Food Tidbits
Peet's Holiday Blend - We've been excited about Peet's Holiday Blend in the past and this year it sounded good, with plent of beans going into the 25th anniversary special. It promises smoothness and we found that - but it might be too smooth, if that makes any sense. It needs a little more flavor to it in my opinion - makes a good coffee for mixing things into it though, like chocolate and caramel.
Spella Caffe - I gave this cart another chance and I just can't get into it. This time I ordered a latte - which had some serious kick to it - but the flavor didn't really grab me. No idea why. I even ordered beans this time too, a Panama single origin bean. To me it's like the Holiday Blend - way too smooth. I want some more flavor.
Caffe D'Arte - This coffee place is on NE 15th between Broadway and Weidler, right by Lloyd Center. We went to one in Seattle on a food tour and the drinks were pretty good, so we decided to check out Portland's. Plus, we had a coupon for a free drink. We tried the caramel sauce latte and the truffle mocha and weren't excited about either one. Both the caramel and chocolate flavors just seemed to be of lower quality - they detracted from the overall flavor of the drink, which you never want. Add this to the fact we got beans in Seattle we didn't really like, and I'm crossing them off the list.
Ponderosa Meats - Everyone loves a good butcher, right? I confess - I used to think it wasn't a big deal to go to a specialty butcher, never really seeing a need. But we get this circular in the mail every week with an ad from Ponderosa Meats and a coupon for a free pound of ground beef when you spend $10, so once a couple years back we actually went. After one trip we were hooked. They have excellent prices on chicken, beef, and everything else. We no longer go out for steak, because we can get better cuts of meat here for a third of the price - and we can grill it ourselves. Their Hoss burgers are fantastic (three kinds of beef ground together) and they just recently added Kobe beef burgers, which we haven't tried yet. They can cut anything you need and also do this thing they call the Baconator. You have to see it - words can't describe it. It's a heart attack special to be sure, but would be a great item for a BBQ party. We will get it, some day. Anyway, great place, friendly service, good prices.
Other Stuff
George Morlan Plumbing - Monday I came home from work and noticed there was water all over the garage floor. Upon further inspection it was flowing out of the top of the water heater. Joyous. So I turned the water to it off and then had to figure out who I called. Not just a regular plumber, right? Nope, you go to the self-proclaimed Water Heater King. Of course by the time I called it was end of the day on Monday, so their first opening was Wednesday. Fine, whatever - it's nice to have family close by to borrow a shower in these instances, but not having hot water does suck. Really, there aren't any other words to describe it. Anyway, the guy was supposed to be out between 12 and 4, but finally called at 4:30 saying he was late and would be at our place by 6. At least he called - I've had people just not show up before. He made it at 5:30 and within a few minutes knew it wasn't salvageable. So the next day he came back out with a new water heater, did the install and everything in about an hour and a half, and it all works good now. Jim was very friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and I think I got a decent price. He also repeatedly apologized about being late and about how busy they were (hey, it happens), and thanked me multiple times for being understanding. Apparently some people get angry when it can't be fixed immediately. Sure it was a hassle, but I'm good for 15 years now, I guess.
Books
The Strain - Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan - This book was super creepy. Yep, it's another vampire book, but it's definitely not in the same vein as the Twilight books or Sookie Stackhouse's Southern Vampires (which I'm working on). These vampires are pure evil and they spread like a disease. It's scary (which I usually don't say), graphic, and this first book in the trilogy reads like a movie. Considering del Toro is a director, that probably shouldn't be a surprise. I'm sure it'll be on the big screen...and I can't wait for the second book to come out.
Ochocinco - Chad Ochocinco - I've been a fan of Chad Johnson/Ochocinco since his one season with the Oregon State Beavers in 2000. We have stacks of his rookie cards and he even made us fans of the Cincy Bengals. To me he's always been fun, while a lot of others simply think he's over the top. Sometimes he is, but he sees his job as entertainment, which it is. This book, written from his point of view, gives the reader a fantastic look inside his head, his mindset, and his approach to the game. My favorite part is the mini-essays written by coaches, family, teammates, and other friends (such as Baltimore Ravens stud linebacker Ray Lewis). Given the fact this is Chad's book you might expect them to be all pro-Chad - they aren't. It's all real. People keep looking for more with Chad, but what you see is what you get. It should be enjoyed. Thumbs up on the book - it's a fast, light read, and fun if you like the NFL.
