Home Football Utah @ Oregon State (Game Week)

Utah @ Oregon State (Game Week)

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The bottom line is I don’t trust DJU vs good competition. I’m not saying he won’t perform well. He has the ability to do that, but he’s just really flawed mechanically. Throws off the back foot too much when there’s no pressure is the big one. Doesn’t roll out, doesn’t scramble, etc. I’m not convinced we’ll be able to run on Utah, and I’m not convinced DJU can win the game.

That said, I don’t want to get caught on up one game’s results. We know how that goes.

This is a prove me wrong game for the Beavs.

Utah 28, Beavs 17

268 COMMENTS

  1. Several keys to this game:

    Time of possession
    Getting ahead of the chains on first and second down
    Getting Utah to 3rd and 6+
    Making field goals

    This is a team we match up well against. Utah is pretty beat up and UCLA’s defense played well against them.

    I think Lindgren will get pass happy like he did last year against Utah. I don’t have much faith in him after last week. Utah 24-13

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    Saw that twitter guy BigGameBoomer will be at our game this week.
    My first game of the season as well, looking forward to it. Hope the rain is gone by then. Looking iffy though

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    This matchup just feels better for the beavs than last week. Playing in Pullman with the way Ward has been slinging it and their D fired up at home, probably was my biggest concern on the schedule, potentially at Autzen as next. Matchup with Utah is just better and being at home, I think it will be a close one and tip the beavs way in the end. 20-17 beavs

    • Wazzu was a classic trap game, because of the short week and hosting the Pac Champs… and Palouse receivers getting on NFL scouts’ must-watch list.

  4. Don’t know if he does it all the time, but noticed DJU was staring down his receivers badly in the 2nd Half last night. That seems like something Utah would be all over.

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    Little surprised to see Angry bail on his initial prediction after 1 loss but I’m in the same boat. I don’t think this team can win with DJU vs Utah unless they absolutely commit to the run. Need 8+ RPOs with DJU and <24 pass attempts. 2:1 run pass ratio. Not gonna happen. Utah wins this pretty easily 21-10.

    I’d like to see Chiles but vs Utah would be a tough debut. Maybe commit to giving him a series at some point and see what happens. Especially if team comes out flat. Chiles would probably be a huge burst of energy

  6. Early line favors Utes by 2.5

    Oooops, that line is from Ceasers via Vegas Insider but BetMGM and Ilani give the Utes 1.5 or 2 points.

    Before WSU I’d have expected Beavs to be favored by more than 5.

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    My expectation is Utah saw how poorly DJ handled any of the blitz packages, especially the 8 man rush with press coverage. Scally will try to bring heavy pressure early in the game and get DJ rattled and out of sorts.

    DJ is such a physical specimen but not too difficult to plan for at this point. He hasn’t hit a hot route or thrown a check down with any touch yet. I’m not sure he knows the playbook well enough to check out of a play when he sees a blitz, if he even sees it presnap.

    We thought SDSU was good prep for Wazzu, and it may be comforting to think Wazzu was good prep for Utah. However I fear that Utah will be the next step in up in competition for DJ and I don’t expect it to go well right now.

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      You could be right. But, it’s as much a test for Lindgren as for DJU, maybe more so.
      What kind of success could be had by some dink and dunk to TE’s to pull DB’s off Gould/Bolden/Noga/Munyagi?
      And how many 4th and short could see the chains move if DJU just gets two steps and falls forward?

      I’m not ready to give up on the O-line, the RB’s, and the TE’s………Lindgren’s just gotta use ’em and minimize the long shots down the field.

          • It’s an odd situation. My first inclination back in December was to avoid DJU and stick with what we had, or find another transfer qb instead of DJU. I had a change of heart and thought it was as simple as CLemson just messed his game up with their offensive style. But after a few games watching him play, he isn’t a gamer or a rise above the moment type of qb. His style is like the junior high kid who was always bigger than other kids and never really learned fundamentals or refined his skills.
            His 5* ranking seems to haunt him, and taunt the fans of his teams.
            I’d prefer a Kellen Moore type rather than a 5* that has no touch or feel for the game.

            It is tough to discern where the Lindgren play call ends, and the DJU lack of execution begins. BUt it seems obvious that something isn’t working right.

          • We had this exact conversation while watching the game on Saturday. DJ seems like he’s been riding physical tools his entire life and/or had poor coaching during his developmental years.

            If he wants to be a legit NFL QB he needs to stick around another year and also invest in some off season private coaching. He has all of the tools but he needs work.

  8. PFF insights from the WSU game:
    Offense
    -Gray continues to be our weakest OL. He’s really taken a step back so far this season.
    -Sharp continues to be our top rated TE and should get more snaps.
    -Starck goes in almost exclusively for pass blocking. It looks like they’re trying to get Bloomfield out of their in certainn situations. Notably his pass blocking rating was the worst of our OL for the game.

