Just one week away, it’s apt time to have the much anticipated Rodent Bowl pre-game thread.
Really this is an excuse to hear BeavGopher’s thoughts on the game. I know almost zero about Minnesota other than a few articles I read, saying they had a top 25 D last year but lost a handful of key players from the unit, good RB who is hurt and will likely miss this game, and that’s about all I know. The Beavers have an upgrade at QB, and the RB position should be much better this year. Those are the notable improvements.
The Beavs have some talent on D. Pritchard, Napolean (film), Willis, and Arnold stand out. The Landry brothers look really good on film, but haven’t heard much about them. Williams, Irvine, Ugwoegbu and other young guys stand out as interesting prospects. I expect growing pains with all these guys, but especially those younger players.
As for the game, this is what I think:
Lucas, Collins, and Nall are probably faster than any player on Minnesota. Big question for me is can Garrettson manage the game efficiently and get the playmakers the ball? If so, these guys are too fast…they will run by Minnesota (Big 10 is just always slow). Villamin has the size to dominate any CB in the Country. So, the combination of size and speed makes the offense intriguing here.
I’d pick the Beavs to win in a heartbeat if they had depth. But I can see them wearing down in the 2nd half. Minnesota game plan seems predictable: (a) on offense, try running all over the Beavs and (b) on defense box in/contain the Beav’s speed (c) use the home crowd to gang up on the young Beavers.
These teams are closer than people think, and barring a turnover barrage I don’t see what Vegas is thinking here. Watch for Seth Collins and the Beavers special teams return specialists to flip this game on its head. Speed kills.
Beavers 35, Minnesota 31
Fuck the Gophers. Go Beavs!
That would create one bad ass hybrid rodent.
BeaverGopher, tell me how off I am.
One must be patient Grasshopper. I have a whole week to drag this out.
Coaching: Kill to Clayes.
The obvious…….he is morbidly obese and needs to lose some serious weight.
The not so obvious…. Clayes is an excellent coach. He was with Kill at every stop where they turned terrible teams into winners. The successes were predicated by the D that Clayes coordinated.
The scheme that they have run will be familiar to Beav fans. The same basic one that Banker ran.
A 4-3 base with wide splits with the DL trying to get upfield. Press coverage by the corners.
The D last year took a step back due to injuries, but they still were outstanding at not giving up big plays. The Achilles heel was the lack of a pass rush. The talk this offseason was how to manufacture a pass rush. Probably will see some 3-4 on third downs. Clayes has a math degree and seems to be a pretty smart guy. His calling card has been making great halftime adjustments. You guys would like him as a DC. We will see how this translates as a HC.
The same basic one that Banker ran.
Oh, then scratch my prediction.
56-0 Beavs
Haha. Well minus the missed assignments, poor tackling, and hand jive on the sideline.
You sure you live in Minnesota?
Ya. Fur sure.
All I can say is….GO BEAVS!
Speed kills for sure, and the one more variable I don’t see mentioned often is that Garrettson is also mobile. That’s a lot of speed going in a lot of different directions. Versus a slow team, could make for a long day. Beavs win 45-24
I’ll wholeheartedly agree IF Garrettson proves he can use his mobility to give his receivers time to get open AND hit them, plus scramble when needed. We’ve seen too many mobile young QBs rely on their legs to panic and run with their head down if their first option isn’t wide open.
Yanni D is gonna have a lot to do with the outcome in Mpls. Gina is up with her report on his progress (He’s starting to relax a little bit more)
and her report on today’s practice (Gavin Andrews lining up as the second-team center after working almost exclusively at guard during camp as he continues to work his way back from injury. )
If DG has to worry about corralling snaps this O could go south fast. OTOH, If Yanni does well snapping and commanding the O-line then the skill players will shine.
BTW, I doubt the Gophers will score more than 28, don’t think they’ve got the big plays in them.
Yanni already graduated from the U of M. Is he a grad transfer?
In November 1972, Yanni moved from Greece to the United States to attend the University of Minnesota beginning in January 1973, majoring in psychology.[1] For a time he earned money by washing dishes at the student union.[34] Yanni later explained that learning English forced him to read each paragraph several times in what he called a slow and frustrating process, but which helped him memorize the material and do well on tests.[34] He received a B.A. degree in psychology in 1976.[14]
During his time as a student, Yanni played in a local rock band and continued to study piano and other keyboard instruments.[1] Upon graduating, when he dedicated himself exclusively to music for one full year and found he was the happiest he had ever been, he said he decided music would be his life’s work.[34]
http://i.imgur.com/DrkW9zD.jpg
I’ve been checking out the comment sections from Minnesota fan blogs. They remind me a lot of the average Oregon State fan from sometime around maybe 2006. We had been bad to mediocre for years (referring to Riley & Co), we started to feel like things were going to turn around for us, but a lot of people were cautiously optimisitc and it was dependent on a few variable that had to fall our way. We had some good seasons back then, but couldn’t get over the hump and tumbled back down the hill.
Minnesota sounds like they have a pretty decent QB that may get a shot at the NFL, decent to good O-line, mediocre running backs, mediocre to bad wide receivers, and a solid tight end.
Their D-line doesn’t sound that good, particularly their defensive ends. Linebackers are okay, but their corners don’t have much experience.
It’s kind of amusing that they are all writing this game off as a win for them. I didn’t see anyone put any thought into why they are going to be beat us, they just look at our record and the season from last year and write in the W. I remember when Beaver fans thought we had that luxury.
Minn. is the team in danger in overlooking the opponent and trying to play conservatively.
We have a lot of playmakers on offense.
I think the Beavs put up at least 35. But for good measure to differentiate from Angry, I am going to say 42 – 20 good guys.
LOL, how can you take a fan site seriously when they call it the Gopher Hole? By the way that site gave my phone AIDs.
What concerns me is that Minn beat Gary Andersen’s Wisconsin team in 2014? Why are we better than Wisconsin in 2014?
