Home Football Oklahoma State @ Oregon State

Oklahoma State @ Oregon State

314

It’s been hard finding good previews or research about this game. If you’ve found good research on this game share it in the comments below so we can all get a better feel for it.

From what I can gather, it seems like the Cowboys weakness is their D-line. I’m not sure if it’s actually a weakness, or they have talented players who just lack game experience. There’s a difference. They’ll be playing some freshman. I’m not sure what to make of it, and I’m not going to watch film on Cowboy players to see how good these guys are. So generally speaking, this seems like an area the Beavs can exploit with Jefferson. The Cowboys run a 4-2-5, so maybe that negates some of this advantage in that they won’t have to have a lot of LB rotation. And the corners/secondary are their strength, so maybe they just move a DB up to the line and try to stop Jefferson that way. That seems like the best plan.

Luton should get some opportunities if that’s the case. Play action should be effective (if Luton can pull it off…he has poor play action mechanics and doesn’t sell it well).

To me the game comes down to three factors:

– Can Jefferson et al get things going early? The RB unit needs a fast start to soften things up and make the Cowboys start questioning themselves. If they bring a safety up to the line early to try and stop this, the Beavs should consider some trick plays, end arounds, or deep play action. Also, look for which line is getting push on the first drives, and that should tell you who will win the game. I find this method about 90% accurate in predicting the final outcome in the first minutes.

– Can the Beavs D slow down Oklahoma State? Again, look at line push. From the sound of things, it sounds like the D still isn’t getting much passing pressure in camp. I expect the OkSt QB to have plenty of time to find open receivers. I’m not convinced our run D will be much better. The home atmosphere should help with an adrenaline rush early on, and you have to hope the Beavs capitalize on that with a turnover and some points before the high wears off.

– Can Luton beat the secondary? From the reports, the Cowboy secondary is their strength. For all the talk about Luton lately, we should get a good glimpse early on whether the “game has slowed” for him and he can beat a strong secondary. Point 1 above with Jefferson, the 4-2-5, and how OkSt uses their safeties will factor into Luton’s opportunities. Should be some shots at big plays via play action, though, given the LB issues for OkSt and that they might cheat a safety. I’m expecting 300 yards, 3TDs, 2INTs, and a fumble from Luton. If we get something better than that, we should at least cover the spread.

That’s where I’d leave it. Beavs +15.5 at home vs a rebuilding D seems like you take the points. Whether they can win the game? I have no idea. My gut says no chance. It’s not the type of game we’ve ever won in recent history, and I don’t see this D or Luton being the guys to break that string. It would be pretty awesome to be wrong.

Oklahoma State 42, Oregon State 30.

314 COMMENTS

  1. The play action offense is something I’ve been wanting to see more of, but agree that this combo of QB/RBs didn’t sell it well enough in the past to make it effective. Wouldnt have expected to see them use it in the Spring/Summer scrimages, so maybe it’s been an offseason tool they’ve been working on and keeping in their back pocket.
    I’d expect our tight ends to be pretty important i. Thos game with short dink and dump plays under the secondary. Hopefully Togiai/Smalls/Musgrave/Quitoriano have been working on their hands all offseason and are ready to become a bigger part of the offense. There’s alot of potential talent in that group.

    Was reading somewhere that OkState plans to play 2 QBs. Not sure if they are platooning or just playing them together at tines in 2 QB sets. Might be fun to watch actually. Will try to find a link to share.

    GoBeavs

    • I really like Musgrave best out of that group. Do we know he’s going to play/not redshirting?
      Togia has been disappointing with the drops and injuries. Smalls should be a coach when he retires. He’s been pretty mediocre to this point but has some potential.

      • True freshman are allowed to play in 4 games now, while keeping their redshirt. So we’ll definitely see him this year. And from what I’ve read, they’re pretty high on him. I think Eggers had an article recently that said he is the most likely of all of our true freshman, to burn their redshirt and play more than 4 games this year.

      • Smalls has been disappointing? He is a true sophomore at tight end who played as a true freshman. His body still isn’t really TE ready at around 220 pounds, but any disappointment should be aimed at depth of the team rather than at a player that should have been able to redshirt.

  2. I’m just looking for some signs of noticeable improvement. Based on what I’ve read, Okst is a middle of the pack Big 12 team, most middle of the pack P-12 teams killed the Beavs last year. Can the Beavs make it a game or is all the preseason talk about improvement just coach speak bullshit? Are the highly rated transfers really impact players or did the other coaching staffs see the flaws and cut their losses? I remember the excitement about GA’s third season and then they lose by 31 to Colorado State.

  3. Oklahoma State will likely be fine on the Dline for this game; they have 7 to play there and a lot of young players behind those guys. The Beaver’s Oline is probably ok, but it’s not like it’s a dominant, established, and cohesive line.

    Oklahoma’s strength is apparently the DBs in their 4-2-5 system, with their starting CBs each having 3 years of experience. Whether it’s a ‘strength” because their fast ballhawks and good tacklers, or just a relative strength given the inexperience of their Dline, I don’t know. I expect the Beavers fine receivers will have their plays, and it’ll be Luton’s decision making that puts the ball at risk.

    Oklahoma State will play 2 qbs, sometimes both on the field at the same time. Their O Coordinator did this frequently before coming to Oklahoma State, and even put 3 QBs on the field once in a while. He doesn’t view it as a gimmick, but rather a way to keep the D off balance and create mismatches. If he does this with some of his crazy alignments it’ll be interesting to see how the Beavers respond and line up.

    Their running back averaged 6 yards a carry last year, they have a WR who last year caught 80+ passes for nearly 1,500 yards, and a lot of talent and depth at WR position. They’ll play one 6’6” guy on the outside who could be challenging for the Beaver’s secondary. The Beavers D is talking pretty confidently right now, but that confidence isn’t earned, and I expect Oklahoma State will break their confidence by the end of the third quarter. I don’t see the Beavers secondary, particularly if Morris-free, stopping these WRs.

    This has a chance to be an entertaining game with the Beavers offensive skill players. The offensive play calling from both teams should be fun. Oklahoma State had problems with disciplined play last year that they are going to try and correct, so that could be a factor in field position. If students were on campus and the stadium had that “USC-at-OSU-night-game” feel to it, I think the crowd could help the Beavs. Instead, I expect a fair amount of empty seats and a Beavers D learning that it’s got a ways to go yet.

      • Yeah, my bad, haha. Pretty bad actually.
        In my defense, i was trying to read while working and only half paying attention to both. You should see my work now

    • What I’ve read:
      Sanders (frosh) and Brown (transfer) are both mobile. Sanders is faster with a bigger arm, Brown has experience and possibly better decision-making.

      Gundy still hasn’t made an announcement on who starts, which tells me they like Sanders’ potential, but aren’t totally confident handing things over to him because of mistakes they’ve seen in practice.

    • What’s it been 13 years now trying to learn how to stop mobile QBs? I think around ’06 or so, which was interestingly our last really good team.

  4. 2-deep is out and Champ Flemings has earned the start at one of the WR spots, with Taylor backing him up. Probably the spot Bradford would normally fill, but still pretty cool that he was able to earn the start at 5’5″ and 141lbs. Wonder what happend to Taylor? Thought he was playing with the 1’s for much of the fall camp?

