1262 COMMENTS

  4. 6

    If we still retain the majority of the roster it’s not inconceivable we have a good year next year with the alleged schedule of 6 MW, 1 FCS, and 5 FBS.

    Reply
  6. 15
    3

    Due to the portal I feel this was the only decision. Solid defensive minded coaches with good offensive staff has shown to be a successful model.

    At least there’s no more suspense and they can get to work on assembling a staff.

    We need a home run hire for OC and need to get the QB situation figured out ASAP. The kids and former players seem to love Bray so as long as most of our players don’t go into the portal and we can retain our recruits I see this as a big W. We needed this after such a shitty few days.

    And for the love of god we do not and should not want Riley anywhere near our school. There’s been talk even on here about people being ok with Riley even in an advisory role. No fucking thank you.

    Go Beavs.

    Reply
    • 12

      What if Riley as QB coach means Chiles stays? Because rather you respect Riley or not, I am betting a kid trying to make it to the league does.

      Reply
      • 4
        1

        What connection does he have to Riley?

        People want to go on about how much of a nice guy Riley is. That’s the problem. We got manhandled by coaches with a brain on the other side consistently with in game management. He has never had a killer instinct. I don’t see any world where Riley being added to the staff would become a make or break decision to leave or not from Chiles. Plus I’m sure Johnny 2 Timer is probably in his ear about going to MSU anyway.

        Reply
        • 19
          2

          I didn’t say he has a connection. Like it or not, Riley put a bunch of QBs into the league. That is a reputation Chiles (and/or other QBs) could be sold on.

          If you don’t think a guy like Mike Riley has clout, a guy with a track record of getting QBs to the NFL, with an 18 year old blue chip QB I don’t know what to tell you but you’re wrong. Killer instinct is irrelevant, he’d be a position coach.

          I’m not saying it has to be Riley but getting a coach with a track record of getting QBs to the NFL is the best way to combat “Johnny 2 Timer” in his ear.

          Reply
          • 4
            6

            DA and Mannion? So 2 that played meaningful snaps. I get what you’re saying but the issue is that people act like he is a QB whisperer or something. His lack of innovation to the modern game and his nepotism is part of the reason why we are in this whole mess to begin with. He will infect the program no matter what title he has. Hip hip no thanks!

            Reply
          • 7
            1

            Matt Moore
            Sean Canfield got drafted and spent few years in the NFL.

            3 guys that played meaningful snaps and another that got drafted (a dream) and an opportunity.

            That’s a pretty good track record. And I am probably missing some.

            But you guys are entitled to your irrational hate, let the dark side flow through you.

            Reply
      • 4

        Sophie’s choice. I’d take him as a qb coach who stays in the booth to keep Chiles. If its OC I’m not sure, probably no because I’m not sure he could handle anything other then a QB who’s glued in the pocket.

        Reply
        • 9

          I have no interest in him being OC but to pretend he can’t offer Trent Bray anything or couldn’t help keep Chiles and/or land another Blue Chip QB is just unrealistic. He may not have gotten OSU where I believe he should have but he isn’t worthless.

          I like the idea of someone with HC experience somewhere on the staff, given Bray’s Defensive background having some experienced coaches on the offensive side also makes sense to me. Doesn’t have to be Riley. But Bray went with Riley to Nebraska so the connection is obvious.

          Reply
          • 6
            3

            Why would Chiles care about a 70 year old bike rider who left the Beavers twice? NFL QB’s are playing a completely different style of play than what he coached back in the day.

            Reply
          • 7

            Okay. You are free to believe what you want but Mike Riley is still an active coach (New Jersey Generals-USFL HC) so it isn’t like he is some guy that’s been retired for decades. These spring leagues exist mostly to develop OL and QBs for the NFL. And he’s got enough respect there. But okay.

            I was on the hate Riley bandwagon quite early and I do not regret moving on from him despite the Andersen era. I did not want Andersen but it was worth it to move on. But Riley can still coach QBs.

            Reply
  7. 25
    2

    I don’t think OSU should continue playing Nikegon. Especially because it only benefits the quacks. OSU will have an ever greater disadvantage with the dismantling of the PAC-12 and being Nikegon’s continual punching bag. I just don’t see any benefit for OSU.

    Reply
    • 20
      3

      They absolutely should not play Oregon. And hopefully Boise St. protected them from making that mistake.

      Every time the idea of the game comes up, Oregon State should repeat something similar to this, “they left and didn’t let the Big Ten know they had an annual game at the end of November so they must not have wanted to continue the series”

      Make UO own ending the series.

      Reply
  9. 4

    I totally forgot that Bray was a HC at Nebraska for about a week after Smiln’ Mike got shit canned. At least he did better the most with a 0-0 record!

    Reply
    • 1

      Coach M was the speculation on a Twitter Space, apparently his wife really doesn’t want to move. Martinez and Newell were on the Space, they sound excited but it turned into a Fortnite conversation between them within a few minutes, and they left before the speculation began. Tim Euhus is the source of the speculation about the flight.

      Reply
      • 2

        You are correct, his wife doesn’t want to move. As of yesterday, coach m was in east Lansing. She was talking to him on the phone when I saw her.

        I doubt he would be there without a contract. But I suppose it’s possible.

        Reply

        • This is more of a question but if Trent offered some sort of position with a higher title aren’t assistant’s allowed to break contracts? If he was OL coach there, hire him as Running Game Coordinator here.