Also, I believe that Gophs won on the road!
We lost, but should have won. Kill sat on lead and lost it in the second half.
Why would that concern you? Two entirely different teams. I bet nobody from that MN team is still around.
That’s like being concerned the Beavs are 0-3 vs Minnesota and lost in ’78.
There are reasons to be concerned, but what happened in 2014 isn’t one of them.
Has GAs style changed? Has MNs style changed? I am a believer that some coaches have other coaches number.
Well we beat Wisconsin once too – can’t remember what year that was – maybe 2012? Regardless, I don’t think that matters one bit either way.
Except Minnesota didn’t beat Wisconsin in 2014. I believe Wisconsin has beat Minnesota the last 10 years straight or something like that.
You are right wisc won. I must have read the site incorrectly. My bad.
This is going to be a fascinating dialogue.
I, too, don’t know much about this year’s Minnesota team but historically, their offense has never stood out as weapon. They seem to be a more ‘grind it out’ type of team. This bodes well for OSU as they likely won’t get down 21-0 early, which would be very demoralizing to this young team. If they can win this, they’d gain some real confidence.
Correct about the grind it out. Win special teams, control the clock, and play sound D was Kill’s method to climb out of the tar pit. Clayes seems to more inclined to take risks. The new OC has a good resume and anything will be an improvement over the last one.
Probeski might be out with a rolled ankle in practice. Next punter up has never punted in college game.
Probeski also holds on FG.
Special teams might be the difference in this match up ….
Seems like he could play both positions with a rolled ankle just fine. Just tape it up. Maybe not the punting if it’s the punting foot.
Last I read about it, Porebski said he isnt worried about missing the game and he’ll be fine
It looked bad on some snap chat pix …
Please tell me your are referring to his ankle.
“Just cut off my foot mate.”
*Porebski
Proboscis?
Prolapse?
Special teams will be interesting on the Gopher side as well. The kicker for the last two years has become the punter. An interesting change as he was a very good FG kicker with a huge leg literally and figuratively. Kid is 6’6″ and weighs 250. Punted last year at the end of the Michigan game and shanked it.
Cost us the game ultimately. Apprehensive about the switch. The new FG kicker looked good in the spring, but has never attempted one in a real game. Kicked a brutal onside kick against TCU.
Was that the fat dude that had a write up on espn?
Nope, that was Lindsay Schnell.
Bravo good sir, bravo.
Angry, what’s your impression of the locker room portion of VTV they revealed last night?
OT Former Beav Richard Mullaney playing for Dallas Cowboys. Does he still count as a former Beav playing in the NFL?
I think he graduated from OSU, correct? If so, i would say yes.
I’m hoping for an epic buck-toothed battle but fear the Offensive and Defensive lines will do us in. If the OL can hold up we can put points on the board though, I do love the skill position talent this team has. Will also be interesting to see how the staff calls the game. Play calling and game management was all over the place last year so we’ll see if that was just an outlier given how shitty the available players were.
28-24 Rodents
I think it was an outlier given how shitty the offensive coordinator was until the second half of the last game of the season.
I think it was an outlier based on the fact they were trying all season to figure out what worked, what didn’t work for the team and against what opponents. Also, based on the available players they had as well. Players make Plays means if you call a play, it should work perfectly every time, just depends upon if the defense picks the right play/players to defend the play that is being ran.
This year I’m certain that DG will have complete command of the offense and as long as the OL can stay healthy all season will depict how we do this year.
I’m surprised so many of you expect such an offensive explosion in this game. I see it being something like 17-14 final score but can’t decide yet who wins. A website called oddsshark appears to aggregate the various betting lines sees it as 32-13 Minnesota.
Agree, week 1 games usually have their fair share of teams struggling offensively, and neither of these teams are known for their smoothly operating offensive systems anyway.
My guess is both teams stay down in the teens. Something like 17-14, and I think Minny pulls it out.
Just realized I took your score, so I’ll go 17-13 Gophers
31-20 Gophers.
I so want to be wrong though. C’mon Andersen & gang. Time to have a meaningful win at OSU.
Does this mean the strip mall roof is getting painted?
Follow @Reser_Stadium web cam next few days as VFC gets a fresh coat! https://t.co/lN9fCLel03 #VTV
Would hope it soon becomes like seen on Pac-12 Networks OSU Training Camp illustrations showing a clean white roof with Beaver logo. That may take them more time. Probably the walls for right now?
Do not repaint this roof the same orange! Do it white which pops with the logo as seen in revealed images.
Thanks for the heads up, hadn’t seen that…went to the PAC website to see the illustration you mentioned…it is white, and looks better.
The Tartan guy will be suicidal.
You guys have an image?
[IMG]http://i64.tinypic.com/6eonsy.png[/IMG]
well shit, here is the link http://i64.tinypic.com/6eonsy.png
That looks way better.
Who are all those people?
They really should bring back the inflatable football helmet and place it just outside of the new locker room exit onto the field, just to F with everybody in the first home game.
Looks like its just the exterior walls for now, but the roof plan doesn’t sound like it’s finalized yet.
(Tweets from Mark Massari)
Just exterior for now. Once #VTV is complete will design roof. Banner or paint or both. https://t.co/qSQ2iM4TRh
Paint white and win! #VFC #VTV https://t.co/nC56oaZYin
Its surprising if they don’t have a plan for the roof yet. What would have been great would have been a second deck of seating up there….
I think an “OSU” on a white roof, potentially with the logo, would be good. OSU is the only PAC school using just a logo to identify them. I think potentially nobody outside of alumni knows what/who the logo is…
It’s not surprising at all. Those idiots don’t have a plan for anything. They planned to have bleachers on the terrace then they scratched that idea along with the restrooms. Now there are no restrooms for the fans that buy the “premium” terrace seats. They didn’t even know what color the VFC would be painted until a few days ago. The VFC is going to look like the county fair once they park the food trucks up there.