Movies
Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen - I love Transformers. Loved them as a kid, still love them now. I had lowered expectations for the second movie because the first disappointed me a tad (though not because it wasn't better, but more because of my own initially high hopes), but this one surprised me. The story was better and the Transformers were, well, awesome. Sideswipe...I want that car. Lots of action, very little real violence, fantastic special effects - just don't expect more from it.
The Proposal - This was a light-hearted and amusing flick with Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock. I admit, I like both of them. Reynolds has cracked me up since Two Guys, A Girl And A Pizza Place was on TV and Bullock ever since after Speed (not including). I'm pretty sure Reynolds doesn't actually act, since every character he plays seems to have the same sense of humor, and it seems to be the same one that comes out in interviews. But you know what? I don't care - his sarcasm cracks me up. Bullock was a little unbelievable as a hardass publishing executive, but still, definitely recommend it.
Then She Found Me - We found this on Netflix that we could watch instantly on our Roku box and thought the casting seemed pretty good. I mean, Helen Hunt, Colin Firth, Matthew Broderick...it couldn't be bad, right? Whoops, we were wrong. There was a reason we'd never heard of it before. I'm pretty sure Broderick didn't think he was going to get paid for this movie - that's the vibe I got from him. I'd avoid this if I were you.
11/06/2009
Pac-10 Football: 11/7 Games
There are some intriguing matchups this week in the Pac-10 and many of them look like they should be good games. Arizona, Stanford, and Oregon State can all get that all-important sixth win to become bowl-eligible this week (Oregon, USC, and Cal are already there).
Time - Game - Channel
12:30 - #7 Oregon @ Stanford - Fox Sports NW
12:30 - Washington State @ #21 Arizona - FCS (channel 300 on Verizon, not sure on other carriers)
12:30 - Washington @ UCLA - No TV?
4 - #34 Oregon State @ #23 California - Fox Sports NW
5 - #12 USC @ Arizona State - ABC
Friday - #5 Boise State @ Louisiana Tech - ESPN360.com
(Rankings are AP.)
Wow...once again I'm shocked at the idiocy of the TV planning. The 12:30 time slot on ABC has a Pac-10 game in it every week, but apparently not this one. This week it's a Big 10 special with Ohio State going to Penn State. I guess it might be a good game, but how many people on the West Coast would rather watch that? I'm gonna go with none, outside of Buckeye and Nittany Lion alums.
There are three of those FCS (Fox College Sports) channels (300, 301, 302 on Verizon) and at 12:30 on the 302 channel a college football game is slated, but as of now it's still TBA. However, according to the Huskies' own website, the game WILL be on TV on FCS - maybe it will be that 302 channel. So maybe. Tune in to be sure, if you would rather watch that game. Who knows?
I'll Be Watching: This week it will probably be just the Oregon game followed by the Oregon State game for me. I may check in on the other games from time to time - via internet from my phone probably - but they aren't even remotely good enough games to tear me away from Ducks and Beavers. Time permitting I may watch the end of the SC game.
Predictions: Stanford is a solid team, but they cannot keep up with a high octane offense. You won't stop Oregon, so you do have to outscore them. Ducks will take this one...I'm going to start not even mentioning Washington State - it's not even worth it. Zona will win by three touchdowns...Washington and UCLA may be one of the better matchups of the day, surprisingly enough. The Bruins are talented, they just either don't seem to realize it or it takes them forever to get into a game. That almost got them a win last week in Corvallis when the Beavers let their guard down for a few minutes, so the Huskies better be careful - if they can somehow get a lead in the first place. I'll take UCLA this week...OSU and Cal should be a fantastic matchup - who doesn't want to see Jahvid Best and Jacquizz Rodgers? I think the Beaver defense is finally coming into it's own and I think the Bears have been given too much benefit of the doubt in the polls - I'll take Oregon State in the upset...The Sun Devils don't have the horses to hang with USC, even on a down year for the Trojans - I'll take SC...Boise State - like it would be the other team.