    Top 3
    Fuaga
    Sharp
    Fenwick

    Bottom 3
    Irish
    Starck
    Overman

    Defense
    -Oladapo had one of his worst games as a Beaver
    -Ivy continues to be our lowest rated player in every game he plays
    -Poor tackling continues to be an issue, especially in the secondary

    Top 3
    Johnson
    Golden
    Cooper

    Bottom 3
    Jordan
    McCartan
    Ivy

    • One note on Ivy: his coverage grades are awful, but he tackles well. I wonder if that’s why he was starting to begin with? He’s a better tackler in space than McCoy.

      • Funny, I seem to remember Fuaga blasting a db clear to the opposite sideline, then laying upon same db and getting a flag for his trouble…I don’t recall mccarten drawing any laundry when it happened to him

        • It was the same back judge who was calling linemen downfield on screen passes… and wandered outside the hashes, occasionally.

          The ref in the O-backfield didn’t call much of anything.

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    After the first two games, I thought the Utah game while tough would be winnable, particularly since we are at home. The last two games have expose some serious defensive liabilities and Whittingham is a great coach. His staff will figure out ways to exploit our weaknesses.

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    The way they are using GJU, makes me wonder if there was some sort of an agreement with Smith and his family regarding how he would be used. A one year NFL audition tape via our pro style offense? They have gone almost exclusively in drop bag pass mode with him and he has proven to be a worse statue, then Sean Mannion. At least Manion was a great passer. His inaccuracy has been confounding. Even in the first two games, where the stats looked OK his innaccuracy cost lots of yards after catch. He rarely hits players in stride.

    The irony of this is that the way he is being utilized is actually exposing more of his shortcomings! Time for JS to use him to win games and not try to showcase him for his draft potential.

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      DJU is going to need another season of tape if he wants to impress NFL scouts, which i hope doesn’t interfere with Chiles’ opportunity.

      Based on his size and arm he’ll get on a roster, but without a serious QB whisperer he strikes as a clipboard holder.

    • “drop bag pass mode”…that’s pretty accurate.

      It’s looking like the first two games did more harm than good. It made our coaching staff think DJ will have plenty of time to sit in the pocket and let plays develop. That’s not the case. If they don’t adjust their play calling and get DJ out of the pocket, Utah (and others) are going to roll them.

      • Speaking of time allowed by the line, according to a tweet I saw this morning:
        “how pac-12 teams rank in pass protection:

        1) Oregon – 7.3% of dropbacks are pressured, hit, hurried, or sacked
        2) Oregon St – 23.1%
        3) USC – 26.5%
        4) UW – 27.7%
        5) WSU – 28.9%
        6) UA – 28.9%
        7) Cal – 37.3%
        8) ASU – 42.2%
        9) CU – 42.7%
        10) UCLA – 52%
        11) Utah – 60%
        12) Stan – 69%”

      • Just mentioned Terry in my comment below. He’s definitely played early this year but I don’t recall seeing him the last 2 games but I will admit that I don’t analyze playing time to that level.

    • Just saw this. I assume it’s partly based on his role and likely not being involved in anything outside of the blocking role. Perhaps it’s also the writing on the wall for what’s to come with this whole realignment thing. Also, is Jermaine Terry hurt? I don’t recall seeing him play Sat and maybe even the prior week? Is the TE room not as good as we thought? Seems like Sharp might be the 2nd or 3rd guy and he hasn’t played the position since high school…which is saying a lot since he also took a 2 year mission after HS and is a red shirt senior.

      From a passing perspective, I’m not sure what the identity of this air attack is. The lack of height is concerning but yet Lindgren can’t really seem to incorporate the TE into that role of the big target. We don’t seem to utilize quick crosses to take advantage of Gould/Bolden speed and they seem like they’d thrive more with having the ball in space vs the long developing vertical type routes. Maybe it’s partly DJU not being accurate enough on those types of routes? Maybe a mixture of the 2. The first several years of this offense seemed to really incorporate a variety of WR and TE screens from different looks and packages and yet the last several years we have stayed away from those despite them often being where the big gains have come from. Think Harrison last year and even last week the long Gould TD was from a screen. The game vs WSU seemed ripe opportunity to use these plays with how aggressive the defense was in passing situations yet we opted to stand in pocket and run deep 2 man routes. You’d think after last year in CW when we ran it 19 times to get the win that he’d take a different approach this year and lean on what is our strength and what works bu lt he seems to despise running the ball and just has to have that 50/50 split of balanced offense regardless of the ineffectiveness of the passing attack.