TIMBER!!!!
Beavers are going to drop the Gophers in a 31 – 3 victory. You heard it here first!!! Can’t wait for game day!
Anybody here have the Big Ten Network on Comcast? I see that is it Channel 403, but how do I get it? Is it part of the “Sports Entertainment Package” or do I need to upgrade to Digital Premier?
Several months back i read something along the lines of “west coast viewers are shit out of luck” unless you have an expensive cable package with Big10 network or you know some Ukranian friends with a bootleg link. In about 1 week, the fans will be bitching once they realize they wont be able to watch OSU in week 1.
I have it on comcast. Pretty sure it comes with the sports entertainment package, however.
Buy an AMazon Fire Stick with Kodi installed. You will get nearly every college and nfl game free. Look it up on youtube.
I’ve had people tell me the fire stick is worth checking out. Do you think $60 for one preloaded with Kodi is a good deal? Is there any risk involved?
I’ll be getting it on Dish, which has the big 10 package (as well as Pac 12, SEC). Consider it. I finally left Direct because they wouldn’t provide PAC 12.
I have it but yes, you most buy THE most expensive package Comcast offers. I think FoxSportsOne is included which is what shows most UFC events too.
Season ticket holders, have you received your tickets yet? I’m starting to think they fucked up my order.
I think most of them have been delivered as of 2 weeks ago, unless you had a late order. Better give them a call…you have 3 weeks at least to get it sorted out
Yeah I got mine a few weeks ago.
Head coach Gary Andersen on @750TheGame at 2 p.m. today and @1080TheFAN at 3:35 p.m. Get the latest pre the season opener Thursday. #GoBeavs
It’s 2:15 and Norm McDonald is on…
On 1080 Andersen said your boy Blake will start at T.
Anyone have an archive link to these interviews?
1080 the fan app and they have podcasts available that says, “Anderson Interview”
Any thoughts on Andersen cancelling practice today?
Does it indicate:
1) confidence in how “tough” these guys are?
2) lack of confidence in how “tough” these guys are?
3) recognition of the expected hot temps?
4) acknowledgement of mental fatigue on the squad?
5) Or ???
Friday is to a Thursday game what Sunday is to a Saturday game.
6) He took them to In- N-Out for burgers……….?
If only there was one in the mid valley…….I’d weigh 600 pounds.
It was planned well in advance by Coach A. Just wanted to trick the players. You only have so many practice hours during fall camp. I really doubt Gary would let any of those go to waste.
I like to look at sweaty little boys… sweaty… no balls dropped… so the scrotum doesn’t have any stretch marks… and sweaty.
wtf.
I think angry’s long held policy of tolerating pretty much any idiotic, off the wall comments is a good one.
Kind of market driven, jackass comments are generally ignored here, heck, most readers don’t even bother to down vote them.
Without the attention they crave most jerks move on.
they took Friday off and practiced on Saturday.
Gopher O-line:
Last year was a parade of injuries that revealed a lack of depth and the failings of the 2014 recruiting class. Basically two local kids that seemed locks to sign here ended up getting poached by Bama and Arkansas. They will be the the starting centers at both schools this year. Only one good player from that class. What was supposed to be the strength of the team last season ended up being a weakness, with lineups cobbled together week to week. Four upperclassmen medically retired after the season, so they dipped into the JC ranks to plug some gaps.
RT: Jonah Pirsig: 6’9″ 325 RS Senior. National recruit from a small town south of Minneapolis.
Best lineman who is pretty athletic. Huge kid. Elementary Ed major!
RG: Vincent Calhoun: 6’4″ 330 JC Jr. Here for spring ball and looked good.
C: Tyler Moore: 6’4″ Soph. Thrown into the fire last year due to injuries. Played pretty well. Texas kid LG: Conner Mayes: 6’5″ 330 Jr. Another Texas kid. Older brother was one of the medical retirements.
LT: Garrison Wright: 6’4″ 320 JC Jr. Was here for spring ball. Recruited for a guard spot, but they felt he
had the foot speed to play LT. We shall see. HS tennis player.
New OL coach is a former Wisky coach who has preached a more aggressive style. They changed their training and lifting regimens to implement his approach. Depth is still an issue, but this should be a pretty good starting group. The run blocking should be very good.
Nice write-up. 6-9 325? Holy crap… I can just imagine him teaching a bunch of 1st graders when they show up for meet-the-teacher day.
I’ve run into Joah Robinett he is tall, had to look up his stats, he’s listed at 6-7 and 235… don’t know if that weight is accurate but that is one big dude, can’t imagine that size and 325.
The TE that lines up next to him is 6’10” 275. Those two are gigantic.
Do they run to the right side much? :-)
Thats a big line they outweigh our line a lot.
Head coach has a significant weight advantage also!
BG nice write up , thank you .
6’4 320 tennis player ? wow
6’9 325 K -3 teacher ? wow
That’s a big o line.
Gopher WR’s………the Achilles heel.
This has been the major fail in the Kill/ Claeys era. WR group has not been developed.
Three years ago they brought in a group that on paper seemed to be pretty impressive. Big and pretty fast. Look good running out the tunnel. Absolutely no production from the group so far.
One transferred, one is now a backup DE(sound familiar), one can’t put on his socks without injuring himself, and the other has hands like a pinball flipper. They have been passed by a couple true freshmen. Probable starters.
Drew Wolitarsky: 6’3″ Sr. Set Cal prep receiving records. Not very fast. Claim to fame, drops passes at critical moments, including the potential game winner in our bowl game two years ago. Brilliant former OC would run him on fly sweeps! The slowest guy on the offense.
Rashard Still: 6’5″ Soph. This is the one guy that has the potential for big plays. Texas kid they found playing B ball. String bean that has bulked up to over 200 lbs.
Eric Carter: 5’11” RS Jr. Had some good moments last year. Florida kid with decent wheels. Not on the initial depth chart so might be injured.