          Maybe that is only the NFL.

          Reply

          • He already had the running game coordinator title here. Really sucks to lose him but there’s no coming back. His kids are grown so there’s no roots to stay.

            Reply

          • Yeah, I was just responding with the speculation that was/is “out there”

            Not that I saw it being the case.

            The number of players entering the portal at MSU has been interesting.

            Reply
          • 2

            I think it’s just a reflection of the environment of the transfer portal combined with a coaching change. Some of them will certainly be offered to come back but getting out there to see if there’s a better situation is the smart move.

            Reply
  11. 5

    So let’s start hearing some names that people like for the OC and DC positions and coaches that should remain on staff.

    Offensive staff is basically gone aside from Hynson who I’m not crazy about. I think Legi and Perkins didn’t go with smith. Both I would be ok with keeping unless Bray knows someone better.

    Reply
    • 6

      Marion, UNLV OC shoukd be in the candidate pool…

      Bray will know DC candidates and i’m really interested to see who he interviews and chooses.

      Reply
      • 1

        Ya I’ve heard that name and he definitely sounds like a good candidate. I wonder how much he is willing to go get candidates not from his coaching circle or tree. Hopefully he will some for the right guy.

        Reply

    • Hynsons name came up in some wants from the MSU boards. Apparently he’s highly regarded. But I think the dude they retained was a receivers coach also.

      Reply

    • I’d like some experience on offense, if you go with a young guy at OC I’d like experience elsewhere. From what I understand they do have a P5 budget for assistants so it is doable. I am intrigued by the Brennan Marion and I think we could outbid UNLV but my speculation is Ryan Gunderson.

      DC-Truly no idea but I would like to find a way to convince Jay Harbaugh to join the staff so I’ll throw his name out there.

      Reply
      • 1

        I agree. I would like to see a young fresh eye calling plays but I definitely think Bray needs to have some experienced guys on the staff that can help him adjust to the new role.

        How realistic is it that Harbaugh would actually want the job? It seems kind of far fetched.

        Reply

        • I think for a coordinator job he’d take it. He’s coaching Special Teams and Safeties now. I’d bet even his dad would suggest going. I don’t think you’d get him here for much less though.

          Reply

          • Think about it:
            DC under Bray.

            If the D gets even better, and our O does competent things, we could be scary good.
            And then he’ll get hired away, and we’ll have to find someone else. But that’s what great programs do.

            Reply

  13. OK, outside retaining those possible, what does Bray want to surround himself with?

    From Bray’s recent perspective as DC, what did he want to see from the offense after his guys gave up yards/scores or had big stops? What offensive styles will really complement the way he thinks a defense counters and performs?

    I’m all about keeping Chiles and verifiable studs. Part of me wonders though where we’ll be in the coming years if this all pans out and Bray gets the pieces HE truly wants in place?

    Reply
    • 2

      Why isn’t he going to be involved with the bowl game?

      At least he understands a slightly less difficult schedule means a better opportunity to get into the 12 team playoff. Still wonder how more players and people wouldn’t see it as a golden opportunity for the next 2 years for sure.

      Reply
    • 2

      Him not coaching in the bowl game, that is an oddity. I don’t know the rules around that or why that is.

      But that means the team won’t have an offensive coordinator or a defensive coordinator. Would mean Hynson is also the OC? Perkins the DC?

      This is the type of situation where I would be ok with Riley or ex coaches stepping in to help out. They are going to start bowl practices soon. Get the young guys who stay a ton of reps

      Reply
  16. 4
    1

    Yo angrybeavs. I’m sharing this not for a pat on the back but because I value this site but forget often to support it. So I just donated and want to encourage you all to do the same. Let’s support so we can continue enjoy this site.

    Reply
  17. 10
    2

    If they could get Gruden as OC for 1-2 years it could be an incredible PR win, even better than Prime in terms of offensive players etc reconsidering recruitment. I’m not sure where the connection would be to Bray though,

    OC feels like the next important domino, then Oline coach.

    I’m excited because Bray isn’t awkward nor is he polished like a coach speak robot. He is simply a football guy who knows the game inside and out. He will represent the program better than JS and I think he will have even better recruiting since the west coast schools all left for the Midwest and a lot of kids won’t want the travel… I’m hoping there will be some big time recruits who prefer what OSU will offer with the new facilities and true west coast football.

    Reply

    • That would be big. I doubt he’d come but who knows. I think USC is also making a run at him.
      What about Grinch? He was pretty good at Washington State under the pirate. I just think he didn’t have much respect from the spoiled children in southern cal.

      Reply

      • That would be great, but no way he’s coming to Corrales. He’s holding out for a DC position at a huge powerhouse or a head coaching job someplace else.

        Reply
  19. 10

    And Bray is in shape. Never figured out why some coaches these days, who have access to the training table and exercise facilities, don’t take better care of themselves. You’re mentally sharper and more energetic if you take care of your health.

    Bray’s energy and (strategic ) aggressiveness will be compelling to many recruits.

    Besides locking up WB talents, he’ll need the D linemen difference makers and CB’s.

    Did Blue Adams stay or go to MSU? Hope Beay can hold into McCoy.

    Looking forward to Bray’s DC hire.