  5. the two deep came out today. Tyjon Lindsey 1 and Isiah Irish 2. Then, Avery Roberts starting, and Addison Gumbs starting. Interesting how those transfers are starting, but Gebbia is the backup. I fully expect our Defense to be better this year after seeing the two deep come out. If our defense can create turnovers this year and not be last place in NCAA nor Pac-12 in defense, then I believe we will be better overall this year.

  6. The starting OL is not bad. Not sure about Cordasco or Kipper, but the other side is solid. Why is Baylor ahead of Pierce? Also why is David Morris behind Wilson? Is Morris still hurt? He was way better than Wilson when he was healthy. I can’t believe we couldn’t find a better kicker than Chouker…

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EC68a5MUYAE51_5?format=jpg&name=4096×4096

    Front seven looks pretty good. Not much depth, but that’s a better D than last year by far.

    • I like Kipper. Saw him at one of the spring practices up close. He’s huge.
      from the interviews I’ve see of him, he seems like a pretty intelligent/thoughtful dude, and he’s a former all-state wrestler which i think will serve him well as an OLineman.
      Right tackle has some pretty tall guys with Kipper 6’6″ and Bush 6’7″

      Right Guard is my biggest concern on the OL.

      Morris has been easing back into practice time, recovering from foot surgery a year ago. I would think he earns that starting spot back if he can stay healthy.

      CB still looks awfully thin and unproven. I think Dunn was ok last year, but nobody else has any playing experience with this team. Wright getting the start after not even joining the team until a couple of months ago says alot. He has good size at least. If either starter goes down to injury, we’re going to be putting some first timer freshmen out there.

    • It’s Baylor or Pierece, which means they’re even. Pierce didn’t look like his same physical self after the elbow injury last year.

    • Damn, that’s pretty bad news. another starter out for (likely) the full season before week1. At least it’s at a position with some depth.

      And our JC DEs that we picked up in the last class are nowhere to be seen (Sandberg, injury, Rawls, MIA) We shouldn’t have a walkon(CodyAnderson) starting over 2 guys who took up 2019 scholarships at a position of need. That’s just wasted scholarship money

      Whatever happened to Trajon Cotton? Thought he looked solid out of highschool but he can’t seem to crack the rotation.

        • Guys, it isn’t the shoes. While, yes, these shoes (and all athletic apparel) are shit. The amount of factors, not too mention the mechanism of injury not being known, we are being ignorant to solely point the issue with the footwear.

          Keep in mind you have, ultra athletes, that have trained to increase strength and power, which will have an increase in body weight, and thus forces from the ground, the extra force on the tendons due to the increase in strength and/or power.

          Furthermore, I would imagine each of the players has their foot scanned and fitted with a custom orthotic by the team podiatrist (if not, they should), and if they were thinking next level, identifying genetic disposition to connective tissue injuries and/or the potential of these specific injuries.

          Keep in mind, stress fractures in the foot, depending on the bones, are horrific because of the lack of blood flow to the bone. Think Bo Jackson’s hip, and every other old that falls and breaks their hip, shit doesn’t heal because it is avascular,

          There are numerous ways to mitigate the risk, and identify higher risk athletes. Changing footwear is not the fix.

          • Let me amend the final sentence:

            Changing footwear companies is not the fix, they all are about lightweight, breathable material, whereas back a decade or so ago, the footwear was much more robust, with more material to provide stability. Also, what has changed, is the methodologies in strength training, speed/agility, etc. All of which puts an increased load on the connective tissue in the body.

            It is quite interesting. I kind of want to look at some statistics on if non contact overuse injuries (stress fractures) have increased over the last 10 years. Personally, imho, is for programs to employ a full time integrative doc. or a genetic counselor who can take the genetic information, combine it with the observable information and actually develop a way to manage each individual athlete on a personal level.

            An example, a mentor of mine (Mark Verstegen, founder Athletes Performance/Exos) asked me a decade ago what our goal as S and C coaches be when working with ELITE athletes. Keep in mind this was asked post NFL Combine prep…. anyways, I said to get them bigger faster and stronger. He shook his head, told me flat out, our job is to keep them on the field. That’s it. He reminded me they were born with this “god given talent” and by focusing on stability and mobility, along with proper movement skills, ultimately, they get bigger, faster and stronger.

            Since then, it’s gone to a completely different level. Companies in Silicon Valley are identifying factors and the speed of cognitive delcline in individual athletes and measuring the rate it effects proprioception. Proprioception being like a sixth sense, it’s your bodies ability to understand where it is in relation to other stuff. Next time you watch a basketball game, this is the reason there is not a broken ankle after every rebound.

            Anyways, a decrease in cognitive speed, increases the likelihood your body “thinks” your foot is going to hit the ground a fraction of a second early or whatever, and boom, non contact ACL rupture.

            As shitty as I this is going to sound, I bet you they are doing this stuff down the road in the mariota building.

            Sorry for the rambling post, I kind of geek out on this stuff.

  7. Angry meant to give us two predictions, one where everything goes “right”, and the other typical of Beaver football.
    Everything goes right:
    His first prediction forgot the Beav factor of -3 points (Choukair?) – should be 42 to 27 Cowboys

    Everything goes wrong:
    Two starting O-linemen go down with season ending injuries
    Luton has four turnovers before being pulled
    Gebbia gets chance to run for his life and throw hospital balls, and gets sacked getting driven off field on a cart
    Two interceptions by Beaver D called back on phantom offsetting BS
    Throw a PI non-call against Hodgins’ would be TD
    Riley on sideline distracting JS
    Typical luck O da Beavs score:
    Cowboys 58 – Beavs 13

  8. With some better players on D we won’t allow avalanches of TDs like last year. I don’t think our offense looks too bad but we won’t break any big runs in this game.

    Kinda close but Beavs D gives up a long drive TD in the 4th quarter and lose 28-14.

    • He also came from Oklahoma, who is a rival of Okie State. So having a player that already has an internal feeling of Rivalry, I can feel this one brewing into a game that makes everyone say, “We should be the better OSU in Orange and Black! Not them!” kind of mentality. but then again, we are who we are. Mental game is huge.

      It really depends on if the coaches taking notes from LSU really paid off in the offseason or if it just made things worse and more confusing. Putting the players in better position on defense is what I’m looking for against Cal Poly and Hawaii. I don’t expect this team to be ready out of the gate for game 1.

  9. I’ll be the first overly optimistic orange colored glasses guy:

    I think Smith made has made almost all the necessary changes to kick start the rebuild. I think he brought in the right talent at the right positions. I’m happy with 90% of his coaching staff (still think jury is out on Tiesbar) but play calling last season even with a shitty team I probably had the fewest complaints in the last 10 years. I don’t think they’ll be able to stop our offense. I think our d is serviceable enough to stop them more then they stop us. I think we’ll get bodies in the back field (Gumbs and Whittley are grown men against boys) and we’ll force at min 2 turnovers.

    0 Starts on the D Line, brand new QB, best LB is a safety they converted due to depth issues, home game at 7:30 pm (9:30 Oklahoma time). This is the first big home opener in a long time that actually benefits us (as opposed to the 9:00 am east coast kick offs)

    Beavers 42 – Cowboys 38. Suck is Debbie downers.