Time - Game - Channel
12:30 - #7 Oregon @ Stanford - Fox Sports NW
12:30 - Washington State @ #21 Arizona - FCS (channel 300 on Verizon, not sure on other carriers)
12:30 - Washington @ UCLA - No TV?
4 - #34 Oregon State @ #23 California - Fox Sports NW
5 - #12 USC @ Arizona State - ABC
Friday - #5 Boise State @ Louisiana Tech - ESPN360.com
(Rankings are AP.)
Wow...once again I'm shocked at the idiocy of the TV planning. The 12:30 time slot on ABC has a Pac-10 game in it every week, but apparently not this one. This week it's a Big 10 special with Ohio State going to Penn State. I guess it might be a good game, but how many people on the West Coast would rather watch that? I'm gonna go with none, outside of Buckeye and Nittany Lion alums.
There are three of those FCS (Fox College Sports) channels (300, 301, 302 on Verizon) and at 12:30 on the 302 channel a college football game is slated, but as of now it's still TBA. However, according to the Huskies' own website, the game WILL be on TV on FCS - maybe it will be that 302 channel. So maybe. Tune in to be sure, if you would rather watch that game. Who knows?
I'll Be Watching: This week it will probably be just the Oregon game followed by the Oregon State game for me. I may check in on the other games from time to time - via internet from my phone probably - but they aren't even remotely good enough games to tear me away from Ducks and Beavers. Time permitting I may watch the end of the SC game.
Predictions: Stanford is a solid team, but they cannot keep up with a high octane offense. You won't stop Oregon, so you do have to outscore them. Ducks will take this one...I'm going to start not even mentioning Washington State - it's not even worth it. Zona will win by three touchdowns...Washington and UCLA may be one of the better matchups of the day, surprisingly enough. The Bruins are talented, they just either don't seem to realize it or it takes them forever to get into a game. That almost got them a win last week in Corvallis when the Beavers let their guard down for a few minutes, so the Huskies better be careful - if they can somehow get a lead in the first place. I'll take UCLA this week...OSU and Cal should be a fantastic matchup - who doesn't want to see Jahvid Best and Jacquizz Rodgers? I think the Beaver defense is finally coming into it's own and I think the Bears have been given too much benefit of the doubt in the polls - I'll take Oregon State in the upset...The Sun Devils don't have the horses to hang with USC, even on a down year for the Trojans - I'll take SC...Boise State - like it would be the other team.
Late Night on Hawthorne
There is a pod of food carts at the corner of SE 12th and Hawthorne that I have written about before a tiny bit. A couple months ago Wifey and I hit up Whiffie's for a fried pie after a great dinner at Biwa and left not all that impressed.
But, we've been meaning to go back. Wifey has had a hankering for something called poutine from a cart called Potato Champion. Now, I had no idea what poutine was, but apparently it's a mixture of french fries, cheese curds, and onion covered in gravy. And guess what? It's Canadian food! Who knew there was such a thing?! It originated in Quebec, I hear, so it's not French - just has a French name since it came from French Canada.
We've been meaning to get back to this pod for awhile, but were limited by the fact most of the carts there - including Potato Champion - don't open until 8pm. To be real honest, we just aren't out that late too often. And we have this rule about not eating past 9, so that kind of limits the opportunities. The other day we said screw it, we have to go.
Parking in that area isn't ideal, at all. There is street parking, but we tend to park across Hawthorne, which means navigating four lanes of traffic in the dark with no crosswalks. Okay, I lie - there is a light about a block away, but jaywalking is so much easier. And I'm probably exaggerating; traffic there at that time of night isn't that bad. Still, it's not great.
We got there a little after 9pm. The pod has a nice covered area to sit and eat - nice when it's raining - and it's quite the hangout spot. There were a decent amount of people there, but thankfully no line for us.
Potato Champion specializes in one thing: french fries. Their menu is small and they put a lot of focus on what you dip your fries in. A lot of the sauces look intriuging (ketchup and truffle?), but the star is the poutine. Wifey and I ordered a single order ($4.50) with extra gravy (+ $.50) - the extra gravy came at the recommendation of people sharing online.
