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General Thread

By
angry
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That last thread was getting a bit bloated.

I think some good topics would be recruiting, Miiiiiiitch, and the upcoming football season, which could be the best in Beaver’s history. For once, the schedule aligns nicely with 3 semi-cupcakes, and a lot of key matchups at home. I have the Beavs as realistically 11-1. The toughest game is @ Oregon. I’ll say they slip up once more and go 10-2.

1004 COMMENTS

  3. 1
    5

    If Lindgren is QB coach, this season will say a lot about him as he has more talent and depth than he’s ever had at OSU. It will be interesting to see if not only BG imotoves, but DJ.

    If he really succeeds w/DJ, Lindgren could be gone after the season, which is likely fine…

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    • 11
      1

      Agree. DJ has more raw arm talent than Luton and somehow they did wonders with him.
      All of the Clemson games I could find show a tale of 2 DJUs. He is either really confident and slinging it nicely and on time or he looks beat up mentally and makes poor decisions. Hope he will benefit from the change of scenery and a different scheme.
      My biggest concern is the need for him to understand the play options and any audibles that he could miss. My biggest concern for Lindgren is falling in love with the big arm at the expense of a dominant run game, or just plain outsmarting themselves thinking they should pass because they think the defense will key on run plays.

      Realistic expectations based on historical narratives leaves the Beavs at 8-4 regular season, with all new players struggling to rise to previous levels and no replacement for Colletto in the locker room.

      I think all pieces are in place for an incredible season and a lot favors the Beavers. Great schedule, pressure on several teams other than Beavs, unlikely that Nix or Penix duplicate or improve upon last years production behind lesser olines, no USC on the schedule, getting Utah early with Rising still returning from a knee injury may be helpful, Beavs have team depth and may have more overall talent than anytime since Erickson era.

      JS can’t outsmart himself gambling and Lindgren can fall in love with the pass. Civil War proved the point of how great the running game is, depend on the run and use DJs arm for play action passing rather than the primary option.

      I’ll be overly optimistic and say Beavs get all the breaks needed to go 12-0,
      face USC for the title, win the conference championship, 13-0,
      head into CFP against Michigan and roll Michigan by 10, 14-0,
      National Championship game against LSU and win the championship by 10, 15-0
      DJU redemption and he declares for the draft
      JS national coach of the year
      Greatest season in OSU history

      Reply
      • 2
        2

        Lindgren is definitely going to fall in love with the big arm. We’re going to see an overdependence on the passing game in the early part of the season because that’s what he does. DJU will need to be sharp.

        Reply
      • 6

        “All of the Clemson games I could find show a tale of 2 DJUs”
        FWIW, and it’s been mentioned before here, the divorce of his parents weighed heavily on DJ and likely impacted his concentration/performance. The divorce was in September of ’21 and it may be noteworthy that his best QB rating was in 2020 at 146. That was followed by his worst in ’21 at 108 with a rebound to 135 in ’22 (according to):
        https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/dj-uiagalelei-1.html

        Reply

      • “Realistic expectations based on historical narratives leaves the Beavs at 8-4 regular season, with all new players struggling to rise to previous levels….”

        I don’t even know what this is supposed to mean. Historical narratives are historical, not contemporary. And we have more returning production than most everyone, so returning levels are a low bar. Realistic should be 9.5, not 8.5 in wins.
        Not saying these are your sentiments, as it seems you’re trying to portray some half-assed narrative, which you can toss aside for reality. But it doesn’t really mean much for any team in stasis.
        Possibly the biggest point is that we now have a whole season of tape on all the xfer QBs in their current systems, so their numbers won’t be as gaudy.

        Reply
        • 2

          You mean it isn’t a historical fact that Riley’s teams would finish decent in one year and struggle for the month of September to find their identity and figure out who should replace key talent that just graduated? Leaving them at 2-3 every year, thus destroying any hope of a truly magical season by early October?

          Yes the historical and lazy prediction/expectations based on little more than program narrative for most of the country for OSU is the 8 win cap of Riley, but that equals another successful season for the little engine that could program over in Corvallis. So lazy media is actually supporting Js by saying an 8-9 win season is possible in little Corvallis.

          By pointing this out, I’m saying it is a silly and limited view of what is actually being built in Corvallis by JS and the staff:
          I’d like to see JS run a stake through that narrative for about 4-5 years in a row and put together an actual string of very good seasons, all 10+ wins in order to erase those old storylines.

          Reply
          • 3

            “By pointing this out, I’m saying it is a silly and limited view of what is actually being built in Corvallis by JS and the staff:
            I’d like to see JS run a stake through that narrative for about 4-5 years in a row and put together an actual string of very good seasons, all 10+ wins in order to erase those old storylines.”

            I think JS would too, which sounds obvious but i think he is very competitive and wants to win big, and he’s generally underestimated in terms of his goals and mindset. Many suppose he’s just happy to be coaching his alma mater. But I recall him saying ge wanted OSU football to be nationally prominent.

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          • 3

            To me, one of the best observations in ohiobeav’s post was:
            “unlikely that Nix or Penix duplicate or improve upon last years production behind lesser olines”

            The part about lesser O-lines especially applies to Nix, along with having a new OC, I’ll be surprised if he isn’t a disappointment to uncle phil and his crowd. Swoosh gonna miss Forsyth at C.

            Reply
  4. 1

    Well, HOW ‘BOUT THAT!
    Texas Tech to induct Mike Leach into school’s Hall of Honor
    From the piece: “Tech fired Leach two days after it suspended him for what it said was a “defiant act of insubordination” for not apologizing to Adam James. Leach was fired a day before he was set to get a bonus and trigger a contract guarantee for over $1.5 million.”

    https://sports.yahoo.com/texas-tech-to-induct-mike-leach-into-schools-hall-of-honor-182849909.html

    Reply
  6. 7
    1

    You know how Coach Prime measures progress? One foot at a time.

    Sorry, my wife just got out today from Stanford Hospital after 5 days, I deserve a morbid joke.

    Reply
  7. 4

    I think the D may be better than last year once this group jells a bit. We lost experience but there’s better talent waiting to take over. An improved D line will help the secondary. Coach Blue will have the CB ready, especially Swen who stood out this spring. Kid had offers from ASU and FSU. My big worry is expectations and how they deal with them from the start of the season. They’ll be ranked and not sneaking up on anyone. Agree that WSU is the first big test and if they win in Pullman, they’ll set themselves up nicely for a historic season. Can Lindgren get out of his own way and do what the offense does best? I certainly hope so.

    Reply
    • 3

      What we are seeing with recruiting is the first sign of competency since Gilstrap passed away.

      JS and staff have the patience and the focus to find their types of guys and actually sign them.

      We are seeing fewer 4 yr projects and more true depth which is the best sign of stability for the roster overall. Quite different from late years Riley and the GA debacle.

      Reply
      • 2

        Not only is JS and staff finding “their guys”, they are recognizing need from 1-2 years from this season. They have been heavy on TE recruiting the last 2 years. Last year was WR and LB, DL. This year is OL, CB, WR heavy thus far with a TE or 2. They are recruiting in cycles rather than trying to get a little bit of everything every year like Riley did many moons ago. They are also going after Athletes as well to help fill gaps instead of skill level guys.

        You are correct that they are not recruiting 2-3 year projects for positions, but finding guys who fit the height and can add muscle onto their frames as well.

        Reply

        • My sentiments are the same; it felt with classes there was a transition for some of the units— on paper (e.g. height, weight, particular attributes when coaches have discussed players in interviews) they all look more uniform and consistent now.

          Reply
  8. 2

    WR depth is suddenly a concern, but I’m pretty sure we have the fastest WR corps in the country between Irish, Gould, and Bolden. Biggest question is if they can get off the line and get separation. We need someone like Noga or Card to step up and provide more depth.

    I don’t love it, but it would be hard to fault Lindgren for calling more deep balls this year.

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  9. 9
    3

    My lady got drugged at a bar last night. She went out with coworkers, and I don’t really like those people, so I stayed home.

    This is the second drugging in our circle (the ABer in Costa Rica a few weeks ago) in recent weeks. She was out with coworkers, and we think it was one of the coworkers friends who showed up late in the night and was shady, according to her. He wound up following her into the bathroom. Luckily she got out of it. But, another warning. Even if you’re around people you feel safe with, it’s possible they have people in their circle who aren’t safe, so never leave those drinks. Probably tell every female you know this. Really scary how dudes act. These very important boners are a menace to society.

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      • 5
        3

        My brother has 4 young daughters and said the same exact thing. That’s why I’m sharing it. Just let them know to always carry the drink. Like even if you go into the bathroom around people you know and trust, probably bring it with you. There could be some ancillary creep lurking, and that’s all it takes.

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    • 5

      Are the friends aware she was drugged? If so file a police report and name all of them including creepy guy. If the police are halfway interested they may call everyone you list and ask for witness statements. That alone may stop creepy guy from being so creepy.
      Or take a few reliable friends and curb stomp his ass.

      Reply
      • 2
        2

        I don’t think the friends know. At this point, since she wasn’t assaulted (he tried…to…”dance”…with her in the woman’s bathroom) we’re just going to move on. But thanks, we thought about all that. They did a blood test at the hospital and it was normal, but a lot of those date rape drugs don’t show up. If anything showed up in the testing we were going to go to the police. Since it didn’t, I don’t think there’s much we can do. Technically it is speculation she was drugged, but I’m like 99% sure she was drugged given the way she was acting. She only drank 5 beers over 7 hours. She shouldn’t have been the way she was. Really rough night. Everyone just beware of these creeps.

        Reply
    • 2

      Damn dude I’m sorry to hear that. Glad she’s ok and nothing really bad happened. That’s a really scary thing especially for a female. This clearly happens more often than we thought or at least I thought.

      I was telling my story to friends when I was back home and one of them told me they got drugged at a blazer game of all places. He’s a big dude and had two beers and said he was having trouble walking the stairs and didn’t remember anything. They think that they left him and his buddy alone because of the size they are and thought better of it. Just goes to show you it can happen anywhere and to anyone so always be aware.

      Stay safe my angry friends!

      Reply
    • 1

      damn, glad she’s ok.
      I don’t go out to bars all that much anymore, but one small concert venue i was at recently had a code of conduct message plastered all around the place and one of the items they referenced is if you at all feel like your drink could have been compromised, they will re-make your drink no questions asked and at no cost. So this must be happening much more frequently now than any time in my past experience.

      Reply
  10. 4
    3

    I think 10-2 is reasonable expectation this season. OSU’s 4 toughest games as of right now are Utah, UCLA, Washington and at Oregon. I think OSU wins every other game(thats 8 wins). 2-2 in those 4 other games is doable especially with 3 of the 4 at home. So, I could see 11-1. But like Angry said in his opening comments at the top I could see OSU slip up somewhere and lose a game they shouldn’t. I think that some of the teams picked in the bottom half of the league(WSU, COL, Ariz) will win games over some of the top half teams.

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    • 18
      4

      How nice is it to have realistic expectations of a 10 win season? When I wanted Riley gone, it’s because I knew with some higher level intelligence, expectations, and good leadership, anything was possible. Here we are. It’s awesome.

      Reply
  12. 2
    1

    Stanford pitcher got squeezed in bottom 8th gives up a 2 run single after 2 walks and Wake Forest wins 3-2.

    Stanford back to elimination bracket and has the field right where they want them, or something like that.

    Reply
    • 1

      no kidding
      we’ve been that team, and I see a little bt of that in them.
      the dearth of pitching, though, makes one wonder

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    • 2
      1

      Stanford isn’t coming back from this. Good team, not enough depth. They aren’t going to win it all let alone get to the finals.

      Wake, LSU and a darkhorse ORU are the teams to beat

      Reply
  13. 11

    Andrew Brinson out of Florida is the commit. He’s a 2 way player. One site said Oregon state likes him in the secondary and the other says he’s a WR. I think he’s a secondary player tho. Real good offer sheet. Nice pickup.

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    • 3
      1

      Yeah, nice offer sheet. I’m always skeptical of guys from Florida remaining committed. A lot of people will be in their ear telling them that’s too far from home. So it requires a certain type of player who actually wants to get away for those commits to hold firm.

      Reply
      • 1

        Smith and Blue have a pretty good track record of getting guys from Florida and keeping them. I would guess that there are around 10 guys on the team from there currently which is pretty high.

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  14. 1
    7

    So….should the Beavs fire Tinkle and start the Bob Huggins rehab tour for a few years?
    It would be a lot like the Mike Leach experiment for WSU at the time.
    Huggins has a few enemies and skeletons to deal with so it is likely a non starter for OSU, and he is almost 70 I think.

    Reply
  15. 6

    I hope the staff is getting the RBs they want. They should have their pick of the litter with the previous success and the Oline that they have. RBs should be tripping over themselves to play here.

    Reply
      • 3
        2

        The amazing fact is the Beavs really we’re close to beating USC, Utah and UW as well.

        Beavs should have been ahead of UW 21-0 and in total control.
        ISC knew they escaped and only because of Nolan’s turnovers.
        Utah was a tight game into the 4th and turnovers in the red zone destroyed any shot for the Beavs.
        But the Beavs were in all of those games which is why I think this can be the year. The Beavs match up with everyone and become a tough out for all of them, simply because of the running game and the culture.
        12-0 is a legitimate possibility and I’ll stick with it.

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        • 5

          Idk what Utah game you watched but it wasn’t a tight game going into the 4th quarter. The Utes were up 35-16

          Reply

          • The Beavs had 6 red zone trips and got like 3 fg and 2 ints. It was BGs 1st career start. It was still within reach until the red zone int was returned about 70 yds by Utah. The Utes were efficient with their opportunities but the Beavs were in the game much longer than I remembered after reviewing it again. In hindsight it was the one game last year that felt over early but it really wasn’t given what happens against the Ducks later on.

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          • 1

            BG didn’t start. He came into the game after Nolan got hurt.

            I remember turning that game off not too long after halftime.

            Because the outcome was decided.

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          • 2

            Rising is a tough QB, but the Beavs have them at home, and the Beavs have a ton of confidence. I think the game will be much closer. If DJ is as good as his pedigree he could be a difference, too.

            Note: I don’t really care what happened last year. These are completely different teams.

            Reply
        • 1

          We also coin flipped the Fresno State and especially the Stanford game. Point is that yes we were in all the games but it’s difficult to go undefeated if a play doesn’t go your way. If Harrison doesn’t make that amazing catch against Stanford it’s likely a loss. Colletto gets stuffed at the line against Fresno St. it’s a loss.

          I’m still as hyped for this year as anyone else though. I just think we drop at least two due to Smitty gambling. At least this year we hopefully have a competent QB.

          Reply

          • Fresno State played well in the rest of the season with their starting game, and that was a relatively early road game, so no shame there. They may have finished in the top 25 at the end of the season?

            The Stanford game was a bit puzzling, would have like to see the Beavers just have controlled it, but I like that a player actively made a play when necessary (the reception) and the Beavers took the victory.

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  18. 2
    4

    My pre-Fall camp prediction is 10-2. Once Fall camp is over with, we will have a better understanding of who the starters are, who is healthy(should be the entire team at this point), and who has emerged as the 1 and 2 deep roster. This season has more hype than last season because the talent level drop off for the team is marginal at worst, and better than last year at best.

    My biggest hope is DJ starts and has learned a lot from BG about audibling into the right play and learning the playbook as well.

    Reply
  19. 1

    Just saw a study that predicted so many homes dropping cable tv in the next 4 years will leave only 38% of households still having cable tv.
    What if Kliakoff and PAC12 are actually ahead of the curve in streaming agreements and can get a solid foothold before other conferences figure out that ESPN money isn’t the sustainable future?
    What if each game was sponsored and monetized like any regular YouTube video and individual schools could reap the benefits on top of a contracted deal?

    I’m hopeful that there is something legitimately different than all of the other conference media deals rather than another late to the party leftovers from the networks.

    Reply
  20. 1
    6

    wow, new RB Coach KB really failed his first test with identifying and signing new talent.
    A month later the guy is accused of murder? Was an odd signing at the time too, because it really didn’t seem like we needed a JUCO RB anyway.
    Pretty big contrast from the rest of the RB room who all seem really clean cut.

    Reply
    • 2

      Seems odd to even come consider any running backs unless they get another great transfer. Martinez will be back 2 more years and Newell will be ready when Fenwick graduates. Jam has 2 years also right?
      Maybe for depth but as mentioned above, OSU should be able to cherry pick their choice based on track record and oline play that has been established. Don’t just sign warm bodies, sign the right guys to fit the system well.

      Reply
  21. 1

    Questions at DB, WR, LB, DL and QB. Biggest questions IMO are at DB and QB. Also have concerns with depth across the board but especially on DL. If DBs overachieve, QB is solid and protects the ball, and DL stays healthy… and coaching doesn’t over think playbook, I think 11-1 is likely and 12-0 is possible. That said, I’m guessing something doesn’t go well at Beavs go 10-2. Both losses on the road. 9-3 or 8-4 would be extremely disappointing.

    Reply
  22. 2

    Another potential difference this year is that Martinez will probably be better with experience and continued growth, and he will play earlier than last year. He’ll be the unquestioned starter.

    I hope that Griffin is #2, Fenwick/Newell share the #3 role.

    Reply
    • 7

      Are whole running back room is elite… Martinez is going to be great but we literally have 4 running backs who could regularly rush for 100 yards…

      Reply
  23. 1

    Ole Miss signing a QB with a 5.34 GPA who is skipping his junior and senior years of HS. Seems like he would benefit from physically maturing another year or two. He won’t be seeing game action for the next few years.

    Reply

    • Or he could be simply going to Ole Miss to get free college. You’d think with a GPA that high he’d have no problem getting into the top schools of his choice.

      I do agree he’d be what, 15 or 16 as a freshman? That’s way too young to start playing college ball.

      Reply

      • My son is a 15 year old freshman so it’s hard to say his age, but also fuck that. That’s an impressive GPA but kids need to be 17-18 minimum before they head off to college.

        Reply

    • While Reser will only be about 39K max, i saw where the Oak/LV A’s boondoggle of a stadium will only be designed for 30K, and financing and debt planning are based on an average of 26K fans in the seats…

      Reply
      • 5
        1

        Closer to 37k but with standing room only maybe up to 39k. At least that’s what I was told. That said, it will be extremely loud and profitable for the program. Multi-use facility gives it a lot of bang for your buck. Likely a model other universities will follow. Say what you will about Barnes but he brokered a great deal, got the stadium finished, and hit the mark on scale, ROI, and value. If the beavs continue to win and the university can provide a desirable fan experience, the low supply will increase donations and prices because folks won’t give up their season tickets because they won’t be able to get them back.

        Reply
  27. 1
    6

    Anal Roberts and Tennessee got eliminated today (Virginia and Stanford yesterday).

    So Florida/TCU (TCU must win twice)
    Wake Forest/LSU (LSU must win twice) are the semifinals.

    I’m gonna fucking vomit if it’s Florida and LSU. Although I think whoever comes out of Wake/LSU will probably win the CWS.

    Reply
  28. 2

    Not sure if it’s been mentioned, and I just missed it, but rumors are Cam Rising suffered a setback on his repaired ACL recovery, and is likely to miss most of the season… That’s too bad for Utah, but good for us who plays them early in the year…

    Reply
  29. 5

    Interesting article by The Athletic.

    https://theathletic.com/4626268/2023/06/21/college-football-recruiting-class-2019-rerank/

    1) Georgia(Stetson Bennett)
    2) Ohio State
    3) Michigan
    4) Alabama
    5) Clemson
    6) Penn St
    7) Texas A&M
    8) NC State
    9) Pitt
    10) Ole Miss
    11) Notre Dame
    12) Utah(Cam Rising)
    13) Oregon State(Top signees: LB Omar Speights, OL Joshua Gray, OL Nathan Eldridge, TE Luke Musgrave, WR Anthony Gould)
    14) UTSA
    15) Oregon
    16) Washington
    17) Illinois
    18) FSU
    19) Arkansas
    20) Fresno St(Jake Haener)
    21) Wisconsin
    22) North Carolina
    23) Stanford
    24) Auburn (Bo Nix recruited)
    25) USC(Slovis)

    Reply
    • 13

      Head coach Jonathan Smith’s first full recruiting class for the Beavers brought in 17 players who have started games for the program. Nine of those players have earned All-Pac-12 honors, and three members of the class – Musgrave (second round), defensive back Nahshon Wright (third) and defensive back Alex Austin (seventh) – have already been drafted.