They have been really praising a true freshman who was a one man team at QB for one of the city schools and a high level B-ball player on the AAU circuit. Tyler Johnson.6’2″. Gophers Seth?
Beav’s have a huge advantage here until proven otherwise. Part of the ineptitude with the passing game was play calling related with telegraphed position groupings. Anxious to see how the new guy calls a game.
It seems to me that the plan would be to run it until OSU showed that they could stop the run. Then, if I were the coach, I’d run it some more.
Grind it out. Beat ’em up and wear them out. This is probably one contest where the Gophers won’t need a passing game.
It worked last year against the beavs, until proven otherwise that’s a good game plan.
Yeah it sounds like MN’s one huge advantage is their Oline vs our Dline.
Will that negate our speed advantage? Probably…the more I think about it….
Take a LB like Bright…he is fast but so tiny. He will get destroyed by a large OL
The offense must be able to sustain drives if for no other reason than to give the DL guys a break. Sounds like they’ll be running over the right side until the Beavs adjust, then run over the left side.
Read Phil Steele’s preview today. Says OSU only averaged around 19.4 pts a game last year. Lowest since Riley’s 97 team in his first year. Riley’s 2007 team averaged 34.8 pts and that went down to 26.2 pts in his final year. Steele thinks this year’s OSU squad would beat last year’s OSU squad by atleast 10 points a game on average. He believes they are good to average an additional 7 pts a game higher this year to be right around Riley’s last year in the 26 pts a game area. He thinks Garretson is a much more natural QB who should be much more capable of finding his targets assuming he is OK at alluding pressure. Also believes the rushing attack will be better this year. In general, he thinks they are good for 1-2 surprise efforts & 3-4 wins. He seemed to believe it just slightly more likely for OSU to achieve 4 wins but stated almost certainly short of a bowl.
McGiven as OC over Baldwin alone is worth 5 extra points a game in my opinion. Most of the remaining two points would be most heavily weighted to Garretson and a better passing game.
Players will make the plays but McGiven will put them in better positions. Some Nall Ball, interlaced with Collins, Bolden, Lucas, Villamin, Pierce & Cook sounds like it has some attack potential if managed well by Garretson & McGiven.
Was McGiven the OC in last year’s Civil War? Or Baldwin?
Idk if anyone knows for sure but there is speculation or rumors it was mcgiven.
It seemed like the play calling went in a diffrent direction in the CW. Speaking of that, is Crowton still around? I haven’t heard his name mentioned since last year.
Right after the game I heard Baldwin called the first half, then it was McGiven in the 2nd half. There was a huge difference between first and second half’s.
“alluding” pressure? :-) (we all do it from time to time)
Pac-12 signed a deal with Fox Sports Australia to air Football and Basketball games. A good step for the Pac-12 Network. Should slowly keep increasing our leverage with DirecTv. If China starts to show a wide offering of Men’s Basketball, U couls see that making it seem almost unAmerican if DirecTv did not do the same. Especially as those bastards are based out of Los Angeles. They should be supporting their West Coast brethren and be better members of the community and this great region.
Here is the press release:
http://pac-12.com/article/2016/08/26/pac-12-announces-multi-year-partnership-fox-sports-australia-televise-football
And there was much excitement! Or not…
Any word on Wallace?
Nothing official, but he just seems completely distracted by lady problems more than anything. And the reason for his absence was supossedly 1 credit that was needed for NCAA clearance.
“It just doesn’t add up” -Vernon Adams
“Ow, my finger” – Vernon Adams
If the VFC roof was painted white would that cause a glare problem? Oh wait, in order to have glare you have to have sunshine. Never mind.
I’m so glad this is over. Bunch of degenerates.
http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/17374929/otl-investigates-implosion-daily-fantasy-sports-leaders-draftkings-fanduel
You’re so glad daily fantasy sports are over? A) they’re not over. And b) why do you have a negative opinion about DFS? Seems like a
Waste of energy to be against it.
Such a stupid click bait article. Fortunate responded to this bullshit.
http://fortune.com/2016/08/24/sorry-espn-but-draftkings-and-fanduel-didnt-implode/
I’m a consistent winner on FanDuel over the last few years so perhaps I’m biased.
Last year at Michigan we quickly scored our td. Often times last year, the first scripted drive looked great, way above the rest of the game. I’m hoping to see us get the ball first and to score on that first possession. Set a nice tone to start. And then hopefully this season, the remaining possessions can look as productive as first possessions did last year. Get on top early and make Minney mouse panic and see if they try to catch up by getting away from their ground game, which would, make for more futility.
http://www.bulletsforever.com/2016/8/24/12631170/latoya-sanders-rejoins-mystics-jamie-weisner-waived-wnba-2016
Well that sucks, but on the bright side maybe now she can go get a higher-paying job
Is this really the starting WRs?
https://oregonstate.rivals.com/news/collins-making-moves
Hawkins and Collins are both ahead of Jarmon and Bolden?
I think Bolden was out during the open portion to the media. Collins has moved ahead of Jarmon on the depth chart.
OT: Danny reports that Tanner Sanders will leave baseball and return to basketball.
Interesting…I’m wondering why. I know he’s an all-around athlete, but he should stick with something. Maybe Tinkle is the only coach that wants him.
I’d like to hear silverstream’s opinion here. Seems like he felt Tanner’s best sport was baseball, but i could be mistaken.
He still can try wrestling.
NFL.com seems to think that Minnesota has speed.
http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap3000000671265
And Myrick isn’t the only speedster on that defense, the others are just younger speedsters. TCU, tOSU, and a host of other acclaimed passing teams have had their season lows passing against a Claeys and Sawvel’s defense. But it is a new year, and the first games are always a miscue-fest. In my opinion, this will either be a low scoring affair, or the Gophers will roll. But it’s preseason – and I’m in full homer mode, ha ha.