I'll be honest here - that's plenty for us to share, let alone one person. There were a decent amount of fries, big chunks of cheese curds, large cuts of onion (but not too much), and all of it smothered with a very good gravy with plenty of flavor (not a typical brown beef gravy, like the picture on the Wikipedia link above). It was fantastic. All the flavors melded nicely. I'm not entirely sure we needed the extra gravy, but it was hardly bad.
We highly recommend this place and we'll be going back, to try the other fries and for more poutine. Maybe not at the same time.
Since we get to this area at this time so rarely, we decided to try another place that's been on the list for awhile too: Perierra Creperie (no website, but they are on Twitter and have good reviews on Yelp).
Now, I've had crepes before and I love them. The light wrap filled with sweet or savory is quite the tasty treat. However, I've never had them like Perierra does them. They make the typical crepe slightly crunchier than I've had it, but for good reason. After cooking the crepe they fill half of it with the desired filling (there are at least 10 each options for sweet or savory), then it gets folded in half and then thirds before being slid into a handy wrap so it can be eaten on the go.
After the poutine we elected to go sweet, so went with the S'mores crepe (it was $5 or $6 - can't recall which, it being two days ago and all). I believe the chocolate was Nestle chocolate chips (I think, that's what it tasted like to me...) and all folded together fresh and hot inside the wrap it was a fantastic dessert - nice and tasty. We'd definitely go back to try some of the other flavors - and they also do shakes and smoothies.
Two carts, two thumbs up - both are worth your time.
But, we've been meaning to go back. Wifey has had a hankering for something called poutine from a cart called Potato Champion. Now, I had no idea what poutine was, but apparently it's a mixture of french fries, cheese curds, and onion covered in gravy. And guess what? It's Canadian food! Who knew there was such a thing?! It originated in Quebec, I hear, so it's not French - just has a French name since it came from French Canada.
We've been meaning to get back to this pod for awhile, but were limited by the fact most of the carts there - including Potato Champion - don't open until 8pm. To be real honest, we just aren't out that late too often. And we have this rule about not eating past 9, so that kind of limits the opportunities. The other day we said screw it, we have to go.
Parking in that area isn't ideal, at all. There is street parking, but we tend to park across Hawthorne, which means navigating four lanes of traffic in the dark with no crosswalks. Okay, I lie - there is a light about a block away, but jaywalking is so much easier. And I'm probably exaggerating; traffic there at that time of night isn't that bad. Still, it's not great.
We got there a little after 9pm. The pod has a nice covered area to sit and eat - nice when it's raining - and it's quite the hangout spot. There were a decent amount of people there, but thankfully no line for us.
Potato Champion specializes in one thing: french fries. Their menu is small and they put a lot of focus on what you dip your fries in. A lot of the sauces look intriuging (ketchup and truffle?), but the star is the poutine. Wifey and I ordered a single order ($4.50) with extra gravy (+ $.50) - the extra gravy came at the recommendation of people sharing online.
I'll be honest here - that's plenty for us to share, let alone one person. There were a decent amount of fries, big chunks of cheese curds, large cuts of onion (but not too much), and all of it smothered with a very good gravy with plenty of flavor (not a typical brown beef gravy, like the picture on the Wikipedia link above). It was fantastic. All the flavors melded nicely. I'm not entirely sure we needed the extra gravy, but it was hardly bad.
We highly recommend this place and we'll be going back, to try the other fries and for more poutine. Maybe not at the same time.
Since we get to this area at this time so rarely, we decided to try another place that's been on the list for awhile too: Perierra Creperie (no website, but they are on Twitter and have good reviews on Yelp).
Now, I've had crepes before and I love them. The light wrap filled with sweet or savory is quite the tasty treat. However, I've never had them like Perierra does them. They make the typical crepe slightly crunchier than I've had it, but for good reason. After cooking the crepe they fill half of it with the desired filling (there are at least 10 each options for sweet or savory), then it gets folded in half and then thirds before being slid into a handy wrap so it can be eaten on the go.
After the poutine we elected to go sweet, so went with the S'mores crepe (it was $5 or $6 - can't recall which, it being two days ago and all). I believe the chocolate was Nestle chocolate chips (I think, that's what it tasted like to me...) and all folded together fresh and hot inside the wrap it was a fantastic dessert - nice and tasty. We'd definitely go back to try some of the other flavors - and they also do shakes and smoothies.