      Smith and his staff did a terrific job of finding core players for their rebuild through high school, junior college and portal recruiting. Speights, a Freshman All-American who became a first-team all-conference selection, opted to grad transfer to LSU but made a big impact as a four-year starter. Eldridge, an Arizona transfer, became the top center in the Pac-12, and Gould was an All-American last season as a punt returner. Classes like these are how you pull off the leap from two wins to 10.

      Reply
  30. 9
    1

    This would be a great year to win the conference since the CFP bowls put the Rose Bowl as part of the rotation this year.
    Perfect symmetry to finally win the conference and, even in this playoff era, still get to go to the Rose Bowl.

    Reply
  32. 3

    We will see how the natural depth of the JS recruiting philosophy can seamlessly backfill as Seniors graduate. This recent class had some real leadership and now we see how the roles turnover to the next group of guys. My guess is there won’t be much of a dip and it may be a more talented group waiting to step into key roles.
    The curiosity will be how much DJU needs to be the leader among the team. I think he can be in much the same role as BG with a bigger arm and just reduce mistakes.
    The rest of the team should be just fine.

    Reply
    • 2

      Feel good about leadership and the next one’s up to replace the production on the offensive side of the ball. Not sure who replaces Colletto on either of those fronts, but I can see multiple options. Depth at WR is a lil sus, but Gould/Bolden coming back is helpful. Not a lot of anxiety about RB/OL and the ground game (so long as Lindgren doesn’t Langsdorf). However it shakes out between BG and DJ it’s hard to see QB being less productive.

      Replacements at linebacker and secondary are the big questions marks for me, from both a play-making and leadership perspective. Grant isn’t an ultra-talented 5-star player but he was almost always in the right place at the right time and had everyone else there most of the time too, same with Omar.

      Reply
      • 1

        Agree on all points.
        Colletto at LB is replaceable, his Colletto package on offense will be adjusted to an old school heavy package with running backs and should be just as effective with DM and Jam.

        Grant was undersized and probably had the Cal Ripken advantage of starting the plus with an extra step in the right direction because of his film study etc. He is the one on field leadership guy you may miss but his talent may be surpassed with other guys more explosive and more talented.
        Speights was a revelation as a freshman because we hadn’t seen a player who could actually tackle for at least 6 years when he arrived. His numbers were consistent but he was always a step slow in coverage, and sometimes missed tackles late in games. I liked Fisher more than Speights by the end of last year, and both will be missed.
        Mascara as is a good start to fill in and hopefully we see some unreal speed and tackling out of the next group of linebackers.

        Julian, Oladapo, Cooper are all a good start for the secondary. Coach Blue will have them
        Ready.

        At face value:
        Offense should slightly based on qb play being a bit more experienced and more talented.
        Secondary may have struggles but likely settles in by mid season
        Linebackers lose a lot of experience and may be the weak point of defense.
        Dline looks to be better than last year and may have better pass rush.
        Wide receivers are thin and one injury could derail the season.

        Or glass half full:
        All facets of the roster have equal or better talent as replacements and injuries won’t derail the season. Experience won’t be detrimental and the roster depth is better than we realize, more mature physically and better athletes across the board at each position group.
        If this is the case, it will come down to turnovers, coaching gaffes, game planning and execution for the Beavs to have a highly successful season.
        This is the year to make a run since all the SEC/Big10 powers except Michigan are replacing starting qbs too. The best 5 qbs in the country are all in the PAC12 this year. Win the conference and have a real shot at greatness.

        Reply

          • both are bigger than average white dudes who can carry the ball.
            Shaw may be the better athlete. Colletto carried more weight (played at around 225-240 while shaw is currently around 210)
            Remains to be seen if he has Colletto’s in game IQ

            Reply
          • 1
            2

            I posted a comment earlier in the thread re: guesses on a new commit and I mentioned Andrew Brinson and it got down voted. It leads me to believe there are trolls (fans of other universities) that frequent this site. It wasn’t the first time i’ve commented and I couldn’t understand why a Beav would do that.

            Reply
        • 1

          Agree that Grant’s on field leadership will have to be replaced, but that also goes for Colletto. In fact, that is the one part of Colletto’s game that I think will be most difficult to replace.
          Part of The Jackhammers success running was the way the entire team seemed to feed off of his attitude and leadership, on D he led with pre-snap positioning, etc.

          OT: Anyone in the Portland/Vancouver area ever use the sports book at Ilani? Just checked their website; they show Beavs +7.5 in the CW and +1100 for Beavs as conference winner.
          Gotta wonder if they are actually taking bets on the CW this soon.

          Reply
    • 2

      YotB.

      What’s nice is, we thought 2021 should have been the Year of the Beaver, then 2022 was SO close (narrow USC and UW losses), and we’re still talking about it.

      THAT’S the effect of a PROGRAM being built.

      This season is the “Convengence” of talent, depth, schedule, and a full stadium.

      JS: “Launch it!”

      Reply
    • 2

      Last season at this time, I was fully on board with a 10-2 regular season with UW and CW being a 1-1 situation. I had Utah as a loss pre-season last year and watching that game live, I knew we were destined to lost that game from the first INT. The comeback was fun to watch, but I knew the effort would not outweigh the talent gap.

      This season, at this point, I would not be surprised with an 11-1 or a 9-3 season. If the trend continues where they improve each year, the backups from last season, on defense especially, are ready to take on the leadership roles and showcase their talents, then the sky is the limit. On the other hand, if the WR group have the same issues as the last few seasons of dropping catchable passes, then we are destined for another 9-3 season. We have the TE depth now to pull off a Stanford Harbough “Heavy Package” and ground pound the ball on short yardage situations as well as play action pass to a TE out of this formation. This team will be able to have some fun “trick plays” thrown in the mix e.g. Boise State under Peterson.

      I am predicting a CFP run if this team fires on all cylinders. If they sputter, or have melt downs like Utah and UW games last year, then this team will be 10-2 or 9-3 in the regular season. The leadership of DJU coming from a CFP caliber team, should benefit the team by knowing what it takes to get to the CFP as a team. He wouldn’t have chosen Oregon State if he didn’t think this team was capable of getting to the Pac-12 Championship and make a CFP run.

      Reply
      • 3
        1

        I fear the Civil War game in Eugene. My favorite foto sequence from last year was
        Lanning’s smirk when the quacking ducks were ahead and the one of him at the final score. I don’t doubt anything that outfit would do to win in 2023.

        Reply
        • 4
          2

          I found a great photo of Martinez on his 42 yard burst, he appears to be smiling as about 4 Ducks chase him…that to me was a play that gave the Beavers increased energy.

          I don’t fear the CW in Eugene. I like the Beavers in that one. But win or lose, I suspect the game won’t be as close as last year’s.

          Reply
    • 4

      While I’m not one to shy away from small ball when needed, not sure if being listed as a top bunting team is the best list to be on top or.

      Side note, see whe got 2 pitching grad xfers. 1 from Cal Poly and 1 from UCSB. Both right handed guys. Can RD coach lefties at all? We have like 0 on the roster.
      From Kerry Eggers:
      Kyle Scott of Cal Poly (0-3, 4.64 in 20 games, 23 Ks in 21 1/3 innings, .182 opponents batting average) and Sam Whiting of UCSB (4-0, 4.10 in 24 games, 36 Ks in 26 1/3 innings).

      Reply
  35. 3

    I look at these SEC teams and I have to wonder if Pat Casey would even let some of these players on the field with the extra pounds they are carrying. They look like slow pitch softball players. But whatever works I guess.

    Reply
    • 2
      1

      Saving all their best pitchers for game 3 would tell me they know it is a best of 3. Not sure what your point was. They gave this game away to save their arms for tomorrow.

      Reply
    • 1

      This makes me feel a lot better about the way the Beavs played all year. It’s nice to know “the best” in the NCAA play some crap ball, as well.
      However, the RPI system is shown to be bonkers, by this season.

      Reply
    • 8
      14

      Well:
      “I hoped we could kind of get past that and I thought that we did. It seems that we haven’t and it seems that this is, even just the way America is right now. It seems like our egos kind of get in the way of being a good human being,” he said on Instagram. “And that’s sharing love, sharing conversations, sharing laughter’s with others that may not believe in the same things that you do.”
      …nice sentiment, if extremely naive?
      I would complain that he’s choosing a course in Florida in July. Never mind the stupidest and most corrupt President in the history of stupidity and corruption owning the course. He should just know better than to go to a course owned by an undie skid mark or anywhere that has rainbows.

      Reply
  42. 10
    21

    Hey Jack, how about you give us your thoughts of the current vegetable that holds the office now. Would love to hear about how you feel. Im guessing here, but I bet your ok with slo Joe?

    Reply
      • 21

        Why do we have to bring up politics on an Oregon State athletics forum?

        Unless it directly impacts the Beavs or the sports the Beavs participate in, i.e NCAA b.s or conference realignment, we should leave that at the door.

        Reply
          • 2
            4

            Sorry, but Godwin’s Law was broken when a moron with a lexicon of about 500 words straight from the JBS Blue Book and white supremacist pamphlets–being found on doorsteps in Eugene, these days, btw–was elected President.
            I’m pretty sure if he ends up in a bunker with a pistol, he wouldn’t be able to figure out how to shoot himself, without using his foot wedge. And then he would just shoot himself in the foot and score an eagle on his card.

            Reply
          • 1
            4

            I foresee Adam Schiff being a future Dem pick, so the same people end up on the ballot, regardless.
            Can’t wait for the Schiff/DeSantis 2028 election of a right wing war hawk versus an extremely right wing torture Jag-off.
            I’m also waiting for Trump sycophants to tell DeSantis to, “go back to your own country,” Like they did to Nikki Haley.

            Reply
          • 1
            2

            Newsom isn’t a right wing Dem who voted for W’s war crimes.
            Schiff is and did and is now running for Senate, and I’m guessing the Dems will prop him up for the white supremacists to make anti-semitic remarks for months on end–not that they don’t now, but it would be out in the open, even more than now. Stanford and Harvard Law… US Prosecutor… standard POTUS resume stuff.
            Newsom is dyslexic, overcame a single-mom household where she worked several jobs, and he did also, in high school, before getting a measly BS from Santa Clara on a baseball scholarship. Who votes for that? He needs one of those little rocking chairs from Boston to be noticed by the Dem machine.

            Reply
    • 4

      Hey Tribal Dumbass. This is a sports forum. Nobody wants to get engaged with your stupid ass political debates. Go find another place to air your tiresome grievances.

      Reply
    • 3
      3

      I mean… he’s okay.
      But I don’t vote for okay, especially when they come in the form of some old right wing bankster who thinks he’s more cool than he is.
      I also don’t vote for okay, just because the white supremacist running against him is possiobly the stupidest human to ever. While Biden still isn’t Neal Kinnock, at least he wasn’t born on third base… then ran to first base and started screaming that he hit a home run, but immigrants from places other than Northern Evropa, took his bat.
      I do not subscribe to the two-party, “this person is next,” sort of picking a world leader, especially when they voted “yea” on George W Bush’ war crimes in attacking Iraq. The Dems think they can push these right wing war hawks and still get the votes, just because El Idiot de Stupido is the opposition, and that just isn’t a very high bar. So they don’t seem to try to raise it.

      Reply

    • Yeah it got upgraded to all chair-backed seating, the original renderings had orange bleacher seating on the bottom level. They also made the upper deck smaller, as it doesn’t extend out matching the bottom levels as originally designed. I think they idea is that they can expand it in the future if there is enough demand.

      Reply
      • 1

        Ahh, thanks. Surprised they didn’t do orange chairs…?!? I thought they’d mimic the pattern on the other side.

        Will a video strip run right below the upper deck? doesn’t the other side have one?

        Reply
  44. 4

    Exodus Ayers is definitely a very under the radar prospect. A big fish in a very small pond. Out of New Hampshire and was named the Gatorade State Player of the year in 2022/23. Originally from New Mexico.

    https://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/winner/exodus-ayers/39375
    https://www.hudl.com/profile/12694945/Exodus-Ayers

    Looks like he’s coming in as a DB. Can’t imagine competition in New Hampshire is all that great so he’ll be making a fairly big jump.

    Reply
    • 4

      “He single-handedly beat us. He’s an effortless, smooth athlete. Defense is where he really showed up. He shuts down an entire side of the field. He’s a kid you don’t want to throw the ball toward, he shows up in the passing game and he’s dynamic as a returner as well.”

      12 INT’s. Nice.

      Reply
      • 3

        He’s in BC’s backyard and they offered him. He was in NM’s backyard and they offered him.

        When the local P5 program offers a guy, that means something because they’re likely to have the best intel on the school, competition, etc. This guy looks like a steal.

        Reply
      • 7

        “He’s an effortless, smooth athlete. …He shuts down an entire side of the field. He’s a kid you don’t want to throw the ball toward..12 INT’s.

        If he’s Blue-approved, fuck yeah.

        Been waiting for a DB like that for some time….

        Reply
  45. 4

    I remember a similar sentiment for Jordon Poyer but if you ever saw Poyer play in person in HS, you knew he’d be a stud.

    Reply
  46. 3

    Beaver Football season ticket and parking prices are posted, and it’s hair-raising. The most expensive seat on the field level, 50yd line (section 131) costs $390 (seat) + $2110 (seat OBN) + $350 (stadium fee) = $2850. The most expensive parking are the Reser lots… eg $186 + $5,000 (OBN) – (seat OBN)… For you and your spouse that would be $2850 x 2 + $186 + $5000 – $4220 = $6,666, $1111/game, or $555.50/ea/game.

    ref: beavertickets.com > FOOTBALL > Football Season Tickets > FIND TICKETS
    Parking OBN Donation:
    Reser lots: $5000
    Softball & Track (RV): $5000
    Magruder: $3500
    Bloss: $3500
    South Farm RV Overflow (south of Hwy34): $3000
    Parking Structure: $2500(reserved#) / $1000 (GA)
    15th & Western: $1700
    Goss: $1400
    15th & Washington Way: $1100

    GoBeavs!

    Reply
    • 2

      Being relevant (and paying for a stadium upgrade) ain’t cheap…

      Something tells me i’m not picking up cheap game week tix on the new side on Seat Geeks..

      Reply

      • Too steep for a dude with a kid still in college. Moving across the field to, essentially, the same seats on the new side, close to doubles my cost.

        Two seats in 120 now $1200, two seats in 229 would run $2030.

        Hope that there are enough folks with the cash to fill that beauty though.

        Reply

        • Hung out at the waterfront blues fest for a couple days, and the really really rich people who fly in from Houston (behind us) and Denver (in front of us) every year for the festival are not my age.
          The only reason I was hanging out with them and hearing unabashed stories about honey bucket mishaps is because we spent some money for vip ticks, because we wanted shade.
          We were talking to people who didn’t believe that 20 years ago we just brought three cans of food for entry.
          This is the new world.

          Reply

          • btw… Cory Wong is more amazing than anything I’ve been able to find on YT.
            the sounds he makes with his guitar are just nuts.

            Reply
    • 1

      They also won’t sell you single game tix till July 31st.
      Unless you’re a donor, them you get early access to single game seats, where they step down the donor level as the month goes on.
      So basically if you’re a non-donor who wants to see a game, you get to wait till everything has been picked over.
      It’s like the fast pass at a theme park.

      Reply
    • 7

      ESPN calling it the greatest college World Series ever….LOL. Yeah breaking a bunch of records with shitty pitching in two blowouts is great….WTF!

      Reply
      • 5

        Yeah I wanted to throw up when they kept referring to it as the best ever. There was a whole lot of ugly baseball. Last two games were like batting practice.

        Reply
        • 2

          Not sure how two blowouts are considered the “greatest ever”.

          Hell, the beavers first National Championship was waayyyy more entertaining than what was displayed this WS.

          Reply
      • 1

        Odd… it was some sucky baseball.
        The whole season pretty much sucked, and now that I’ve seen some of the other teams, I wonder why the RPI had some teams anywhere near the top 20.
        Congrats to LSU for being on top, at the end. But it was just a season and CWS of bad baseball.

        Reply

  50. Maybe Mitch has the right idea to load up on guys who hit like they are in city league softball. LSU certainly did.
    LSU basically won with 4 decent pitchers. Guidry and Cooper pitched nearly every day of the CWS and Skenes was the ace, Hurd was the difference and the same guy that the Beavs couldn’t solve.
    Stanford, TCU, Florida each had 1-2 guys who were good/great but none behind those guys.
    Oral Roberts and Wake had deeper pitching but bats fell asleep and Wake lost a heartbreaker.
    If pitching isn’t better across the country, then go get the bats and fill a lineup with guys that mash.
    Maybe Dorman has some resources but I doubt it.

    Finally onto Football and the upcoming “Year of the Beaver”!!

    Reply
      • 10

        Yeah, NCAA sports are toast. We’re in this weird transitory phase where the Beavs can still compete. It’s important they elevate and “play the game” in this period if they want it to continue. Or they market to players who don’t care about money, but that’s going to be the lesser players, most likely. NCAA sports have been permanently ruined. It’s just now to see how low it can go.

        Reply
        • 1

          Did you see the story about one of Tinkle’s assistant’s resigned a couple weeks ago and he stated the reason he wanted out was because he can’t recruit effectively while OSU isn’t competitive with NIL resources.
          Basically said we’ll always be 12th place recruiting wise in the Pac12 because we dont throw money at our athletics at the same rate as other P5 teams.

          And then he took a job at Colorado State where NIL isnt really a part of recruiting(and it’s also his alma mater)

          Reply
          • 3

            I didn’t see that, but at least he’s being honest. We either step up and play that game, or we enjoy this small window (maybe a few more years) where we can still compete thanks to Smith inspiring recruits and getting results. If any of the latter slips, we’re toast. It’s why I’m so concerned about Mitch. He is not inspiring at all. Neither is Tinkle. You really need an inspiring coach if you’re not going to play the NIL game.

            Reply
          • 1

            In a way, it almost sounded like he was diving on a grenade to help cover for Tinkle’s ineptitude.
            Like Tinkle would be successful everywhere else if he had more NIL money to work with.
            The school/Barnes and the Dam Nation collective all commented back basically saying that yes, we do have NIL money at OSU, and no, that is not an excuse for performance.

            The truth is probably somewhere in the middle, because there are small schools in other conferences who seem to be able to perform at a decent level year in/year out.

            Reply

          • Not sure why a guy needs to dive on a grenade to protect Tinkle’s track record. It speaks for itself and NIL era will just accelerate the problem since he’s already proven he can’t keep recruits who aren’t tempted by cash. No amount of cash from NIL will keep guys who know the grass will always be greener at other programs. Tinkle has upped his game and even has assistants transferring. Tough way to run a program. OSU alums used to care about basketball but apparently not anymore. The primary issue isn’t NIL $ for mens hoops, but Tinkle and Barnes foolishly giving a costly extension/buyout scenario.

            The horse is out of the barn and I’m skeptical that there is a good solution once NIL completely imbalances college sports, all while OSUs hands are tied with a ridiculous buyout to move on from Tinkle.

            Reply
  52. 3

    EGGERS, now retired but still putting out a good product. His piece on Beavs Baseball has too much to summarize here, it’s worth reading.

    Included are some good comparisons over the last three seasons for pitching and hitting. And, this from Dorman, “You’re pretty much recruiting three years ahead, so this is our first real recruiting class for me. I’m proud of this class.”

    https://www.kerryeggers.com/stories/a-quick-look-back-a-long-look-ahead-at-beaver-baseball

    Reply
    • 2
      2

      I like eggers stuff but damn, he must be smoking some serious grass. Thinks Lattery and Lawson could sign somewhere? WTF? Are teams that desperate for guys who can only throw 20 pitches before getting shelled? Is RD saying this last group of freshman wasn’t his? Each year the pitching stats have gotten worse per the comparison in the article. RD is trash and can’t recruit or coach unless the goal is to get worse as a staff every year. We’ve missed out on some good names in the portal too apparently but perhaps that comes down to NIL as well.
      Not sure I liked Barney’s synopsis of the the pac 12 tourney. I live in Phx so I understand it’s hot and the AZ players should be more accustomed to the temps but did not the Ducks win the tourney? I’ve (sadly) also lived in Eugene for about a year and can attest that it’s nowhere near as hot there as it is in Phx despite being south of Corvallis. Sounds like they’re expecting the offense to be good and i’m definitely thinking the pitching is going to be the weak spot again. Best case scenario our top guys are 2 players coming back from injury, not TJ luckily for them, and either Lattery or Jimenez. Mundt still building back from TJ surgery and is supposedly playing this summer so perhaps he’ll be in a spot to make it back. Unless some serious gains are made in the off-season this looks like another year of pitching by committe each game.