    Reply
  22. 1
    1

    Someone mentioned Bray appears in good shape and it reminded me of the old KU football coach Mark Mangino. You guys remember him from about 20-25 years ago? He would make Dee Andros look tiny. Weighed at least 4 bills. What he consumed at meals was legendary. He was a very good coach and a great offensive coordinator. Came from Oklahoma under Stoops. Led KU to the Orange bowl one year. Man I miss the old Big 12!

    Reply

  24. Wasn’t Gruden canceled for racist emails? Not sure that would play well with recruits, regardless of the reality of the situation. That’s pretty easy recruiting trail fodder for other teams.

    Reply
    • 4

      The reality is he’s probably not capable of coaching kids. He’s an NFL guy, with issues that don’t mesh well with the college game. It’s fun to think about but it’s a terrible idea.

      Reply
    • 9
      1

      No it wasn’t racist emails. He was canceled for email comments about the NFL hiring women officials, Michael Sam being drafted, and players kneeling during the national anthem.

      Reply
      • 5
        4

        He also sent sent emails regarding the head of the nflpa which included racist tropes.

        I’m not saying the NFL didn’t do him dirty, the fact that only his emails were released is one reason he is suing, but he has other issues as well.

        If you think smith was a dick for bailing midseason, just know gruden is the same arrogant prick.

        His first go around with the raiders he had his agent floating his name for every single job opening, college primarily but also pro, during the season he was supposed to be coaching. That’s one of the reasons al ‘traded’ him to tb. Of course Al was a kook by then but doesn’t negate the slime of gruden

        Hard pass

        Reply
      • 6
        9

        Yeah, it was.

        And he wasn’t canceled, whetever that’s supposed to mean.

        He chose to make racist and misogynistic remarks on his employer’s dime, and his employer canned his shitty little ass.

        Suffering the consequences of your own stupidity isn’t being cancelled. It’s called responsibility.

        Reply
  25. 6

    I posted above but what does everyone think about Grinch as DC? He didn’t pan out at USC but I think that’s because of the egos that permeate the program not his defensives scheme. He was pretty formidable at WSU and a hot commodity. I think with Bray as an extra set of eyes on the situation he would be a damn good get.

    Reply

  26. I saw an article that the WA supreme court ruled in favor of UDub and the T9, giving voting rights to all 12. I didn’t see anything about 100% consensus on votes. Anyone have a synopsis of where we are at? Sounds like the Pac 2 can’t hold back any money from T10. Seems the State supreme courts tend to be more political, and I felt they would be more favorable to any argument the dogs would come up with.

    Reply
    • 2

      It’s not a good decision. In the fact that it delays us longer. I think the prudent thing to do would be to make a deal with the other 10 about this year‘s income, which I doubt we were intending on holding back from everybody anyway. Our concern should be future assets.

      Reply

  30. Hopefully the staff is not inbred with ex Riley players.
    Needs some outside ideas. Hopefully they throw a ton of money and every available title at Coach M to get him to return.

    Reply
  31. 1
    2

    Really happy with the hire. I don’t know if we’ll ever get the truth about what led to Smith leaving. I figured MSU would just give him what they owed Tucker but didn’t have to pay off – but his deal isn’t even that. Really just seemed to be one of those Todd Graham things, where it didn’t matter where as long the money was bigger. And if the Pac-12 implosion didn’t play a big factor in his decision – what did? Michigan State is pretty much the Oregon State of the Big10, always will play second fiddle to the Wolverines – and I’d say Corvallis is nicer than East Lansing.
    Really happy they hired Bray. Now if we can just pump up the schedule with another P5 school or two.

    Reply
  32. 3
    5

    Offensively, find some FCS school coach who has a track record of lighting it up offensively and has a QB he’ll bring with him. I think the Gruden rumor is ridiculous – but then again, Bobby Petrion will be back cruising chicks in Fayettville as their OC. So anything is possible. Why not embrace the “outlaw” mentality – no conference wants us, coach abandons us, hell bring in Geno Stallion as a football analyst.

    Reply
    • 2
      1

      I don’t know about taking players from any team whose coach we might poach, but I’m still pining for the coach of St.Thomas as our OC.

      I think BG is the only person who can talk me out of it, if he knows the guy’s situation.

      Reply
  33. 1
    3

    Listening to some Bray interviews, the impression I get is that he’s a great X’s and O’s Guy and good motivator, but maybe not as much of a program executive. He talks at a very detailed level about everything and immediately has the answer to every question that comes up. Combined with his quote about not caring about the money and just liking the quality of life in Corvallis and being successful, he seems like less of a big picture guy.

    Maybe I’m wrong, but most people can’t be good at both detail and high-level thinking. Clearly JS was challenged in the area of gameday decision-making.

    Bray’s ability to grow or recognize and complement himself in this area will make or break his tenure.

    Reply
    • 9

      Wait… because he can see both the trees and the forest and isn’t swayed by the money trees in making decisions… he seems like less of a big picture guy?

      Reply
      • 1

        I hope I’m wrong, but he’s never been involved in HC discussions before for a reason. He’s still human and has weaknesses. I’m trying to sniff out what those are and read between the lines because while everyone loves him and it’s the right hire for the situation, it definitely wouldn’t be considered a slam dunk hire if we were still going to be in the PAC12.

        Fanbases always want to make their favorite players out to be these heroically faithful and moral heroes (see Smith, Jonathan). History shows you that’s much more the exception than the rule.