      • I’m giving you a D+ for grammer and a B for your prediction.

        Angry mentioned watching the trenches for the first 10 minutes or so, that is a good predictor. I’ll modify it to say, watch Aydon and Whittley, if they average 2.5 downs out of 4 the cowpokes won’t break 31 points. Decent play calling gets the Beavs over 35.

        Oh, and Kipper is the real deal………..per BIG JIM.

    • That’s all reasonable. His one awful coaching moment was Nevada.
      The play calling has been top notch. I was thinking earlier today about that actually…just how few complaints there have been about play calling. A few here and there but there used to be like 20 per game with all the prior staffs. The last time play calling complaints were this low was when Riley took over briefly (2013?).

  10. If I’m not mistaken we have 4 or 5 walkon/ former walk on in the 2 deep. Grant, Skelton, Anderson, bodden, and Bush? Not sure if I’m correct on all of those but doesn’t bode well for our roster talent.

    • The video in the report Smith says Luton being named the started started in January, then Tristan closed the gap big time in the past two weeks, but “we just think Luton should go first”…that does NOT sound like Luton won the job. Sounds like they were biased toward him in January, found reasons to ignore Gebbia “closing the gap” (playing better) because they had bias that the experienced guy should go first. Disappointing. But exactly what I expected happened. They better have a quick hook at least.

      • Actually he said Luton “deserves” the start which is entirely different.

        I’ll believe it when I see it, but it’s not inconceivable that Luton has made big strides since last season. If you look at how little relevant experience he has, he’s still on the early part of the QB learning curve.

        His resume:
        Two-sport HS athlete who only started focusing on football in his senior year
        Wing T QB in high school (e.g. only threw 9 passes in the state championship game)
        The lost year at Idaho
        A year at JC
        The injury year under GA
        Last year (his best collegiate year)

        Now, all that speaks more to his decision making than his accuracy, which has always been merely average. Some people think that’s one of those things you either have or don’t.

    • “The talk is they may run more dual back sets…
      …bet on seeing Gebbia some, if not at quarterback then somewhere else in the offense.”

      Yeah, gotta wonder where this guy gets some of his info.

      • Lol, did anybody who attended the spring game or any open practice see them run 2 back sets, even once? Was it ever reported in any practice wrap-up articles? I dont remember seeing any. This is jet fuel cant melt steel beams level bullshit.

        • Seems like the writer “mailed it in”, maybe spent his time on more formidable opponents. It’s probably a stretch, but what are the chances that the superficial analysis by this writer is an indication that the cowpoke team also is taking the Beavs too lightly?

          Could be. Pokes are 5-0 vs the PAC10/12 in season starting games.

      • if the coaching staff rolls out a 2 back set, or other wrinkles in the offense that they didn’t have during open practice sessions, nor talk to the media about what they’re planning to run, then this is the best staff we’ve had in a really long time. Keep your playbook to yourself and your team! Don’t give your opponent much more than vanilla fluff material before the season. Once the play has been ran and it worked or didn’t work, then it will be asked by the media and it will be answered, “Ya, we’ve been working on that play a lot this off season. Trying to give our guys an edge on offense and allow them to have fun in the process.”

    • 11 minute mark…Smith admits (modestly) that he didn’t know Jamar was Jamar last year. So for those of you who think the coach knows who the best player is…he just said the opposite. Also said when the lights are on some guys will step up this year. This is just the reality of it. The coach very rarely has the best guys on the field to start the year. He might have the best practice players on the field, though.

      • Just for the record, I have never seen anyone make the case that a coach never makes a mistake in regards to who to play. I do think a pretty good argument can be made that they make fewer of these mistakes than someone who has never even been to a practice.

      • this is EXACTLY what happens in football! You put your best practice players on the field because coaches think, “If they have it down in practice and have the aggression in practice, then they’ll be ready to go in game time situation.”

        A lot of the time, it’s the opposite. The guys who tend to go half speed are the ones who are working on the little things like footwork, hand strikes, foot plants, when to pull, when not to pull. But later in practice, they’ll work their way up to 3/4 to full speed near the end of practice. This allows them to know how to pace themselves and conserve energy to be able to go 4 quarters in a game. Why empty the tank going full speed in the second day of practice when you can get more miles by going 1/4 to half the speed and still get the work in you need? This is how I practiced to be fair. I started from 5th grade all the way to my freshman year of high school at center because of practicing this way. Coaches knew they could count on me on game day to go full speed, know the playbook, and know what my assignment was. Once I became a sophomore, the varsity coaches only cared about 3 things:

        1) strength = how much you can lift in the weight room and if you ran faster than a 5.1 40 time or you were 6 ft 3+ and weighed 280+ lbs
        2) if you go full bore everyday in practice
        3) if you kept your ground and didn’t get over powered by the defensive lineman in front of you in practice.

        This is how they determined their starters. They didn’t give out exams, and our team film day was mondays for 20 minutes. meanwhile, our opponents went in on saturdays as a team and watched game film together before Hudl came out in 2006.

        Long ass story short, this team will be fine with Luton as the starter. First 3 and out with no first downs and little clock ran off, then I fully expect to see Gebbia. Any mental errors should not be tolerated by the QB. There’s a fine line between pressure, and expectation.

        • I’m not sure I fully follow. Are you saying my comment that the best practice players are not always the best game day players is legit or not legit?

          I know from practicing spots and musical instruments that going slow and deliberate with repetition works best, but it’s not impressive to any outside observers. It does produce the best product, though.

          There are books written about this and how it pertains to music. I’ve read many of them. The short is that the neural pathways have to form slowly via repetition. If you go faster then your brain is forming those connections, you wind up with poor “muscle memory” and sloppy results that are not repeatable. This is why you can have a musician who has played 20 years yet can’t get through a piece without fumbling notes, and a QB who is 26 and still throwing 1 interception for every TD.

          • I am agreeing with you. Slower methodical repetition produces better results than full speed repetitions for the reasons you have stated. The old way of thinking in regards to who starts is by who can go full speed in practice and still have speed when running conditioning. The old way of thinking also believes that practicing full speed is part of conditioning on top of the end of practice running. These are fallacies of logical thinking.

            Take a carpenter for instance, does he do his best work starting out going fast and rushing his work, or does he do better work if he’s methodical and slow with cutting, sanding, gluing, nailing, etc. Over time by sheer repetition, the player will develop game speed and start practicing faster on their own and at their speed. This is where we ask the question, “Who is more ahead, the offense or the defense?” When we ask this question, we are asking which side of the ball is more game ready speed wise and making less mistakes going game speed. Right now, the coaches are stating the team is closer to game ready, but not there yet.

  11. Classic angry. Disagree, but then throw out qualifiers that make yourself right. “Gebbia should start”. So when we get beat by the Pokes you can say Gebbia should’ve started. Then “I’m sure Luton will have games of 300 yards and 4 Td’s.” So if he plays well nobody can say you were wrong.