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    I agree that DJ hasn’t been great but I think the coaching has really held him back. We don’t play the right receivers in the routes we run, we haven’t used TEs nearly as much as we should, and we only send out a couple receivers on a majority of our passing plays. DJ seems to stare down his receivers but when there are only two options to throw to what else is he really supposed to do? They need to open up the playbook and call more qb designed rollouts, wide spread sets with 4 receivers/TEs, and RB draws when in shotgun to keep the defense honest. We’re way too predictable and put DJ in situations where his options are very limited given the players/play calling we have. DJ also needs to go through his reads quicker and maybe take some zip off his shorter passes to limit over throws and drops, as well as scramble when nothing is open. I’d also like to see WRs like Walker and Noga get more snaps. They seem to be the most efficient but get limited reps

    • I didn’t get to watch the game very closely, but did see there were at least 2 fumbled exchanges between DJ and whoever was playing RB. Who was that on? I didn’t get to see the plays closely enough to see what happened.

      • Both were on Martinez. Dropped a pitch that was right on the money and the second was a botched handoff where it looked like he started running before securing the handoff

    • Yeah, I agree with a lot of this. Routes are very vanilla and we say the O Line is one of the best yet we keep 1 or 2 TE in Pass Pro. I think they’re great run blocking linemen but pass pro has seemed suspect. Which goes back to some of the other points to be creative with the pass scheme, or God forbid, run the dam ball more. I wish Lindgren would be more concerned about winning the game by whatever means necessary and not as concerned about throwing the ball 30+ times a game. I get that the early tune-up games you might want to focus on that but when it comes to conference play, if you can win the game and only throw the ball 10 times, you’d take the win. If DJU struggles to make some of these intermediate and screen type passing throws, then I guess you have to consider going to the next man up. Can’t run an effective offense if we can only attempt specific types of pass routes and 2/3 of the passing offense is off the table.

      • Agree. I will give a slight pass on the 4th and 1 since he had two defenders right in his face (still should’ve been complete) and we should’ve ran the ball. It just didn’t seem like they had very many quick routes to get DJ going. I just watched the highlights and there were very few slants, bubble screens, short outs, ect. The last offensive drive had some great play calls that seemed to better fit our receivers. Also DJ was unstoppable running the ball in the second half. Why wait until down 3 scores to utilize his feet? They couldn’t stop him… would’ve opened up the passing game too

        • Exactly. The play calling definitely was questionable from multiple perspectives. Just not sure Lindgren can adjust to the strengths of what his players are? There were some execution issues for sure, but it kind of seems like BL is content saying this is the offense and who gives a shit if it doesn’t fitt the players we have.

    • “…RB draws when in shotgun to keep the defense honest.”

      Yes please. Kept expecting that at WSU….both Martinez and Fen would do well w/that. Fen looks a step faster this season(?).

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      Joe Beaver show today: I can only take so much of MP and Warren. Parker is such a Beavs’ apologist. TJ took a moment – are QB coaches TJ’s problem? Tumwater guy: Strange that a successful QB finds it impossible to find and coach a really good qb.

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    So BG can’t throw a deep out or a post route but us touch on flat routes and screens.
    DJ can’t make a screen pass or hit a crossing route and has no touch on anything intermediate, but can throw a ball 50 yards without effort.
    We are stuck with half of a qb either way.

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      I’ll be there. First game since 2017 in person for me. Looking forward to a great atmosphere and great Beaver bounce back game.

      I think the Beavs defense may be flirting with a shutout by the end of it. Gospel according to Big Jim Wilson is that this matchup is the perfect recipe for the defense to redeem themselves.

      Rising will be limited if he actually plays and Beavs will limit everything else Utes try to do.

      I think there were issues with depth for Utahs Dline also. Heavy running game and a lot of DJ keepers will grind the Utes down and a few explosion plays stretch the lead.
      Beavs 31-7

    • I’ll be there too. Last game I attended was last years Civil War so hoping for some of the same magic. I’ll snap a pic of homeboys sign but we’re likely not to see it haha.

    • Yeah I saw that. He had some hype as a recruit. You wonder if it was team chemistry issues. That being said I don’t know the dude personally, so he could be a great guy.

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    I’m not confident in DJU or Lindgren. DJU seems slow and unsure of himself and I don’t believe that Lindgren will put him in a position to succeed. The guy is 250 and we can’t sneak the ball on 4th and short? Why Lindgren abandons the run is baffling to me.

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          Oh, I actually agree. I just kept seeing these new names that happened to state that they “agree with studentbeaver”. This one is a little more subtle.

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        I’ve been on this site since the Mike Riley days. I have no idea who Student Beaver is and I really don’t care. I read the site for commentary on the Beavs and avoid the back and forth petty arguments between different posters. Jack almost killed this site with that BS years ago.

