YGQ, IGA – Part 1

You’ve got questions…

I’ve got answers…

Part 1:

1) What will happen to the RB depth chart when Ramirez comes back healthy?

I would be surprised if Franklin didn’t keep the starting job, or at least get the lion’s share of the carries. C-Ram is the team’s best blocking and receiving tailback, though, and that means a lot – A LOT – to Norm Chow. It’s why he got the job in the first place. I can imagine something like a 15-8-5 split with Franklin, C-Ram and Coleman.

2) How do you see the rest of our PAC-10 games W-L vs each team?

I see them winning at Stanford, losing to Oregon and Cal, winning at Arizona, losing at OSU, losing to Washington, beating Washington State, losing to Arizona St. and USC. They finish with a 6-6 record and a bowl game, probably the Poinsettia Bowl.

3) Are any incoming O-Line or WR recruits worried about our quality of young and talented Freshman and Redshirt Freshman depth and using that against UCLA?

I don’t think O-Line recruits have that in mind too much, as there is still a lot of competition going on. Plus, with the performance of Su’a-Filo, it’s quite clear that Palcic and Neuheisel will start a guy early if he warrants it.

4) Chow is quoted as saying if Prince is ready and released to play for Oregon, he will be playing. “He is the starter.” In your opinion, is that because Norm likes to stick with one QB or because Prince is really heads-and-shoulders above the rest right now?

Physically, Prince might be a hair behind Brehaut and mentally he might be a hair behind Craft, but I think Chow believes he is the best combination of brains and talent. I can’t fathom benching Prince after a win at Tennessee.

5) If Nick Ektabani gets a starting guard spot, who does he replace? Is he L or R side usually?

He played right tackle and right guard last year, and if he gets a starting job, I’d assume he gets in there for Eddie Williams. This is a big week for the UCLA offensive line, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a rotation.

6) Any inside info on the Hasiak situation? (Other than Neuheisel wanted to ‘slow him down.’ Have you noticed any stuff with the Defense after plays in practice?

Hasiak has called himself a “dirty player,” and as a former offensive lineman, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Every offensive lineman holds and pokes and grabs, the good ones just get away with it. I did not. Which is why I’m writing about UCLA instead of playing for them. There have been scuffles with a number of players, including a rather heated “discussion” between Reggie Carter and Hasiak. Gotta respect a freshman for sticking up for himself, though.

7) Why did Craft get the starting job over Brehaut? Was there a conflict in preference between Chow/Neuheisel? Any chance Brehaut starts/gets PT at Stanford?

Craft got the starting nod because he knows the offense, but more because Brehaut simply doesn’t. That is not an indication of Brehaut’s talent or brains; he is a true freshman behind a young offensive line, and it makes no sense to start him under less-than-ideal circumstances. For every Tate Forcier or Matt Barkley, there is a freshman QB who struggles mightily. Why do that? Also, regarding conflict, let’s just say Chow and Neuheisel are strong personalities with strong opinions.

8) Will the suspended 4 footballers return by the Stanford game? What were they suspended for?

Yes, they will return for Stanford. Their suspensions have been held tightly under wraps.

9) There have been internet rumblings about alleged tension between Neuheisel and Chow. What are your impressions of their relationship and how they get along?

Like I said earlier, they are strong, strong personalities. If there is a conflict, it has not been readily apparent.

10) What’s the status on whether Prince and/or Sua’Filo will take their LDS missions and when?

Both have said publicly that they would postpone their missions depending on how this year shakes out. Su’A-Filo, I just can’t imagine him giving up a possible NFL career that has started so early. I am not LDS, and I don’t want to speak on his convictions. I can say that if Ben Olson got the starting gig at BYU as a frosh, he would not have gone on his mission.