    It’s a tired playbook you run Angry

  12. I bet JS is all about playing favorites angry… I mean here is a guy who walked on and worked his ass off to get where he’s at… Never got a handout himself but as a coach he’s gonna give every undeserving player a starting spot? Look at the depth chart, he’s giving the spots to the guys that earned it… not just giving them to favorites, I think that’s obvious… it’s been awhile since we’ve had a coach with that much disposition

  13. Welp, I took the bait, I bought two tickets for Friday. If I’m going to sit for a shit show, may as well be an early season game with decent weather.

    • I bought 2 tix too. Taking my wife. Should be a nice night for football, regardless of outcome. I’m glad this is an evening game so we won’t be sitting out in the afternoon sun for 3-4 hours.

      Found a ticket resale site that doesn’t have any extra fees tacked on to theor listed price, for anybody interested in cheap tix.
      Tickpick.com

      (Wonder if they intended for their site to sound like dickpick?)

    • And now Coach Smith is involved.
      What’s a little unclear is if Sears has already graduated, or if he graduates at the end of this term.
      If he’s already graduated, he would be able to transfer immediately still have 3 years to play 3, which would be a little unbelieavable. If he graduates after the season starts, I think he would have 2 to play 2, starting with the 2020 season. Something to keep an eye on. If Willard leaves, we’ll need the extra body badly. And Sears’ recruiting profile is on par with Gebbia’s coming out of high school.

      • Sears is the same year as Gebbia and both are around the same talent level.
        This would create an awkward situation. Not sure how that would play out. I wish they weren’t the same year — would make the possibility more exciting. I’d rather pass on this guy and find an uber talented guy younger than Gebbia. His film is decent. Big body…kind of looks like a Rothlisberger type. I’d take him but it would create problems where Gebbia maybe transfers.

        • The risk is after Luton graduates this year(insert 7th year joke) and if Willard indeed leaves, we only have 3 QBs next year. Gebbia, Matt Moore’s walkon brother and true freshman Gulbranson. I think you need to have at least 2 QBs with game experience on the roster. We risk being extremely thin.

          • Yeah. Williard is bad so he’s a non-starter in every aspect. Wish he’d leave the program.
            Gulbranson looks very good. Between Gebbia and him we’re good to go, but depth would be nice. I just don’t know if Sears is the right guy to have for depth. He’s a high 4-star recruit who wants to start, as is Gebbia. I just see issues there where one leaves, and I like Gebbia’s film over Sears’. We should probably stick with Gebbia and Gulbranson then recruit another young, talented QB this cycle. Definitely need another QB and a transfer makes sense but ideally that would be a highly rated guy who isn’t the same year as Gebbia. I’d take Sears, though, but it just seems like a bad fit.

      • Angry, I thought Gebbia only quit because the system wasn’t right?… he fits this system doesn’t he? And he’s so great, no one should be able to beat him out lol

          • I have to ask angry, what has Gebbia done? He has been beaten out in 2 different camps under 2 different systems. He has no game experience beyond what you see on his high school tapes. I understand that Luton has not been as consistent as we all would want but I trust Smith and his staff to not only make him better, but to pick the guy who is earned the chance to start. Smith is not the type of man that plays favorites. That went on during the previous staff, and nothing about the program now resembles the Anderson era. Nothing.

          • Luton has played 3 years and done nothing. So again, what has Luton done?

            Gebbia has done nothing because he hasn’t gotten a chance due to circumstance (poor fit at NE). Luton has done nothing despite 3 years. So how is that better?

          • I trust he is better with better coaching and that they know better than fans posting online. I agree, he needs a short leash.

  14. Last 2 times the pokes have started the season some where other then at home they have lost to central Michigan and Florida st. hopefully that trend continues.

    • A little inaccurate…..OkState beat Central Michigan on the road to open the 2015 season after having lost to Florida State in Dallas Cowboys Stadium to open the 2014 season. In 2016’s second game (at home) OkState lost to Central Michigan on a flea-flicker type play that was later ruled to have been an illegal, untimed down.

      Prior to that the last two season opening games on the road were victories over Washington State in 2008 and Mississippi State in 2013. Both were technically on neutral sites in Seattle and Houston.

      • I am concerned that this game could be a blowout. OkSt is good freakin’ program, some double-digit wining seasons, last losing season was in 2004. Unless the program is on a slight downturn or the Beavs are really that improved, this might get ugly.

  15. Possible quarterback solution: Start Gebbia immediately, recruit Sears hard, let the two of them battle it out next year, or even go with a two quarterback rotation. Nothing wrong with having two young 4-star quarterbacks on the roster.

  16. Nick Daschel(who has been doing a pretty good job covering OSU this year, I have to admit) had a quote from Lindgren on the Luton/Gebbia starting spot.

    Offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren said choosing Jake Luton over Tristan Gebbia as the starting quarterback was “a really tough decision,” but felt Luton’s experience in the system is what won the day. But Lindgren insists that in Gebbia, “he’s a guy you’re confident if you put him in the game. … Lindgren says they have no plan as of now to give Gebbia a series against Oklahoma State. …

    To me, this sounds like Gebbia may have had the edge in recent competition, but Luton holding the experience card, won out. Makes sense, I guess. Players are more familiar with Luton because he’s been here. But would have to think his leash is pretty short.

      • No, he didnt say anything about Gebbia being better. He said Luton won out because his “experience won the day”- trust the staff knows what they are doing and that they dont play favorites. There nothing they have done that shows any favoritism.

          • So what your saying then, in a nutshell, is that Smith and his staff know that Gebbia is better but they are going with Luton. Not a chance that’s what’s going on. None. Like you said, we shall see friday. Go beavs.

          • There’s a good chance that’s what happening based on all the quotes, and the reason is simple: experience bias.

            They probably don’t even realize they’re doing it. They think both guys are close enough and thus give Luton the nod because of experience.

    • Not sure how you derived your opinion from that quote. It sounds to me like they were even – they had two QBs who didn’t separate in any significant way in terms of play. Given the situation, it makes sense to choose the older guy who was voted as a team captain.

  17. You all are wasting your breath trying to convince Angry that he is incorrect on Luton. He has made up his mind, built his case and left multiple outs for “short term” success not proving anything. Vegas had the Beavs as a 2 game winner this year. Barring Luton having a all world year, Angry will be “proven” right. I said it before, offense wasn’t the problem last year and that even with a line that could not protect a qb. Angry may truly be proven correct if Luton is a turnover machine and Gebbia comes in and gets us our couple of wins.
    Experience is not everything but to act like it is nothing is just silly. Look at every OS successful qb, how many weren’t better by their senior year? Gebbia may be the more talented qb and the coaches still get it right by starting Luton. For any of us to know without ever seeing any of the dynamics of the team is just silly. A 6th year senior should provide a stabilizing force in the huddle which may be the most important thing for a team coming off two horrible seasons. I’m speculating heavily in that, maybe Gebbia is a great leader. But, Joe Montana was nowhere near the most talented QB in the NFL and yet had an incredible career.
    I would love for Angry to provide us with tangible numbers that Luton would need to have for him to admit he was wrong.

    • If Luton averages 270 yards per game and a 3TD to 1INT ratio and clutch on 3rd downs then he’s a good QB and the right choice.