        • Don’t worry about them. Mammoth’s comment is a perfect example of what I have been talking about in regards to changes on this site. Anyone who gives tough criticism instantly gets accused of being a troll

    • Good find. Beavs/Cougs have some pretty serious leverage and the slow play seems to be in their best interest to maximize the value of that leverage.
      For all of the complaints about the pace of our country’s legal process, in this case it helps us.

      • And the $320mil is simply form the playoff payouts per conference, in addition to the actual PAC assets, which we hear are in the neighborhood of $240mil plus PAC network.

        The video argues that PAC2 would be willing to cash all of that leverage out for a $30 mil place in the Big12?
        I’d say no thanks to that. Leverage it to the most money and long term program stability. It looks like the price tag should be about $275 mil up front from ESPN/Fox per school, full conference tv payouts and full voting membership before joining either the Big10 or Big12.

        • That would be the leverage.

          So settling with them by forcing them to recognize the continued Pac X as both an autonomous conference and remaining with the P5 designation–even beyond the current CFP contract–is not out of the question.

          This way, one G5 conference disappears, giving more opportunity to the now G4 conferences. And the increased revenues for the now Pac X will give them more opportunity than they have made on their own.

          The one thing I’m not caught up on are the liabilities, in terms of the lawsuits that are out there. Does anyone know the arguments being made in the anti-trust suit by student-athletes? Is it basically for back-pay, in the name of NIL?

    • $160M per school for two years. That’s enough to keep the Pac2 competitive for 5+ years as long as we can convince teams to play us

      Seems too good to actually happen, but I’m a Beav, so…

      • I’m thinking this is an extreme scenario.

        The best bet would be to use some of it to solidify our own positions. But we need other schools to become better at an rate faster than their previous tracks indicated. The good news is that means spending on infrastructure for the future, not the past model of giant stadiums and lower TV/media access.

        The next gen’s money is there and will be spent, if you give them access. Linear is not access, for them. It will still pay some bills for a couple years. But it’s dying quickly.

        It occurred to me that Wazzu probably takes the lead on communications, because Keith Jackson and Edward R Murrow were both graduates of Wazzu’s Department of Speech. I think they can handle the messaging while we stack the logs.

    • Does anyone know who owns the College Sports Network on SIRIUS? They don’t seem to get it yet. One commentator was babbling about how Wazzu is going to tear up the Mountain West next year. Multiple shows were talking about the Pac-2’s imminent demise. No analysis or understanding as to what finances are at stack and possible continued legal actions.

  14. SC, UW, and UO should all win handily this weekend. If OSU wants to remain in the running for the top of the PAC, this is a great opportunity with Utah @ #10. Plus, with it being Friday night, it should have the eyes of the other teams.

  15. So, OSU is apparently 12-12-1 all time against Utah…3-7 since Utah joined the PAC in 2011.

    A win and they take the narrowest of overall series leads over them, though not a conference lead.

    Would Utah become the only “PAC” team over which Oregon State has an overall series lead?

  16. Is canzano reading AB or is it just we’re all noticing issues with dju and having what if questions about chiles?

    “• Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has struggled with accuracy in the last couple of games. To be fair, he was forced to throw a handful of incomplete passes late in Saturday’s 38-35 loss to stop the clock. Uiagalelei was 17 of 34 passing vs. WSU. He was only 14 or 30 two weeks ago in a win over San Diego State.

    • Beavers’ coach Jonathan Smith is sticking with Uiagalelei.

    “DJ is the starting quarterback,” Smith told reporters on Monday. “He did some good things in the game. He got us back in the game a couple of drives. Could he play better? 100 percent. We need to protect him and make some plays on the ball and yeah he’s got a couple of throws in there he needs to make.”

    • Oregon State freshman quarterback Aidan Chiles is intriguing. He’s 11 of 16 passing this season for 111 yards and a TD. I can’t be alone in wondering if he ends up playing more as the season progresses. Full disclosure, as I watched Oregon State’s game vs. WSU I found myself wondering how long Smith can afford to keep Chiles off the field.

    • I get what Smith is doing this week. Uiagalelei is not going to be more accurate trying to throw passes vs. Utah while looking over his shoulder. And the Utes probably aren’t the right defense to tinker around against with a young QB.

    • Still, is there a way to make this work? Give Chiles a series in the first half with a special package of plays? Maybe another in the second half if it goes well? Chiles may not give Oregon State a better chance to win as the starter right now, but I’d love to see Utah have to deal with the change of pace.”