      Reply

  53. Getting impatient for football, watched highlights of v WSU.

    1) WSU was lotsa motion, not much results, hit 10 points w/4:15 left in the third quarter;

    2) Schematically, seems like Bray did well, but would have benefited from DLine and LB speed, geez they seem to be running in sand chasing Ward;

    2) BG had quite a cold spell there, as he would later against Ducks. Makes me hope DJ pucks things up quickly and has his head clear this season.

    4)Reser was decently loud for only about 18(?)K, will obviously be a more challenging environment this year.

    I should go back and check some of tgehe 2022 game threads, could be entertaining…

    Reply
    • 1

      I’ve been watching last year’s games also. It seems like the Beavs may miss Lindsay and Harrison based on how many times they get a first down catch in 3rd down situations. My memory of the season contradicts the highlights though because I remember a lot of drops by Harrison, and Lindsay was hurt for a long portion of the year.
      It will be addition by subtraction to have Gould and Bolden on the field 85% of plays rather than 40%. Both will have monster years and DJU will have the arm to take deep shots and be successful.

      As far as linebackers and DE speed, I expect a similar scenario of addition by subtraction, even losing Speights and his experience won’t be as big of a concern once the guys filling in get comfortable. There is tremendous speed and talent waiting and this is the year for both areas to take a jump forward.

      Key areas are QB1, WR3-5, CB1-4, ILB, OLB, DE rush ends
      I kind of think each area has improvement rather than regression. Wildcard issues will be injuries in any group but the depth has been building.

      Reply
      • 3

        “My memory of the season contradicts the highlights though because I remember a lot of drops by Harrison,..”

        Your memory is correct, these are highlights. Harrison dropped passes and TDs…

        I too think having the two fast, more sure-handed receivers on the field for more plays is a benefit, plus Velling and Overman…The question i think is can these fast, relatively small WRs separate for the big plays for DJ? If they can’t beat the jam off the line consistently, maybe have routes where they come back towards the LOS, then separate. Sort of like Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt for the Rams back in their day(?). Seems like they often came BACK to separate, caught, then used their quickness and speed(?). But i could be misusing my 128kb of memory…

        Reply

  54. NiceBeaver, any gut bomb on this guy?

    “El Cajon (Calif.) Granite Hills edge rusher Damarrion White has locked in his commitment date and will make his college choice this weekend.
    Greg Biggins 9 hrs

    El Cajon (Calif.) Granite Hills edge rusher Damarrion White has locked in his commitment date and will make his college choice this weekend.

    White, one of the region’s top edge rushers, will make his commitment on Saturday, July 1.

    “I’m ready,” White said. “I still need to make my phone calls and talk with the coaches but I feel good about it right now.

    “My final three are Arizona, Oregon State and Washington and I had three great visits to all of them. I didn’t officially visit Washington but I’ve been there unofficially so I feel I have a good amount of information on all three to make my decision.”

    White broke down what he likes about each of his finalists:

    Arizona- “That was my first official visit and they set the bar really high. I met some great people out there, that was the highlight of the visit for me. I was surrounded by great people all weekend and I really enjoyed myself. The campus is really nice and the city of Tucson reminds me a little of being back home. I connected really well with the coaches and the players on the team too so overall, I had a great time. Coach Kaufusi is my lead recruiter but I also talk with Mondo (Armond Hawkins), coach Paopao and coach Fisch. Coach Fisch was real cool and he talked a lot about family and building that kind of environment and I’m really comfortable there.”

    Oregon State- “I loved my official visit there. It was a great visit and I love the fit in the defense. I learned a lot about the football team and specifically how strong their defense has been the last few years. I didn’t know they had the best defense in the conference across the board last season and shut teams down. They even held USC down and have a great coaching staff and really do a good job on that side of the ball. Trent Bray is my lead recruiter and I like him a lot. He’s the DC and the linebacker coach so it’s a good fit. He’s a pretty low key guy, quiet but really cares about his players and that’s big for me.”

    Washington- “I really like what Washington is building right now. There’s a lot of momentum coming out of Washington and I’m seeing all the guys committing and it’s pretty exciting to see. I took my unofficial visit there in April and loved everything about the school. I love the coaches and the scheme fit for me. They like me as an edge rusher and I think I could make a lot of plays in that defense. Eric Schmidt is my lead recruiter and I’m very comfortable with him along with the rest of the staff so there’s a lot to like there.”

    White is one of the top edge rushers in the state and helped his team win a 2A State Championship last season. He finished the season with 57 tackles, 18 for loss and six sacks. “

    Reply
    • 9
      1

      In my not professional opinion it sounds like Arizona has the relationship card, Washington has the future card, and we have the business card. Let’s hope he is all business.

      Reply

      • I’m hoping this is what sways him:

        “Trent Bray is my lead recruiter and I like him a lot. He’s the DC and the linebacker coach so it’s a good fit. …really cares about his players and that’s big for me.”

        But we’ll see…

        Reply

        • I noticed that and wondered, how often do most coordinators take the “lead” in recruiting an individual?
          Maybe being LB coach too is the whole answer, but seems to possibly indicate the kid is high priority.

          Reply
      • 1

        Funny, I read that as a UW lean. “I loved everything about the school.” He only highlights certain things about the other two options.

        Reply

        • Instead of announcing his commitment, he announced he’s going to announce after the season. Probably bad for the Beavs already having had their OV.

          Reply

  56. Tomorrow is the day SDSU needs to either shit or get off the pot with the Mountain West conference. If they decide to leave by tomorrow, their buyout costs significantly less than if they leave the Mountain West at a later date. Something like a $17M savings if they leave tomorrow.
    Or they could stick with the MWC indefinitely.
    Seems like the main 1st domino for the Pac12’s chances of expanding will be tied to whatever SDSU ends up doing.

    Reply
    • 1
      2

      “some schools have signed contracts with midseason basketball tournaments that include a promise from the tournament organizer to donate thousands of dollars to the collective group associated with that school. Football bowl game sponsors have explored similar arrangements.”

      it’s professional sports without the word “professional”

      Reply
    • 4
      1

      I realize some sportscasters/announcers/etc. are much better than others so if you’re talented you should get compensated accordingly, but I’m always amazed at what the networks pay these people. Makes no sense that the people reporting on a sportsball game would make upwards of the same amount as the players in said game. Your job is not that important to my sports viewing pleasure.

      Reply
    • 2
      6

      Yes!!! Could it get any better? Disney is hemorrhaging money and making cuts at ESPN. Now ESPN can lowball the PAC 12 on a tv deal because it has no money to spend. The conference can finally implode with teams bolting for the Big 10 and Big 12 and we can join the Mountain West. We can have our games broadcast on obscure channels or livestreams and never have to watch ESPN again. I’m loving it too!

      Reply
  60. 2
    7

    Pac12 is DED.

    True or False pop quiz!!

    1) The Pac12 is a leader.

    2) Without USC and UCLA the Pac12 will be just as strong.

    3) The Pac12 is well respected nationally.

    4) The Pac12 is Dead.

    5) The Beavers will dominate the Mountain West.

    Reply
    • 5
      3

      You just provided a multiple choice “true or false” quiz. Best of luck when you enter public education. Apparently the good state of Arizona has investment priorities other than education, so, you should excel.

      Because it’s multiple choice, consider adding “none of the above” and “all of the above.”

      Reply
    • 1

      1. true
      2. true
      3. false
      4. blatantly false
      5. depends on who we play and what level niner has them playing, but non-con games should carry this expectation

      Other than a large extremely pretentious group of fans, USC leaving doesn’t weaken the conference. It will, however, weaken USC. UCLA will be a mixed bag of more money and being relegated to being Minnesota Western, competitively.

      Reply
  61. 5
    1

    So LSU has hire Nate Yeskie.
    Has anybody reminded them which coach recruited Luke Heimlich? Seems they used to have a problem with that.

    Reply
    • 9

      I’ll say this as one guy… I cut the cord probably 10 years ago and I’ll never have cable again.

      We have a few streaming services and Xbox for the kids. If the PAC offers a package through a streaming service I don’t have there’s a very good chance I’ll drop the $15/month to sign up. But there’s zero chance I’ll ever pay for cable again regardless of the deal they sign. I can’t be the only one.

      Reply
      • 6

        I cut in 2009. My parents, prototypical boomers, finally cut this year. If Boomers are cutting cable companies are in trouble. The thing is, there’s really no need for hundreds of channels of garbage that they bundle into those $100/month packages. All should be ala cart. I watch YouTube content specific to topics I’m interested in more than anything.

        Reply
  65. 6

    The best turn of events will be ESPN declaring it can’t deliver on the tv contracts for Big10 and SEC, therefore both conferences aren’t going to be seeing the $50mil per school for 10 years like they thought.

    For all of the ridicule about streaming and it being somewhat limited, if ESPN can’t hold its agreement and payout, they are more useless.

    Cable TV and network tv are dinosaurs in reality, but the charade of the talking heads makes it seem like we are back in 1993 and cable is King.

    This may be the last opportunity for OSU to win in the semi normal college football arena, and I hope they can take advantage of it.

    Reply
    • 8

      There’s zero chance of this happening. And cable isn’t going away any time soon. The best case for Beavs is for P12 to get a deal and eventually merge with ACC

      Reply

      • What if Kliakoff has been working behind the scenes all along with ACC and the ace card would be a merge that includes Notre Dame, PAC12 and ACC?
        Notre Dame is still assessing their value astronomically higher than any other program, but if they joined such a merger it would be the answer to any valuation comps to SEC/Big10 just based on viewership nationally.

        All imaginary and zero chance of this scenario as well. PAC12 brass backwards thinking strikes again.

        Reply
    • 4

      Yes, cable is in trouble.

      – Cable TV operators’ rate of decline in Q1 reached -9.9% year over year, while satellite providers DirecTV and Dish Network fell -13.4%.
      – Less than half of US families now have cable. 48%. First time ever that has happened.

      If Boomers start cutting you’ll see that drop precipitously. They’re the only ones keeping that model alive. Young people aren’t messing with cable at all.

      Reply
    • 4
      1

      Jack and I talked about this a long time ago. Like 2010 or 2011, how the way to go was toward an ala carte model. It’s finally happening, just way later than it should have. People are finally forcing the issue.

      Something else worth noting is many cities are putting in their own internet. We just did here, and it is fantastic. So superior to Comcast with service, speed, it’s cheaper, and the funds we pay go right back into investing in the city. It’s great. If this is ever an option on your ballot you should definitely vote for it.

      The dinosaurs are definitely in danger of going extinct, and they know it. They’re trying to block/ban all of this from happening (instead of making better products…really sad).

      Reply
      • 1

        Think about how far we’ve come since then. I remember thinking Larry Scott was a genius for plugging into silicon valley and going for the, “Give everyone a taste, then hook them,” method of creating a network app with archived content on demand. First, make it cool, cheap, and easy to access, then invite media to do the crap they do with data and targeted ads.
        It’s the American way.
        Instead, every other media company/network went and did it, and he putzed around on the golf course and ate a bunch of caviar with a gold flake dusting… apparently.
        Streaming is where the money is, and it will only be accelerating in the next couple years. We in gen x didn’t move the needle, because we’re just forgotten in the demographics of this country. But now that millennials are spending their discretionary incomes, content providers relying on tethered viewers are losing money to those who foresaw this. If a bunch of dudes on a college sports blog could see it, are you thinking those with money and ambition couldn’t?
        The end result was that Scott was stuck with Comcast destroying our chances to widely distribute content, because either he wasn’t allowed to do so, or he was just a coward. Comcast can suck it, and he should have told them that.
        In 2016, there were 100 million cable subscribers–households, not people. In 2023, as the tv market has exploded and huge generations have come online, cable subscriptions have dropped to 72 million households. There are more people and dollars to be had, yet cable can’t evolve… because it’s cable.

        Reply
        • 1

          Cable and their constant ads sucks. I’ll happily pay $10-15/ month to have streaming and Spotify without ads.

          $100/month to be bombarded with ads? Not a chance in hell.

          Reply
  66. 8
    1

    Anybody know of a good alternative to twitter for social media?
    Something that isnt Facebook/Instagram/TikTok?

    The twitter platform has become so unstable lately with all of Elon’s tinkering and now he’s restricting usage unless you pay for “verified” blue checkmark.
    Amd even with that, the platform crashes regularly. I’m ready to dump it. Feels like you’re constantly in a beta testing environment.

    Reply
  68. 11

    I found a documentary about St John’s Bosco and DJUs senior year championship run.
    They matched up against Bruce Young and Mater Dei. Both qbs were making elite NFL type throws as high school seniors and pretty impressive footage.

    The obvious element to DJU in the documentary is that he has been training, prepping and is gifted as a true pocket passer. Dabo Swinney and Clemson tried to make him the next RPO qb like Cam Newton instead of a big armed/big framed pocket passer like Rothlisberger.
    He matched Bryce Young throw for throw and was every bit as good as a top 5 pick. As noted by others, his parents went through a divorce while he was at Clemson.
    I suspect JS will be able to revive the old version of the true pocket passer he was and help him flush the RPO version Clemson forced him to become.
    OSU fans in attendance will be shocked to see his arm
    Strength and accuracy when he is in a true NFL type offense. JS may have the sleeper Heisman candidate. He will be that good in this offense. All of the people who bag on his tenure at Clemson only see the problems but he was a round peg in square hole in those offenses.
    I expect the offense to explode up to 35+ points per game at a minimum and the season will be the most exciting in decades along with the revival of DJUs story nationally.

    Reply

  69. Adley into the HR Derby. Wonder which side of the plate he’ll swing from. I think his power is fairly equal on both sides but he gets a lot more at bats as a lefty.

    Reply
  73. 10
    1

    Less than 2 months until kickoff…

    That will fly by in what feels like 2 days. Getting older and time passing at lightening speed is weird.

    Reply
  75. 1

    Long time lurker here. Just wondering on ya’lls thoughts on the San Jose State game to start the season. I’m planning to be in the area and after looking at SJSU attendance it looks like it may not even sell out. Other big games SJSU has hosted in the past 5-10 years include vs USF (ranked 19 at the time) and vs Utah. Both games did not look to be even close to sellouts. Just curious if we’re expected to have a big traveling section and if I should buy tickets now or just wait until game day. Can’t wait for football season!

    Reply
  76. 7

    And I get my wish with the commitment of edge rusher Kekai Burnett out of Hawaii. Another very good offer sheet. Hopefully they can really get the Hawaii pipeline going.

    Reply
  77. 6
    2

    Can we skip ahead to first kickoff already?

    Conflicted thoughts as we get closer to the season. The big question is the defense, which is where we lost most of our people. If they stay anywhere near the same level, we will likely be quite the force to be reckoned with. On the other hand, while we were a few key plays from finishing as good as 12-1, (We stuff Williams on that forth down conversion like we should have etc) we also very easily could have ended up 7-5 or worse (Colletto gets stuffed at the goal line vs Fresno St, Oregon just plays basic defense, and Harrison doesn’t make one of the luckiest catches I’ve ever seen vs Stanford).

    It feels weird being optimistic in a way shape or form for an upcoming season of Beaver football, but I will say I am optimistic, albeit very cautiously, and hope the luck o’ da Beavs doesn’t rear its ugly head again.

    Reply
  78. 1

    HR Derby Bracket:

    “No. 1 Luis Robert Jr. vs No. 8 Adley Rutschman

    The teams: Robert Jr. (Chicago White Sox), Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles)

    The stats: Robert Jr. has 25 home runs this season. Rutschman has 11 home runs.

    It is the first Derby appearance for both players, who are enjoying strong years. Robert Jr. has had a breakout season with a career-high in home runs, including 11 in June. Rutschman’s is one of the league’s brightest stars, but history says it may be a tough outing for him in the derby – no catcher has ever won the event.”

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/07/05/home-run-derby-2023-participants-bracket-and-first-round-matchups/70385807007/

    Reply
  79. 1

    Doesn’t look like anybody has mentioned it on here. Dan Patrick show had the following post related to the Pac12 yesterday:

    “Sources say San Diego St. is still planning on joining the PAC-12. Conference also is hoping to add SMU with Boise St. and UNLV being long shot possibilities.”

    The PAC is slowly morphing into the MWC
    And I don’t really care, as long as OSU has a place to play

    Reply
    • 3
      2

      Boise makes no sense. At least Las Vegas brings a media market with it. But you might as well just bring Hawai’i, UNM, or Nevada, if that’s the consideration. Fort Collins/Loveland bring more than half the market Boise brings, without considering a lot of students are from Denver and comprise much of that market.
      SDSU wouldn’t have made the noises they did, if they hadn’t been told something was happening. If they weren’t, then the loop is much tighter than anyone can conceive, and absolutely no reports from anyone who says they have a source is remotely true, other than happenstance.

      Reply

      • BSU is just a reach for an elusive national brand, tv market is secondary as well as any academic standards.
        Talking heads aren’t interested in academics and PAC12 school presidents are likely too hung up on them when considering any additional schools.
        PAC12 brass has actually made consistently bad decisions in the last 20 years trying to stop the inertia of what college sports is/has become. Unfortunately those decisions over the course of 20 years now appear to everyone as “…a shortsighted, failing, backwards, out of touch nationally conference that no one watches anymore. Oh and by the way they can’t even get a tv contract so they should just give up their best teams and go away…”

        Reply
        • 4
          1

          BSU isn’t a national brand and hasn’t been since Peterson left. I would much prefer a team that brings in more revenue than one that is above average at football in a below average conference. Teams like SMU will increase their talent level by being part of a P5 conference like Utah has.

          Reply
        • 2
          1

          Um… no.
          We’re not here to prop up Boise State on the academic side, when their own citizens can’t take the time or money to do it for themselves. If they don’t want to commit to education, they can stay where they are. We don’t need an anchor tied around our waist. Nevada and especially UNLV would be really pushing it, except for media market.
          We’re not here to subsidize those schools who really don’t want to school all that much. That money is ten times the money they will get for football–also us subsidizing them, given their market size.

          Reply

  80. MLB draft is this weekend. Only Forrester is getting picked early for current players. Rest of the guys will probably be picked after the 10th round where there are no bonus slots.

    Incoming guys could go pretty high and never come to campus. Gotta hope these guys have high prices and let teams know. With the draft only 20 rounds now, teams aren’t willing to take flyers on guys or waste a pick.

    Reply
  81. 6

    I just read an interesting comment speculating on the PAC12 media rights situation.
    The guy proposed an explanation and end game scenario along these lines of thinking:
    Key issues all related-
    Hollywood scriptwriters strike vs live action programming
    ESPN investment in West coast and Disney $$
    Vegas and sports books, gambling & late kickoffs
    UCLA and SDSU smoke screens
    In the broad context, he said the PAC12 silence is a good sign because it means negotiations are ongoing and may be surprisingly good because of the above factors converging and putting PAC12 in the right place at the right time.
    He explains the ripple of an ongoing writers strike puts pressure on multiple networks to add unscripted programming (live sports), at a time when ESPN is cutting costs but has also heavily invested into west coast studios to even out their reach which is heavily east coast viewership. ESPN has motivation to jump back into negotiations without appearing publicly to be doing so. In effect the pressure has created a type of bidding war which pushes $$ numbers up because the PAc12 is the key player for crossover marketing for ESPN/Disney for CFL to NFL and all advertising dollars tied to both. In addition, the SDSU situation may have revealed something as well, UCLA may not be gone as we think and may have an out to stay out with the conference, which means SDSU isn’t as needed, and they got ahead of themselves by their public statements etc.
    The last element the guy mention is Kliakoff’s ties to MGM and Vegas playing a major role in the overall process as the motive behind the scenes would be a full court press on behalf of sports books and casinos to preserve the PAC12 as a legitimate conference for the late night betting lines/games as they see average bettors attempting to make up for losses by betting heavier on late west coast games.
    Kliakoff may have more leverage than we realize and the conference may be much more stable than anyone gives it credit for publicly. This guys summary went along these lines- Kliakoff has the chance to possibly land well above Big12 money, perhaps $45-$50 million per school with all of those factors, which in turn brings UCLA back, add SMU to get the Dallas market to balance the loss of USC and the conference is stable and adds a footprint in Texas for recruiting purposes. SMU has huge money and similar academics, with a great sports history.