      My guess is 250 yards and a 2 to 1 TD to INT ratio with some fumbles and big sacks thrown in there, too. Not expecting much performance in the clutch, either.

      • Those numbers are about spot on and I’d hope for the former and expect the latter. But hope isn’t a good strategy.

        The only place I give Grandpa Luton a break on the “experience” issue is that this is apparently the first time he’s had the same OC two seasons in a row in his 6 years of college ball, after coming from a veer offense in HS. He HAS to make better decisions and have a better throwing motion now. No more excuses. If he doesn’t put together three competent, “experienced” starter-quality games, start Gebbia and get on with it. It may not seem fair to throw Gebbia into the fire of league play, but he’s a DI QB, so he up for it. The fact that Gebbia came on and made it a tough decision is an indicator he’s gotten up to speed faster than Luton did. Let’s also remember that the QB has a great cast of RBs and receivers to help them out.

        Also, Gebbia should get a few series in each of the first three games.

  18. The QB situation will play out one way or another, but I wouldn’t go too far with the “experience factor”. Luton may be a sixth-year senior, but he’s bounced around programs. He’s played the equivalent of a little more than one full D-1 season with mixed results. If Smith/Lindgren think he’s improved than it better show quickly or move forward with the future. A different NCAA ruling and we wouldn’t even be discussing this.

    • Yeah.

      I’m not uber bearish on Luton. He should be middle of the road with a big game every 3 or 4. I’d rather break in the better talent who can also put up the same numbers. That’s smarter. Which is why we didn’t do it.

    • I don’t see QB play as an area where we should expect a huge variance vs. expectations coming into the season.

      DL and DB are worth more discussion. Adams doesn’t seem thrilled with where the DB group is and we’re facing a program known for lighting it up through the air.

      DL has some good starters, but depth is very thin with walk-ons on the depth chart.

      I don’t see how we win this one (or many games this year) without major improvement in those groups. There’s potential for them to be a big negative again this year.

  19. I hope everybody bitching at angry over his Luton opinion has considered donating, for the pleasure of bitching at him on his own site, lol.

  20. QB is the least of our worries. DL play and depth #1 issue. DB play #2. Creating turnovers #3.
    The offense should be fine with either guy as long as we don’t have a Luck O da Beav’s outbreak of injuries on the O line. I want to see a healthy Art Pierce. He went off against tOSU and was forgotten
    after JJ started killing it. This offense should be fun. Very good play calling for most of the year.
    Oh yeah……………..the kicker is #1A. Don’t suck.

  21. Don’t blame me! Blame my loser assistants! I kept saying we needed to recruit Garretson and Luton as CORNERbacks! Morons need their ears checked!

    • Yogi Roth is the most glass half full guy in college football media. Seems like a really good dude, but he’s unrealistically optimistic to a fault.

      He predicted the 1-11 Gary Andersen led squad a couple years ago would be a bowl team in that preseason prediction show.

      • That wasn’t the most thoughtful preview. Pretty lazy and very optimistic. Luton throws the ball better than half the conference? Even if that’s an accurate statement, it probably says more about the conference than the quality of Luton’s throws. I won’t be surprised if Luton, with his size and arm strength, gets an NFL camp invite somewhere. But him sticking when playing against the highest level of competition doesn’t seem realistic.

        And referencing the student section (which won’t be there for the most part) and the chain saw is pretty embarrassing.

        I did hear a podcast on the Portland Tribune site with Jim Wilson Ron Callan, where Wilson was very optimistic on the Beavers improving this season, saying the offensive line is much better, and the changes in Oine players is addition by subtraction. He wasn’t that crude, but almost. That makes sense when you’re replacing Sumner Houston. But he said this line will make last year’s forgettable and couldn’t remember the names of who had left except for Houston. He said everyone on offense is better.

        https://pamplinmedia.com/portland-tribune-sports/portland-tribune-kerry-eggers

  22. I was just looking at Mike Gundy’s coaching record. Impressive. Top 25 8 of the past 10 years and some nice seasons in there.

    I hope we don’t embarrass ourselves.

    PS. He’s 52 now and still a man. Hard to believe that was 12 years ago.

    • I mentioned it above, but I was looking over their record for the past 15 years, pretty impressive. Gundy taking over and the Pickens money seem to be the factors for their success. I’m not going to get too optimistic about their new QB situation being an aid to the Beavs, more often than not, some inexperienced QB has torched the Beavers over the past ten years or so.

  23. Beavs 45-42 as OSU kicks a 45 yard FG with 20 seconds to play. Beavers defense gives up big plays but makes key stops in the 4th quarter to set up the winning FG finish. Go Beavers!

  24. I can tell you unequivocally that the students aren’t back, not even close. Corvallis is pretty quiet right now and its really freaking hot.

        • Luton has two chances at the NFL. Slim and none. Hell, statistically the best QB in OSU history is nothing more than a backup QB in the NFL. Luton is no Mannion.

          • I always thought Matt Moore’s senior year was the best QB play we’ve ever had (never saw Terry Baker, etc). At least in the modern era.

          • Canfield was pretty good as a senior as well. Picked up a lot of third and longs with his arm.
            Alas, the fourth and long in the CW………….just off the fingertips.

          • “statistically”. Did you not read that in my post?

            STATISTICALLY, Mannion is the best QB OSU has ever had and its not even close.

  25. Another team member is quoted on his relationship with Luton, not a mention of Gebbia.

    “It’s been a dynamic where we have to really kind of work extra timing and stuff like that because I am quicker in and out of my breaks than some of the bigger guys that we have in the room,” Flemings said. “… I think we’ve built a really good rapport with each other just building that trust…”

    https://www.gazettetimes.com/sports/beavers-sports/football/osu-football-flemings-improves-all-aspects-of-his-game-earns/article_d2f6ce30-75a7-5db3-a0b3-bb5cdcc56262.html

    Important to note that Champ isn’t quoted at all on Gebbia; he could have worked just as much with him but the writer focused on the now named starting QB. But, there have been a couple other mentions of chemistry with Luton, by other players before the QB announcement. So I’m buying the sentiment that being voted captain (if a vote was the final say) and chemistry are a big part of the decision to start Luton.

    That said, I don’t understand Lindgren making the direct statement that he is not planning even one series for Gebbia this Friday.

    • Angry, you need to speak on this!… There is some major player bias going on here… it obviously spread from the coaches to the players… it’s just a catastrophe, none of these players or coaches know what’s going on… Hopefully they can stop this spread soon… the bias is gonna bring this team down

    • The reporters mess up every year. Remember how they said Seth was out playing everyone? I can name dozens of players they’ve said this about…they see limited plays and don’t know how to analyze player’s ability. I’d give reporters a 0 on a scale of 1 to 10 on grading players.

      • The reporters skill at grading players isn’t at question in this instance. What clouds any analysis of Luton’s popularity is the reporter here only reporting on Champs work with Luton and not addressing how that compared with his work with Gebbia. Not necessarily “fake news”, just an incomplete picture.