Two carts, two thumbs up - both are worth your time.
11/04/2009
Taking a Hop Trip
I'm not a huge fan of beers that feature a lot of hops. I don't mind hops, but I got really turned off to them by a couple Indian Pale Ales that, to me, were just over the top. I used to not know what made it an IPA but when I found out it meant double hops (supposedly for British sailors going to India way back when, to keep the flavor balanced during the long water trip), I then assumed that anything claiming to be hoppy or be featuring hops I wouldn't really like.
So, I've been avoiding those for awhile. But you know what? That's kind of silly. I mean, all ales have hops, and I went through college pounding ales like crazy. (Mom, I'm kidding - I never had more than one or two at a time.) For me to decide hops are bad just didn't make a ton of sense when you look at it that way.
Still, I'm wary.
Of course, living in Oregon where some of the best hops in the world are supposedly grown, all the top local breweries like to celebrate the harvest with special brews. I've been reading reviews of these brews online and all these experts are claiming this beer or that beer is excellent because of the hops. I figured what the hell. When Deschutes Brewery - rapidly becoming my go-to - issued their annual Hop Trip from their Bond Street Series of beers, their annual homage to the hops harvest, I decided to give it a whirl.
It's not horribly cheap - I think I paid $5.99 for the 22 ounce bottle - and is only available from October to December every year, using the first hops of the season.
I wasn't sure what to expect, but again, they haven't steered me wrong so far...
And you know what? This was very good. It is a clean, crisp amber ale. You can just about taste the freshness of the hops and the flavor is delicate while still being a tad sharp; hoppy, but not overly so. I was definitely pleasantly surprised. If you like ales you should like this - I'll be getting more.
By the way - their Abyss released on Tuesday and yes, it's absolutely on my shopping list.
So, I've been avoiding those for awhile. But you know what? That's kind of silly. I mean, all ales have hops, and I went through college pounding ales like crazy. (Mom, I'm kidding - I never had more than one or two at a time.) For me to decide hops are bad just didn't make a ton of sense when you look at it that way.
Still, I'm wary.
Of course, living in Oregon where some of the best hops in the world are supposedly grown, all the top local breweries like to celebrate the harvest with special brews. I've been reading reviews of these brews online and all these experts are claiming this beer or that beer is excellent because of the hops. I figured what the hell. When Deschutes Brewery - rapidly becoming my go-to - issued their annual Hop Trip from their Bond Street Series of beers, their annual homage to the hops harvest, I decided to give it a whirl.
It's not horribly cheap - I think I paid $5.99 for the 22 ounce bottle - and is only available from October to December every year, using the first hops of the season.
I wasn't sure what to expect, but again, they haven't steered me wrong so far...
And you know what? This was very good. It is a clean, crisp amber ale. You can just about taste the freshness of the hops and the flavor is delicate while still being a tad sharp; hoppy, but not overly so. I was definitely pleasantly surprised. If you like ales you should like this - I'll be getting more.
By the way - their Abyss released on Tuesday and yes, it's absolutely on my shopping list.
11/02/2009
Pac-10 Football: 10/31 Aftermath
Wins: California, Oregon, Oregon State
Losses: Arizona State, USC, UCLA, Washington State
Prediction Results: 5-0
Season to Date: 31-9
Disappointments: USC is a huge disappointment. It's not they are playing badly, but they aren't holding up their end in the legacy department. They have lost to Washington and Oregon, should have lost to Oregon State, and almost handed a game away to Notre Dame. Who are these guys?! I gotta say, I am really impressed with Matt Barkley as a quarterback - he is going to be very, very good next year and the year after for sure. Heck, he's been good this year. But, what I think the SC offense is missing is leadership from the QB. It's not that he's not leading or that his guys aren't listening, I just think it's part of being a true freshman in this situation. I also have a feeling Pete Carroll knew this when he made Barkley the starter. You may laugh, but a season like this is what passes for rebuilding for the USC Trojans. Next year, again, watch out. I think SC loses at least one more game this year (Dec 5 @ Arizona?) - and some mid-level bowl like the Sun or the Las Vegas is going to be ecstatic at what falls into their laps.