Not so much. Not really a recognizable 10.1 100m. His 200m doesn’t back that up and further Notice his hs school records include a mere 18’9″ long jump not performed by him. Not much of an athlete if he couldn’t beat that. I bet we’ve got 4-5 guys that will blaze past him. Big stretch in this one.
Myrick is legit.
I’d like to hear your thoughts on the rest of that secondary (replacing three starters?)
An article regarding the Gophers Secondary.
http://www.twincities.com/2016/08/05/gophers-football/
That article doesn’t do a whole lot for YourRick. My perception of a lack of general athleticism concept still remains engaged, mind you I’ve never seen any film on him. I’m more impressed with coach sawyer(?).
Yeah, I like Sawvel. Great secondary coach. We’ll see how our plodders deal with your elite speed. =-) In all seriousness, Thursday will be a good test for both teams. I might occasionally talk smack, but I do hope my posts don’t come off too much like a troll. Here’s hoping for no injuries and a good game!
No way. We love seeing intelligent input from the other side. This will be a fun game to watch(I hope). Meanwhile, here is a great photo from the university of minnesota swim team.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/1funkymunkey/3000890778
Pretty sure David Plummer was supposed to be doing the backstroke at Rio. He should’ve been disqualified…
Myrick has played a lot, so he is rock solid at one CB.
We lost two great corners and a very good safety from last year. The most important player, Damarious Travis, was injured at the very end of the opener last year against TCU and missed the rest of the season. He has NFL size, 6’2, 215, and was used as a hybrid safety/ lb. Fl kid who is also a great special teams player. Getting him back is huge.
The other safety will hopefully be a JC kid, Ace Rodgers, who missed most of last season with injury.
His replacement was the weak point of the secondary and is now listed as the starter. Former walk on. The other CB’s will be Freshmen or RS Freshmen. Typically they play press coverage, but have hinted they may back off that till these guys get some game experience.
Jay Sawvel is a great secondary coach and talent evaluator. He has had kids drafted three years in a row and Travis and Myrick should make it four years running. He has found very good athletes and coached em up. It has gotten to the point where no matter how a recruit is rated, if Sawvel wants him, we assume he will be a very good player. Hopefully GA has a guy like this on staff.
The biggest secondary guestion is actually getting a pass rush from the edge.
You can dismiss his speed and the Gophers speed as much as you like. Feel free to believe that the Beavers have better WRs and a better QB than TCU, Ohio State, and Michigan etc. We’ll see what the stats say come Thursday night. =-)
So you’re evaluation on this is last year’s games? That makes sense.
Exactly my thought. Not a great comparable when the subject has 60% new/untested.
Is the etc inclusive of Tommy Armstrong? 3 passing TDs and 260 yards. I’d take that.
Beavs’ D sucks remember. A turnover will decide the game.
Minnesota 38 – Beavs 31
Where does this misapprehension that B1G players are slow come from?
Well last years Rose Bowl didn’t help. Hehe Iowa.
Hampton, over at the GT, has had some decent observations this season. This one falls short, “the Beavers have a solid offensive line…
Hard to swallow given that the scribes see only 20 minutes of practices and are (likely) starting a C who has no experience.
http://www.gazettetimes.com/sports/beavers-sports/football/osu-football-offense-ready-to-hit-the-field/article_22012422-4980-558e-a0b1-0a900da020ab.html
This quote in another Hampton article has me worried about our corners.
WTF does this mean?
“We got a young defensive back group, but we catch on pretty fast. We all pick up on everything,” Irvine said. “With coach (Cory) Hall teaching us a new technique, it really brung us a lot. Last year we were doing one technique, but this year we’ve got like, seven, eight new techniques. So we can just put it in a bag.”
http://m.gazettetimes.com/sports/beavers-sports/football/osu-football-beavers-look-to-be-improved-on-defense/article_06c70a7a-fb56-5022-9bed-116b7ec2539b.html
Apparently our secondary has a bag of tricks. So I guess if they shut down the Gophers’ receivers it will be like pulling a rabbit out of a hat?
It will be interesting to watch the Beavs corners. Cory Hall appears to be solid, hope he has the ability to teach/manage this group. Could be a pleasant surprise, avoiding paralysis by analysis may be the key.
Sheesh, remember the PI machine that was Beavs DB play in the hand-jive era?
Another Gazette piece, this time on facilities expansion and how our projects compare to the money being spent by other programs. What really stands out is just how much money everybody is spending. (Except Stanford, go figure)
It almost feels like all of these stadium upgrades at other schools are going to force OSU to renovate the west side sooner than later, and we just dont have the funds for that type of construction. It was hard enough to scratch together money for VTV. The west side project would need to be much more expensive (if done right) and how do yoy convince our tapped out donors it would be wise to keep the money flowing?
http://m.gazettetimes.com/news/local/osu-part-of-pac–arms-race/article_88109f5f-e446-5809-aa02-7fa0a4c6a7bf.html
Check books magically open once you win games.
So do beer bottles.
Andersen debuts pre-season Coaches Hotseat Poll at #15. Predecessor Mike Riley slightly ahead at #10. Remarkably Helfrich didn’t make the list of 25. Civil War win probably saved him?
Too bad this poll wasn’t around when I was in the biz… would have been my only shot at #1. JB
Not sure it makes any sense to put a second year coach at #15 on the Hot Seat list. Even if he goes 2-10 again I highly doubt he’ll be fired. Not sure how they determine that, but I believe you were on the Hot Seat for about 5 years, weren’t you, coach?
He was so bad he’s still on the list…..almost 20 years later.
This comment definitely does not qualify for an autographed picture. Sorry.
Riley’s seat is way hotter than Andersen’s, and it’s not even close.
Well that explains the dating slumps. Stop looking at guys butts.
Agreed. If they go 2-10 again this season and end with another beat-down at home by Oregon, THEN he will find his seat getting a tad hot.
I generally send autographed pictures to fans that make positive comments as to my general coaching awesomeness. I’m not sure if your comment qualifies?