    • It’s hard to be precise this far out, BeeG, but as things stand, there is a dearth of quality match ups that weekend. The only current top 25 matchups are UO at UW (likely a 12:30 ABC or 4 Pm. Fox game), SC at ND (4:30 on NBC) and Miami at UNC (probably 9 a.m. on ESPN). If UCLA and OSU win through to that game I predict it will be a 12:30 kick off on either ESPN or FOX, perhaps the latter as a lead in to the game in Seattle. Stanford and Colorado play the night before, and ASU is off. AZ at WSU is probably the 7 p.m. game on ESPN or FS1. If Beavs and UCLA don’t play in the early afternoon they will probably run opposite the Cougs on one or the other network.

      PS. That day is the annular eclipse, so make sure you have your NASA approved sun glasses packed.

  17. Based on JS presser, I’m guessing Chiles gets some time vs Utes. At least that’s what I think the team is preparing for. That said, if DJU gets it going, it may be difficult to get Chiles in. Also, with the short week, it may be difficult to get the Chiles package fully prepared.

    On another note, it seems officiating has been improved in the P12 this year. Not great but not as bad as normal. However, I was at the WSU game and noticed that WSUs game plan was to hold our WRs and play physical. They were not concerned with PIs and the longer the game went without any calls, the more physical they played. On offense, WSUs OL was blatantly holding on every down. I noticed one play where the LT held our end to the ground and the official went to throw his flag, couldn’t seem to get his fingers on it, and then decided not to throw the flag after WSU completed the pass on 3rd and long. Not sure if this was picked up on TV but it was about this same time that Bray lost his shit. During a TV timeout, he went up to a group of officials that were huddling and was yelling and screaming and pointing his finger at each of them. JS eventually pulled him away but Bray continued to lose his shit for another 10-15 minutes. I was surprised he didn’t get a flag. Soon after we started to get a couple calls although they never called holding on the OL

      • Radio crew saw it; didn’t have any detailed explanation. I wouldn’t expect any less of Bray, he’s locked in to the game and improvement of his guys, and he’ll always have their backs.
        There has to be a reason Cooper wasn’t sat down after the flag, rumors are he’d been spit upon…….I can see Bray leaving him in if that’s the case. Still, ya gotta stay in control of your emotions………for the team.

    • If their OL was holding our defenders, then the DBs should have returned the favor against their receivers. A few 10 yard holding or illegal contact penalties isn’t a big deal.

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      “Looking ahead to fiscal year 2025, we expect that total revenue to OSU Athletics could decline by as much as 44 percent. That means we’ll need significant new revenue from public, philanthropic or other sources to support our student-athletes and maintain a competitive athletics program, which currently includes 562 student athletes in 17 men’s and women’s sports. Be assured OSU is committed to pursuing every available avenue to filling the gap”

      :::eyeballs wide open emoji:::

  18. WSU coach Dickert says, among other things:
    My frustrations really still stem from — there’s a conglomerate of people that have made a lot of decisions that have been outside mostly our control. And the lack of clarity based on the metrics and the real facts is where my frustration really comes from…

    Calling out a “conglomerate of people” seems a start to getting the situation into the mainstream of sports, lets hear more about the David vs Goliath aspect of the situation for OSU/WSU.

    https://twitter.com/SWXRightNow/status/1706723718960234627?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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        That or because we had a late flip to the OL class from a kid who left Northwestern when the hazing news came out. We were at 6 OL commits already. Now back to 5

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          It’s the tip of the iceberg. Props to coaches for holding on this long but you have to assume the longer this drags on, the more we’ll see the decommits. I’ve made this point before, but while it appears to be in the best interest of OSU to now drag all this stuff out, it’s not in the best interest of the recruiting. I believe recruiting is going to take a serious hit regardless of what happens here. Either we go quickly to the Mtn West and we’ll lose guys who don’t want to play the G5 competition or it drags out and we lose guys because of the uncertainty and no outlook on the future. Regardless, it seems like this program is poised for a serious decline in new talent with whatever road is taken. Who knows what Dec/Jan look like once season is over and we see the effects of the xfer portal. For me, this is one reason why this season is so crucial and why some of these coaching decisions/play calling just make no sense. It very well could take us years and years to see another 8+ win season with what’s very likely to happen with this program from a recruiting and xfer perspective.

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    CFP committee shelves talk of changes while Pac-12 situation plays out

    https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Sports/cfp-shelves-talk-pac-12-situation-plays/story?id=103538759

    The best quote: “One thing that happened that I never would’ve dreamed would ever happen, happened,” Hancock said. “… It’s totally weird and everybody knows it.”

    This in regard to having a two-team conference. Yeah, everyone expected OSU/WSU to just roll over and die when everyone else abandoned them. The conferences and networks definitely have a predicament on their hands now, especially with Schultz on the board. This is gonna be fun.