    My take on this guy’s comment- I hope he is close to the true situation. Based on a lot of talking head shows, he is nowhere near the truth, but he has some good theories to explain conference silence, delays, and lack of pursuit for SDSU or anyone else so far to replace USC/UCLA. The Vegas angle and the script writers strike are interesting side notes which aren’t really connected in any other story I’ve seen. It is a fact that Big12 probably left money on the table to negotiate a couple of years early, and some have said they were nudged to do that as a sour grapes move by ESPN being spurned by the PAC12 deciding not to expand.
    I’ll hold off on any doom and gloom about the PAC12 at this point, several arguments are compelling regarding west coast, timing and UCLA possibly still not officially gone.

    Reply
    • 1

      There has been one constant all along that nobody seems to want to understand.
      Outside the SEC and ACC, the Big 12 is all ESPN has for market share in the West. They’re not in B1G or MWC households, and the Pac is all that’s left. Anyone who has reported or mused that ESPN is or has been out of the discussion is assuming they’re good with that.
      Interesting note on Las Vegas. I have a good friend who’s the corporate counsel for one of the resorts. I wonder if he has some insight.

      Reply
    • 8
      3

      This commitment is kind of underwhelming considering the staffs past success in recruiting running backs. In 3 of the previous classes the RB was the top recruit with Madison, Newell, the local kid that transferred plus transfers like Jam and Fenwick. The offer sheet isn’t very good like a lot of the other commits so far and he’s not very highly rated. I’m not saying it’s a bad pick up but I was hoping that the success the run game has had year in and year out and putting guys in the NFL would allow them to pull in a higher rated recruit. The fact that they have one committed already it seems like they could’ve maybe held out for someone higher rated. I mentioned awhile back ago that I was hoping that they were getting the guys they wanted because these 2 guys rating, offer sheets, and stats are kind of underwhelming.

      With all of that said I haven’t watched his tape yet so maybe he’s flying under the radar and I know that stars and ratings don’t mean everything. I just hope that they really like this kid to be using a 2nd scholarship on him this class.

      Reply
      • 3
        0

        Was thinking the same thing regarding the offer sheet but then I looked at Martinez’s, which is very similar. Have to trust the staff’s evaluation.

        Reply
        • 6
          2

          Martinez’s film and stars were much better. He made an extremely solid commitment to us very early on which kept schools from pursuing him. He’s definitely no Martinez.

          Reply
        • 6
          1

          This staff has evaluated talent very well since JS took over. They don’t care about stars or offer sheets. You can’t tell much from film alone. Possible they see him as a great athlete with another position in mind or someone that will develop into strong RB.

          Reply
          • 3

            I mean I don’t think he’s bad he just is underwhelming imo compared to recent RB commits and given the teams success I would’ve thought they could get a game changer. I’d like to see someone that could take it to the house at any given time.

            Reply
          • 6

            His Hudl tape isn’t great. He looks like he is one speed and it seems pretty slow, every hand off he cuts back off the first block or it is a wide open lane with no acceleration. Maybe somewhat tough to bring down but I agree with Bleedorange. Where are the 4/5* kids who want to excel behind these olines that Coach M is creating?
            Why settle for a slower, maybe bigger back? Although he does look big and runs upright like Steven Jackson but not the same burst.

            Reply
          • 3
            5

            Agree. His vision is good for a HS back. Balance is good, and he can make quick cuts. From a results standpoint, he could be like Quiz where he doesn’t have breakaway speed, but has the skill set to consistently pick up enough yards to keep us ahead of schedule.

            One thing that could make a big difference: 247 says he’s 6 ft .5 in. He’s listed 6’2 in one place and his Twitter says 6’3. If he’s truly that big, he could be scary good as he grows into his size.

            Reply
          • 1
            3

            A Cal offer says a lot, too. They have a nice history of identifying backs. He looks like he should be a 3.5 star if such a thing existed. High 3 for sure.

            Reply
        • 2
          3

          You could put a 28 on him and tell me he’s from Palestine, and I’d believe it with that cutting, running, and contact styles.

          Reply
        • 1
          4

          I just watched his Jr highlight reel on 247sports; I am impressed. His vision is fast, he finds the right hole and hits it fast and hard, he can catch out of the backfield, he trucks over defenders. The only issue I saw from his film is when he does get hit or tackled in the legs, he goes down immediately. Other than that, he definitely looks like a Stephen Jackson type back where he will be a load to bring down.

          Reply
  84. 2
    2

    OSU will have company in the old fashioned running game from Alabama, Georgia, Ohio St since they all need to replace experienced qbs.
    I expect a few teams will shift away from the trend of heavy passing offenses.
    The shift will test defenses that have been developed to stop the 7 on 7 drills that these offenses have created.
    Michigan is the only team having a lot of success with run based play action as the base offense. I like the Beavs improving into that type of offense among the nations leading offenses because many defenses in the conference are trying to respond to the 7 on 7 offenses.

    Reply
        • 2

          I don’t think there’s any new news since camp. Hopefully we see him come into fall camp much more familiar and comfortable in the offense. Really needs to run away with it and show that he’s the player he was projected to be out of high school and that he just needed to be in the right offense. He’ll have a great Oline and running game to protect and support him. He won’t have to carry the team but should be able to make big time plays when needed. We haven’t had a QB like that in a very long time.

          Reply
      • 3

        That’s true, now the question is who will be “developed” into the kind of leader we saw in Forrester. I watched him take charge in a number of situations, not only mound visits.
        Gonna be fun watching his brother.

        Reply

    • Interesting if the players’ public letter was true and this was already investigated by a third party. Could get ugly if PF sues the university.

      Reply

    • I can’t comprehend that the coach and ‘Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Derrick Gragg’ could be so unconnected and immune to the situation.

      Reply
  91. 4

    Adley put up a good fight in the first round of the HR derby, batting mostly left. “He switched plates and still went 7 for 8!” Fun video on the page of him hitting from the right side:

    First round: No. 8 Adley Rutschman (Orioles) vs. No. 1 Luis Robert Jr. (White Sox)

    Rutschman – 27 HR – longest 445 feet: The Orioles catcher was launching bombs off the left side of the plate, with several homers coming with a launch angle over 40 degrees. He finished the regular time with 21 home runs, and just to be more impressive, switch to the right side in bonus time to add a whopping seven homers in 30 seconds, dazzling the crowd.

    Robert Jr. – 28 HR – longest 470 feet: The White Sox slugger made it look effortless while launching some of the longest home runs of the first round. All but two of his homers went over 400 feet, including a mammoth 470 foot bomb to center field. He tied Rutschman in his three minutes, and took him four swings in the extra time to advance.”

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/allstar/2023/07/10/home-run-derby-2023-live-updates-results/70395742007/

    Reply
  92. 3
    4

    Hass, S. Jackson, Serna all getting inducted into the Oregon State Athletics Hall of Fame. Hass is probably my favorite Beav of all time.

    However, we are also inducting Mr hip hip hooray juicy fruit in n out well get ‘em next time. Y’all think he deserves it? Not like it’s some national honor or anything but I don’t want him anywhere near us for any reason. Dude fuckin sucks the life out of any program he touches.

    Reply
    • 2
      4

      His win total is primarily a function of longevity, and he didn’t win anywhere else when he had a short lease and win expectations (San Diego in the NFL, Nebraska in college). And his prime years are credited here mostly to the the talent evaluation of Gilstrap

      Left OSU twice and through a false narrative of “Mr. Nice Guy” set a tolerance standard for mediocrity we hope will never be achieved again…

      I’d rather he not be in the OSU Hall of Fame with, well winners…

      Reply
      • 2
        4

        Agreed. I remember back when he would come to the VFC upstairs after games and answer softballs from Preece. Standing ovation every time. Couldn’t tell based on that whether it was a W or L. Cult of personality shit with the old folks who worshipped him. It was understandable for a few years maybe given how garbage we were since forever. Preaching to the choir here for the most part I know but it just seems odd.

        Reply
        • 7
          1

          It is probably just a reflection of the old age of those who nominate and decide, a bunch of octogenarians from West Corvallis or Portlandia. One final gut punch to Beavernation by the old losers who didn’t mind being mediocre and enjoyed being Charlie Brown every year. Still living off of the memories of the Giant Killers era and thinking Riley somehow recaptured the glory years. All suckers for a “Mayberry aw shucks, Richie Cunningham schtick” which Riley perfected. Maybe it was genuine but he sure seemed to coast through his years in Corvallis.
          The most amazing day I can remember is the day it was announced that Nebraska had hired Riley…Instant hope for a better future… and then GA came to town and dumped all over the program even worse. Amazing luck of the Beavs for that sequence of events.

          JS is setting the bar much higher than Riley already and I’m thankful for that.

          Reply
  93. 7

    D1 Baseball assessment after the first 10 rounds –

    + Beaver fans should be excited: IF Trent Caraway (CA) was one of the top right-handed bats in the draft, and having not heard his name in the Top 10 rounds, is likely headed to Corvallis. An instant-impact prospect, who is also a draft-eligible sophomore, Caraway might still have a deal in place for rounds 11-20, but the fact that he is still around on Day 3 has to make Coach Mitch Canham feel good. Yes, LHP Paul Wilson (OR) is gone, but that was more than expected, and to hang onto a bulldog arm like RHP James DeCremer (AZ), future weekend starter RHP Eric Segura (CA), and upside physical right-handers like Laif Palmer (CO) and RHP Bryce Johnson (WA) leaves a lot to like.

    Reply
  94. 2
    6

    How long has the twitter feed widget on the AB front page been saying “Nothing to see here” ? haha

    Must be another biproduct of Elon fiddling around with his toy

    Reply
    • 10
      13

      “Must be another biproduct of Elon fiddling around with his toy.”

      I was going to sign up for StarLink but won’t because of him. Seems like he wants to be a self-appointed arbiter of free speech/expression w/tech as the means to control.

      Reply

    • It will be interesting to see what happens. Some undrafted juniors choose to sign minor league deals vs returning to school. Hope he comes back. The top half of the lineup could all be back with Caraway’s bat replacing Forrester.

      Reply
      • 2

        Kane is gone, there’s not much incentive to come back. He could work his way into 5-10 rounds by coming back and having a great year but that might be too much risk.

        Starting Lineup (not batting order) could be this,

        C – Smith
        1B – Krieg
        2B – Bazzanna
        SS – Caraway
        3B – Guerra
        RF – Turley
        CF – McDowell
        LF – Kasper
        DH – Someone new

        Not too bad of a lineup. Pretty veteran lineup with a couple spots open for competition.

        Reply
        • 2

          Will be interesting to see where Trosky fits in. Maybe they out Guerra back in the outfield. Not his strong suit so maybe drop him to DH or some kind of rotation thru diff spots. Or maybe he could slide to 1st? Krieg definitely has the larger frame but needs some time to mature a bit I think based on his playing time this past season.

          Reply
        • 1

          Probably a pipe dream at this point, but you have Reed as a wild card hanging around. Looks like the injury is keeping him out of summer ball, though? He isn’t listed on the Corvallis Knights roster anymore.

          Reply
  99. 2
    1

    Cooks/Lamb @ Dallas getting talked about as having high potential this coming season:

    “Brandin Cooks is a guy we should be talking about more,” Hawkins said. “He is so consistent. We know what CeeDee Lamb can do, now we’re going to have balance on the other side, I think we’re going to see a phenomenal year from (Cowboys quarterback) Dak Prescott.”
    …
    Hawkins isn’t wrong when he calls Cooks “consistent.”

    Cooks has posted at least 1,000 or more receiving yards and five touchdown receptions in six of his first nine seasons. Cooks caught 57 passes for 699 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games last season, producing those numbers with Davis Mills at quarterback. He caught a combined 171 passes for 2,187 yards and 12 touchdowns during his first two seasons in Houston, when Deshaun Watson was the quarterback.”

    https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2023/07/dallas-cowboys-brandin-cooks-and-ceedee-lamb-ranked-among-the-top-wide-receiver-duos-in-2023.html

    Reply

  100. Didn’t realize Isaac Seumalo signed with the Steelers for 3 years, $24M. Seems low for his talent and play(?). Also didn’t realize his mindset:

    “I think the thing that gets overlooked at offensive line is you have the ability and license to play very violently at times … How to accurately and precisely be violent,” Seumalo said. “You’re allowed to go out there and hit people without regard for laws and the rules of mankind.”

    7 years of NFL experience already….I’m surprised he left a contender for Pittsburgh, money must have been markedly better.

    https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/2023/07/former-oregon-state-star-isaac-seumalo-will-use-his-license-to-play-very-violently-for-the-pittsburgh-steelers.html

    Wonder if he’ll ever consider a role at OSU after NFL retirement?

    Reply

      • It’s odd, because I see him as the Iggles’ Oline linchpin. He’s not as dominant as a couple other guys, but he knows the calls.

        Reply

    • $8 Million AAV is 18th in the league for a guard. Top 20 AAV seems inline with his play, Top 10 is 13M+. As for the mindset, my son is working out with 2 former NFL lineman and they keep trying to bring out that nasty streak Seumalo is speaking of to come out. My son has always been large and always told to be careful and soft, they are trying to rewire that mindset.

      Reply
  101. 4
    24

    Remember that Wiffle Ball league I mentioned as being really good? They got invited to Comerica and Citizen’s Bank Park this year, after going on ESPN with Pedro Martinez last year, and their sub base is up to nearly half a million on YT. Angry was early but right yet again. With MLB being unwatchable, I only expect it to grow. Though, they are beginning to sell out a bit, too. The production is getting really glossy and losing the amateur feel that made it so charming. But it’s better than watching rubber baseballs fly out of stadiums like super balls.

    Reply

    • Played 33 snaps as a slot CB. Vast majority of total snaps were on special teams.

      Looks like he was an in-state guy where UA was his only P5 offer. Had a bunch of MWC and FCS offers, too. More depth at DB is good, I guess.

      Reply

      • Looks like he played his rs frosh year at safety and did pretty well. idk if the cb switch slowed his progress, but the experience could make him a good candidate for either nickel or safety.
        I think we’ll be pleasantly surprised by how well the back side plays. And that should be enhanced by an actual pass rush this year.

        Reply

    • It’s official now! I agree with you Bill on both that the secondary will be solid and that the pass rush will be better and help the secondary play a lot. Really hope Julian is healthy and can return to his level of play pre injury.

      Reply
  103. 1

    Tyree Reed is in the xfer portal. Too bad…was really hoping to see himplay. So much promise out of high school. Hope he can stay healthy and get some playing time. Probably a sign that Kasper is definitely staying and not exploring a minor league chance.

    Reply
    • 7

      One thing that’s really been notable is there’s been so many players jumping in the transfer portal across the country and some really talented players on CWS teams who played big roles have jumped in the portal. There’s basically been no chatter at all about any key contributors looking to transfer. Testament to the culture Mitch has built and the type of players he’s recruited. Players wanna stay and compete. That’s how it should be. A shame about Reed though. A ton of talent but just can’t seem to get healthy. I hope he can stay healthy and have success wherever he goes

      Reply
  105. 7

    Nice write up on Meckler in the GT this morning. Apparently having some success and moving up through the minors.

    Angry will appreciate this quote:
    “‘The people I surrounded myself with there, the development there, has prepared me as a player for this. … You had coaches there that played professional baseball that know what it’s like. The whole operation there, it’s geared toward getting guys ready to play pro ball,’ Meckler said.”

    Reply
    • 1

      Meckler has a very good possibility of getting to AAA by the end of the year which means he’ll be in the running for a job next year. Fairly similar track to Kwan

      Reply
    • 5

      That’s a good interview. Thanks. Smith has a really good head on his shoulders and makes me feel good about the future of the program. I already felt really good about it but this helps validate that feeling.

      Reply
  110. 1

    NiceBeav, I tried emailing you at both addresses again, and both got returned to sender. Really strange. I got a hilarious offer for some free OSU bib overalls I wanted to send you.

    Reply

    • Oh nice, I need some new overalls. Try DM’ing me?
      Have no idea why my emails would be bouncing back. It doesnt even go into my spam folder

      Reply

  112. CFN Preview:

    “So what Smith is doing is not only working, it appears to be developing a new culture of football in Corvallis. There’s a style and branding happening here, and it’s not necessarily around a high-flying offense.

    There’s a toughness to this team, with a defense that led the Pac-12, an offensive line that pounded away and was among the best in the conference at keeping defenses out of the backfield, and the coaching is working. ”

    https://collegefootballnews.com/cfn/oregon-state-beavers-college-football-preview-2023

    Yet an underwhelming 8-4 prediction, with losses to v. Utah, @ Cal, @ Az, and @ UO…

    Reply
  114. 2
    2

    I’ve been watching a lot of PAC12 preview/prediction videos and most of these guys will talk up the Beavs and then set the win/loss at 8-4 or 9-3. Very few think the Beavs can beat Utah, UW or Ducks, and several predict a loss at WSU and/or UA on the road. I’ve only seen one guy expect a 10-0 start and 2 losses to end the end.
    Team by team schedule observations:

    Utah will either be out of the running or have the conference championship wrapped up by Nov 11, they have a front loaded schedule that will make or break them by the end of October and the only remaining question will be a road trip to UW on 11/11.
    Their conference schedule opens with all of the heavyweights except UW. Utes don’t miss any of the contenders and If Rising isn’t fully recovered, they may be in trouble early. OSU has an advantage due to Rising’s injury questions and the road trip
    For the Utes. This will be the first big home game at New Reser and the building should be rocking.

    USC has a heavy back loaded schedule and will probably run out to 6-0 but the tests begin with 5/6 games agains t the heavyweights in conference. Albeit 3 of those games are at the Coliseum. Road trip to Oregon may be the biggest test. Utah coming to LA may be a slug fest or USC may overwhelm the Utes at home.
    UW has a couple of non conference tests just like Utah but UW conference schedule flips and is also backloaded like USC as Oregon is the only tough matchup for them in the first 5 conference games but they finish with a brutal four game stretch @USC, Utah, @OSU, WSU. I’d say this is a subtle advantage for OSU again due to the timing of the game. UW may be rolling or they may be hitting a wall, or dealing with some injuries etc in the aftermath of USC and Utah prior to OSU on the road. These factors aren’t looked at by most but I think if the Beavs can be 10-0 heading into UW (big ask I know), this game is going to be as big as any game at Reser in the last 25 years, and I don’t think the Beavs lose it.

    Oregon has an interesting schedule and it does set up nicely for them as the heavyweight matchups are very other week throughout their schedule. It is unlikely they will have a 2 or 3 week stretch that grinds them down since they have a softball in between tough games. Based on Lannings quirks, and Ducks tendency to be overconfident, such a schedule for them specifically may be a two as the may be presented with several trap game scenarios in which the team is flat and looking ahead to the next big matchup instead of preparing for the upcoming opponent. They have 2 big road games @UW and @Utah. Sandwiched between those is WSU at Autzen which could be a surprise, ASU is between USC and OSU games also maybe a trap. If OSU gets to Autzen at 11-0, it would be an incredible Civil War game and I think the Beavs are set up exactly like the Harbaugh Stanford teams to frustrate and steamroll the Ducks for a 12-0 regular season.
    I’m excited about this year and it seems like a lot of good things are ready to happen for the football program.

    I expect Utah, Oregon, and UW to all trade losses amongst themselves while USC and OSU come out of it unscathed and head into the PAC 12 championship at 12-0. I’d prefer to match up with USC and beat them one last time before they depart. The back loaded schedules for 4/5 of the contenders in the conference sets up for great games and national eyeballs in November. I’m looking forward to it.

    Final record guesses:
    OSU- 12-0
    USC- 12-0
    UW- 10-2 losses to USC, OSU
    Utah- 8-4 losses to Baylor, OSU, USC, UW
    Ducks- 8-4 losses to TT, UW, USC, OSU

    Reply
        • 2

          USC is the new Choklahoma. Lincoln Riley can coast through the regular season schedule and overwhelm with talent but when it comes to important games they will falter.

          Perhaps USC gets exposed by Notre Dame and loses in South Bend game 7, followed by another loss to the Utes at the Coliseum, but I don’t think they lose to UW, and I can’t say they lose
          to Oregon on principle alone.