        BTW, I agree, the reporters mess up every year

      • Your right angry! Even the reporters are in on this! This situation is out of control… The bias know no bounds… The cheerleaders are next, I can feel it

          • No i am just tired of you spouting your nonsense… The players and coaches made it clear who they wanted to lead the team… yet here you are saying you know better than all of them… regardless of the countless interviews and statements made by the players and coaches, you keep your false narrative going… Quit making this about Luton, I am standing behind the players and the coaches… if they would of gone with Gebbia and said he was a better leader I’d be all for it… it’s pretty clear he’s not superior yet… unlike you I don’t define my opinion based off a player I like or don’t like… I define it off reality and the evidence that is presented… You are the Rush Limbaugh of the beavers sports world… give it up already

          • You’re going to be embarrassingly wrong by season’s end, as are the players and coaches. I’ve seen this play out over nearly two decades now. Yeah, Riley and the players thought Pankey was awesome, too. Lolzzzzzz. Keep believing in authority, though.

          • Angry, Riley isn’t coaching anymore… Based off that statement you think all coaches are one and the same… I think JS is different, sure I could be proven wrong but I don’t believe that’s gonna happen… He’s not Riley, he’s not Andersen… You are still running the same offense as you did when I first started following this blog… For how much you hate Riley, you sure are a lot like him… Can’t change up the old Pro Style conspiracy theory talk

          • Just like every blog in America has that “know it all” that can’t be wrong… We will see and I am sure you’ll find some way to spin it otherwise… but it’s cool you are firmly on record this time

          • “i am just tired of you spouting your nonsense”

            Then why are you on the guy’s site, the main venue for spouting? That’s like going into a library and complaining about all the books.

          • I don’t know what I’m on record with that’s so damming, but sure, I’m on record with it.

            And yes, as Scotty said, if you don’t like the site you should leave (for your own health).

          • God you are dense… You are on record about your stance on the coaches and players decision… When he succeeds, it’s gonna be hard for you to deny it but you will… Also Scotty, regardless of Angry’s ridiculous statements and delusions, he is the one person who has an open forum to discuss real topics about beaver sports… You’d be hard pressed to find a blog where your not moderated and can have an actual conversation… I’ve never faulted him on that… now his opinions on the other hand, that’s a totally different story lol

          • Not sure what you’re talking about because I like Smith.

            You should probably be clearer as to what I’m on record about.

            I like Smith. I think Smith picked Luton when Gebbia is the better player. Since you can’t seem to articulate yourself, I just myself on record with a summary of my position.

          • No your missing the point… it’s not that I don’t want him to share his opinions… I want him to respect others positions and not just disregard them as invalid even if he disagrees… it’s one thing to debate a topic but there’s no debating with Angry, he’s always right and you aren’t worthy if you disagree

    • I have a theory. I don’t think Gebbia is very popular among his teammates. Last year I noticed that while on the sideline Gebbia was always paired up with Riley; just the two of them, off to the side. All game long, or at least long stretches of it. I can’t recall seeing him interact on the bench with other players, not even when the OSU QB at the time, whoever it might have been, came off the field. I think the team thought “that’s Riley’s guy.”

      • The problem with that theory: how is a Riley guy worse than an Andersen guy?

        As much as Riley was a problem, he could spot QBs for the most part.

        • I don’t disagree with your point about Riley being able to evaluate quarterbacks; heaven knows he was infinitely better at that than Andersen. But it’s not about being a Riley guy versus and Andersen guy; it’s about choosing to pal around with a coach than hang out with your fellow players

  26. Well no such QB controversy here in Minneapolis. Non-contact broken foot via Nike footwear the second day of camp ended that. Game at 8:00 with perfect weather. CFB is back! Retro Benny flag will be flying with the block M in the tailgating lot. #GoRodents.

    • I never said the price is 10k. I said that’s what someone offered, and I said no. Therefore, the price is more.

      This clearly makes you angry@life for some reason.

      • It’s a blog. Which is why you can’t get a press pass and also why it has no value other than sentimental.

        Angry at life? You’re the one who had issues with our baseball coach and his national champion warts.

        • Really? Your argument is since it’s a blog with no press pass, it has no value?
          Subscribers/site traffic don’t have value?

          I guess all those youtubers out there pulling in checks are wasting their time because they don’t have a press pass.

          • Hey man, did you miss the memo? You can own a home, bonds, gold, stocks, and it’s all worth zero unless you have a press pass backing it up. We’re on what economists call the “press pass standard”.
            It’s a new era.

          • Relax. A press pass doesn’t mean anything. Just a shot at angry that he actually thought he could get one.

            He plays it off like he wanted free tickets but we’ve all bought beaver tickets, they don’t break the bank

          • Got it. A@A is just being a baby and has no legitimate reason to be bitching.

            I don’t want to pay for tickets either, if I don’t have to.

  27. Oregon State QBs Ranked (Limited to my tenure as a Beaver). I predict Gebbia will end up between DA and Canfield.

    1. Matt Moore
    2. Sean Mannion
    3. Derek Anderson
    4. Sean Canfield
    5. Lyle Moevao
    6. McMaryion
    7. Cody Vaz
    8. Jake Luton
    9. Ryan Katz
    10. Garretson
    11. Connor Blount
    12. Seth Collins

    • Those rankings look pretty accurate, but I wouldn’t have Blount or Collins on the list at all. I’d also consider Canfield over DA.

      Gebbia has a shot at being better than Mannion (Cooks made him look better than he was). What I really like about Gebbia is he’s got a fiery, winning mindset. Many OSU QBs have been laid back. The last guy with that personality and the skills to back it was Matt Moore.

      • I’d put Moevao at the top of the fiery/winning list, just without the pro style skill set of some of those guys.

        Best down field block by a D1 QB ever.

          • It was. So was Moore flipping off the Beav fanbase and then dominating the Conference. Both were badasses. I think Moevao was the tougher of the two, but Moore was more fiery. Moevao had a bit of that laid back, Hawaiian thing going on. He was built like a tank and badass but personality wise he was pretty chill. Moore was a lunatic and has probably killed people.

          • Lyle is from So cal.( The South Bay) Not Hawaii. A few years back he worked at the gym near my office so I would see him pretty regularly and chop it up with him. Still a really chill dude.

      • I could see Canfield moving ahead of DA, I just think DA was cooler.

        Looking at this list, and why I included Blount and Collins, is to illustrate just how fucking terrible Andersen was with QBs. McMaryion was able to have some success despite Andersen.

        Another note, I thought Katz had potential and would have figured it out if Mannion hadn’t been around.

        Moevao would be near the bottom if it was talent alone – good example of Riley & Co coaching guys up.

        I’m glad Garretson and Collins are gone – my least favorite Beaver players of all time. I’d maybe even move Garretson down a spot.

        Sometimes people appear on rosters and I stop watching until they leave. Football it was Garretson and Basketball it was Joe Burton.

        • Oh God, Joe Burton. Turning the ball over in style with baby blue shoes.

          For me nothing will beat Pankey, the Kreb brothers, and Wilder McAndrews.

          • Rueben Robinson.

            What’s funny is people would make the same arguments for those guys. That the media said they improved, they were good players and just needed xyz. Lol.

    • List is OK….but can any of these guys throw a fifty yarder through the uprights while on their knees…???? With fire and gnashing the teeth?? We need Bob Knight passion!!!!