Good news!! Suzy says “send it” your lucky day!
PS: There is $75 shipping and handling charge.
We’re so fortunate to have a college football coaching great commenting on this site. (Does that qualify for a waived shipping and handling fee?)
Who is BANKERS HOURS in fantasy football?
Select your keepers!
We might need some new owners this year if anyone is interested.
For those coming out for the Rodent Bowl, a couple of suggestions.
Try to be in the stadium 20 minutes before kickoff for the band’s pregame. It is the same routine that has been done since 1961 and you can hear our excellent school songs. B1G is big on traditions.
They are having NFL style security, so that usually means heading in 40 minutes prior to kickoff.
That gives time to hit the bathroom, grab a beer, get to your seats to take in the pregame.
After the game, if you are driving, do not even think of getting in your car for an hour unless you like setting in traffic. Yes…beer is sold in all the concessions. Sales are cut off at the end of the third quarter. You cannot leave the stadium and come back in, unlike Reser. They are also having fireworks at halftime.Weather looks perfect. Go Rodents!
When Minny comes to Corvallis will you be a Beaver Leaner?
He has stated before that he will attend both games. In Minneapolis he will be a Beaver fan, decked out in Orange and will act like he knows nothing about Minnesota. And then next year in Corvallis he will do the opposite. Sounds like an awesome strategy and I hope he sticks to it.
You are correct.
Love it
Will be a good experiment to see if Beaver fans are as bad as some other fan bases like to claim. I’d be curious to hear from you after to see your opinion.
It will be interesting. I can’t wait to try out the “you must have been really upset when Nebraska hired Mike Riley” and see the response I get.
FWIW, the Gopher fan base is for the most part pretty good. We have vast experience in being good losers LOL. The overwhelming majority are alums, as the casual football fans flock to the Vikings.
Everybody hates the ducks, so a good point of agreement with the fan bases. We appreciate gracious winners. Profess a dislike for Wisconsin and you are in like Flint.
@ gopher: Will you be setting amongst the home fans on these occasions?
Yup. We have four season tickets at TCF. I had our guests for the game go buy an orange $4 Minnesota t shirt from Walgreens, so they will be decked out in the proper color.
@ gopher: Wait a minute….. If you have season tickets then that must mean the folks around you more than likely recognize you as being a gopher fan. So I’m left wondering if this is a very good test of fan civility.
Now as for the folks who are setting several rows away from your seats……….
Last year they did a seating reshuffle and the seat neighbors that we had sat next to since the stadium opened gave up their seats. All new folks around us and I don’t think it was the same people for any of the games. So nobody will know my secret identity.
So bummed I couldn’t make this trip. Had been planning it for years. My only chance to guzzle all of BeaverGopher’s beer. Yes I said guzzle, have at it pervs.
Maybe he plans to wear a pair of glasses and call himself Clark?
Jason, we are also bummed. We had a great tour set up for you guys. I will drink one or two in your honor. Go Beav’s.
Don’t miss the Swedish Meatballs from the JAX Cafe concession in the open end of the stadium. To die for. Maybe even to kill for.
Didn’t realize Cal/Hawaii game in Australia occurred already:
http://www.si.com/college-football/game/1621564
I wonder if OSU won’t get picked sometime in the near future? If so, I hope it’s at someone else’s home game expense…
Who have been the standouts during fall camp?
Is it Thursday yet? lol I’m rearing to get going! I just want the staff to be more fluid this season and the players to play all 4 quarters with some form of consistency(Good of course). I sense that with a stronger team as a whole, we’ll actually be able to get a push up front on both sides of the ball. WR’s should be able to sustain their blocks.
I don’t think anyone including the players have a good read on the team. This game will show a lot of what the season will become.
Can the Beavs come out firing early? Huge confidence boost if they can move the ball on offense. Certainly have playmakers, now can Garretson get them the ball?
Will the defense hold? They aren’t going to be good but they’ll need to hold on and not break.
A hard fought win would be the best outcome in my opinion. Shows them they still have work to do but also shows them that if they play hard for 60 minutes, they’ll be in the game at the end. A blowout either way won’t help at all.
All that said, opening on the road, I don’t see them pulling this one out.
Anderson was on 620AM this morning. Podcast link is here, fast forward to about 1:10
http://ripcityradio.iheart.com/media/play/27269948/
Sweet.
I hate when people talk about interviews and don’t post links.
GA sounds really tired.
6:20am is a pretty early wake up time. I’d be tired too.
620am is the station. Interview was at 7:40 AM.
Well, if he woke up at 6:20, that’s enough time to have breakfast, S, S & S, and sit down for a nice cup while checking the police blotter.
That’s the joke. Not a very good one I guess.
Depth chart is out.
POST A LINK
https://mobile.twitter.com/brathbone3/status/770338118381678592/photo/2
https://mobile.twitter.com/brathbone3/status/770338118381678592/photo/1
Nobody beat out Lauina. Ugh.
Brandel was a good looking prospect. Might have a rough few games, but I think he’ll be good sooner rather than later. Not sure about Yanni…
Beavs have a speed advantage but the line play could be awful.
Yanni seems to be a potential weak link. Was Fred L that bad last year?
GA brought up fred in the press conference. He said he’s one of the guys who stood out during fall camp, in a good way, fwiw.
4 wide receiver positions (X, Y, Z, and T… like the stack on an old HP calculator!). Seth Collins and Trevon Bradford both starters.
Gina just tweeted that she spoke with Harlow who said it is, “pretty official” that he will redshirt.
Just confirms what was expected.
That stinks.
GA criticizing the schedule. Rightfully so…
And 8 Conference games.
Smart.
He’s going to love starting the season vs Ohio State, on the road in 2018.(with no return game of course)
And both 2019 + 2020 vs Oklahoma State.
Which idiot scheduled these games?
As somebody stated, need the SEC approach of a non-conference game late in the year…how about a bye around mid-season, good ol’ Nicholls State in the last 2-3 weeks?!?