          Reply
  115. 1
    1

    Can’t wait for this season but everything actually sets up great for next season for OSU. As UW, Oregon, USC, Utah all will be replacing very experienced and productive qbs.
    If DJU has a great year, he may go straight to the draft too, or he may choose to stay another year like Penix has done.
    Here is part of my rational for a great year for OSU:
    Nix, Penix, Williams all had career years last year, Rising is returning from a knee injury.
    The probability that each is able to repeat, sustain or improve upon the numbers from last year is low. But the probability that OSU has improved qb play is pretty
    High.
    Penix had his only healthy and full season out of 5.
    Nix had his fewest ints in 4 seasons but loses his OC.
    Rising is good to great when healthy but he may not be 100%
    Williams will have pressure to repeat as Heisman and that changes things mentally, he will make more mistakes and regress a bit.

    The question is how much better or worse defenses across the conference will be against these 5 offenses. I expect Utes and UW to be better than Oregon and USC. Beavs will be slightly worse in some categories but I expect a similar overall result from OSU defense.

    The key difference in the conference overall will be how much better OSU offense will be by adding a genuine passing game along with the run game.
    Such a distinct difference to the positive is only present with the Beavers compared to all other contenders and their representative units. USC honks think there could be a similar jump in their defensive unit but it remains to be seen.

    So the thinking is that the only 2 teams with possible large swing for improvement would be OSU offense and USC defense. All other aspects for UW, Oregon and Utes will attempt tread water or make slight improvements but each us some key questions.

    I can amend my predictions and allow for the objections above in this way:
    OSU 12-0
    UW- 10-2 loss to USC, OSU
    USC- 10-2 loss to Oregon, Utah
    Utah-10-2 loss to UW, OSU
    Oregon 9-3 loss to OSU, Utah, UW

    Reply
    • 1

      Brief article on Young’s commitment:
      https://247sports.com/college/oregon-state/article/oregon-state-recruiting-rustin-young-commits-212850910/

      “…Young is the nation’s No. 89 rated interior offensive lineman and No. 6 overall prospect in the Aloha State for the 2024 class, per the 247Sports rankings.

      At the recent ESPN300 Elite Underclassmen Camp in Maui, Young punched his ticket to the 2024 Under Armour All-America Game with a stellar performance, showing lateral quickness to off-set speed rushers in one-on-one battles and dominating those matchups with a strong initial punch.

      “I have really connected with the staff and they have been making me feel like a priority since the moment they offered…”

      Reply
    • 6

      Second on the team in both OPS and SB’s. He would have been WSU’s best returning hitter. Big pick up for Mitch.

      Reply

      • Not going to bemoan talent but infield could be crowded with Trosky, caraway, Bazanna, guerra, could this mean we lose somebody?

        Reply
        • 1

          Isn’t Guerra sort of a defensive weak link? With his bat, they can move him around. Who knows how Caraway’s D is. He could DH, too.

          Reply
          • 1

            Granted it’s hard to say what a freshman will bring to the college ranks but the guy was the CA player of the year and from the sounds of it, wanted quite a bit of slot money to go pro instead of going the college route.

            I’d agree Guerra is much more valuable as a hitter but even moving him to DH still leaves 4 guys for 3 spots. Good problem to have but unless there’s something we don’t know about, definitely wasn’t the biggest area of concern. They need much more help with pitching than they do infield.

            Reply

          • According to baseball reference, he’s played 10 games in the outfield in the Cape Cod league but then if you look at the cape cod site, it shows him as playing 2B. Looks like the guys are trying to be capable of playing multiple positions this next year. Could give some flexibility in how the lineup is made.

            A lot of guys in prior years have moved around to find the best spots for them. Most recently, Boyd, who started out as a SS but eventually found his spot in RF.

            Reply
    • 2

      This is a good pickup as his stats are not boosted by non conf play. Hit over .300 in pac12 play.

      Wouldn’t worry about losing anyone. It’s likely Guerra will move positions. He’s playing the Cape Cod League right now and has logged a few games at first base. I think he also played a few games in left field last year.

      Reply
      • 1
        1

        He was a liability in his few games at LF last season. 1st makes some sense for sure. Essentially Krieg at that spot unless a cacher moves over. Not to mention Kasper, Turley and McDowell would be the likely outfield unless McDowell has moved on? Regardless, even moving Guerra to 1st still leaves 4 guys for 3 spots. It’s a good problem to have for sure just seems like pitching is where we could use the xfer help.

        Reply
    • 3

      2nd ranked player out of New Mexico in 2021, behind Kmatz.

      Stats aren’t great but maybe a change of scenery will help. With baseball being a cut sport, he’ll still need to prove himself in fall ball and through the preseason.

      Reply

      • 2nd on team in innings and led team in K’s. Also gave up the 2nd most home runs and the most walks. 5 wild pitches and 9 hit batters. Kind of the guy RD likes. A right hander that throws a ton of pitches and has control issues. Good news, must have some good stuff to lead team in k’s and has a relatively good walk number despite the wild pitches and hit batters. What else is nice…was a sophomore this last season so time to develop which still remains to be seen if RD can do that.

        Reply
  124. 2

    I haven’t seen much on here about the PAC 12 media deal. Is anyone else pissed about it. My guess is that PAC 12 is going to have jerseys with logos everywhere similar to NASCAR and have logos all over the field. I also can’t believe that they won’t commit to adding additional teams at this point. How inept is the conference leadership.

    Reply
  125. 2
    1

    Pretty crazy that Mascarenas and Irish both got pre-season All-PAC HM after such limited time last season. Does someone know something about we dont? Good omen?

    Reply
    • 2

      Mascarenas isn’t that surprising. He was really good in limited playing time. The league might’ve lost a lot of good inside linebackers and maybe not a lot of guys returning with much experience and playing time. Irish is a little odd. Maybe it’s because of having so much experience and playing on all of the special teams units that he’s on? Plus he could have a much bigger role of offense this season.

      Reply

      • Thanks . Just surprising to be playing on Sunday. Our fantasy draft is on the first Saturday of September so I was like shit that’s probably a Beav game but it works out great that they’re playing on Sunday.

        Reply
        • 1

          I think it’s the week before NFL starts taking over Sundays, so Beavs/SJSU have the only game on TV that day, which turned into a payday for both programs. Was originally scheduled for Saturday

          Reply
  129. 2

    Beavs second in the conference behind Utah in most preseason P12 First-Team selections: Martinez, Gray, Fuaga, Oladapo, Gould.

    Reply
  130. 3

    The saving grace for the GA era was that it was so short-lived it’s easy to forget it even happened. Imagine how bad those years could have been without Nall.

    Reply
    • 13

      The Beavs also destroyed the Ducks in the rain with Nall by running and never passing to end that Civil War as well.
      The best approach to beat them is to simply keep punching them in the nose until they quit, and it is the most enjoyable way to watch a beat down occur too.
      They know what is coming but can’t stop it…run it again, again, again.
      That Civil War win was the highlight of GA era. Once the rain began in earnest it was all but over and the Ducks just laid down and quit.

      Reply
        • 1

          I just rewatched it last night. Crazy that Trevon Bradford was a true freshman and Marcus McMarion started 2 Civil Wars but GA ran him off. MM looked better than 2 years of Nolan actually. Lots of good talent on the oline, Nall looked great and Pierce was a monster when he had a chance to run.
          Justin Herbert was a true freshman and Royce Freeman was running in concrete, so slow. Helfrich was under the pressure and it showed. Same old ducks though, plenty of talented players but not much chemistry etc.
          Reser was rocking

          Reply
    • 3

      Cool to see, thanks for linking! Top red zone D in the nation last year i think, #1 D in the PAC, and a top 3 OLine…changing the narrative if any media will pay attention.

      I suspect OSU’s OLine grade will improve with improved QB play.

      Reply
      • 6

        I’m a bit concerned the O-line won’t be as great as the hype. Kipper won’t be easy to replace. Still good but not elite.

        Reply
          • 1

            He was the lowest graded starter on the OL, but not by much. He had a little bit of a breaking in period at G, but finished the season really strong. Kipper was also rated a lot higher than the 3rd rated G, Brewer. Brewer was good the year before, though, so he has potential.

            Reply

          • I’m just not concerned about replacing him at all outside of his leadership. He’s always been a really strong leader.

            Reply
      • 2

        “I suspect OSU’s OLine grade will improve with improved QB play.”
        I agree, and assume DJ gets the job. But it will be worth watching to see how quickly he masters the pre-snap decision making required to help out his OLine.

        Reply
        • 1

          Presnap recognition will be the make or break for him. If he doesn’t see the best option in the play before the snap, BG might be the better option after all, limitations and all. Although we have had a nice run of qbs who were able to adjust into the correct plays going back to Luton, Gebbia, Nolan and BG all have been lauded as part of the reason for the success of the running game.
          Let’s hope it continues and DJU has a great grasp of the playbook after only a few months in the system.

          Reply
  133. 1
    1

    I think I’m going to the SJSU season opener. Wife’s cousin is pretty good friends with Coach Brennan and wants to go.
    What’s good in SJSU for a short weekend trip, besides football?

    Reply
  135. 2

    Wonder how soon UNLV gets added to the Pac conference?
    They already have their conference championship games there for Football, MBB/WBB.
    And George Kliavkoff comes from the casino/resort industry, moat recently working for MGM before taking over the Pac12 commisioner role.
    And I was just reading Salem, OR has a new commercial airline that will start operating out of their city, which they havent had in 15 years. Avelo airlines, with flights only to Burbank and…..Las Vegas.
    Add to that how big sports betting has become in the past couple of years and you could imagine the city of Vegas wouldn’t mind expanding their sports portfolio(Just added NFL and NHL, preparing to add an MLB team, on the short list for an NBA team and soon adding F1 racing. An upgrade from a G5 conference to P5 level conference could help bring in a bigger pool of visiting college fans with money to burn.
    That city is really growing rapidly.

    Reply
    • 6

      It’s been pretty funny seeing Oregon State described highly but many in the media are basically just saying they won’t pick them to make the title game cause they aren’t supposed to. A 10-3 team that dismantled an SEC team in a bowl game, got a multi year starter at QB from a powerhouse school, returns almost everybody from an elite offensive line, returns a star RB and returns several players from the best defense last year. If this was Oregon and not Oregon State, they’d be calling them college football playoff contenders. Since it’s Oregon State they just aren’t to be taken that seriously cause remember when they terrible 5 years ago?

      If you look at this team objectively, they’re gonna be very good and absolutely have a legit shot at playing for a PAC-12 championship

      Reply
      • 3

        “A 10-3 team that dismantled an SEC team in a bowl game, got a multi year starter at QB from a powerhouse school, returns almost everybody from an elite offensive line, returns a star RB and returns several players from the best defense last year.”

        Spot on. Absurd how they’re discounted. You didn’t even include RB depth, how the schedule falls, and home field dominance the last two years…

        Reply
        • 3

          The road shakiness and question marks at CB are the big issues. CB play is incredibly important with the QB’s we’ll face in conference and the pedigree of the incoming guys isn’t impressive to outsiders.

          Reply

          • It’s huge having cooper back with another year of experience and I think he can play on the outside if they need him to. I think Robinson is ready to start and will be a pleasant surprise. Just need another guy to step up and it sounds like that could be ivy from the same school as cooper I believe. I think this year the pass rush will be much better and will help take a lot of pressure off of the secondary.

            Reply

          • I’d agree that the defensive backfield is where the questions really come into play. Replacing 3 guys that are in pro camps and had a ton of experience is no joke. I was really impressed with Thomas and that’s a huge loss with his injury for the year. Absolutely a massive win having KO come back and Julian (although it’s always hard to assume a player comes back as good, or better, than they were before a major injury). I’m excited for Robinson and feel he can do a great job but the game experience is obviously lacking with his injury and being buried in the depth charts in prior years. Cooper Jr definitely played well in his time but also spent most of it in the nickel or slot if I’m not mistaken. Hopefully a year of p12 play was enough to adjust to the p12 speed and talent to make that move to the corner spot.
            I do think you still need to consider a change at the qb spot as a legitimate concern. Yes, DJ is a huge upgrade for us at that position but despite his experience and talent, there’s a learning curve and that can’t be discounted. I’m curious about the War room though. Bolden and Gould are definitely fast and have reliable hands but outside of those 2, we don’t really have anyone else that was getting significant time at that position and who is going to be that reliable bigger reciever? While Harrison had stone hands, he brought some of the height, made some big catches when needed, and was really great with the YAC.

            Reply

  137. Per olive
    “Oregon State’s Reser Stadium will have an official capacity of 35,548 this upcoming football season…That doesn’t include tickets for standing room, which gives Oregon State the ability to go beyond 36,000 spectators for a football game. Reser’s seating capacity prior to the remodel was 43,363.”

    Also sounds like season tickets are up pretty substantially.

    Reply
    • 1

      Hopefully they’ll hit 36K for Utah, UCLA, and UW. I suspect UW will travel well, maybe Utah too, but they should present only a smattering of opponents’s colors…

      Reply
  138. 2
    1

    On the 10th day til Fall Camp, my true love said with glee, “It’s the Rose Bowl or bust for da Beeavs!”………

    Reply

  139. I rewatched a shortened version of the Oregon State vs. LSU 2004 game https://youtu.be/rYXGG5OufeI We should have known Banker’s defense struggled with backup QB’s then and there. True Freshman Jamarcus Russell came in for Marcus Randall and brought LSU back into the game. Also, Banker defenses weren’t good with mobile QB’s in this game, either. Had Oregon State been able to stop Jamarcus Russell from scrambling from the pocket for the 2 pt conversion in the 4th Quarter or, stopped Marcus Randall on 2nd & Goal in OT when he scrambled/ran for a 6 yard TD, but ran from the 10-yard line due to his 4–5 yard drop. Or, had Serna made any 1 of the 3 Extra points, the Beavs would have won that game. It was also against Nick Saban in his last year at LSU.

    One thing I noticed is the swagger and energy OSU players created on their sidelines during that game. They all played with a chip on their shoulders and seemed to feel they had something to prove. When they had this mentality, they could hang with the best of them, especially top ranked teams like the #3 team in the country LSU. When Riley teams came out flat and didn’t have the swagger or energy, they did not play to their full potential. I remember always asking about Jeff Tedford CAL coached teams, “Which Cal team are we getting today?” Well, the same could be said for Oregon State under Mike Riley.

    Interesting tidbit, Dan Hawkins is the current HC at UC Davis who was the head coach at Boise State in 2001-2005;

    I was curious about which “Young up and coming, middle career, and tenured coaches” HC Mike Riley teams played from 2003-2014:
    Pat Hill(Fresno State 2003-L), Nick Saban(LSU 2004-L), Bobby Petrino(Louisville 2005-L), Chris Peterson(Boise State 2006*-L & 2010-L), Dennis Erickson(Idaho Vandals 2006-W), Brian Kelly(Cincinnati 2007-L & 2009-L), Kyle Whittingham(2007-W & 2008-L), Bronco Mendenhall(2009-L & 2011-L & 2012-W), Gary Patterson(TCU 2010-L), Charlie Strong(Louisville 2010-W*), Bret Bielema(2011-L & 2012-W), Mack Brown(Texas 2012-L), Rocky Long(SDSU 2013-W & 2014-W) Total record 7-13 YIKES!
    * denotes first year HC with that team.

    Reply

    • *JaWalrus

      Also that 2008 game in SLC was fucked. Beans got jobbed on a bogus PI call in the end zone where the ball was 10 feet over the receivers head and out of the back of the end zone. That call doesn’t happen and the Beavs win that game.

      Reply

      • I remember back in 1990 or so, we led at Nebraska at the half.
        We didn’t lead at the end of the game.
        We also managed to get a lot of rising G5 (now P5) teams at the wrong time.

        Reply

      • Oh I see he settled. Could go either way in that case: either he’s just trying to make the whole thing go away so he can focus on football or he was guilty and didn’t want to be convicted.

        Not a great look either way for a leader, but it’s not unprecedented (e.g. Roethlisberger, Favre, etc.)

        Reply

        • Favre straight up sent a text of the evidence of his sexual harrassment.
          While the crime is lesser than what the other two are accused of doing, he did that.

          Reply
  142. 11

    This is really pretty amazing. PFF is grading OSU’s O-Line as the 3rd best OL in the nation.
    Michigan, Georgia, Oregon State followed by Alabama, USC, Notre Dame, Texas, aTm, LSU, FSU.

    That’s impressive company given the level of recruits OSU pulls in compared to any of those other 9 programs. At least if recruiting rankings have any value whatsoever.
    Bravo to Smith and CoachM

    https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1682112388466905088?t=XgK01kMtB6OMnEJ7EHH5dQ&s=19

    Reply
    • 2

      Ya it was posted above earlier. I think it says that the Beavs were the number 1 rated run blocking team in the country as well.

      Reply
  143. 2
    1

    Sounds like Comcast and Disney are negotiating. Comcast selling their 33% shares of Hulu to Disney. Disney is deciding how much ESPN/ABC they want to sell to Comcast. From the sounds of it, about 20%, but they could go as high as 35% of ESPN/ABC to Comcast. The share holdings would be Disney 45%, Comcast 35%, Hearst Communications 20%.

    From the sounds of it, Hearst Communications with Raycom Sports producing the games on the CW Network starting this Fall through the 2026-2027 season.

    Where does the Pac-12 fit into all of this? Well, look where George Kliavkoff came from before his time at MGM Resorts International. He worked for Comcast entities: NBCUniversal, HULU, and A&E Networks.

    Reply
    • 2
      2

      The idea that these dinosaur corporations are going to do anything but ruin the sports they cover in order to protect their moat is a pipe dream. The only hope for sports would be if an upstart got the rights.

      Reply
      • 2

        Comcast owns NBC which owns Peacock. Pac-12 Networks already has an agreement in place with Comcast to have the Pac-12 Network and the Regional channels i.e., Washington, Oregon, Bay, Mountain, Arizona on their sports package The Los Angeles Network will most likely go away, or will be revamped with Pac-12 Network 1 and Pac-12 Network 2 where they could have two games on in the same time slot like ESPN and ESPN2.

        I could see the Pac-12 Network sell some or most of their shares to a streaming service as well or instead of linear networks. I could also see Tier 1 being passed around on different linear Networks each week while the tier 2 and 3 will be on various streaming networks.

        Reply

        • Comcast is as much or more at fault for the Pac’s issues as Larry Scott was, at least on the negotiation side.
          Not sure how the FCC will react with someone monopolizing OTA networks.

          Reply

      • Agreed.
        Best case is that apple buys any equity being sold in ABC/ESPN.
        Comcast will kill sports more than they already have, which is considerable.
        I’m not sure where the idea Comcast would be receiving any consideration as the partner Iger was talking about helping them transition ESPN to direct to consumer (full streaming). They seem singularly incompetent at that kind of process. One thing is for sure. Disney will likely do to Comcast what they did to Sinclair.

        Reply

      • In looking at prospective buyers, dinosaurs like linear TV channels will probably be sold off to PE firms that will milk them for cash, until they disappear into the ether.
        The ESPN side is a different set of suitors. Sports books are mentioned. Fanatics, Comcast, and Omaha Productions are mentioned.
        But the heavyweights mentioned are apple, amazon, and Saudi Arabia.

        Reply
  144. 2
    2

    Besides all of rhe other events the Pac12 has happening in Vegas every year, I just realized they took their media day to Vegas as well. They have such a hard-on for that city

    Reply
    • 1

      Easy flights and always room for a convention of some kind, as well as diverse foods and entertainment.
      Anyone with enough coin can bring their family and let them go off and do something, while they work.

      Reply
  145. 6

    Wow, I knew the schedule would be favorable for OSU this season, but it’s actually extremely favorable. All road games except Oregon should be double digit victories.
    I think the Beavs can run the table, especially if future 1st rounder Bo Nix isn’t at full strength or playing in a limited capacity in the oregon game, saving himself for the draft.
    Utah and UW are the only other question marks for me, but edge goes to Beavs at home.
    I was initially concerned with the Arizona road game, but the Bye week falls at a perfect spot.

