balance on offense by throwing the ball more. Nevada shouldn’t go back to their Air Raid, throw it 50 times a game on offense but they need to throw the ball to keep defenses honest. 

Nevada does need to settle on a quarterback as soon as possible. Shane Illingworth does have the better arm but the offense does move better with Nate Cox at the helm. Cox can throw the ball and also he is a factor in the running game as his big body can be used to get extra yards on short yardage plays.

Nevada is taking on an Incarnate Word team that is a pass heavy unit and will challenge the Wolf Pack secondary. For Nevada to win they must continue to run the ball while continuing to get better in the passing game. Also the defense must corral the Cardinals explosive passing game.

Incarnate Word’s passing game presents a challenge for Nevada’s secondary but it is a challenge that they can handle. I expect the Wolf Pack to come away with the win on the strength of their pass defense and their running game and improving pass offense.

 

Score: Nevada 31  Incarnate Word 21

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]