I’m guessing BDC scheduled the games, probably had Riley sign-off?
The Shoe game is to pay off Robinson if I’m not mistaken. Christians vs the Lions was a more even match.
I thought the games against the other OSU’S was just to establish the pecking order? OSU supremacy?!?
Former duck Colt Lyerla arrested for heroin possession. Guy just can’t get out of his own way.
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/08/former_oregon_ducks_star_colt.html
Injury report is up, Hopkins, Porebsky, and D. Williams all questionable.
I note that Hopkins is set to back up Blake Brandel at LT.
If Porebsky can’t go then young Timmy Hernandez will be holding.
Williams was set to start.
Psychology or Luck ‘o da Beavs?
https://twitter.com/ginamizell
Will Hopkins is hurt – I would guess – 80% of the time.
For the folks at the game, check out the U of M Dance Line. They have won the National Championship at the collegiate competition seven years in a row and sixteen times overall.
They are really quite awesome. If only our football team was half as good.
I believe the saying is “film at 11:00”. It’s 11 and I’m waiting for film. :-)
If you’ve seen one group of over weight gals that couldn’t make the cheerleading squad…you’ve seen’em all.
Here you go. @BB, this is serious business here.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wMrqyiA-TIg
And it’s team “Pom” not porn. Every guy seems to read it wrong LOL.
The football team is pretty good dancers, I think.
Eggers tweets, “OSU LB Bright Ugwoegbu, on pressuring Gopher Mitch Leidner: “We’re vicious. We’re relentless. We’re going to get at the QB at all costs.””
Can ya spell bulletin board??
Last I saw Bright he was a toothpick getting engulfed by mediocre o-lines. Beavers talked like this last year, too. GA is building their confidence up and telling them they’re this and that, and they believe it, which is good on one level, but go do it first. Talk is cheap and also good fodder as you mention. Bright wins this week’s award for most inappropriately named player.
And yet, GA consistently emphasizes the need to prove it on the field, saying that talk at this point is just “lip smacking”. On one radio program recently he was told that Garrison was talking of 8 wins and responded that Garrison needs to think about ONE win, this week. Said he’d be talking with Garrison about that remark.
Kids, it’s a balancing act.
GA also said he hates these P5 OOC games!
Maybe if people watched/listen to him say it, they’d believe it, since they just want to argue with me.
Garrettson is a cool cat and seems confident. I don’t have an issue with a general statement like they’ll win 8 games. Something specific like getting to the MN QB the week of gameday is much worse.
GA specifically pointed to the big OOC games where the team has to cross time zones early in the season as something he doesnt like. Would rather play closer to home, where fans can also travel in greater number, like a Colorado State
Spot on about the general statement vs specific claims.
He is probably having flashbacks to his last game against tOSU.
Meh, I think you need to talk down to other players for effective bulletin board material. Although saying you’re going to get the QB at all costs might piss the OLine off a bit.
Worse would have been, “we’re going to dominate them up front and get to the QB all day”
Just my 2¢
The MN QB is mobile.
Uh oh.
He is also a fumble machine. Big, strong, and can’t hold on to the ball. No lateral quickness, but ok going North/South. I hold my breath every time he takes off running and expect a fumble. He was originally recruited to be a TE with a shot at playing QB.
I suspect there will be very few designed QB runs this game. If he gets hurt the Goph’s are screwed. This year is Claeys job audition.
Banker is in Nebraska now.
Thanks Huskers.
Only listed as having 270 rush yards last year, but the Beavs have a way of helping people find their identity…
He basically played the year with his foot in pieces due to an injury. He has some issues as a QB, but toughness is not one of them.
http://www.thedailygopher.com/2016/7/26/12285322/minnesota-football-mitch-leidner-foot-surgery-recovery
Depth Chart Starter Analysis (both teams released their charts for this game):
I also added in information about what every first string listed player did last year:
OREGON STATE
QB Darrell Garretson – Trans LY.
TB Ryan Nall – 2 st, 455 (6.2) LY.
WR Jordan Villamin – 12 st, 660 (15.3) LY.
WR Trevon Bradford – In for spring.
WR Seth Collins – F/7 st QB, 936 (52%, 6-4), 580 rush (5.4) LY.
TE Tuli Wily-Matagi
C Yanni Demogerontas
RG Gavin Andrews – MedRS LY.
LG Fred Lauina – 10 sts LY.
RT Dustin Stanton – 12 sts LY.
LT Blake Brandel
DE Baker Pritchard – 6 st, 30 tkl, 1.5 sk LY.
NT Elu Aydon
DE Kalani Vakameilalo – 1 st, 10 tkl, 3 tfl LY.
BLB Titus Failauga – 6 st, 29 tkl, 1 sk, 2 tfl LY.
MLB Caleb Saulo – 9 st, 69 tkl, 2 qbh LY.
WLB Manase Hungalu – 4 st, 43 tkl, 2.5 tfl LY.
NB Bright Ugwoegbu – 2 st, 17 tkl, 2 tfl LY.
CB Treston Decoud – 9 st, 50 tkl, 4.5 tfl, 5 pbu LY.
CB Dwayne Williams – 3 st, 17 tkl, 2.5 tfl, 2 pbu LY.
SS Devin Chappell – 8 st, 43 tkl, 3 tfl LY.
FS Brandon Arnold – 3 st, 36 tkl LY.
K Garrett Owens – 11-15 fg’s, L/50, 23-23 PAT, 7 TB/46 KO LY.
P Nick Porebski – 12 st, 72 punts, L/66 (41.1), 26 In20, HM P12 LY.
KR Victor Bolden – 580 KR (25.2) LY.
PR Victor Bolden – 78 PR (78.0), 1 TD LY.
MINNESOTA
QB Mitch Leidner – 13 st, 2701 (60%, 14-11), 270 rush (2.5) LY.
TB Rodney Smith – 7 st, 670 (4.3) LY.