    • There’s a huge dropoff from 5 to 6 on that list.

      I’d rank Canfield above DA. With as much talent as those DA teams had, they should have accomplished more than they did. He took over and dominated some games, then would be way off in others. I think he finished with a career completion % close to 50.

      Canfield’s stats were better and his teams had some pretty mediocre defenses. I believe that was the beginning of the “modern” Banker era.

      • Also, the thing about Moore was that his junior year was pretty brutal, but things clicked his senior year. One of many examples of the “MR QB’s struggle until their senior year” meme.

    • You have to be fucking kidding me to put any of those guys over DA.

      Not even Jonathan Smith who’s #2.

      Matt Moore is great, probably #3, but he had 28 TDs to 26 picks as a Beav and only one winning season.

      Mannion had 4 more TDs than DA but it took him over 300 more passes and he had Brandin Cooks compared to Mike Hass. Plus he had 2 losing seasons and no wins over the ducks.

      Only DA and Smith have beat the ducks twice. DA is the only QB to have 3 winning seasons as the starter, including one after Steven Jackson left. Oh and DA also played 14 years in the league. Give me a fuckin break with this Canfield shit. Canfield = Luton.

      • Oh. I get the impression that you disagree with my ranking that are definitely based on detailed analytics.

        Let me explain my methodology: A. Type out all the QBs I remember playing for the Beavers since I was a student – this explains why I left Jonathan Smith off the list because I never watched him play a game. 2. arrange said list of QBs in order of how good I think they were based on what I remember about them.

        I recall DA being a frustrating QB who had a low completion rate and some turnover issues. I am judging Matt Moore based solely on his senior year, although he struggled early and the Fire Mike Riley signs came out, Moore put it together after a few games and I believe he had the longest active streak without throwing an INT at one point. Plus Matt Moore seemed cool as fuck.

        Mannion had some good WRs to throw to – Wheaton before Cooks I believe. I liked Mannion, but he seemed like a pretty boring dude. He won some games though. Definitely not as cool as DA and Matt Moore.

        Canfield played poorly early in his career, but also put it together his senior season. Thought he had the tools to play in the NFL. Bit of a pretty boy, but if I were to cast a QB in a movie, a Canfield clone would work pretty darn well. The only thing is that he would be the start QB on the other team that we are supposed to hate.

        Basically the only good QBs we have had since about 2004 were DA, Matt More, Canfield, and Mannion. Not a bad group as all of them at least sniffed the NFL. The rest suck to varying degrees.

        But we now have Gebbia sitting on our bench. And he can join the elite company of OSU QBs. Luton won’t be part of that group.

    • I’m going back a touch further and putting Eric Wilhelm on my list. He helped the Beavers be “non-pathetic” for a couple of seasons and had semi-NFL talent.

  28. Another potential QB transfer to keep an eye on is Cade Fortin. Former UNC QB, is a class of 2018 redshirt freshman who didn’t land the UNC starting job and elected to transfer.
    Was rated 3* by Rivals/247 out of highschool and 4* by ESPN. ProSyle QB who is 6’3 and a little over 200lbs.

    Our staff appears to be pretty interested in him.

    If he came here, he would fit the QB room void a little better as he’d essentially be a redshirt Sophomore next season after sitting this year out.

    https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2018/cade-fortin-13947

    • The first episode of Ballers (the Rock’s show on HBO) this season has an NFL DT contemplating retiring from the league to be a professional gamer.

      • I have to admit, I like Ballers. Totally guilty pleasure tv with predictable storylines, but it’s still entertaining. Basically Entourage with pro football replacing hollywood.

      • That’s not what the numbers say.

        You could argue it’s all dorks at this point who couldn’t play sports, but that can easily change since there’s better pay for the video games, and there’s also no concussions.

  29. Anybody reading anything about a couple of OL guys, Brock Wellsfry and Travis Mackay? Thought those guys would be cracking the depth chart this year(their 3rd with the team) but neither are on the 2 deep.
    Those are some big guys who should be contributing by now

    • I saw Mackay was running with the 2nd unit before the scrimmage, so he must have been close. Not sure about Wellsfry. Maybe injuries? Maybe we just added too much better talent?

  30. Hey Beavgopher, your Comcast email got returned to me as invalid. My email is under the “contact/donate” link on the right side.

  31. Does anybody else here think that Derek Carr is a dipshit on Hard Knocks? I feel bad for the players who have to try and interact with that socially inept dweeb. Nice looking lady friend he has though. Must be nice to have a lot of money.

  32. Yes, I’m still here :)

    PHIL STEELE REPORT (WEEK 1):
    #36 Oklahoma State at #95 Oregon State

    Oklahoma State has won 10 straight non-conf games. The last time the Cowboys traveled to a P12 member was in 2012, losing at Arizona 59-38 despite being a DD favorite. The Cowboys will be fully focused for this Friday night game with only McNeese St on deck. Last year Oklahoma State lost outright 5 times as a favorite (won outright 3 times as dog) and one of Gundy’s priorities was to make sure they took care of business when favored. They do have a new QB making his first road start and did lose 27 lettermen, so they are #53 on my Exp Chart. Oregon St was a poor 2-10 last year and only had one loss by less than DD’s and even at home lost to P5 teams by 27 ppg (0-5 ATS HD)! This years’ team is much deeper and moves up to #5 on my Exp Chart led by QB Luton who is stronger and faster and I would favor this years squad by double digit over last years thin inexperienced group that had a first year head coach. Oklahoma State has questions on the defensive line and the Beavers RB’s Jefferson and Pierce should have good success on the ground. Oklahoma State is the superior team but Beavers give them a much closer battle than expected and an upset would not surprise me as my computer only calls for a 502-471 yard-edge, which is why the Beavers are one of my best bets this week.

    BEST BET PICK: Oregon State 34 (+) Oklahoma State 41

    POSITION BY POSITION EDGES:

    WHEN OKLAHOMA STATE HAS THE BALL:
    Oklahoma State QB/WR vs Oregon State DB’s: OKST +1.84
    Oklahoma State RB’s vs Oregon State LB’s: OKST +0.32
    Oklahoma State OL vs Oregon State DL: OKST +1.46

    WHEN OREGON STATE HAS THE BALL
    Oregon State QB/WR vs Oklahoma State DB’s: ORST +0.34
    Oregon State RB’s vs Oklahoma State LB’s: ORST +0.70
    Oregon State OL vs Oklahoma State DL: ORST +0.23

    MISCELLANEOUS:
    Special Teams: ORST +0.05
    Kicking: OKST +0.75
    Coaching: OKST +2.40

    POSITIONAL EDGE AWARDED TO: OKST +5.45

    Team Stats (OKST-ORST)
    Projected Rushing: 246-192
    Projected Passing: 257-280
    Projected Yardage Total: 503-472
    Projected Final Score: 42-32
    Experience Rankings: 53-7
    Team Schedule Strength: 41-30

    Las Vegas Line: Oklahoma State by 14.5
    Las Vegas Total: 75 Points
    +/- Ratings: Oklahoma State by 15.5
    Game Grade: Oklahoma State by 15.4
    Computer Yards: 503-472
    Computer Points: Oklahoma State 42-32

  33. Pac12 off to a pretty weak start. UCLA down 10 to Cincinatti in the 1st half. The Chip Kelly offense just doesn’t work anymore. What happened to that guy?(as i typed this, UCLA scores on a 75 yard play, so 7-10 Bearcats)

    Utah plays BYU and ASU plays Kent State tonight

    • Chip strikes me as a guy that doesn’t have anything left to prove and doesn’t have the same competitive fire. It’s one thing to go all out when you’re in your first big HC gig in your 40’s. It’s another when you’re in your mid-50’s and you already accomplished the most you ever will in your career.