        Reply
    • 4

      He’ll need a Dan Van De Riet type for the chief of staff/director of operations. Dan was so good at that job that he made everyone around him better.

      Reply
  34. 1
    4

    Brays list of things to do and it’s a lot.

    1. Keep the current guys on board, at least convince them to stay on until the spring. They’ll have another shot at the portal then. Hopefully they’ll even convince each other to stay.
    2. Keep the recruiting class together. Signing day is very close. Of the current guys who are staying, have them help keep the recruiting class together since the players wanted Bray. They can let the recruits know they’ll be good under Bray.
    3. Fill out the coaching staff and try to not have all retreads or Riley guys. And no Riley.
    4. Get the team ready for the bowl game even though he’s not coaching in it.

    Reply
    • 6

      Hate to break it to you, but this whole thing has been designed with speed in mind (which is reasonable). In those kinds of situations, personal connections are favored because they are seen as lower risk and the due diligence doesn’t need to be as thorough. Bray’s circle is much smaller than Smith’s was and there’s huge overlap with Riley.

      It’s hard to believe there won’t be overlap with Riley’s network unless we get an experienced OC that brings in a lot of his own guys.

      Reply
      • 4

        Seems to me this is a short term survival move which could end poorly but doesn’t have to. There was little chance to avoid a ground up rebuild if we lost Bray and brought in an outsider (no matter how connected, historically). It’s now all about who is brought in to help him immediately in filling out a staff and retaining players.

        A big part of that “filling out staff” thing is a director of operations, as mentioned by Electric Eye above.

        Reply
  36. 1

    What’s the scouting report on Sam Leavitt (the MSU freshman QB who’s from West Linn and is salty because Smith didn’t offer him coming out of HS). Is he someone we could/should target as insurance against Chiles leaving or to develop once DJ leaves/graduates? We also still have Gulbranson and Dom Montiel (another Oregon HS QB prospect) on the roster.

    Reply
  37. 8

    We needs an OC/QB Coach first before we can convince any QBs to come here.
    At least if DJ sticks around, BG is more than capable as a backup option.
    But we will need to start developing somebody soon. Though I guess the hip thing these days is to just take the best transfer you can get each year and never develop anybody

    Reply
  38. 3

    Trent Bray press conference info:
    (via @BeaverAthletics)
    Trent Bray will be formally introduced as the new Oregon State football head coach during a press conference at 2:00 p.m. today. The entire press conference will air live on Pac-12 Network and be livestreamed at http://Pac-12.com/live.

    Reply
    • 4

      “”An insider at Oregon State told me there could be a “surprise or two” when it comes to the offensive and defensive coordinator hires””

      Does anybody know what Smith’s buyout was? You’ve got to think there’s some money to work with considering he had several years left and Bray already is likely at a lower starting salary than where Smith was when he left, in addition to any buyout money.

      Reply
      • 1

        You’re going to have to define surprise.

        Is it a retread who we never would have thought of, so, surprise?

        Or are there some fresh faces we haven’t thought of, because they should realistically be considered by we fans as unreachable, so, surprise?

        Reply
        • 11

          They’re in a tough spot. If they don’t go all in now, then the shine of being a big fish in a small pond next year won’t last and we’ll gradually fade away to become just another average fish in the small pond and have a hard time gaining ground back.

          But they also have to be fiscally responsible, unless they’re absolutely certain they’ll have excess future money to work with from the Pac12.
          I’m of the opinion they need to go big now and do everything possible to get into the playoff conversation the next 2 years, but it’s also not my money.

          Reply
          • 2

            Yea it’s now or never to keep the Beavs in the national conversation in any way possible as the house of cards continues to fall the next few years.

            Reply

        • Does that mean $9 million a year salary pool or something else? If the former that seems like that’d be the biggest asst. salary pool in the country, or one of.

          Reply
  41. 3

    There’s no shortage of what OSU needs from a coaching perspective, but if Harbaugh is the “recruiting guru” some people claim he is, I’d like to see him on staff.

    We need big, fast dudes on defense and special teams. I want to see those two units absolutely punish Purdue next year.

    Reply
    • 4
      3

      All of what we have been concerned with is the momentum of the program. I think going into this bowl with a strong showing and particularly a win would be momentous so that is why I’m scratching my head on this one. Hopefully it is just a mistake and Bray can be there for the bowl game… especially if we end up playing Clemson.

      Reply
      • 4
        1

        Looking at the big picture. Directing priorities to assembling a staff, managing possible defections, by both current players and current commits, and working on closing the deal with other possible recruits, is much more important for program momentum than winning an overblown post season exhibition game.

        Reply
    • 10

      I don’t think it’s anything rules based. I just think him being a brand new coach and having to quickly build a staff/recruit in a short period of time makes the bowl game more of a distraction than anything. There just isn’t time to be everywhere all at once.
      Even last year, Smith and Lindgren were out recruiting and showed up just for game day of the bowl game.
      The college football calendar is a mess. Too many important things all fall at the same time, plus it’s during the holiday season.

      Reply
      • 4

        If it’s Holiday Bowl vs Clemson, team is going to be so hyped and that will go a long way to wash out all the drama and disappointment of the last few weeks. If it’s the Sun Bowl vs Miami that might be more of a task.