    • They haven’t even discussed the future of the PAC12 or the possibility of a PAC12/MWC merger?
      Not “official business” but you can bet they are all trying to sort out the CYA messaging right now, and how they need to navigate the elephant in the room.

      A convenient 2 day meeting at Big10 headquarters of all major conferences and networks in one location the week after OSU/WSU and less than 2 weeks after the TRO was granted?

      But they haven’t talked about PAC12 at all really, not even a thought, honest. I’m guessing this is where the settlement deal is being hatched so that all parties are on the same page and no one screws it up again, since the current situation is “unthinkable”.

      Crooks and thieves generally think they are the smartest guy in the room and will never be caught…send out the subpoenas.

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      Heather Dinich in an ESPN column quotes CFP guru Bill Hancock: “Just because there’s never been a two team conference ‘doesn’t mean there can’t be.’ He wouldn’t speculate on whether the CFP would still recognize the winner of a two-team league.” Attn: Coach DeBoer: Dinich also quotes Hancock this effect: “I wouldn’t expect us to stream [CFP games post 2025], but right now nothing’s off the table.”

      Bottom Line: Cougs and Beavs have a good hand to play here.

  20. Tom Stephenson in SB Nation today has an interesting Angry-esque column titled, “Everyone knows we’re doomed, right?” Here’s the key passage: “As much as people want to talk about the inevitability of the College Football Super League, let’s just say the thing that’s driving the entirety of realignment–TV money–is about to go away. We have already reached the Peak TV contract, because the people running the networks have never quite figured out how to monetize the screen when your stream on ESPN+ says–your event is currently on commercial break.” He adds later, “the logistics of an 18 team coast to coast conference–which the Big 10 and ACC are going to be next year–are going to be extremely difficult to pull off” without the current massive TV contracts. “UCLA in a conference with Rutgers and Utah in a conference with UCF will . . . fairly quickly become undone.” This is why Jack’s comment about welcoming back Stanford and Cal (or not) isn’t unrealistic

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    I just saw a crazy ass tweet where the poster said the FSU/Clemson would have interest in an Apple partnership with the Beavs and Wazzu. I gotta believe this person is just making up shit, but who knows at this point.

    • Not crazy. There were reports in early August about FSU and Clemson going the Apple route. Think about it. If they bust out of the ACC (an ESPN conference), that network won’t look kindly on them joining another ESPN conference (SEC next year) where ESPN would have to pay more than the “ACC rate” (which is a bargain). I suppose the Big 10 is an option but I just don’t see a fit there unless it’s just to spite the SEC.

      I could see the scheme working this way: a 4 team scheduling alliance for at least the next two years. Home and homes. Clemson and FSU games streamed early on Saturdays and Coug and Beav games late. Not to the exclusion of the Pac 2 having another scheduling alliance with the Mountain West for 2024 and 25, at which point both the MW TV deal with Fox and CBS exipres and the new CFP scheme kicks in.

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        So the Beavs would need to find 6 or 7 games for the next two years as a quasi-independent? I’m assuming the current non-con schedule holds and they would play Wazzu, Clemson, and FSU? If there is still a P-12 pot of gold coming to them, I would think they would not want to give that up unless Apple money makes it worthwhile. It makes my head hurt thinking about these things. I do hope the leverage that the Beavs and Wazzu appear to have does truly come to fruition and they can give the powers that be and big karmic fuck you!

        • folks following football scheduling guru Dave Brown say there are two dozen FBS schools looking for games to schedule in both 2024 and 2025. Brown is the guy, apparently, who did all of BYU’s scheduling when they went independent

          • It’s not only teams now looking for games to schedule; even pairs of teams already scheduled to play one another can be approached.
            WSU and OSU can offer to make a trade by each taking one side of an already scheduled game. Probably require some unusual game times/days.

          • Scheduling any P5 schools non conference will be an issue if the powers that be issue a scarlet letter proclamation for any schools who help the PAC2 stay afloat during the 2 year grace period.
            Networks and conferences may try
            To play hardball on scheduling to force PAC2 to capitulate, which will only prove their argument of intentionally harming both schools in an organized fashion.

          • Why would they give us more leverage to kill them off?

            I guess I shouldn’t ask that, since they’ve gifted us so much, already. But one would think they have maybe learned their lesson, by now.

    • I think we need to find the ACC bylaws.
      Did they stipulate something weird, like “if you join another conference, you will pay X amount of blah blah blah,” and the schools who want out just realized it doesn’t adhere to independent schools?

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    1

    From a “best of college football so far” article:

    The PAC is the best conference, and:

    “Heisman Trophy leader: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington

    Penix leads the FBS in passing yards (1,636) and touchdowns (16), ranks second in yards per attempt (11.9) and efficiency rating (209.6), and just barely gets the nod over Southern California junior Caleb Williams. Last year’s Heisman winner has been outstanding himself, with 15 touchdowns and no interceptions, but Washington’s tougher schedule and better overall numbers as an offense gives Penix the edge.

