The Franz 5: Doug’s weekend musings

5) OHIO BOBCATS:

This is not a take-away just from a guy who went to Ohio University. I want to prepare you for the unthinkable. There’s a plausible scenario that puts Ohio in the BCS. Yes, it’s difficult for any team to go undefeated, just ask Boise St. However, Ohio is 3-0 with their two hardest games off their schedule. If Ohio goes 13-0 and finishes ranked in the top 12, the rules dictate they must be chosen.

Consider yourself warned.

4) MARION GRICE:

Marion Grice is special. Sure, when you score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter of ASU’s attempted comeback, fans will take notice. If ASU would have come back and won this game, Grice would be responsible for the play of the game. Amazingly enough, on the play, Grice didn’t carry the ball, catch the ball or even block well.

On first and goal from the 8 inside the 5:00 mark of the fourth quarter, ASU had two straight false starts to make it 1st and goal from the 18. Jamal Miles caught a swing pass to the left for 17 yards which should have set up ASU for the game-winning touchdown. On the play, Rashad Ross had lined up as the eighth man on the line of scrimmage. You’re only allowed to have seven. Grice was in as the running back standing next to QB Taylor Kelly. Kelly didn’t notice Ross and the five-yard penalty ASU was about to incur.

Grice stepped over and stopped the snap count moments before Kelly was going to call for the ball. Grice started waiving to Ross to take one step back to uncover the tight end and place seven people on the line of scrimmage. Then Kelly realized the problem. Taylor and Grice waived at Ross. Ross understood. Since ASU didn’t punch it in on their next three plays, the Jamal Miles catch and run to put the ball on the 1 gets lost in the shuffle. In only his third game as a Devil, Grice does much more than most people see.

3) PATRICK CORBIN:

I don’t want the Diamondbacks to admit they’re dead. Within the organization, I want them to continually push for a playoff spot. I know they’re dead but by believing in the delusion of grandeur that this is a playoff team, they are putting pressure on the young starters in the rotation. This is great for evaluation. There’s no better way to evaluate how a young player handles the rigors of a pennant chase than to act like you’re in one. This team lost the chance to go to the playoffs in May when every loss got notched into the “it’s early” category but that has nothing to do with Miley, Skaggs and Corbin.

Corbin showed something very special this weekend. Eight innings pitched. Four runs batted in. Using his curveball in any count. Tempo is so important for a young pitcher. Corbin pitched with much better tempo. It’s hard to quantify because you want a pitcher to follow the age old advice of Coach Wooden: BE QUICK, DON’T HURRY. Corbin seemed to rush his delivery late in games. His way of reaching back for a little extra was to simply over-throw. This weekend Corbin got into a much better rhythm. Let’s hope he can continue to build on this during the D-backs “pennant chase.”

2) ASU:

These next two games are the season for ASU. Home against Utah on Saturday night and and on the road at Cal next Saturday afternoon. If ASU wins them both, they are 4-1 on their way to a guaranteed win at Colorado. With a 5-1 record, they only need one more win to get to a bowl. No matter how low on the bowl tier, ASU going to a bowl is enormously important. As Coach Graham continues to install his offense/defense and entire program, ASU needs those extra practices that are only earned by getting to a bowl game.

If ASU losses both games, they would only be 3-3 with four games remaining against ranked teams and a road game to Oregon State who beat Wisconsin at Reser Stadium. That is not a recipe for success.

The next game against Utah is also important for us as a station. Our show topics are completely based on attendance and ratings. If ASU fans come up with their typical litany of excuses for not coming to games, that shows us the Valley doesn’t care that much about the Todd Graham regime. Therefore, we should move onto balancing our Cardinals coverage with Suns training camp.

If Arizona State fans are truly all in and saw a team with great heart fight to the death against Mizzou like I did, there will be 60,000 fans in the stadium against Utah.

1) CARDINALS:

You can win with Kevin Kolb. I don’t think Kolb will ever be worth the price the Cardinals paid to the Eagles to get him. However, once you say that, the obvious follow-up is what price would you pay if Derek Anderson is the alternative?

Let’s stop talking about the price for Kolb. Let’s just start focusing on what he brings to the table. I completely believe he can be a Trent Dilfer type of quarterback. Dave Zaustidil has been great as a punter. Kolb has to know not to force it and trust his special teams to pin the opposition deep. Kolb needs to get the offense out of bad plays and simply take what the defense gives them. Then, trust that defense.

It’s been four years since Tom Brady was held to one TD drive at home. Never lost a home opener in their new stadium. Brady lost his second home game at Gillette Stadium. The defense held the AFC Champions to only 18 points at home. Yes, it’s only two games but the quality of the opponent for game two makes it acceptable to “over-react.”

Darnell Dockett continues to be this good of a team player to sacrifice on twists, to open up pass rush lanes…if Calais Campbell continues to play at an All-Pro level…if Daryl Washington keeps on laying the lumber…if Patrick Peterson continues to do everything…I could go on. This defense is so good, I don’t think fans should wait until 3rd down to start yelling their head off. The opposing offense has enough to worry about on 1st down so why not give them something else to think about?

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