        Bray needs to shift his focus to learning how to HC and getting the right people around him and get on top of recruiting so he can hit the ground running post bowl game. Like JS, he needs an old guard AHC like Coach M to help him out (I know y’all fearing it will be Riley). Needs someone to step up big time to try and fill the shoes of DvD, McDonald, etc. So much to be done in so little time with signing day and Pac-12 lawsuit hanging over everything to boot.

        Reply
      • 7
        1

        I guess. Im conflicted because I get the point but I think if we get rolled by someone it’s a bad look. Especially in our current predicament. I think a strong showing for a bowl against a P5 school is important.

        Reply
          • 2
            1

            I’m just concerned about the optics. We’ve been relegated not of our own doing, so it’s easy to forget us if we get punched in the mouth. It’s hard to be ignored when you’re ranked with a good bowl win. I heard a radio show mention our win over Florida about a month ago in random conversation. Things like that stick with people and pundits.
            The powers that be are trying their best to forget we exist. That becomes hard to do if you just keep winning.

            Reply
          • 1

            Imagine something like we run the fake fg again. Only this time it’s from the 25 and 4th and six.

            And it’s our interim coach with the situational awareness to employ it properly, because he has the freedom to do it.

            Reply
      • 3

        No rule that I’m aware of.

        No new coach wants to take over for a bowl game, even if they are already on staff and promoted. He has to prioritize putting a staff together, keeping players from transferring out, and securing/adding to the recruitment class. He is going to be around, but there are so many hours in a day, even for a workhorse like TB.

        His first coaching job should not be a bowl game where every play call and decision will be hacked to death by armchair QBs. Let him attend the practices and help with preparation, while also planning for the near and long term goals.

        Reply
  49. 2
    1

    David Shaw would be amazing as an experienced OC/AHC. No idea what he’s up to right now, but it looks like he took the year off. Probably out of our price range.

    Lance Anderson (ex-Stanford DC) is an analyst at Boise State this year. Looks like he would be available as an experienced DC/AHC.

    Reply
  52. 5
    3

    Going back to Riley in any capacity would be like an incel “moving on” then begging his first gf ever to get back with him after his new girl dumped him. It is so so so bad. The Beavs will therefore do it.

    Reply
    • 28

      “I found out late in the process…which didn’t really sit well with me, so I wasn’t really in a hurry to get on the plane when he asked me to go”

      yikes

      Reply
      • 1

        Wonder how late and if he was one of the last ones to be told by Traitor Smith? If so, might be a good indicator that Traitor Smith knew Bray wouldn’t be all about that.

        Reply
    • 2

      No, that was ‘we’re bringing our A-game.” Two occasions, 1st for GA. while enabling the pac-12 crap – don’t recall #2 timing – just that it was enough to excessively eye-roll.

      Reply
    • 4

      He’s skipping the bowl game to focus on filling out a coaching and support staff and getting up to speed on recruiting, knows he can’t possibly do both jobs. Group of coaches have stepped up and committed to run the show through the bowl game.

      Hasn’t determined which coaches might stay in what role but has spoken to them.

      Reply
      • 1

        That would suck. Holiday Bowl would get more Beaver fans….i would think Beavers would bring more fans to San Diego than a Caleb Williams-free USC….

        Other than a potentially dubious playing surface, it’d be a great opportunity.

        Reply
  59. 21
    1

    Its odd – I almost feel better about the program now than I did a week ago. If Smith stayed, I’d be focused on worry over how the program would fare in the “Pac-2” and the future. Smith’s a good coach, did a hell of a rebuld here – but he also seemed somewhat aloof, never seemed to really engage the Nation.

    Reply
      • 6

        Really critical to keep as many currently on the roster as well as commitments for 2024.

        I laugh when I hear so called pundits talk about how Corvallis is away from a major city and difficult to recruit to. Apparently they have never been to Manhattan Kansas or Iowa City or Ames Iowa. What about the armpit of Missouri, Columbia? I could go on and on.

        Reply
  62. 1
    1

    “There’s a group of coaches that have committed to stay through the bowl game”

    Sounds like the guys not going to MSU may not be staying either.

    Reply
  63. 2
    2

    Chatter on MSU boards is that “sources” have confirmed that Chiles is nearly a lock to head to MSU and is top target of their NIL efforts.

    Reply
  64. 1
    1

    Interesting to see two current Ivy League defensive linemen tweet/X out that they’ve received offers from Oregon State in the past hour. One from Harvard, one from Yale. Somebody’s on the recruiting trail already…

    Reply
  66. 9
    1

    they’re gonna hit that $1M mark tonight. you just know there will be a flurry of donations as they get within striking range of the $1M total tonight

    Reply
  69. 8

    Loved that Bray said he’s going to try and build the offensive staff first because he knows what they’ll be doing on defense and he can sell that.

    Reply

  70. The question now is what kind of offense does Bray want to run here and who he will hire to run it? Does he want to transition to a different style? If so will he do it gradually and not put square pegs in round holes? I’m very curious what direction he wants to go in.

    Reply
    • 2

      I’ve been asking this on the prior thread as well. Personally, I do think we need to expand beyond the pro-style offense. Thought it was a nice play for us when not many P5 teams on west coast ran that but I don’t know how enticing it is as a G5 school. Maybe some form of a more loose or open pro-style that’s a little more exciting and brings some splash to the program? Not sure I’m wanting to abandon it completely to a true air raid or whatever, but sex sells and I’m not sure how sexy a pro-style is in the G5 format.