    Oregon State Beavers – Schedule

    W Sep 3, 2023 @ San Jose St.
    W Sep 9, 2023 vs UC-Davis
    W Sep 16, 2023 vs San Diego St.
    W Sep 23, 2023 @ Washington St.
    W Sep 29, 2023 vs Utah
    W Oct 7, 2023 @ California
    W Oct 14, 2023 vs UCLA
    BYE WEEK
    W Oct 28, 2023 @ Arizona
    W Nov 4, 2023 @ Colorado
    W Nov 11, 2023 vs Stanford
    W Nov 18, 2023 vs Washington
    W Nov 24, 2023 @ Oregon

    Reply
    • 1

      Yep, I’ve been posting the same thing for a few weeks. Compare the schedule with Utah, UW and USC… all heavily backloaded and Ducks have a tough game every other week.
      The Beavs have the best home schedule of anyone and best case scenario for 6 road games, all winnable too.
      UW and Ducks lose several OLine starters, Utes have 2 big non conference games and don’t miss any contenders.
      If you consider which units have room to improve or are likely to regress, this also favors the Beavs:
      Unlikely that UW offense, Duck offense, USC offense, Utah defense, Husky defense, can improve more than marginally from last year.
      It is likely that OSU defense regresses slightly, but I think very probable that the OSU offense can improve dramatically in per game scoring and adds per play averages, just based on teams respecting the qb.
      The only other unit among contenders that could have dramatic improvement would be USC defense, but I’m not convinced with them yet, perhaps Duck defense but not as dramatic either.
      I will expect a slight step back on defense but a jump for the offense for OSU which means better control of the game by the offense and a fresh defense anyway. This will be Harbaugh’s Stanford style and it will work against everyone.

      12-0 isn’t a pipe dream, it is actually in front of them if they can go get it. Every game is actually winnable.

      Reply
      • 2

        Beavs get UW as the last of 3 for Huskies- @USC, Utah, @OSU, no way OSU loses this game at Reser. UW will be limping into Reser, my guess is Penix will be dinged up by this point in the season, same with Nix…

        Reply
      • 2

        I’m surprised how high some people are putting WSU. They lost alot to the portal plus had coaching turnover at both coordinator positions.
        If it weren’t for Colorado/Stanford, they’d be my favorites for 12th place in the conference.
        The PAC has several high end teams and several low end teams, but not much in the middle.
        We miss out on 1 from each pool (USC/ASU)

        Reply
        • 3
          1

          Yes, but the Palouse.
          Getting there is worse than to Corvallis. Corvallis is actually closer to the airport than a lot of universities in the same city as an airport, in terms of commute.
          Teams should go expecting to win. But they shouldn’t think they’re going to run up the score, like Wulff is back.

          Reply
    • 7

      I think my main concerna for OSU are:
      – Does Lindgren fall in live with the deep ball because he has DJ now? Run the damn ball

      – Do we have enough quality guys to rotate at CB

      – Kicking game hasnt been addressed at all. Do these guys have a step in their growth or have they peaked already and we should expect more of the same(i’m thinking the latter)

      Reply
  146. 3
    6

    I’m concerned with SJSU, SDSU, UW, UU, and UO. I think they go 3-2 vs these opponents and win the rest. Just miss CCG and beat ND in Holiday Bowl. 11 wins.

    Reply

  150. off-on listening to media days – if I had a $ for every time I heard ‘culture’ . . . and ‘great degree’ – so far all saying they don’t plan to over-use portal, develop high school recruits, stable coaching staff.

    Reply
  153. 8

    PAC-12 network is the worst. Music comes on during interviews while players / coach are talking. Press people look like losers who ask the stupid questions.

    Reply
  155. 1

    Who won media day?

    The stadium looks amazing and I can only imagine how much louder it will be. I would hope we could sell out every game.

    Reply
  157. 3
    1

    Who won media day. I watched the first part with 75% attention. A couple of impressions: USC coach, slick. Troy Taylor star-struck being at Stanford – ‘run into Condaleeza Rice and Andrew Luck on campus.’ Arizona put de laura issue up front. Good move.

    Our own Jonathan Smith. Needs a posture coach or someone to hit him between the shoulder blades. Typical, serious and earnest. Nothing revealed about qb situation. Focus on how tough the conference is. Staff is noticed and there is interest. Good that staff can move upward but Corvallis is a good place to live. Player interviews were fun- Ashley Adamson tentatively promised Gould a colletto stint when and if pac team is in Corvallis. Oladapo well-spoken.

    Reply
    • 3

      4th OL commit out of 11 total.
      Was committed to Northwestern by flipped to OSU after the Car Wash story and Fitzgerald getting fired

      Reply
    • 2

      The weird thing with Coach M is the highly ranked guys haven’t necessarily been the most successful. Whatever he’s doing works, though.

      Reply
      • 1

        out there somewhere- I don’t have the link – interview with Coach M – he likes teaching – gets his teaching fix coaching – I didn’t realize he was at Montana State once upon a time – tried nfl, not for him – doesn’t look at stars – knows the “kind of guy” he wants.

        Reply

        • Also didn’t know but his wife told me he coached with the raiders when cable was the head coach. I don’t remember those lines being dominant. I know the raiders personnel have not been good so wouldn’t put that on Coach. May be the athletes at OSU have a characteristic that fits, a chip on their shoulder so to speak and more coachable

          Reply
      • 1

        I’ve noticed that too. We were so happy to get Jason white and he’s nowhere to be seen. Miller is or was a walk on and second string, Moreno is second string and was way underweight and not a big time recruit, spencer was a TE and now a backup tackle as well, and strand wasn’t even ranked when he signed and is already on the 2 deep. Makes you wonder why some guys get passed by so easily. But coach definitely knows what he’s doing.

        Reply
  161. 2
    1

    “Safety Alton Julian, who hasn’t played since Oct. 2021 after tearing his ACL, will ease into workouts with hopes of being ready for the Sept. 3 season opener at San Jose State.”

    That’s less optimistic than I was hoping for, given the amount of time since his injury. Hopefully bringing him along slowly will have him ready for the back half of the season.

    Reply
  162. 4

    To me, this is one of the more memorable posts by Angry, and shows how things have changed under Smith:

    http://angrybeavs.com/football/7279

    The way Colleto was used is perhaps the sharpest, most obvious contrast.

    Also, note Smith spent time in the Petersen coaching regime, one reason i wanted him in the candidates pool.

    Reply
    • 3

      Except for the game against usc where he was killing them with rodgers brothers by running the fly sweep and motioning James to gain an extra blocker to kick out the TE for Quiz. I would say that was some nice strategy. But those game plans were too far in between. It’s funny now that we’re back to the pro offense as an advantage because everyone switched to the spread and don’t know how to defend it as well. Plus allows them to recruit the players that other teams pass on because of the spread.

      Reply
  163. 6

    Just noticed a critical difference between Riley and JS. There are many, but early in the season, Riley would say he was waiting to see what the identity of the team would be. In the PAC 12 media day, JS said “We’ve got a lot of returning players that have been productive. At the same time, some new additions to add to that. We’ve built an identity on both sides of the ball, and I think that allows you to sustain.”
    I am visiting my Daughter in Omaha, and thank every Husker fan I run into. I liked Riley, but after the loss to hole, he was never the same.

    Reply
      • 2

        Yea gotta be 2008, so much riding on that game. Could have been the first Rose Bowl berth since 1964, 2nd 10 win season in 3 years and a chance to win 3 straight civil wars. Instead they give up 10+ yard per play and 65 points. Limp to the ugliest 3-0 win in the Sun Bowl and it was never the same. Went 8-5 losing the Vegas Bowl to BYU the next year. His only other bowl win was 2012 Hawaii bowl over Boise State. 6 straight losses to the yucks to finish his OSU career before bolting for Omaha. Those poor bastards.

        Reply
    • 1
      19

      Hi Russell,

      Thank your for your post. After reading it I noticed a critical difference between you and others. Most functional college football fans refer to Oregon State and Oregon, as the Beavers and Ducks. But, you play the “hole” card, which is quite lame and reveals that you are either 15 years old (I hope that is the case) or worse you are a man of a certain age that simply has no clue. Either way I guess I don’t give a damn. I’m too excited for what looks like a great Pac-12 season to worry too much about clowns like you.

      Reply
        • 5
          1

          Maybe Greg needs a hug, or an emotional support dog (or duck)?

          There are plenty of “functional college football fans” here. Many refer to the Beavers CW opponent by different names; can you imagine Greg’s reaction to: quacks, nikegon, phil’s phools, U of Fluff, toilet seat prima donnas, etc.?

          Reply
      • 1

        Since Russell says he is going to visit his daughter in Omaha, vaguely possible but highly unlikely he is 15-years-old.
        I’m with you though as it does look like a very exciting Pac-12 football season in which ”12th rank team is capable of defeating first-ranked:”
        Jonathan Smith

        Reply
    • 2
      5

      Hey! I live in Lincoln, NE. Welcome to the site and the Husker State! I went to the Ohio State game at Memorial Stadium when they got blown out by the 3rd quarter under Riley. I didn’t realize I was in a high donor area of the stadium and also next to Ohio State fans. I thought it would be fun to call offensive pre-snap plays for a few series. Let’s just say after about the second or third series, BOTH fan bases asked me to shut up because I wasn’t making the game fun for either fan bases. lol I was able to call all but 1 play correctly pre-snap out of 3-4 series of play. lol I would say Riley offenses became predictable.

      Reply
  164. 6
    1

    Greg,
    Welcome to AngryBeav. You must be new to the site. You won’t find fans more invested in their team than on here. My intent wasn’t to “dredge up” forgotten disappointments, but to point out the very different approach under JS. As to the “hole” card that is unique terminology used on AngryBeav, as well as Nikegon and several others. Generally, derogatory terms for U of O are tongue-in-cheek and understood as such. I’m thinking to be upset you are more a fan of the “Ducks” than should be for a “Beaver” fansite. I think we are supposed to be on the same team and I apologize for using the “hole” card as my humor is not shared by everyone. I think everyone on this site that has used the “hole” card needs to apologize also. And Greg, I have noticed a critical difference between you and other posters on Angry and functional college football fans, they generally show a little more grace to other fans.

    Reply
    • 5

      This post from the previous thread should clear up any confusion:

      “Greg
      June 9, 2023 at 9:47 pm

      Im a Duck. Don’t focus on baseball too much, but it’s fun to watch. Certainly admire what OSU has done over the years. What do I need to know about the sport in order to follow it?”

      Reply
  166. 1

    Bazzanna and Jimenez both played in the Cape Cod All Star Game which bodes well for the upcoming season.

    Bazzanna is doing what projected top 10 picks do, dominating.
    Jimenez has good stats. All his appearances have been in relief and goes 1 or 2 innings each.
    Turley is struggling mightily so hopefully he learns a lot of lessons

    Reply
  167. 1
    1

    On the 6th day til Fall Camp, my true love said to me……..”shit, I’m drawing a blank, this one is up to you guys.”

    Reply
  171. 1
    1

    After going through all PAC12 schedules and taking into account road/home matchups, expecting no upsets for the top 5 teams and giving realistic health for every team, it is actually possible for the Beavs to go 11-1 by winning all games except road civil war game. But doing the same with all other teams with the only exception of a road win for Utah at the coliseum leaves a 4 way tie for 2nd place

    OSU 11-1
    Ducks 10-2 losses to UW and Utah on the road
    UW 10-2 losses to USC and OSU on the road
    USC 10-2 losses to Oregon on the road, Utah @ home
    Utah 10-2 losses to OSU and Washington on the road

    UCLA & WSU go bowling at 7-5
    Arizona gets to 6-6 and goes bowling

    Cal shows life but ends at 5-7
    Stanford, ASU and Colorado all combine for maybe 6 wins total and only 2 conference wins between their own matchups. These 3 bottom feeders are necessary for it to be the year of the PAC.

    UW will start the season 8-0
    Oregon will be ranked at 6-1 going into Utah
    Utah will be 8-1 going to UW
    OSU will be 11-0 going to Eugene
    USC will be 7-0 going to Utah

    This could be an amazing season to be a PAC12 fan. Hopefully the teams can get featured finally over sec teams that have to replace qbs.

    Reply

  172. Tomorrow is another signing day deadline. This time for MLB draft picks.

    Kane, Forrester and Brown all signed. Of the prospects, Wilson and Dane Lais signed. DJU and Laif Palmer are unsigned as both were 20th round picks. Wouldn’t mind if DJU signed just to get bonus $ since he’s not going to play pro baseball anyway.

    Reply
  174. 4

    “Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh will be suspended for the first four games of the 2023 regular season as part of an NCAA investigation into alleged recruiting violations, according to a report by Yahoo Sports.

    As part of a negotiated settlement between the school and the NCAA, Harbaugh will miss home games against East Carolina, UNLV, Bowling Green and Rutgers to start the season.”

    They should suspend coaches during conference play….

    Reply
  176. 1

    Hearing some rumblings that Amazon might be buying Dish. Wondering how that plays into the PAC-12 media deal.

    Take this with a grain of salt though. Read it from some guy on Reddit so please don’t quote me on this.

    Reply

    • Marchand and Ourand about a week ago had a bankster on the show who said Iger’s statement screamed Coamcast doing a deal with Disney. Apparently, they might already be in talks for Disney to buy Hulu, and it’s apparently a given equity in ESPN will subsidize the buy.
      It would completely sick rotten eggs. But it is what it is.

      Reply

    • This has been rumored for a while. I’m not sure what’s in it for Amazon, though. Maybe they make OTB TV part of Prime?

      Reply
  179. 2

    4 days until camp.

    The group I will be watching most will be the defensive line, mostly the interior. Do they remain stout against the run? Do they push the pocket inwards on passing downs?

    The success of that group ultimately dictates what defensive alignment Bray can call.

    Reply
  183. 1

    Here comes the me too “toxic culture” scandal. This time at Minnesota.

    Nothing nearly as bad as the car wash, etc at NW, but apparently Fleck demands everyone applauds when he enters the room and will redo his entrance if they don’t? That is hilariously narcissistic.

    Reply
    • 3

      Rakeem Johnson.OL from Idaho. Also took 1st in state in the discus and and 3rd in shotput. If I’m not mistaken, I think there are a few other linemen that did those as well. Obviously their size would be a reason for that but wonder if that’s something Coach M looks for. Maybe translates into something he likes.

      Reply
    • 1

      I think this will be a large OL class. A lot of guys will be graduating next year or have a chance to declare early. Leavengood, Bloomfield and Brewer are done for sure. Gray could come back for a 6th year but there’s no real benefit in that. If Fuaga has a great year, he could declare early.

      Reply
    • 0

      I can’t tell if these guys believe everything they’re saying is true or if this is some sort improv comedy show were there repeat any random tweet they find on Twitter.
      Either way I’m afraid the pac12/10/9/8 is about done. Kliavkoff has turned into Leslie Nielsen from Naked Gun. https://youtu.be/NuAKnbIr6TE

      Reply

      • I’ve listened to a few podcasts from those guys and it sounds like verbal clickbait on a loop actually. They act like they are PAC12 insiders but are more like rumor mill grifters. It almost sounds like they believe they are insiders too. Doing an hour long podcast on the same couple of rumors surrounding Colorado every day for at least 2 months is kind of crazy but that is the bulk of what they talk about and sprinkle in other tidbits about various teams from the PAC12 to keep everyone interested.
        Taken with a grain of salt combined with I’ll believe it when I see it. If they are accurate and impending doom is on the horizon, Beavs and Ducks should link arms and try to jump to BIG12 or Big10 together and keep the rivalry going at least. Modern CFB is all about brand and $$ though.

        Go Beavs! Win the conference this year at least.

        Reply
  187. 3
    1

    So there is no deal? Nothing pending? People aren’t lined up at the door with stacks of cash for the schools? My goodness what a cluster. It’s like when the Blazers kept saying Oden was perfectly fine and the local media bought it.

    If the Pac-12 was waiting to be asked to the prom, it is about 5:30 p.m. on Saturday night right now.

    Reply
  191. 3

    Just heard that Colorado is off to the BIg12? Will Oregon and Washington be next to leave? If OSU stays in the PAC12, we may win the conference by virtue of being the only team left in the conference….

    Reply
  192. 1

    GT up with a recap of roster losses and gains, includes this regarding defense:
    “For a team that built its identity last season around defense and the ability to run the football, these are significant losses and include four of the team’s top five tacklers from a year ago. Speights led the team with 83 total tackles, Fisher-Morris was third with 77 and Austin was fifth with 57…”

    https://gazettetimes.com/sports/beavers-sports/football/osu-football-restocks-roster/article_a0422dce-2b79-11ee-8341-6777aaee9795.html

    Reply
    • 1

      Prime is the big factor for this decision and we all know Prime will bolt as soon as he can to FSU or SEC if given the chance. He either is very successful or it’s a dumpster fire and either way he lasts maybe 3 years.

      Reply

    • Bad news for sure.
      Here’s how the GT saw the guard position before Brewer’s ACL news:
      The Beavers added lineman Grant Starck, who transferred from Nevada after starting all 12 games in 2022. He will compete with returnees Heneli Bloomfield and Marco Brewer for the two starting guard spots. That competition should be one of the highlights of training camp.

      Reply

    • Would he still be on scholarship but just not count against the numbers? If so I’m sure the staff will address that if he is for sure done. Luckily they picked up starck in the portal. I think he has 2 years of eligibility so can get some quality playing time with the experienced line around him and be a veteran next year.

      Reply
  197. 3

    Aside from Aiden May and the Cal Poly guy, beavs baseball grabs 5 more pitchers. 4 from JUCO and 1 more from the D1 xfer portal but no name on who that is as its not been officially announced. All right-handers. McDowell and Kasper back per OLive article. Did mention that Caraway would contend for 3rd base spot so I assume Guerra takes either 3rd or 1st depending on how Kreig and Caraway do. Perhaps a 3 way rotation with the DH spot keeping all of them in the lineup. Lots of options as I assume you want Trosky and Peterson getting swings and reps. Lot of talent there right now.

    Reply
  199. 5

    Maybe the Big12 will end up snatching up all of the remaining Pac12 teams to form a super conference, and then they can divide that conference up into a couple divisions. The Big12Pac and the Big12MidWest.

    Reply

  202. Here is how I see things playing out at this point:

    Colorado – Big XII
    Oregon State – Big XII (Board of Trustees have scheduled a Special Meeting set for August 25th)

    Big XII(2 spots), ACC(2 spots), and MWC(4 spots) = 8 spots left to reach 16 teams. There will be Five Power 5 conferences made up of 16 teams for a total of 80 teams. SEC and B1G are already full, having their 16-team conferences. B1G got their 16 teams. Big XII is on the clock to get their 3 remaining teams, preferably from the Pac-12. MWC will eventually merge with the Pac-12, and will use the Pac-12 network; leaving the MWC name to dissolve completely. It’s just a matter of deciding which teams want to go to the Big XII, ACC, or remain in the Pac-12 conference.

    Here are my 3 possible outcomes of the remaining teams:

    Washington State – Big XII
    Arizona – Big XII

    Oregon – ACC
    Washington – ACC

    Utah – Pac-12
    Arizona State – Pac-12
    Stanford – Pac-12
    Cal – Pac-12

    ——————————————————————-

    Utah – Big XII
    Arizona – Big XII

    Stanford – ACC
    Oregon – ACC

    Washington – Pac-12
    Washington State – Pac-12
    Cal – Pac-12
    Arizona State – Pac-12

    ———————————————

    Oregon – Big XII
    Arizona – Big XII

    Stanford – ACC
    Washington – ACC

    Utah – Pac-12
    Washington State – Pac-12
    Cal – Pac-12
    Arizona State – Pac-12

    Reply
      • 1

        Not sure what this meeting is going to accomplish, but I believe it was scheduled this week, if not in the last 2 days. There is a lot of moving parts to change conferences. I do not believe Oregon State has formally requested to be invited to the Big XII, and it hasn’t been publicly announced if Oregon State has requested to be vetted by the Big XII, but with Completing Reser, Medical facility for all faculty and students to use, Goss Stadium getting a new indoor hitting facility in the outfield, track and field being upgraded. Seems to me there is a move to prepare the campus and athletic facilities to move to a new conference.

        Reply
        • 1

          And OSU’s timely competitive status in football. Five years ago – not a chance. Downside: Corvallis will be ‘discovered’ a la Bozeman and Missoula and simultaneously trashed . However Oregon has far superior land use/development regulations so there is hope.

          Reply
          • 6
            1

            …and simultaneously trashed…superior land use/development regulations…
            Are you talking about the regulations that allow for homeless tarps, tents, and structures all along the Willamette River as a better approach to land use and development? And will Corvallis be trashed after moving to the BIG12 or in order to get into the BIG12?
            Corvallis was much more beautiful about 25 years ago…the city council and police aren’t able or willing deal with the obvious.