I'm also a bit disappointed in Oregon State. For the second week in a row they had way too many miscues and they almost handed that game over to the UCLA Bruins in the fourth quarter. We were listening to the fourth quarter on the radio while watching the first quarter (because of the ridiculous tape delay) and each time UCLA pulled down a TD and scored a two-point conversion the tension got thicker. Given the way the Bruins were having their way with Oregon State in that quarter we couldn't even get too excited when James Rodgers scored the game-winning touchdown, thinking that maybe they still had left too much time on the clock. It's a silly thing to wonder when you just scored seven, but that's how scary the UCLA offense was looking (sounding?) at the time. The Bruins aren't a good team, but they are talented and dangerous enough they are bound to eventually take advantage of opportunities if you give them enough of them. I almost get the feeling the Beavers aren't concious themselves of just how good they could be. If they can shore up the miscues to win this week at California, perhaps that wakes them up. This team could end up third in the league, and they could still have a huge impact on the seasons of Oregon and Cal.
Speaking of the Beavers, I just have to say it's about time Jacquizz Rodgers threw a pass from the Wildcat formation. Now every time he lines up the defense has to be aware Quizz is capable of making that throw. Now I want to see him throw a TD to his brother James. And then in the same game have James come around on the fly sweep, pull back, and throw a bomb to Quizz for another touchdown. How sweet would that be?!
Surprises: I have to say, while I'm not surprised Oregon beat USC - that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who has followed the Pac-10 this season - I am surprised by how they dominated the line of scrimmage. And how USC allowed themselves to be dominated. SC didn't fill the holes and left huge running lanes open, and they couldn't catch a quarterback still recovering from a knee injury. Jeremiah Masoli did look better this past weekend than he did the week before at Washington, but he's still not 100%. The SC linebackers looked slow and out of position, something we are absolutely not used to seeing from the Trojans.
And perhaps this shouldn't qualify as a surprise, but I know how the national media will spin the results of this game. They may say nice things about Oregon, but no matter what the net public perception will be USC isn't as good this year and so their conference losses mean the entire Pac-10 isn't good. They won't consider the fact that perhaps other teams winning - Oregon, Oregon State, Arizona, Stanford - is a product of those teams actually being better than USC. When it comes to our league it's always been USC and everyone else. This year will be no different. Perhaps it really doesn't matter, since in the end the only thing any of those rankings really help determine is the BCS standings, and I don't think any Pac-10 team is national champion material at this point. The standings determine all the rest of the bowls the Pac-10 is tied to (which are a whole other story I'll get to later in the season). Perhaps us Pac-10 fans will just have to accept the reality we have to hear the denigration in the national media. And continue to gloat when we win all those non-conference games.
AP, USA Today, BCS Rankings
Oregon - 7, 8, 8
USC - 12, 13, 12
Arizona - 21, 19, 18
California - 23, 23, 20
Oregon State - NR, 33, NR
Boise State - 5, 5, 7
Thoughts?
The computers seem to recognize the strength of the Pac-10, as evidenced by the fact they rank Arizona and Cal higher than the actual voters. They also have Boise State lower. I'm not a big fan of the BCS at all - a playoff system should be put in place - but this year it's hard to disagree with the way the Pac-10 teams have been ranked, generally. I still think the conference gets unfairly dinged as weaker as a whole than it should be, but part of that is a product of the fact the teams tend to beat up on each other - and then dominate non-conference games.
Just one year I'd love to see the Pac-10 set up a one day challenge in September with the SEC or the Big 12. One team from each conference plays it's counterpart in the standings (given how far out they schedule, it would probably end up being four-year-old standings, but I'll take it), all on a single day. Some of the games in Pac-10 country, some not. Wouldn't this be a ratings bonanza? Couldn't we schedule them so every single one would be on TV? I mean, ESPN has three channels they show games on, so we could have it happen.
Why do all these? For respect. Apparently it's not enough the Pac-10 kicks ass in bowl games every year. Well, that, and Florida and Alabama like to schedule cupcakes to they can pad their records. And, before you SEC fans get crazy, consider this: Oregon played Boise State, Utah, and Purdue; Oregon State played Cincinnati, UNLV, and Portland State; Florida played (or plays) Charleston Southern, Troy State, Florida International, and Florida State; and Alabama played (or plays) Virginia Tech, Florida International, North Texas, and Chattanooga.
