Here are the items discussed that are of B1G interest. It was all about our newcomers this week, plus one about juiced up balls.
Ryan: UCLA has won every weekend so far, but is still outside the top 25. Did they simply schedule too weak in non-con for a team moving into a weaker conference?
Aaron Fitt: Another West Coast team that’s in the Top 25 mix — kind of a sneaky-strong start for the Bruins, 9-3 against a solid schedule. The win against Michigan State in Week Two is starting to look like it will be a nice one, and obviously the two wins this weekend vs. UConn and USC should help build the resumé, even though UConn hasn’t gotten off to a great start, they’ll be there in the end. USC and Irvine and UCLA all right there neck and neck for a Top 25 spot.
Eric Simmons: If USC wins the series Against Oregon will they be ranked in the Top 25?
Kendall Rogers: Eric — I don’t want to speak for Aaron or the rest of the staff, but USC was close to making the Top 25 this week. I would say pretty emphatically yes unless there are just no spots available. But the chances of that happening (no spots) is pretty slim. I’ve been pretty impressed with USC’s start this spring. Caden Aoki was fabulous in a win over Vanderbilt over the weekend.
Larry: one more question, not on rankings — but some of the scores teams are putting up are quite attention grabbing, seems like multiple teams are putting up 25-30+ runs in a single game each weekend.. is this due to uneven matchups or do we suspect the balls and bats have something to do with it? just don’t remember seeing anything like this.
Kendall Rogers: Larry — There is certainly a reason to think the balls are a little hopped up the past couple of seasons, but no one has ever been able to prove it. Some of the scores are odd, but I’ve also seen some low-scoring affairs from good teams. In the time of year where you’re going to see a lot of front systems popping up weather-wise, you’re going to see some serious wind shifts. My hunch is that plays a huge part of it.
Ryan: UCLA has won every weekend so far, but is still outside the top 25. Did they simply schedule too weak in non-con for a team moving into a weaker conference?
Aaron Fitt: Another West Coast team that’s in the Top 25 mix — kind of a sneaky-strong start for the Bruins, 9-3 against a solid schedule. The win against Michigan State in Week Two is starting to look like it will be a nice one, and obviously the two wins this weekend vs. UConn and USC should help build the resumé, even though UConn hasn’t gotten off to a great start, they’ll be there in the end. USC and Irvine and UCLA all right there neck and neck for a Top 25 spot.
Eric Simmons: If USC wins the series Against Oregon will they be ranked in the Top 25?
Kendall Rogers: Eric — I don’t want to speak for Aaron or the rest of the staff, but USC was close to making the Top 25 this week. I would say pretty emphatically yes unless there are just no spots available. But the chances of that happening (no spots) is pretty slim. I’ve been pretty impressed with USC’s start this spring. Caden Aoki was fabulous in a win over Vanderbilt over the weekend.
Larry: one more question, not on rankings — but some of the scores teams are putting up are quite attention grabbing, seems like multiple teams are putting up 25-30+ runs in a single game each weekend.. is this due to uneven matchups or do we suspect the balls and bats have something to do with it? just don’t remember seeing anything like this.
Kendall Rogers: Larry — There is certainly a reason to think the balls are a little hopped up the past couple of seasons, but no one has ever been able to prove it. Some of the scores are odd, but I’ve also seen some low-scoring affairs from good teams. In the time of year where you’re going to see a lot of front systems popping up weather-wise, you’re going to see some serious wind shifts. My hunch is that plays a huge part of it.