            Reply
          • 1

            “the regulations that allow for homeless tarps, tents, and structures all along the Willamette River as a better approach to land use and development?” No, I wasn’t. I was referring to sprawling subdivisions with no infrastructure. I went a bit afield with the BIG12 rumor. It seems like – at least the places I care about – were much more beautiful 25 years ago.

            Reply
      • 2

        Every man for himself. The rivalry game will still happen. Look at Colorado/Colorado State, Iowa/Iowa State, etc. It’s not out of the question for each conference to go to an 8 team schedule and play their rival every year. I wish there weren’t set conference games every year. I wish each school could negotiate its own TV deal instead of relying on the conference for its TV revenue.

        Reply
        • 1

          Having rivals in the same division is better than having those two teams in separate conferences, particularly if both teams are competing for a title or one gets to play spoiler.

          Yeah the Iowa-Iowa State and Pitt-WVU games are fun to watch but there’s nothing really at stake.

          Reply
          • 1
            2

            in the last 20+ years, the “At stake” argument only occurred 2 times and ucks came out on top to be crowned Pac-10 Champions and play in the Rose Bowl. So your argument is moot. The rivalry is bragging rights every year.

            Reply

          • Just this past year OSU ruined the Ducks chance at getting into the conference championship lmao.

            There’s no guarantee that OSU and UO would schedule each other every year if they were not in the same conference. It would be appalling but not surprising if UO all of a sudden backed out to play an SEC team.

            Reply
        • 2

          You’re talking about a couple rivalries that existed outside of conference scheduling. When teams split apart and go to different conferences, after being in the same one, the rivalry game disappears. Neither OSU or UO could afford that potential loss on their books in any given season, and they are the most likely to rise up and bit each other, unexpectedly.
          It’s why we don’t see Texas and A&M or Oklahoma and Nebraska, anymore.
          It’s what the LA schools will find out.
          If you don’t care about tradition, neither will we.

          Reply
          • 0

            What are you talking about? lol Big Ten and Big XII pretty much told Nebraska they could not schedule non-conference games with Big XII. Then after 7 years, they started scheduling Colorado, and then Oklahoma; whereas, Colorado played Colorado State every year before scheduling aTM 1 season. there are future scheduled games Colorado will have to refill become Oklahoma State, Houston, and Kansas State will all be conference games.

            https://fbschedules.com/ncaa/colorado/
            https://fbschedules.com/ncaa/nebraska/

            Colorado @ Colorado State 2038
            Colorado vs Colorado State – 2037
            Nebraska @ Oklahoma State 2035
            Nebraska vs Oklahoma State – 2024
            Colorado @ Colorado State 2034
            Colorado vs Colorado State – 2033
            Colorado vs Missouri – 2031
            Colorado @ Missouri – 2030
            Colorado vs Colorado Staet – 2030
            Nebraska vs Oklahoma – 2030
            Colorado @ Colorado State – 2029
            Nebraska @ Oklahoma – 2029
            Colorado @ Colorado State – 2024
            Nebraska vs Colorado – 2024
            Colorado vs Nebraska – 2023
            No Colorado Rivalries – 2022
            Nebraska vs Oklahoma – 2022
            Colorado vs aTm – 2021
            Nebraska @ Oklahoma – 2021
            Valero Alamo Bowl: Colorado vs Texas – 2020
            Colorado vs Nebraska – 2019
            Colorado @ Nebraska – 2018
            Colorado vs Colorado State – 2017
            Colorado vs Colorado State – 2016
            Colorado vs Colorado State – 2015
            Colorado vs Colorado State – 2014
            Colorado vs Colorado State – 2013

            Nebraska joined the B1G in 2011 (7 sessons without playing a traditional Big XII riival)

            Reply
          • 1

            CU v CSU is not a conference rivalry. CU v Texas is about as potent as CU v UCLA.
            Seven years beofre they play their biggest rival again is pretty pathetic. Nebraska v OU will happen only three times in this decade?
            Yeah… neat rivalry game.

            Reply
    • 1

      Looks like pure sports alignments for the sake of revenue (which is what many have predicted). There would be academic disparities in those potentials, for example Stanford in a PAC that is dominated in number by MWC teams.

      Reply
      • 0

        This is why Stanford would most likely go to the ACC over the Big XII or they could go Independent.

        Think in terms of revenue sharing, if the Pac-12 can get a $1.5 Billion dollar 5 year deal, that’s $18.75 million a year split evenly. What if Oregon, Washington, Utah, and ASU request the majority of the overall deal for say 3 years instead of 5. That would be about $30M per year for Oregon, Washington, Utah, and ASU while the MWC newcomers get an influx of about $25M per year. You could even go with a higher share for the 4 original schools. This would make everyone happy. This would be a huge boost to the MWC teams coming in, they can then update their facilities, increase recruiting budgets, etc. It’s not that far-fetched if you think about it.

        Reply
        • 1

          The far fetched element is the idea that Oregon would be content looking like they were slow to respond to any movement and stayed out while everyone else was shifting around. I think it is much more likely that Ducks jump conferences before any other PAC12 team so they can keep the imagery of innovative and ahead of the times etc nonsense that ESPN has branded them with.
          I give about 2% chance that all other teams except Oregon, UW and Utah leave the PAC12. They would all be ridiculed nationally for such inaction and none of them could bear it.

          Reply
          • 2

            If PAC 12 stays together as P5 conference its Oregon’s and Washingtons best path to the CFP. Every P5 champion automatically makes the playoffs starting next season. What are Oregon’s chances like for the CFP if they bolt for the BIG 10/Big 12? Seems to me if I was Oregon or Washington I’d want the PAC 12 to stay together.

            Reply

        • Why would Stanford leave?
          If the super conferences leave the NCAA, that leaves that much more opportunity for STanford to continue adding NCAA championships.

          Reply
  203. 1
    1

    Lanning gets contract extension at UO.

    “Oregon and head coach Dan Lanning have agreed to a contract extension that will extend his deal through the 2028 season.

    The Oregon Board of Trustees unanimously approved the terms of the contract Thursday. Lanning’s new deal will pay him a total of $45 million in base salary over six years. There are incentives in the contract that will add an additional year if Oregon wins 10 games at any point of the contract with a max of three years added on.”

    Underwhelming D snd terrible special teams, and $7.5M/yr base?!?

    Reply
  204. 5
    8

    Here is my cynical read on all of this realignment. I think the conference realignment master plan for college football has been planned for a long time behind some closed doors in the media/SEC/blue blood program AD offices.
    Once they saw the giant bags of cash available from the original bcs championship format, they only needed to pry the Rose Bowl out of a BIG10-PAC10 exclusive and then it would be open season for creating an NFL type arrangement that allows for lots of regular season big matchups and lots of forgettable matchups and built in wins for the major players.
    In 2012, Larry Scott nearly pulled off the big play with Texas, Oklahoma and 2 others joining Pac10 from Big12. I think it was an initial attempt to eliminate 1 of the 5 major conferences but no one wants to be seen as the bad guy who does it, until Yarnok. Scott’s move would’ve created a west coast mega-conference, along with SEC in the south, ACC along the east, Big10 as the midwest. That iteration would’ve been much cleaner than each conference now reaching from coast to coast to fill its ranks and get to 16 or 20 whichever it ultimately ends up being. it all becomes silly because the teams in conference can never play all the other teams in a season anyway. these will become tv pods created for time-slots programming across the country’s 4 timezones. The BIG10 will attempt to usurp late kickoffs with UCLA and USC home games on alternating weekends in order to take away from the PAC12 tv markets and eyeballs. Once that works, SEC will try to scoop UW and Oregon to do the same thing.
    The conferences are a charade and no longer as important as how the conferences can game the schedules among more teams and create easier paths for their large alumni/booster teams to get one of the 12 playoff spots and create greater revenue at the gate for multiple playoff games and tv rights/advertiser dollars.
    So now that Colorado has started the ball rolling and can blame Kliakoff for poorly managing the media deal, this will likely be the final realignment for college football and all other sports must fall in line. The talk is already floating about a vote to downgrade the PAC12 as soon as possible if they lose any other teams so that it isn’t going to have as much access to the playoff spots. The power players behind the scenes need to eliminate a power conference and force the schools into a limited amount of teams vying for the $ pie to be predictable. Once the MWC and PAC12 blend, it will be relegated to second class and not given an equal footing with the other 4 conferences, and this will be by design. It essentially eliminates another 12 schools from the opportunity to take a playoff spot. When the playoff expands to 12, SEC+BIG10+ACC+BIG12 will have about 70-80 schools among them, but it sounds like they would share the probability of 11/12 spots for the playoffs and a lone spot left for the rest of the ‘lower conferences’ like MWC, MAC, AAC, Independents. It is all a power play for guaranteeing more cash into their own coffers and continuing to game the system by pushing out other programs. It isn’t even non competitive programs, just other programs, that aren’t in the right location. SEC and BIG10 have plenty of non competitive programs, but the advantage for those programs is that they are allowed to stay as long as they provide easy wins for the blue blood programs, these programs are the Washington Generals of major conferences. I want the Beavs to have an actual shot at what they narrowly missed on 2000, because it proves that it can be done, even if it is every 23 years…but this new scenario seems to be a push to eliminate those schools like OSU from the equation altogether.
    Notre Dame is the lone hold-out and they may be able to continuer as such, but I’d guess they will be given an ultimatum by those same powers that be to join or get shut out altogether, which may trigger college football armageddon…and my guess is that Touchdown Jesus can win that battle.

    Reply
    • 3

      The ADs and presidents that are trying to push out every non marquee name from competing are digging their own grave. It’s only gonna lead to mass disinterest in college football and they’re gonna look like the absolute fools they are

      Reply
  205. 6
    1

    One thing to remember, the USC and UCLA deals were done without a board meeting, the AD got the signoff from the school president and it was done. Gone to the Big 10.
    It’s always been crazy to me how these schools can take a longer time deciding where to place a plaque, bike rack or cut a tree than they have making a life-altering, history-altering move to a different athletic conference.

    Reply
  206. 1
    1

    This will the last year of the Rose Bowl being the Rose Bowl. Once the PAC12 dissolves, it will become just another major bowl venue. It would be great if the Beavs could get there when it is what is has always been even if it is the final year.

    Reply
    • 2

      Ahh, the old USFL model….

      SEC spring games would draw more, because, live vicariously through the sports team of a college you (probably) didn’t likely attend….

      Reply
  208. 1
    2

    I’m (perhaps foolishly) going to be optimistic. So…who is it going to be? San Diego, the Ponies, and Colorado State? Or someone else?

    Reply
  209. 2
    1

    Seems a little weird how they are negotiating for a “deal”. They lost So Cal and Denver, how do they get anything close to what they would have had? You would think that you would replace the lost and add a couple new teams to get maximum value. Adding in San Diego, Denver and Dallas. You would think if George had anything at all, he would of shared with Colorado to keep them onboard. I don’t think he has squat and is waiting for a couple of more defections to say “the departures broke the deal”. How long did it take Big 10 and Big 12 to negotiate their deals? In a recent Statesman Journal article only one school is giving complete support for the “deal”, OSU, all the other schools declined comment on the “deal” or their undying support for the Pac 12. I hope this season turns out to be what we have all been waiting for since 2001, because our new enemies list will include Cowboys, Lobos, Rams and Spartans.

    Reply
    • 2

      It does seem like a lot of hot air from multiple outlets that need something to talk about. PAC12 is an easy punchline or punching bag for most of these guys since they are all paid by ESPN or
      Fox. Both networks were actively trying to coax PAC12 expansion less than 2 years ago and now they are all ready to bury the conference. Finebaum takes the prize for dismissive arrogance. All he can do is talk up SEC in every way and knock all others as inferior. Again it is all by design for clickbait chatter or a larger effort to destroy a few last conferences so SEC and BIG10 can justify creating their own “Champions League” playoff outside of NCAA parameters, which may be the next step.
      These networks have been trying to conform college football into a pseudo-NFL, and they’ve nearly done it by pushing for multiple signing windows, NIL, transfer portal, spring football, recruiting pages, bowl season, playoff chatter constantly.

      Reply
      • 1

        Lost Denver with the departure of Colorado. Add Denver back with Colorado State and add Dallas with SMU. If everything goes big money, OSU and WSU are all that’s left of the Pac 12, so their new enemies ( opponent ) MWC of the Beavs to the MWC or the MWV coming to the Pac 12. I do think Oregon, Washington and Utah like their chances of a playoff berth in the Pac 12 better than from The Big 10 or Big 12.

        Reply

        • Ya in the future with the expanded playoffs there will be a good chance of getting in by winning the pac. With the trajectory that OSU is on it there is a good chance that they’ll be in the playoffs in the near future. Possibly consistently.

          Reply
    • 3
      2

      So long as the Beavs make 5 straight New Years bowls, win 50+ games per year in baseball, and WBB makes the Sweet 16 every year, I’m fine with the Mountain West. Men’s basketball might win 15 games!

      Reply

      • Sounds like a good talent that hasn’t had much spotlight due to the down year of the league he’s in. Switched to CC for this season right? Better chance to see competition

        Reply

        • Football in the PIL league is pretty shaky. Some teams barely even field a team anymore, or at least end up playing iron man football because of low turnout. I don’t blame the guy for wanting to transfer to a school that gives him a chance to complete against some real competition. Football in the highschool ranks is dying

          Reply
      • 1

        6’4 and a good athlete. Hard to see judge too much when he’s just dominating smaller school teams on film. It’s hard not to like what you see there. This year will be a good measuring stick for him.

        Reply
  212. 1
    2

    Been out camping all week. Came home this evening and seeing rumors that Clemson/FSU/Oregon/UW are all poised to join the Big10 this week?
    Why would oregon do that? Seems the easier path to the playoffs is through a smaller conference with less competition. They dont need the media deal money quite as much as other Pac12 teams depend on it.

    https://athlonsports.com/college-football

    Reply
    • 2

      What schools like Oregon and Washington don’t see while they’re chasing the money is where the sport is heading that they’re helping. Top schools from the SEC/ACC/Big Ten are gonna form a 12 team super league. They’re basically folding a conference with decades of tradition and was once a power. UO and UW are gonna be left out in the cold and completely blocked from competing for a championship and will become completely irrelevant schools that threw away decades of regional history and rivalries to do it.

      Reply
      • 6

        Notre
        dame hasn’t been convinced to add to the gray so far which may be the last bulwark against the complete destruction of what has been the college football landscape.

        Combined network overspending on ludicrous media deals with an ESPN takeover of SEC, Fox takeover of BIG10; add the destruction of regional differences as a common good; bad talk radio with nothing but
        Clickbait conversation and speculation; an impatient culture that refuses to wait for anything and demands change at all costs; and finally delusional school ADs/Presidents who all think they are granted the right to always win championships, add these together and we have exactly the mess we see happening to college football.
        Here is my list of survivors in the great college football exclusive league of champions:
        Alabama
        Georgia
        LSU
        Ohio St
        Michigan
        USC
        Texas
        Oklahoma
        Clemson
        Notre Dame
        Florida St
        Tennessee

        Those who think they belong but on the outside looking in and maybe getting a chance to join:
        Penn St
        Oregon
        Washington
        Wisconsin
        Florida
        Auburn
        Nebraska
        Texas A&M

        Those who have been hoodwinked and will never get a shot at the table:
        Colorado
        Utah
        Iowa
        South Carolina
        Kansas St
        Michigan St
        Syracuse
        UCLA
        Oklahoma St
        Missouri
        Iowa St
        Illinois
        Oregon St
        Arizona
        ASU
        Cal
        Minnesota
        Kentucky
        and many other teams who have heavily invested for a phantom prize because the fix was in from the circular reasoning of the media polls being tied to the media companies who have a vested interest in controlling their content for maximum ad revenue and eyeballs.

        So let those professional schools of blue blood cheaters make their own semi pro league and reshape rest of the teams left back to the original regional conference format without the comparisons to Alabama and Georgia for everyone else. Let it be a more sane approach to football and we can enjoy the product rather than being told this conference or that conference is inferior and should be disbanded by people as short sighted and arrogant as a Paul Finebaum. Let them go have their dream but don’t participate in it with them as they destroy it all.
        Perhaps it is best to just hold the line of loyalty to the PAc12 as Barnes did the other day rather than join in the destruction that seems to be more of a psychological operation by media sources so far and Colorado panicked.

        Reply

        • “Notre dame hasn’t been convinced to add to the gray so far which may be the last bulwark against the complete destruction of what has been the college football landscape.”

          I would think Oregon, with some creative Phil Knight/Nike-fed trust fund, could go “independent” in major sports with their “brand awareness” and money and skitter along the edge of NCAA football meltdown…

          “Perhaps it is best to just hold the line of loyalty to the PAc12 as Barnes did the other day rather than join in the destruction…”

          The PAC attempting to hold out does seem to have at least some integrity compared to the rest of the landscape. Or maybe its just incompetence turning to an appearance of integrity at the end? It’s a bit of a shame, the PAC should field some very compelling and entertaining competition(!) and viewing in its last season.

          Reply
        • 1

          I have thought that for several years, that the elite would separate from the “inferior” schools. I think all the schools that are traditional FBS should ban together and kick out the elite and keep the NCAA championship of Division 1 and let the “elite” form their own pro league outside of NCAA. Otherwise, they will create a lower division between FBS and FCS. It is nice though, when an unranked OSU beats a number 1 USC.

          Reply

        • I don’t watch soccer but 8 have watched Ted Lasso…doesn’t Premier League drip and add teams?

          I’m all for letting the semi pro college teams have their own league…bama, LSU , Ohio state, etc al, pick 20 teams and the rest can play actual college football and move into the semi pro league as they improve or others take a step back

          Reply
  213. 8
    2

    Angry has been wrong about many things but you have to give credit where credit is due he nailed this one. He has been saying for year the big Networks & the SEC would destroy college football. That is exactly what is happening right in front of our eyes in real time.

    Reply
  215. 5
    3

    A long time ago I dearly loved to follow and root for the Cincinnati Reds, and then the strike happened and I haven’t followed MLB since. The closest is following Adleys stats of curiosity.
    I didn’t follow college football growing up and I guess I won’t follow in my sunset year either. At least we had 2000 Fiesta Bowl and the day Riley left for Nebraska. The 2 greatest days in OSU football history in my opinion.

    Reply
    • 7

      The third greatest was when Anderson quit and left 10M on the table. He did a lot to hurt the program, but it appears he did a good thing for the program by leaving 10M on the table.

      Reply
    • 5
      5

      I thought Riley’s time here had run its course, but claiming the day he left as one of the greatest days in OSU history, let alone #2, is downright idiotic.

      Reply
      • 4

        It was at least 100 times better than the first time he did it.
        Why he got a reboot, I’ll never know. 10 years of trying to find our identity just went nowhere.

        Reply

        • Bringing him back after his previous tenure did not result in a bowl game appearance would be considered insane by today’s standards for any program (then again hiring a college coach with a losing record at his previous job would also be considered insane in the NFL today).

          Does anyone remember who else was in the running after Erickson left that we passed over to bring MR back?

          Reply
      • 2
        1

        It’s idiotic to think it wasn’t a great day to be a a Beaver! The amount of hope and excitement to just have an opportunity for someone different was unlike any day I
        can remember. Emancipation Day for Beavernation.

        Reply
  216. 12

    I’m gonna have to give Lanning points for sarcasm in his reply to Colorado bailing out.

    “I’m trying to remember what they won to affect this conference. Do you remember them winning anything? I don’t remember them winning anything.”

    Reply
    • 5

      Agreed. The perennial last place team in most sports departing is going to force the conference to collapse?

      Mockery and sarcasm is a good response to east
      Coast media as long as the remaining teams are solidly united, then add SDSU, SMU and UNLV and get on with the media deal asap

      Reply
  217. 5

    I will say, I’m generally a stickler for sportsmanship BUT… I think every team in the conference should run the score up as far as humanly possible in every game from now until they limp their weak asses off to the B12. Never lift. Show the talking heads what a huge prize it was for the B12 to poach Colorado.

    Reply
  218. 2
    1

    I also disagree with the comment above I have gotten a lot wrong. Liking GA (everyone did except like 5 people) is about it. Nailed so many. Riley, McMaryion, nailing 10 wins last season when nobody was thinking that big, Decline of NCAA sports/ESPN ruining the NCAA, SEC issues, Seth Collins, Smith a good hire, etc etc.