      Reply
      • 1

        Yep, wondering on those same questions – what kind of offense is he looking to run. Probably something close that gave him the most fits or challenging to defend.

        Reply
      • 1

        There’s more fluidity now between professional play and college level in terms of style. Plays that originate in one that are successful rapidly find themselves replicated elsewhere.

        While coaches still retain identity from their “coaching tree” there’s a lot more borrowing and sharing in general.

        It seems to me it would be easier to incorporate concepts from other systems with the standard pro-style we run vs if we had an air raid offense or triple wish bone as a base.

        Reply
  71. 7
    1

    Was finally able to watch full Bray press conference – man he looks like a good hire. Dare I say, better than Smith. Too early to tell, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the kinda guy who coached 20 years and retired here

    Reply
  72. 5

    According to Canzano, Bray’s deal is $2M per year for 5 years.
    Assistant salary pool is same as before, $4.85M.

    Quite a bit lower than I was expecting. Seems like a bargain, i hope he has escalators for performance.

    Reply
    • 9

      They get $3m for JS buyout plus save $3M per year for Bray vs JS contracts. Great value to maintain continuity with players and coaching. Barnes is navigating this challenge perfectly.

      Reply
      • 1

        Hard to say perfectly navigated without knowing more details of the contract.
        Performance bonus’s, contingency uptick if OSU is invited into the B12, extensions, non-monetary compensation?

        Reply
        • 1

          Not really.

          Results bring new revenue, which was never new. It was just promised if benchmarks were/are met.

          The schools and the ADs need incentives, just like anyone else.

          Reply
      • 3

        Agreed, at the end of the day Bray signed the contract and is seemingly happy with it. He could have taken the MSU DC job and made as much or more now.

        Reply
    • 5

      It’s about right for non power first time head coach. OSU needed to start cutting costs and that’s almost 3 million difference to JS’s pay.

      Good that he can go out and pay market rates for assistant coaches. Based on what they paid Lindgren and Bray as coordinators which was above average pay, they’ll be able to attract some good candidates.

      Reply
    • 5
      2

      “During the last 12 months, FS1 lost over 3 million, BTN lost over 2 million, and TNT lost more than 4 million.”

      So important that OSU and WSU get sole control of the board ASAP so that they can negotiate with a streaming service before everyone else can.

      Reply
      • 2

        I don’t disagree.

        First to market gets to creat at least some of the market.

        If we were on it and promoting it as soon as next year, with other associates we trusted to be associates, we would be way ahead of the game.

        As it is, nobody is seriously in the market yet. But it is a diminished entry, unless we go in strong.

        Reply
    • 1

      They blame cord cutting, but people are cord cutting for a host of reasons. One might very well be the quality of the product isn’t worth it to them…that’s conveniently left out.

      These are two sports in rapid decline. That might be the very reason people are cord cutting.

      Reply
  75. 6

    One on one short interview with bray by mamma. It was good tho asks what he’s looking for in an OC and says he feels good about his candidates.

    Reply
    • 3

      Watched it. I was shocked at how much useful info she got in 2:10. wow.

      Especially when she asked about who was handling offensive prep for the bowl. Provided some clarity.

      Reply
  76. 3

    It was very interesting for Bray to note that some coaches are committed through the bowl game. No names dropped. Does sound like off the field assistants will step up to become on field coaches for the game.

    I think the only coach to for sure stay will be Cookus. The rest will be up to whoever comes in as coordinators. Bray needs to get coordinators hired in the next week.

    Reply
  77. 1
    4

    After today’s fanfare and insights, I think I don’t ever want us to field a team without players who can speak to a civil war experience. I hope the matchups never become lopsided, except for our incessant wins, but I think we’ll always catch them off guard more often due to their hubris.

    Reply
    • 12
      2

      I’d prefer not playing UO again, until we’re in the same conference.

      If we’re stupid enough to schedule them, better to be at the beginning of the season when our best guys are healthy.

      Reply
      • 1
        4

        There’s talk that Texas Tech is potentially open to postponing their oregon game and instead playing WSU in early September and then oregon/OSU would play on that date.(Sept 7th)
        TTech game is at Autzen, so not sure if that means they’d give up a home game to play at Reser? Or some other type of setup.
        Also, not a done deal and Texas Tech would expect some compensation. Just something to keep an eye on

        Reply
    • 5
      5

      The CW is over and should be. Don’t continue to schedule UO. They chose to leave, and they just want a break from the stupid travel schedule they signed up for.

      IF OSU lands in a realigned conference, they’ll have to find a new “rival.” If that conference happens to include UO, then it could be them. However, they, and the networks, are already selling UO/UW as rivals. That narrative will only grow with the final PAC Championship game coming down to UO/UW, and the narrative that the winner will also likely be the Heismann winner. When they get into the B10, UO/UW will be regional rivals.

      If OSU (and WSU) lands in a B12, WSU may become a natural rival given PAC history and the regional aspect of it.

      Fuck the Ducks and Phuck Phil Knight.

      Reply
    • 3
      4

      The CW is over and should be. Don’t continue to schedule UO. They chose to leave, and they just want a break from the stupid travel schedule they signed up for.