Hmmm...I count one quality non-conference opponent each for Florida and Bama, two for Oregon State, and three for Oregon. So who plays a tougher schedule?
Pac-10 Standings
*Oregon - 5-0, 7-1
Arizona - 3-1, 5-2
Stanford - 4-2, 5-3
*USC - 3-2, 6-2
*California - 3-2, 6-2
Oregon State - 3-2, 5-3
Arizona State - 2-3, 4-4
Washington - 2-3, 3-5
UCLA - 0-5, 3-5
Washington State - 0-5, 1-7
* Bowl Eligible
Cal became bowl-eligible with a win this past weekend.
Hey Oregon fans, before you get too excited, it should be noted that Arizona is pretty damn good. We are going to find out a lot about Zona in the next two weeks. They host Washington State then go on the road to Cal. If they manage to win in Berkeley, and if the Ducks win at Stanford and then home against ASU, that matchup between UO and UA on 11/21 could determine who goes to the Rose Bowl. And if Arizona wins that game - it's in Tucson - Oregon State would be more than happy to sweep away Rose Bowl dreams the next week in the Civil War. Actually, if Oregon wins their remaining games except for a loss to Zona, and Zona wins out, Zona goes to the Rose Bowl. Both teams would finish 8-1 in conference and Zona would hold the tie-breaker with the head-to-head win.
There are no easy games in the Pac-10...unless you get Washington State.
Losses: Arizona State, USC, UCLA, Washington State
Prediction Results: 5-0
Season to Date: 31-9
Disappointments: USC is a huge disappointment. It's not they are playing badly, but they aren't holding up their end in the legacy department. They have lost to Washington and Oregon, should have lost to Oregon State, and almost handed a game away to Notre Dame. Who are these guys?! I gotta say, I am really impressed with Matt Barkley as a quarterback - he is going to be very, very good next year and the year after for sure. Heck, he's been good this year. But, what I think the SC offense is missing is leadership from the QB. It's not that he's not leading or that his guys aren't listening, I just think it's part of being a true freshman in this situation. I also have a feeling Pete Carroll knew this when he made Barkley the starter. You may laugh, but a season like this is what passes for rebuilding for the USC Trojans. Next year, again, watch out. I think SC loses at least one more game this year (Dec 5 @ Arizona?) - and some mid-level bowl like the Sun or the Las Vegas is going to be ecstatic at what falls into their laps.
I'm also a bit disappointed in Oregon State. For the second week in a row they had way too many miscues and they almost handed that game over to the UCLA Bruins in the fourth quarter. We were listening to the fourth quarter on the radio while watching the first quarter (because of the ridiculous tape delay) and each time UCLA pulled down a TD and scored a two-point conversion the tension got thicker. Given the way the Bruins were having their way with Oregon State in that quarter we couldn't even get too excited when James Rodgers scored the game-winning touchdown, thinking that maybe they still had left too much time on the clock. It's a silly thing to wonder when you just scored seven, but that's how scary the UCLA offense was looking (sounding?) at the time. The Bruins aren't a good team, but they are talented and dangerous enough they are bound to eventually take advantage of opportunities if you give them enough of them. I almost get the feeling the Beavers aren't concious themselves of just how good they could be. If they can shore up the miscues to win this week at California, perhaps that wakes them up. This team could end up third in the league, and they could still have a huge impact on the seasons of Oregon and Cal.
Speaking of the Beavers, I just have to say it's about time Jacquizz Rodgers threw a pass from the Wildcat formation. Now every time he lines up the defense has to be aware Quizz is capable of making that throw. Now I want to see him throw a TD to his brother James. And then in the same game have James come around on the fly sweep, pull back, and throw a bomb to Quizz for another touchdown. How sweet would that be?!