    Reply
    • 1
      1

      You were initially enthusiastic on Andersen like most if us were, but the first to point out he had a history of poor QB development.

      Most of the times you were “wrong” in my opinion were infrequent player evaluations where you generally lacked film to review and/or spent less time doing evaluations as tour attention understandably turned to more worthwhile uses of your personal time. But I trust your player evaluations more than the “professional sites.”

      But on the bigger picture stuff and majority of player evaluations, usually correct.

      Reply
    • 3

      Before angry, I don’t recall any/many who criticized MR and the willingness of OSU fans to accept the mediocrity. He certainly caught my attention.

      Reply
  220. 6

    what’s the story with the Jacob Schuster transfer rumors?
    Are these message board rumors or is it being reported somewhere?

    Would be tampertastic if he came to OSU!

    Reply
    • 1
      6

      Went from Roosevelt to Central Catholic? I see he already has a habit of jumping to greener pastures at the first opportunity. Tacky look in this guy’s book.

      Reply

      • Leaves a high school program that has historically been disorganized and weak to go to a program that has a long history of developing successful college athletes? Nall….Kitan….McKay…Brandel…just to name a couple. When is the last time Roosevelt sent multiple players D1?

        Maybe we should be excited he takes his future seriously and went to a school that would help him accomplish his goal.

        Thorn to Toeless Sanders
        Rose to Timmy

        Reply
  223. 1

    Supposed look into the Pac12 Media deal, according to a twitter douchenozzle from West Virginia(@MHver3) who claims to have 3rd hand info.
    I know, not worth the time to read it, but figured i’d share in case it’s somehow real.

    “I have the green light to break the dam of info. This is 3rd hand from someone who has seen the offer sheet.
    PACN will become a subscription add on to Appletv and additional payouts would trigger to the conference when certain tiers of subscribers are met. $1 per sub per quarter. Tiers are 1m, 5m, 10m, 20m, 30m, 40m etc.

    GK is going to recommend going to 12 and paying half shares to the new additions for the duration of this contract which will leave the rest of their shares to be divided amongst the remaining original members based on “aggregate television ratings over the previous decade”.
    Which means any school leaving or already left is still on the hook for their share. That money is going to be used to help pay buyouts for other schools that get invited.
    Basically $30m (or if AZ leaves that would be $40m) to divvy up between the remaining 9 (or 8)-heavily weighted to Washington, Oregon, and Utah.
    Unknown currently if this will placate ORWA. At 14 the B12 doesn’t have enough late night inventory to appease what ESPN needs. So ESPN could buy some of the games from Apple.
    At 16 B12 would have plenty to cover that so there are talks that ESPN might kick in more $ to B12 contract if ORWA join just to lock down the late night stuff. Nothing really substantial but maybe an extra $2m per team.”

    again, this dude isn’t reliable, so lots of grains of salt needed

    https://twitter.com/MHver3/status/1686151544218038272

    Reply
    • 4

      If streaming and a focus toward new tech for college sports was initiated by SEC it would promoted as visionary. Everything about this goes against the old model of on air/cable tv format and by its very nature will be ridiculed and castigated from all points and all voices linked to the old Paradigm.
      Maybe it is a good long term but feels kind of disastrous so far.

      Reply
      • 4

        Jack and I were saying how games should be Ala Carte like ten years ago. This seems a step in that direction at least? I’d pay a few bucks for the Pac App and stream on my Roku. I’m not paying for cable. So in that sense it would be good how I’m reading that is correct.

        Reply
        • 1

          Unfortunately ala carte offerings won’t generate the millions per school the conference needs.

          Youtube tv has 6 million subscribers.
          Sling TV has 2 million.
          Philo has 800k

          Apple TV does not do live tv directly. You can watch live TV through apps like espn+ or the other live TV apps but you’d still need a paid subscription through them.

          Reply
      • 4
        1

        I’m an apple tv subscriber currently, through my Roku, only because my wife likes MLS/WSL professional soccer.
        Besides that we don’t watch it much.
        I think we pay around $5 per month which i dont care about since we dont do cable and dont stream much else(Netflix mostly)
        I’d be in for a Pac subscription on top of the Apple sub during football season, but that’s about it.
        Dont really need basketball/baseball on tv.
        One plus is i think it would come with the ability to watch replays after events end, so you could catch the game live at Reser and them watch an OnDemand replay of it after getting home to see all of the calls OSU got screwed on by Pac9 Refs.

        Reply
        • 1

          I’d also be alright with that. I don’t have apple currently but we flop around on which streaming services we use. If it was $10-15 total during football season I’m sure the wife and kids would find some shit to watch while it was on.

          Cable will *never* happen. Not even if there’s a fire.

          Reply
          • 1

            I’m guessing it will be a monthly sub around $15-$20, or an annual total around $100, to make you want to extend out to a full year if you are already going to pay for Sept/Oct/Nov.
            And TV will want to have games start in August and end in early December so people will be forced to subscribe for those extra partial months.

            Reply
      • 1

        Currently have Apple TV and really enjoy a number exclusive to Apple shows so an add-on for me would be not a bad way to go. If Apple would also pickup NHL somehow that would be a dream come true. I don’t even pretend to understand this all but the question I have is how is Apple who does only on demand made in a studio shows do live events suddenly?
        I would think the best play for the western region of the country would be for the Big12 and Pac9 to join forces creating a north and south west. They would have power in numbers and grab all the later TV times which would attract ESPN and Fox funds.

        Reply

  226. PAC12 brass presents the media deal tomorrow morning.
    Arizona has a meeting scheduled for the afternoon to discuss whether they jump ship with Colorado.

    I wonder what Kliakoff is thinking tonight. Is he planning the greatest “any attention is good attention “ media failure? Or does he pull the rabbit out of the hat and reveal a much better deal than any of the media honks can imagine?
    I figure it is somewhere uninspiring and right in the middle, just good enough that he slides out of getting fired but not so good that he can spin it into a successful deal. My guess is 2-3 teams are prepared to depart by the end of the week and the conference will have a tough time recovering.
    Apparently the presidents on the board have early knowledge of the deal/info and must approve it before it can be presented to the rest of the conference. Currently on the board are UA, Stanford, WSU(?). So UA already knows the deal and whether it is good or bad.
    I keep hoping for some theatrical astuteness from the conference and maybe it is all a ruse to encourage CU to go back but in the process, the schools have been allowing the tumult in order to maximize off-season attention and get the PAC12 out into the conversation, one way or another.

    I know it is much more likely that the whole process is just a complete disaster and the conference doesn’t really have leadership to figure it out after all.

    Reply
  231. 5

    Arizona fans and writers sure seem to think they are better off in the Big12, even without any official word on what the Pac12 media deal is.
    They may be right, but would love to see this be a situation where the Pac12 held their cards close and let the weak links jump ship.
    I just doubt that is the case and find it more believable that the Pac12 presidents/commissioner aren’t very good at taking care of the conference.

    Reply
    • 1
      1

      Did I read $C blocked the UT/OU/aTm thing back when? Then they jump ship?

      It’s like the inmates run the assylum and while the warden fiddles on his throne of gold.

      I’m rooting for college football to collapse into a college football league devoid of semi-pro teams and arrogant birging douchenozzles. Let the SEC and b1g splinter into their pro thing and college football can be a thing again.

      Reply

  232. If you haven’t watched the link ReverendBeav posted I would highly suggest you do… I think Joel Klatt gives some very interesting history to the media deals over the years… even though it is his opinion he makes some valid discussion points.

    From ReverendBeav:
    “I think the odds are greater that George steps away on “medical leave” than they are that he has an acceptable deal in place within 48 hours.

    Joel Klatt with a good video pod here on how the PAC 12 misplayed the TV situation: https://youtu.be/KyW1NQmtwuE “

    Reply
  233. 1

    The thing that isn’t clear to me is how these media contracts are structured. For example, the Big12 contract provides an average of $31M per team each year, but is the number based on the current number of teams, and does that $$ amount get reduced if more teams join the conference? It seems like there must be some limit or point of diminishing returns.

    Reply

    • The $31M for Big XII teams is guaranteed for each existing team and apparently up to the 14th team. After that, the 15 and 16 teams may get reduced $, or the full guaranteed amount. Basically, the Big XII was given a $62M bounty to go find 2 P5 teams to join the Big XII. If the Big XII wanted to add 2 additional teams, say, Oregon State or WSU, that $31M would be reduced to say $23M for example. Which means it wouldn’t be worth Oregon State to go to the Big XII if they would get that much from the Pac-12 deal. If it were Oregon or Washington, they would most likely be given the full shares of $31M.

      My intrigue with the deal is, The more teams that leave the Pac-12 and the least amount of teams remaining, would AppleTV+ still keep the offer of giving the original Pac-12 members more of the pie and give any added teams assuming G5 half that amount for x years to pay for their exit fees? Once their exit fees are paid off, then they get the full share like the original PAc-12 teams?

      Reply
  234. 1
    1

    Georgie will be coming on to announce that I’ll be winning the mega millions sucker weepstakes this evening and funding a move to takeover the SEC and their admitting the beavs to the conference in 2024.

    Reply

  235. Ross Dellenger posted on X (tweeted on Twitter),

    “Pac-12 presidents & ADs, as expected, met this morning & were presented with details of a TV deal, sources confirmed to @YahooSports. Executives left the hour-long meeting with no agreement but with the expectation of eventually concluding a deal.

    Another meeting is planned soon.

    The Arizona Board of Regents, which oversees both Arizona & Arizona State, are meeting today.

    While most do not expect a vote or decision at the meeting, multiple sources tell @YahooSports to expect the topic of the TV deal to be discussed.”

    Reply

    • PAC 12 presidents and AD’s probably had the same thought and reaction as most of the the general public, especially looking at the ‘urgency’ for another meeting – ‘oh effing great, another streaming service’ I hate to think how much more I can load up on my Comcast bill which is soon to start approaching the monthly debt service on a house (when rates were lower of course)! I seriously doubt this bails out the PAC and really makes any of the teams already considering leaving to change their minds.

      The season hasn’t even started and it already feels like it’s going to be a shitty year….

      Reply
          • 3

            Big hit I think. I think Jam offers more than Newell in terms of shiftiness, but will be happy to be wrong.

            Minus OG Brewer and minus RB Griffin is a bunmer. I hope DJ upgrades the passing game significantly w/out the coaching staff abandoning the run.

            Reply

          • There’s a bit of a scholarship crunch, so on the bright side, this does open up space for another position to get some depth. Thinking Brewer could potentially medically retire too, if he doesn’t have any eligibility left.
            Would make some room for that DT being rumored and Beavs really still need help at CB it appears.

            Reply
          • 1

            Jam was the receiving back. I’m surprised he transferred since Lowell medically retired.

            This is a big loss. Not sure how people think we’re going 12-0 without a solid receiving back, a starting guard, and three defensive backs coming off of knee surgeries.

            Reply
          • 1

            Was there an interview with Jam where he said, he didn’t mind his role at OSU – understood sharing the load . . . ? My guess: he has already made transfer arrangements; the portal is a formality. Wait . . . a week?

            Reply
          • 2

            Coastal Carolina is probably the destination. It’s his brother last year there (DL) and much closer to home in Georgia. Had to finish off summer classes but transfer was probably known for a while especially since we took two RB’s in this current recruiting cycle.

            Reply

    • Now we know why OSU tried to sign that JUCO RB a few months back(the one who murdered somebody)
      Jam was probably waiting to finish Summer classes so he could grad transfer

      Reply
      • 2

        I’ve been surprised no one in the RB room had entered the Portal, sucks real bad it’s Jam but makes sense, he’s got the ability to be a Power 5 starter.

        Reply
  237. 6

    Wade Meckler promoted to triple A. Very rare for anyone to start in A ball and get promoted to AAA in one season. He’s definitely going to get a shot next year at the big leagues.

    Reply
  238. 0

    Disappointed to hear Griffin is transferring but not surprised. There’s only one ball and 4 capable running backs. Now down to to three, the Beavs are still in good shape there with Newell showing he can be counted on last year.

    Reply

    • There’s quite a drop off after the top 3 now. Considering they ran 3 backs pretty often, 1 injury to that group and it’s a big blow.

      Reply

        • Listening to DAM podcast from the other day and it sounded like Newell even had a slight injury early in year as well. It’s almost guaranteed that an RB will miss some of season due to injury. Not to mention, we didn’t take an RB this last cycle so it’s not like the 4th string guy is a freshman we truly went after and wanted to redshirt or something like that. I believe it’s a few in state walk-ons now in the 4th and 5th spots. Glad they took a couple guys in this current cycle but seems like xfer or juco will be a major focus for next season. Fenwick is gone after this season and you’d assume that both Martinez and Newell are gone after next year. Definitely a concern now for sure.

          Reply
    • 7

      Honestly, what I enjoy about college sports: the rivalries, the pageantry, the bands and mascots goofiness, the spectacle. The teams have dudes that will doing my taxes or serving me burgers in the future, along with future HOF inductees.

      When I want to watch the NFL, I turn that product on the tube.

      I see no value in semi-pro football league on the tube.

      I also don’t watch D-league BBall, nor AA baseball, unless it’s in person.

      Reply
    • 2

      I found this line interesting: “Apple does not produce the games, which leaves the Pac-12 and its schools with the production cost and could impact bottom-line numbers for the schools.”
      I think we may lose more schools because the money isn’t there.

      Reply
      • 1

        They don’t produce them, but part of the deal is Apple will either own outright or have majority share of the Pac-12 Network and the stake in ownership is where the majority of the $ is coming from. Similar to Fox owning the majority stake of the Big Ten Network. What if the only deal we see is the streaming side only that has been released. What if there is a linear option, to tie into the Streaming option, but Apple wants full rights of all games and sell them individually to ESPN/ABC each week? This would give the conference control over the linear TV networks to pay a premium for say “Oregon vs Washington” or Washington vs. Washington State or Utah vs Oregon, etc. The Streaming deal could open the door to have Apple give NIL money to players exclusively to the Pac-12 as well.

        Reply
        • 1

          Makes sense that ESPN (and media as a whole) would continue to be as gloomy as possible about it and continue stoking the PAC12 doom all the way until every line of every contract is agreed upon and signed. Is it all supposed to be official tomorrow?

          Reply
          • 1

            Media and fans will hammer the PAC-12 about Apple TV until Apple buys ESPN and has major games streaming on Apple TV and then the media will do a 180 and talk about how streaming is the future of sports viewership. PAC-12 leadership stinks but it’s also a rough time to be trying to get a tv deal done especially with ESPN not being in a good place to sign a big contract again for a conference. A deal with Apple will take a bit to pay off huge but long term has the potential to work out well

            Reply
          • 2

            Usually not good to be the first into a new realm. By the time streaming is mainstream for sports, the guinea pig Pac 10 will dissolve do to lack of $ and exposure. The B10 and SEC will take advantage when they’re due for next contract. By then, you’ll see next level production similar to Formula 1 with helmet cams / mics and viewers will have ability to subscribe to specific players (NIL) to view games toggling between various views and perspectives.

            Reply
      • 1

        I think the bottom line here is “if” this deal is even close to being enough to keep the current Pac12 schools (plus any newcomers) interested in sticking around with the Pac, then there is incentive for Apple to sweeten the deal a little more to push it over that line. They don’t want to go through all of this negotiating only to see the deal fall completely apart and have ESPN/FOX win out by absorbing the remaining Pac 12 teams into the Big10/Big12/SEC etc….
        Apple doesn’t want to let this opportunity to expand their sports portfolio slip through their fingers.
        It’s a big if at this point though.

        Reply

        • So it is a base line of $20 mil per school guaranteed and additional $$ for future Apple subscriptions on a yearly/per game scenario. Nicebeaver may be correct in the details may reveal further elements to sweeten the pool for PAC12 but it is a big if right now. Kliakoff has shown a few cards in his hand, enough for everyone to react as predictably as possible.
          UA board of Regents response may be telling today as they digest the info, and may have more info than has been made public so far.

          Perhaps Kliakoff is playing it like a drawn out game of high stakes poker through the media for greater effect and timely attention also towards the conference. All he needs to do if wait for the right timing to make maximum impact and throw all the naysayers into a tailspin if he does actually have a bigger additional income stream than was announced today.

          Big10 has gone silent, Big12 is still trying to bluff other teams into jumping. I think Kliakoff has an ace or 2 waiting to be played that no one has leaked yet. It can’t be as disfunctional as it appears for a major conference negotiation.

          Reply
          • 2

            “It can’t be as disfunctional as it appears for a major conference negotiation.”

            I think it really can be this dysfunctional. It’s Kliavkoff’s first deal of this nature

            Reply

        • It’s funny that Finebuam and company are trashing this deal when ESPN is going the same route in the near future. They have been trimming the fat since the beginning of the year and Disney will eventually make it a streamer in the near future along with premium content just for the SEC and Big10. Say hello to a $15 to $20 a month access just to watch football and basketball.
          ESPN probably has language in the contract that would make them not have to share that with the schools.

          Reply
  242. 4

    We are on the cusp a possible great season and have all this distraction to deal with. I’m not sorry to see CU and Prime leaving. After some of the cheap shots on the Rodgers bros and cheating officials on Football games ( former UA player ) I don’t really care if UA hits the bricks. As far as Jam Griffen, that is a disappointment. But looking back at the running backs in the past 10 years. I think a good example was Storm Woods and may Nall was the exception. He said he met with someone who told him “you look comfortable getting tackled”. Since JS took over the running backs seem to want to run over people instead of lean in to be tackled. I think we are still really good at RB. I appreciate the contributions Jam made for the program and hope him well.

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  243. I would hope that if the media deal is with Apple that they understand that if they don’t invest in this product, it’s doomed to fail. That means getting schools payouts at or above what the BIG12 is getting.

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  244. There has been a lot of turnover among school presidents, I’d like to think they recognize the situation should be a 10 on their alarm meter. Not a fan of the “will continue to study” the situation. It’s never been reported, or stated as such, but I’m gathering Fox and the ESPN have offered nothing for the Pac-12 rights? They aren’t interested at all?
    I would think the Pac-12 could at least get a number that matches the Big 12, at least on a per team basis – for four or five years. Who knows where the tech or the college landscape will be by then with players and conferences as stable as sand.

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    • I’m not really convinced Apple will be the answer that is needed.
      Saw a good summary comment on another site:

      “So apparently the networks, ESPN and Fox have all colluded to lowball the PAC12 deal in order to accelerate the super conference era beginning.”

      I’d say there is some merit to this statement and gives a glimpse of what GK is dealing with. Rumors have had ESPN out then back in but now out again. He is left with a college version of a typical middle school sports fundraising scheme that begins to sound more like a multilevel marketing scam.

      I’d prefer him have a press conference and publicly put the various networks on blast, declare the circumstances and the stacked deck as it is. Then in turn propose to each school remaining to self fund via the academic endowments for a few years, or even use the endowment money to buy tv rights etc rather than begging for a deal. Stop begging and take control if possible. Just spitballing and I don’t know if it is feasible but begging like a pauper with no leverage hasn’t worked.
      I figure $50m per school isn’t much if the schools each have billions of $ endowments, use it as leverage for goodness sake.

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  246. Almost as good as no TV, sign a below-market short-term deal with NBC Cable or CBS Sports Network, (which the Pac-12 can back out of at the end of any season), play games in the “preferred windows” 1230, 330 PST. Go toe-to-toe with the other conference. Throw a late-window game or two out there for bid. Make the networks react. Now, the ratings will be brutal, but if there is a key game with Playoff implications, you never know – maybe Fox or ESPN blinks.
    It’s funny – I actually think the Pac-12 network makes sense – now. Figure out the distribution, keep the dollars in house, but hire a killer marketing/production company to handle sales and game production. You don’t need Apple for a streaming partner, if one of the networks wants a particular game of the week a) require a premium payment and b) ensure that it is in one of the preferred windows.

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    • 1

      The main problem with all of this – is colleges counting the cash before it is in hand. Setting their budgets on a mythical number. The schools “NEED” the money to pay their bills, they’d rather have guaranteed number than have to worry about the conference marketing arm hitting their monthly goals.

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  247. I saw an article a few days ago, but didn’t look at the date and can’t find it again. But it was about the CW wanting Tuesday and Wednesday games. There would be no competition with other conferences and be the only games in the slot. Don’t know how that would work logistically unless tied to a bye week or some other idea. Really rough to play a Saturday game then a Tuesday game. Somehow need to break up the monopoly. We already see how the monopoly treats outsiders.

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