      IF OSU lands in a realigned conference, they’ll have to find a new “rival.” If that conference happens to include UO, then it could be them. However, they, and the networks, are already selling UO/UW as rivals. That narrative will only grow with the final PAC Championship game coming down to UO/UW, and the narrative that the winner will also likely be the Heismann winner. When they get into the B10, UO/UW will be regional rivals.

      If OSU (and WSU) lands in a B12, WSU may become a natural rival given PAC history and the regional aspect of it.

      Fuck the Ducks and Fuck Phil Knight.

      Reply
  79. 4

    Bray’s hiring was obviously critical in a time of instability, both for the team and the conference/OSU and it makes the most sense for stability. Fortunately, he checks more than the “stability” box. He’s energetic, smartly aggressive, and has been of of the better Beaver coaches at making productive halftime adjustments.

    His players don’t seem to quit. Even thought the quality of tackling across the D has decreased this season, at least you see still players making individual, open field tackles, even if chasing farther downfield than anyone would like, and not giving up. Cooper’s catch-from-behind-and-cause-fumble v. UW was a great example of the effort and lack of quit. If he and a new D coordinator can improve tackling, that’s probably good for forcing a few more punts per game and getting OSU more possessions.

    His ability to re-recruit his own players, and keep existing commits will be a real challenge given the context of conference insecurity, and the results won’t totally reflect on him. Were the PAC intact and if it had a secure future, I would think his energy, commitment, and relationships with his players would result in most of them staying, particularly on the D side.

    I hope to hell he can retain impact players like DL Howard and CB McCoy. Retaining the OLinemen would be huge obviously, and Martinez’s dedication to OSU is laudable and should be helpful. Besides the OLine, Martinez, Howard, and McCoy are great players to build around.

    The OC hire will obviously be interesting. I hope its somebody that would evolve the offense as opposed to “revolutionize it,” so that the existing players can feel like they have a role and adapt relatively quickly. I do think that adding a few different elements, and maybe having the capacity to go quickly at times, would be productive. This might be particularly important if he loses players necessary for the current scheme.

    If Chiles leaves, I hope Bray and OC take a look at that 4*(?) Oregon kid from MSU (Leavit?) that left because he didn’t want to play for Smith who didn’t recruit him. The kid will likely get offers from other teams with more stable situations, but if he’s a genuine 4*, has a chip on his shoulder and wants to prove himself, I like that better than some entitled guy who’s going to entertain multiple NIL offers. Note that Chiles has said he “loves” Smith. MSU does have a College of Veterinary Medicine, so I suspect he’s gone.

    I’m rarely supportive of “lifer” hires. If Bray can maintain his energy and surround himself with smart coaches that constructively challenge him, he’ll be a great long term fit. If it doesn’t pan out (for example with conference insecurity and future realignments), he can always fall back on the DC role at another school.

    Reply

  81. Liberty’s OC seems to be popping up on a lot of teams lists (e.g., Oklahoma). Never watched them, but they apparently have a unique high scoring offense.

    Reply

  83. RE the bowl game, I think there’s a possible scenario for a Holiday Invite?

    IF Bray makes a good OC hire that excites players and retains them, and if DJ commits to playing, I could see the networks liking and OSU/Clemson matchup. Having DJ play his former school would probably attract more viewers than say, a declining USC team with no Caleb Williams, or a Utah(?) team with no real name recognition players this year. Rising has recognition obviously, but is he playing?

    Reply
    • 1

      That’s the key, if Williams opts out. Beavs are the better choice. DJU should play to prove himself since he’s not on any draft boards and unlikely to score a big pay day in the portal.

      Utah is pretty much a lock for Vegas with the date and closeness to Utah. Easy for them to travel.

      Reply
  84. 3
    1

    I think Opie knew he had no chance at beating the Ducks and that’s the reason Aiden didn’t play. I believe Opie had a conversation with Aiden and didn’t want him to get hurt in a game they couldn’t win and he wants to bring him to Michigan St with him.

    Reply
  85. 2

    Where are the airplanes/coaches today?

    Nebraska papers have announced that former NU assistant coach Trent Bray has been hired by us.

    Tpb.

    Reply
  86. 6
    3

    I’m not going to watch the PAC 12 championship, but I will be hoping that UW wins. I think however the Ducks are likely to take it. I didn’t get Penix’s drama queen act in the Apple Cup, but i don’t think that kind of emotional extremism bodes well for UW. Lanning has the Ducks D peaking I think, and the DLine should be disruptive to UW passing game.

    BTW, anyone notice that UO has kind of become Utah, with the grown men playing college football? Nix has apparently started more games at QB than anyone in NCAA history, he’s friggin married, graduated, and doesn’t go to classes. Just runs meetings! Then there’s two big D linemen the broadcasters said had 13(!) years combined experience. I know everybody got an extra covid year, and OSU had some 6 year players, but my god, 6-7 years in undergrad status?!? Truly, professional football players…

    Reply
    • 3

      OSU has guys that have been around forever, too. It’s just a legacy of the COVID rules and should return to normal in another year or two.

      Reply
  88. 5

    Chiles has to feel a bit conflicted if he “loves coach Smith” as claimed, yet his teammates around him are expressing ill feelings for Smith and excitement for coach Bray. He’s surely getting pulled in a thousand directions. I wouldn’t want to have to make the decisions he does as an 18 yr old kid.