Surprises: I have to say, while I'm not surprised Oregon beat USC - that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who has followed the Pac-10 this season - I am surprised by how they dominated the line of scrimmage. And how USC allowed themselves to be dominated. SC didn't fill the holes and left huge running lanes open, and they couldn't catch a quarterback still recovering from a knee injury. Jeremiah Masoli did look better this past weekend than he did the week before at Washington, but he's still not 100%. The SC linebackers looked slow and out of position, something we are absolutely not used to seeing from the Trojans.
And perhaps this shouldn't qualify as a surprise, but I know how the national media will spin the results of this game. They may say nice things about Oregon, but no matter what the net public perception will be USC isn't as good this year and so their conference losses mean the entire Pac-10 isn't good. They won't consider the fact that perhaps other teams winning - Oregon, Oregon State, Arizona, Stanford - is a product of those teams actually being better than USC. When it comes to our league it's always been USC and everyone else. This year will be no different. Perhaps it really doesn't matter, since in the end the only thing any of those rankings really help determine is the BCS standings, and I don't think any Pac-10 team is national champion material at this point. The standings determine all the rest of the bowls the Pac-10 is tied to (which are a whole other story I'll get to later in the season). Perhaps us Pac-10 fans will just have to accept the reality we have to hear the denigration in the national media. And continue to gloat when we win all those non-conference games.
AP, USA Today, BCS Rankings
Oregon - 7, 8, 8
USC - 12, 13, 12
Arizona - 21, 19, 18
California - 23, 23, 20
Oregon State - NR, 33, NR
Boise State - 5, 5, 7
Thoughts?
The computers seem to recognize the strength of the Pac-10, as evidenced by the fact they rank Arizona and Cal higher than the actual voters. They also have Boise State lower. I'm not a big fan of the BCS at all - a playoff system should be put in place - but this year it's hard to disagree with the way the Pac-10 teams have been ranked, generally. I still think the conference gets unfairly dinged as weaker as a whole than it should be, but part of that is a product of the fact the teams tend to beat up on each other - and then dominate non-conference games.
Just one year I'd love to see the Pac-10 set up a one day challenge in September with the SEC or the Big 12. One team from each conference plays it's counterpart in the standings (given how far out they schedule, it would probably end up being four-year-old standings, but I'll take it), all on a single day. Some of the games in Pac-10 country, some not. Wouldn't this be a ratings bonanza? Couldn't we schedule them so every single one would be on TV? I mean, ESPN has three channels they show games on, so we could have it happen.
Why do all these? For respect. Apparently it's not enough the Pac-10 kicks ass in bowl games every year. Well, that, and Florida and Alabama like to schedule cupcakes to they can pad their records. And, before you SEC fans get crazy, consider this: Oregon played Boise State, Utah, and Purdue; Oregon State played Cincinnati, UNLV, and Portland State; Florida played (or plays) Charleston Southern, Troy State, Florida International, and Florida State; and Alabama played (or plays) Virginia Tech, Florida International, North Texas, and Chattanooga.
Hmmm...I count one quality non-conference opponent each for Florida and Bama, two for Oregon State, and three for Oregon. So who plays a tougher schedule?
Pac-10 Standings
*Oregon - 5-0, 7-1
Arizona - 3-1, 5-2
Stanford - 4-2, 5-3
*USC - 3-2, 6-2
*California - 3-2, 6-2
Oregon State - 3-2, 5-3
Arizona State - 2-3, 4-4
Washington - 2-3, 3-5
UCLA - 0-5, 3-5
Washington State - 0-5, 1-7
* Bowl Eligible
Cal became bowl-eligible with a win this past weekend.
Hey Oregon fans, before you get too excited, it should be noted that Arizona is pretty damn good. We are going to find out a lot about Zona in the next two weeks. They host Washington State then go on the road to Cal. If they manage to win in Berkeley, and if the Ducks win at Stanford and then home against ASU, that matchup between UO and UA on 11/21 could determine who goes to the Rose Bowl. And if Arizona wins that game - it's in Tucson - Oregon State would be more than happy to sweep away Rose Bowl dreams the next week in the Civil War. Actually, if Oregon wins their remaining games except for a loss to Zona, and Zona wins out, Zona goes to the Rose Bowl. Both teams would finish 8-1 in conference and Zona would hold the tie-breaker with the head-to-head win.
There are no easy games in the Pac-10...unless you get Washington State.
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