I have put together my top match-ups for the Silicon Valley Classic between the
Fresno State Bulldogs and the UCLA Bruins. Sometimes things don't have to be on
the field to be important.
KEY MATCHUPS
1. FS Left Tackle Dartagnon Shack vs. UCLA Defensive End
Dave Ball
This is the most intriguing match up of the game. Dartagnon Shack (6’2
300) was pushed into the left tackle spot after a couple of injuries depleted
the Bulldog line. He has however stepped in and did a fine job at it. Normally
a guard, so he doesn’t usually have the quickest feet around. Shack is
Fresno State strongest player, pound-for-pound. The Bruins feature a very good
defensive line led by Dave Ball (6’6 275). He was first team All-American
and led the nation in sacks. He gets to the quarterback a lot. He has the speed
and the size to cause mismatches whenever he plays. Could be a long night for
either one, but should be a good match-up to see.
Edge: Ball
2. Fresno State flag vs. UCLA flag
Whose is bigger? I guess we will find out during the game. I have seen Fresno
State’s new flag in person and it has to be up there with the biggest
college football flag in the nation. Can UCLA step up to the plate and bring
out a bigger flag? Should be an interesting challenge, especially for the male
cheerleaders who have to carry it around. But that is one of the finest traditions
in college football, when you see that giant flag in the air waving the team
colors, it just makes you proud.
EDGE: Fresno State flag
3. Pat Hill vs. Karl Dorrell
Both coaches have something to prove in this game. Whichever coach loses this
game will have to deal with a lot of angry fans. Coach Dorrell is taking a lot
of heat from Bruin fans and a big victory could calm them down. Coach Hill has
taken a lot of heat from the fans for the play calling this season, even with
such a young team. The fans should know that you call what according to the
players you have. But this game could silence the critics over at the DOG HOUSE.
And who knows what will happen to Dorrell, if his team comes away with a loss.
Who will come with the best game plan?
EDGE: Coach Pat Hill
4. Drew Olson vs. Paul Pinegar
Drew Olson no longer has to deal with looking over his shoulder at Matt Moore
to see if he is warming up. Moore was granted his release by UCLA recently.
Now can Olson step up and prove he is the quarterback that was so highly touted
out of high school? He will see constant pressure from the Bulldogs front seven.
Pinegar has not been himself this season. He missed the first five games of
the season with a torn pectoral chest muscle. He will have had plenty of time
to build that arm to where it’s suppose to be from the UTEP game to the
SVFC. The ability to throw the long ball has really been missing this year from
the Bulldog attack. A good showing by Pinegar could erase any doubts at the
QB position going into next season. Drew Olson has 1971 yards passing and Pinegar
has 1640 yards passing.
EDGE: Even
PLAYERS TO WATCH
UCLA Best Player- Dave Ball DE (6’6 275)
Fresno State Best Player- Bernard Berrian- WR/PR/KR (6’2 190)
ADVANTAGES BY POSITION
Quarterback - Even
Running Back - Even
Wide Receiver - Fresno State
Tight End - Even
Offensive Line - UCLA
Defensive Line - UCLA
Linebacker - Fresno State
Defensive Backs - Even
Special Teams - Fresno State
SCORE PREDICTIONS
FSUtimeout’s Prediction- FS 19/UCLA
13
Other West Coast fans projections:
DNORZ (Oregon State)- FS 16/UCLA 14
BARD1 (Arizona)- FS 45/UCLA 24
TERRY2 (Stanford)- FS 28/UCLA 14
TROJANGLADIATOR (USC)- FS 24/UCLA 16
RAFTER17 (Boise State)- FS 34/UCLA 28
CRIMSONNGRAY (Washington State)- UCLA 34/FS 31
DUKTAPE (Oregon)- FS 27/UCLA 20