      He struck gold being among the first to do something unique with his offense at UO. That means he’s a guy that had a good idea, not that he’s a genius.

      • Hard to imagine a guy that has accomplished what Chip has being satisfied approaching anything like that. He is a competitive guy and competitive people always have something to prove. I think it is more likely that he just doesn’t have the advantages he did when he was around the college game. If you aren’t going forward you are going backwards- meet Mike Riley.

        • I think it’s an unconscious thing. And he also may be shy about taking risks the way he did with a system that was originally introduced at a below average New Hampshire program.

          Once people accomplish something big, they often think they know how it’s done and they don’t have to work as hard at finding a competitive advantage.

          • You absolutely may be right. Chip had always struck me as a high ego guy. Either way, they are not producing. Of course he is not the first big name coach to not have success at UCLA.

          • “Of course he is not the first big name coach to not have success at UCLA.”

            Weird, right? Seems like that place is set up for every possible advantage.

      • I think all the comments above are correct. He’s lost his edge.
        UCLA is a hard place to coach for various reason (USC’s little brother, laid back beach bums who are USC rejects, inner city mindset/”last chance u” type kids, prima donnas, etc).

        At Oregon he had everyone buying in 100%. Every game was intense. I see none of that at UCLA.

        • I’d counter that with:

          You still have access to loads of talent and are recruiting to LA ( a draw for a lot of kids), great weather, hot coeds, diverse student body, they play at a historic venue, they are located in Westwood/NOT inner city USC, boosters/money, good education…Hell of a lot more advantages than most every Pac-12 team and most of the country for that matter.

    • But I had to think: do I ignore AB/all media and wait for an upload onto YouTube Saturday? Do I cancel my obligations [to watch a loss], etc? And yes, it cost me an hour of sleep.

      • We’re heading over to Crane Prairie to camp and do some fishing. Unless I can convince the wife to run in to Manley’s I’m probably going to miss it too.

  34. Haven’t watched any game so far, hearing they’ve been pretty sloppy. I know this sounds like Mr. Obvious, but I hope Smith et al can it a point of emphasis and pride and have the Beavs play a clean game.

  35. Hope you boys ups north are ready to tango with the Mullet Man himself and his group of angry men. This ain’t no watered down beer sipping group of nancies playing touch football over there out west. Let’s see how you hand choo choo Hubbard and Gatorade player of the year in Texas Spencer Sanders.

    Hope you’re selling plenty of beer up there tonight. Might need to order an extra round when we go up 40. Make sure to bring some Boudreaux’s butt cream to lather on your partner after we whoop that ass.

    Well that’s it. Other than that good luck to ya, you’ll definitely need it…

    – A concerned friend

    • See what happens when they hand out the Wifi password at the Klan / Trump rally. Couldn’t have picked a better bunch of ingrates to officially kick off the rebuilding of this program back to prominence.

      Cheers to 0-1 Jethro… Y’all come back now ya hear?!!

      • Klan/Trump. Oh I get it. Following the latest latest narrative I see. Trump voter here because…. the dumbass dems ran Hillary fuckin Clinton. Nice move there. Never been part of the Klan as that seems to have started in the old south democrat party. But then again the party is now more of a Marxist club. See how fun this is? Painting with a wide brush is a good time, no? Fuck off you tick. Go beavs

  36. BULLETIN BOARD – Beavs D doesn’t need extra motivation after months of having last season’s pitiful stats thrown around. But, this from a Tulsa World sportswriter caught my attention:
    From Guerin Emig: I have no idea what OSU is getting out of the quarterbacks Friday night, but Chuba Hubbard against Oregon State’s plastic defense should be a sure thing. Hubbard and LD Brown pound away, and the Cowboys win methodically, 40-26.

    Going out on a (short) limb here; I look for Tibesar’s system and Jonathan’s personnel moves to make Guerin rethink that “plastic” remark. We’ll know in about 12 hours.

  37. The more the game gets closer, the more I realize this game will be won and lost in the trenches. If we do not have better pass protection from last year, we lose and it will be a long season. We get 0-3 Hurries this game, we lose and it will be a long season. We get 0-1 turnover this game, especially if they start the Freshman QB, then we will lose and it will be a long season.

  38. How come I have this horrible feeling our guys will fight really well, give us a close game, and then Choukair is going to miss a kick wide right and cost us the game?

    Please Beav Gods, let me be wrong.

  39. Beavs 42-38. Certainly a fan prediction but this might be the only week that I can be optimistic without being excessively naive/stupid. I’m going to stuff a season’s worth of enjoyment at tonight’s game.

    • Yes because dominating inferior high school competition always tells the tale. Not buying a freshman QB on the road. Mobile or not.

      • Didja know?………Does it matter?
        Both the O-coordinator and the O-line coach for the pokes are in their first year with the program.
        D-line and D-coordinator/LB coach are in their second.

        And their Calvin Bundage is the second-leading returning tackler on the roster and is the only linebacker with more than one career start. BREAKING: Bundage won’t be playing, banged up and apparently did not make the trip.

      • he’s not a true freshman – both QBs were in the system last year. We have a new OC but everyone knows it’s Gundy’s system. If you’re hoping that the offense will be the weak link – i don’t see that happening.
        The OK State defense however – we have a bad habit of making unheard of QBs (in their very first start ever) look like Heisman candidates
        I think OK State gets their 40+. I just hope we can hold OR State to <40.

        And if you really have an ex-sooner on your squad, I hate him with all that i am

    • You’re not alone. This from Dante Pryor of Fansided

      With an improved offense going against a not so good Cowboy defense, the Beavers will have every chance to win. Not only that, Gundy and the Cowboys are always good for losing one they shouldn’t and that happens Week 1 this year.

  40. I’m not feeling the win.

    I think we score 27 to 30 points and look pretty good on O at times. People will feel positive about that. D should be better, but I don’t see key stops and the O probably puts them in a few short field situations. I don’t think we’re good enough at fundamental football yet to win this game.

    I’d love to be wrong and start the season off with a huge win. Just not sure how we get there other than riding Jefferson and playing a perfect clock game. But who knows… I’m basing that on past OkSt teams. Maybe this one sucks.

    • If the D can keep their run game from breaking off huge chunks and make the noob QBs have to go to the air they may get rattled enough to make crucial mistakes.

    • Angry,

      Looks like your analysis was spot on in this comment. Our offense/special teams definitely put our defense’s backs against the wall with a holding penalty on one of the kickoffs from OkSt in the first half. That put a lot of pressure on our defense early, and that cannot happen in future games. Our defense will break, not bend. They aren’t mentally tough yet to be able to handle that as a team.

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