    Best coach: Kyle Whittingham, Utah

    The most consistently underrated coach in the country continues to get it done, this time piloting the Utes to a 4-0 start with three Power Five wins ? Florida, Baylor and UCLA ? despite relying on two backup quarterbacks in place of an injured Cam Rising.”

    OSU’s secondary is going to have to grow up fast before UW comes to town.

    Wittingham’s consistency on display…

    Preseason this looked like a very good home slate for the Beavers. The way the PAC is performing, its gotten even better. Friday’s game should be a pretty good atmosphere.

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2023/09/28/college-football-best-worst-awards-first-month/70970194007/

  23. Looking at 2024 schedule for OSU football:
    Idaho St
    @Boise St
    Purdue
    WSU
    @WSU

    Possibly add:
    Clemson
    Florida St

    Independents:
    Army, UConn, UMass, Notre Dame

    Regional former PAC12 for a large $ payout:
    Cal, Stanford, Oregon, UW, USC, UCLA

    MWC teams:
    Fresno St, San Jose St, SDSU, Colorado St, UNLV, Hawaii

    The goal ought to be scheduling a tough enough slate to gain rankings but not so tough that you get bumped from too many losses.

    I’d try to add 2 independents and 3 MWC schools plus Cal and Stanford, if Clemson and FSU actually happens.

  24. PHIL STEELE REPORT (#s reflect current average game grade overall rankings which only reflect yards, points, and strength of opponent faced – should not be interpreted as a poll ranking.)

    Last year Oregon State (+10’) only trailed #12 Utah 21-13 at halftime & 21-16 mid-3Q but then allowed 21 unanswered on the road. Utes are 6-1 SU (all as a favorite) but just 3-4 ATS in series since ‘14. Last time here in their only conference loss of ‘21, Utah (-3) led 14-0 & 24-14 at halftime but up 31-28 were outscored 14-3 in the final 18 minutes. Last year Oregon State QB Nolan (2 ints) was injured in the 1Q and threw a 38-yard IR TD for a 14-7 deficit after the 1Q. Backup Gulbranson threw for 177 yards and 2 interceptions. Oregon State had 417 yards and 21 FD, but Utah got an interception in the end zone 3Q and returned it 70 yards to set up a 22-yard TD run. Oregon State was SOD, Utah drove 36/5 to make the score 42-16 with 12:38 remaining. Utah opened the year with a backup QB the first 4 games but beat Florida at home and Baylor on the road and were 3-0. Last week Utah was still without QB Cam Rising but got an interception for a TD on the first play and led 14-0 at halftime with a 10-2 FD edge. Utah punted on all 6 possessions in the 2H. UCLA got a TD with 3:39 left to avoid their first shutout in 12 years. A Frosh QB has not beaten Utah in Rice-Eccles Stadium since 2016 (Justin Herbert). Oregon State did have a 14-game home spread streak stopped in their last home game only beating San Diego State 26-9. Last week Washington State won the Pac-2 title with Cam Ward (19-20-293 1H) throwing for 404 yards (63 yd TD pass 2nd play) and the Cougars led 28-14 at halftime with a 352-219-yard edge. Down 35-14 Oregon State went 75/11 and 75/9 for TD’s with Washington State getting a FG. Washington State recovered the onside kick and went 43/7 but were SOD at the 2 with 3:58 left. Oregon State drove 98/13 for a TD with 1:10 left to pull to within 38-35. DJ Uiagalelei is hitting 58% with a 7-3 ratio and Damien Martinez has rushed for 432 (7.6!). My AGG has Oregon St by 8.7, but Utah has played the tougher schedule (#24 vs #75). Oregon State has the better run game (225, 6.3 vs 166, 3.7) but Utah’s D is holding foes to 115 ypg below (#7) their season average and Oregon State is at 31 below (#54). Utah is 8-7 SU on the road the last 4 years while Oregon St is 14-1 SU and ATS at home the last 3 years and their remodeled Reser Stadium is now complete.