WR Brian Smith
WR Rashad Still – 12 gm, 194 (10.8) as true.
WR Drew Wolitarsky – L/6 st, 524 (13.4) LY.
TE Nate Wozniak – 12 st, 13 gm, 75 (9.4) LY.
C Tyler Moore – L/8 st as true.
RG Vincent Calhoun – In for spring.
LG Connor Mayes – F/9 st at RG LY.
RT Jonah Pirsig – 13 st (9RT, 4LT) LY.
LT Garrison Wright – 1st Tm All-Conf JC LY. In for spring.
DE Gaelin Elmore – 2 st, 12 tkl, 3.5 tfl LY.
DT Andrew Stelter – 7 st, 26 tkl LY.
DT Scott Epke – 5 st, 15 tkl, 2 tfl LY.
DE Hendrick Ekpe – F/11 st, 11 tkl, 2.5 sk LY.
OLB Jonathan Celestin – 3 st, 43 tkl, 4 tfl LY.
MLB Cody Poock – 8 st, 99 tkl, 5.5 tfl LY.
OLB Jack Lynn – 10 st, 76 tkl, 11 tfl LY.
CB Ray Buford
CB Jalen Myrick – 7 st, 27 tkl, 3.5 tfl, 3 pbu, 3 int LY.
S Damarius Travis – 1 st, 10 tkl, MedRS OFY LY.
S Adekunle Ayinde – 11 st, 43 tkl, 2.5 tfl, 5 pbu LY.
K Emmit Carpenter
P Ryan Santoso – 1 punt (29 yds), 27 TB/59 KO LY.
KR Jalen Myrick 257 KR (21.4) LY.
PR Jalen Myrick – Tm 3.5 avg LY.
Anybody else hear GAs comments about Jaylyn Bailey? Wonder how much he will be used and how? GA kinda lumped him in with the running backs….
Horowitz heard him, and wrote about it here:
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/sports/blogs/horowitz/2016/08/30/osu-coach-gary-andersen-dont-count-out-jaylynn-bailey/89590560/
Lumped in with the other RB’s, but pretty clearly #4.
Gina has a piece up on how to watch the game, in addition to B1G Network she lists, “Live stream online: Watch ESPN / Watch ESPN app”
Anyone know what this is? Doesn’t show up on listings for ESPN.
http://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/index.ssf/2016/08/what_time_tv_channel_for_orego.html#incart_river_index
Watch ESPN/App are the online streaming options for ESPN’s multiple channels. Most of the time you need a login/password from your cable or sattelite account to view it. Occasionally certain ESPN streams are free. (My guess is this one will require a login)
Go to ESPN360.COM to familiarize yourself with the computer version. If you want to use your smartphone, load the “WatchESPN” app.
The good news is, you dont need the Big10 network it sounds like. Just a tv package that includes ESPN should get you online streaming of this game
Thanks, I thought that was what Gina was talking about. Still, the listings for the multiple ESPN channels don’t show the Rodent Bowl at all.
May have to wait till game time, my login has worked in the past for ESPN but not ESPN-U or III.
Now Gina has backtracked and says it’s only on the Big10 network as well as the Big10 app/website.
ESPN is not going to help you. Lots of Beaver fans are going to be pissed come game day, when they can’t find the game. (Which is why i ordered that amazon fire stick somebody else recomended. It sounds like the way to go for live sports)
“The smell of smoking pork butt hung heavy in the air.”
Game info:
http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082916aaa.html
This game is a loss for the beavers, unfortunately. Minnesota has a better quarterback, better defense, home field advantage. Beavers have too many questions on defense. Beavers have an intriguing offense, but it is not realistic to expect it to outscore a p5 school with a vetearn qb on the road early in the season.
31-21 gophers
PHIL STEELE INSIDE THE PRESSBOX PREVIEW:
The last meeting between these schls was in ’81. OSU hasn’t fared well when
traveling to B10 country as the last 2 gms they’ve ply’d have resulted in losses
by 28 & 35 pts, but HC Anderson was 2-0 vs MN while at UW. MN HC Claeys
believes this is the best Gopher tm since he arrived on campus 6Y ago. This is
an improved OSU team that will have a new QB under center in Darell
Garretson, who st’d 11 gms for Utah St. While MN has a slight edge on OFF,
they have a significant edge on D & are playing at home. I’ll follow my
computers lead and call for the Gophers to win by 2 td’s.
MINNESOTA 35 OREGON STATE 21
PROJECTED BOX SCORE
OREGON STATE
Projected Rushing Yards: 153
Projected Passing Yards: 172
Projected Yardage Total: 325
Projected Final Score: 22
Experience Rankings: 75
Team Schedule Strength: 20
MINNESOTA
Projected Rushing Yards: 247
Projected Passing Yards: 240
Projected Yardage Total: 488
Projected Final Score: 35
Experience Rankings: 76
Team Schedule Strength: 23
POSITION BY POSITION EDGES:
WHEN OREGON STATE HAS THE BALL:
Oregon State QB/WR vs Minnesota DB’s: ORST +0.46
Oregon State RB’s vs Minnesota LB’s: MINN +0.44
Oregon State OL vs Minnesota DL: MINN +0.17
WHEN MINNESOTA HAS THE BALL:
Oregon State DL vs Minnesota OL: MINN +1.22
Oregon State LB’s vs Minnesota RB’s: MINN +0.79
Oregon State DB’s vs Minnesota QB/WR: MINN +1.18
MISCELLANEOUS:
Special Teams: MINN +0.10
Kicking: ORST +0.04
Coaches: ORST +0.50
Oregon State Total: 1.00
Minnesota Total: 3.90
Positional Edge Awared To Minnesota by 2.90 Points.
Overall National Ranking Comparison:
OREGON STATE:
Offense: 105
Defense: 115
Special Teams: 44
MINNESOTA:
Offense: 78
Defense: 65
Special Teams: 41