    #24 OREGON STATE 21, UTAH 17

    COMPUTER FORECAST (UTAH-ORST):
    Rush Yards: 126-134
    Pass Yards: 163-225
    Total Yards: 289-359
    Points: 19.0-22.7
    EXP: 28-72

    Vegas Line: Oregon State by 3.5
    Vegas Total: 44.5 Points
    +/- Rating: Oregon State by 1.3
    Game Grade: Oregon State by 9.7
    L4W Game Grade: Oregon State by 9.7
    Last Met Line: Utah -4.5
    Last Met Score: Utah -20
    Points per Yards: Oregon State by 5.0

    PAC-12
    #1 Washington 44, Arizona 23
    #3 Oregon 45, Stanford 13
    #11 USC 47, Colorado 26
    California 31, Arizona State 10 – (COMPUTER BEST BET: California -12.5)

    NATIONAL
    #2 Oklahoma 30, Iowa State 13
    #4 Penn State 45, Northwestern 10
    #5 Notre Dame 24, #20 Duke 16
    #6 LSU 37, #15 Ole Miss 33
    #7 Texas 44, Kansas 23
    #10 Texas A&M 34, Arkansas 23
    #13 Michigan 23, Nebraska 13 – BEST BET: NEBRASKA +17
    #16 Clemson 30, #22 Syracuse 23
    #17 SMU 38, Charlotte 14
    #19 Tennessee 40, South Carolina 34 – BEST BET: SOUTH CAROLINA +12
    #21 California 31, Arizona State 10
    #25 UCF 34, Baylor 23

  25. Interesting that the point spread has increased from 2.5 to 4.5. Per my resources….

    The public is rushing to the window to grab the points with Utah. However, if it looks too good to be true, it usually is. Despite Utah receiving 71% of bets we’ve seen the line move further to Oregon State -2 to -4.5. This signals sharp reverse line movement on the Beavers, with pros fading the trendy dog and instead backing the fishy contrarian home favorite. Oregon State is only receiving 29% of bets but 50% of money, a notable “low bets, higher dollars” bet discrepancy.

    FWIW

    • Not smart by Martinez.
      I went to the podcast cited in that article, they didn’t give their source for the quote. But, here is a paraphrase of the entire quote per the podcast: They are just another team, honestly, they’re good but I believe in our O-line, I’m confident in our O-line, I’ll take them against anybody
      Only the first five words will be on the Utes bulletin board.

      BTW, I saw a mention by a Ute player that the walk from locker room to Reser was kinda rough due to the rabid beavs fans. Guess that’s changed with the new visitors locker room in the remodel.

      • Yeah the visitors are under the west side now, exit thru a small passage onto west sideline. Shame, no more opportunities to see drunk beav fans yell ‘no natty’ at dux, one more tradition lost with realignment and reser build out.

  26. PFF Team grades:

    Offense:
    Passing- Adv OSU
    Rushing- Adv OSU
    Receiving- Adv OSU
    Pass block- Adv OSU
    Run block- Adv OSU

    Defense:
    Run defense- Adv Utah
    Tackling- Adv Utah
    Pass rush- Adv Utah
    Coverage- Adv Utah

    Exactly like last week’s matchup, this will be a test of the offense’s ability to make up for the mediocre defense. I think at this point, the defense is what it is and DJU truly has to become a difference maker by adding another element to the offense, otherwise this will be another Rileyesque season of “golly gee aren’t those Beavers overachievers? Eight wins!”

    The Utah defense’s weakest point has been pass coverage. We are also by far the best running team they have played this season. This seems like a pretty good matchup.

  27. 2
    1

    https://app.gemoo.com/share/image-annotation/566466279651414016?codeId=Pa6NYrO5exx85&origin=imageurlgenerator

    https://app.gemoo.com/share/image-annotation/566468150407434240?codeId=PY4oNjZ8npVgO&origin=imageurlgenerator

    Hopefully these screenshots serve as some proof to you all of me being a student. I’d rather not Doxx myself at the game. Identifying information has obviously been blacked out. One is of the student ticket page showing me logged in, the other photo is of my student ticket for today.

  28. 2
    2

    Utah won’t be able to run the ball.
    Lindgren is the X factor for the game and will win or lose the game based on how he approaches Utahs defensive front. I’d like to see them attack Utahs interior Dline without being discouraged by the first few possessions of nothing happens.
    Whittingham will gladly turn it into a punting contest and field position which would not favor the Beavs because of our punter but Bolden May break a return also.
    DJU should have some keepers early
    To get him settled. Slants and screens will be helpful also the delayed draw with pressure.
    Utah has been getting pressure with only 4 rushers so it meeds
    To be in the hands of the oline to force Utah to blitz and create opportunities.

    I think the Beavers get a narrow early lead and just grind out a 2-3 score win.
    27-10 maybe, still not convinced Utah can score on the Beavs.

    • Good keys there, but a 17 pt win? Even with my orange glasses it’s hard to see that.
      DJ keepers…..yes
      Delayed draw…..yes
      Slants, screens, (use TE’s)……..yes

      Let’s add the need for the DB’s to step up.
      I’ll go Beavs by 8.

      BTW: rethinking that Martinez remark…..could it be a positive by firing up Beavs O-line?

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