    Reply
  90. 2

    Sounds like Indiana is making a choice soon. If they go with someone other than Chryst (who is not their best candidate, IMO) that would seem to open a pathway for him to take a OC job.

    Reply
  92. 7

    Buckle up Angry Beavs! It’s men’s basketball day today vs UC Davis. I’m looking forward to scoring 56 pts tonight and going 4 of 21 from beyond the arc!

    Reply

  93. Also, it sounds like DJ is not yet in the portal. Now, he may ultimately end up there but Big Dave responded with “Facts” to an X post that said DJ is not in portal and hasn’t made a decision yet. Interesting times indeed.

    Reply

      • Here’s what he responded to. DJ could announce his decision to enter portal but based on the response by Big Dave, DJ hasn’t made a decision.

        “We’ve been told on good authority that @DJUiagalelei has NOT yet made a decision about his future with the program”

        Reply

    • Actually, its more predictable than interesting.

      Interesting would to me be DJ and/or Chiles declaring their continued commitment to OSU. DJ through the bowl game at least.

      Reply
      • 2

        My angle with “interesting times” is more for the broad view of the xfer portal, NIL, media trying to be 1st and not accurate, etc. But I would like Chiles/DJU to both be committed to Beavs. I think I’d prefer Chiles to play/start but I do think DJ would be a huge force in locker room, program visibility, a lot of the veteran intangibles that we will miss with the amount of seniors we have.

        Reply

      • So once someone officially enters are they required to stop playing at the school they are currently at? Or can they continue until they officially get an offer/accept an offer?

        Reply
  94. 14
    1

    It’s interesting just how many media and twitter users are enjoying dancing on OSU’s grave this week.
    Like it wasn’t good enough to have OSU lose a conference. And it wasn’t good enough that they lost their coach.
    Just so much enjoyment in watching a program get decimated and hoping to see them die off.
    It’s really just odd behavior. Like Lord of the Flies tribalism bullshit.

    Reply
  96. 7
    9

    First, DJ should NOT play in a Bowl game, and I say goodbye.. He wasn’t that good from my perspective—slow to reads and crappy arm, and accuracy horrible..

    Reply
    • 2

      Wonder if the prospect of having to play against Clemson influenced his decision to enter now?
      I mean, on top of all the other shit.
      But now he doesn’t have to play against them and have all that media attention on the matchup.

      also makes me think we’re not going to get the Holiday Bowl now. They’ll probably take USC due to proximity and easier ticket sales.
      Utah will get Vegas for similar reasons, and we’ll get Hell Paso…

      Reply

    • DJ has a rocket arm. He just doesn’t have any touch or accuracy. Also I was surprised how slow he is. Poor pocket presence and rarely can escape pressure.

      Reply
  99. 6

    Whittingham has been a coach at Utah every season since 1994 (when they were still in the WAC), next season will be his 19th as HC, and he’s a BYU alum.

    So as long as Bray sticks it out through “conference re-alignment” for 30 years we’ll be alright.

    Reply
      • 3

        BG is actually only a RS Soph due to his Freshman year being the free covid year (2020). He’ll have 2 years of eligibility left next season.

        Reply
    • 6

      If Chiles plays and balls out in the bowl game it would be a good way to give his NIL value a big boost :(

      What a story it would be though to have BG be the starter and play as well as he did against Florida after being relegated to 3rd string and on the sideline all year aside from one garbage time series.

      Reply

  101. I’m pretty interested to see what kind of NIL money DJ gets offered and how that compares to someone like Chiles. Matt Rhule publicly said a good QB costs $1-2 million now. But those numbers have to be for veteran QBs. Surely nobody is going to pay that much for Chiles since he’s not a starting QB and not proven yet. But is DJU worth $1 mil to another team out there?

    Reply
  102. 5

    Rumors circulating that Martinez may have been arrested. Really hoped it was a hoax but now am hearing that it’s legit. Was first leaked by a poster on duckscoop who claimed to work for Corvallis PD but I’ve also heard from people in Corvallis similar things and have a reliable “source” that’s also backed it up. Rumor is the news will break this afternoon. Definitely not what we needed

    Reply
      • 6

        I think Chiles thrives in an underrated role.

        I don’t know if that translates to him wanting to make this the House that Aidan Built. That’s a tall mountain.

        But he’s a gamer in more ways than just on the field.

        Reply

        • No I don’t think we did either. Just that teams/boosters/nil are going to pay these dudes a million and then likely as not theyre off to the next highest bidder no bowl games etc.

          When fans stop going because half their teams have left via portal or sitting out and aren’t playing, maybe the bowl sponsors will apply pressure

          Reply

          • Or maybe in the next round of realignment (e.g. when ACC breaks up) there will be a mega-conference or two about 32-48 teams, a larger play-off field, and a number of these ridiculous bowl games go away. There’s something like 43 bowl games this year? There’s not nearly that many compelling matchups.

            Add marquee players not playing bowl games to prep for draft, or who enter transfer portals, and the system ends up with a depopulated teams with reduced talent and depth playing in bowl games sponsors are going to start leaving.

            The “haves” get richer in terms of concentrated talent and TV deals, the have-nots are watched by their families in mostly empty stadiums.

            Reply
      • 1

        If he goes to UO, he and his brother can probably do some kind of “Bro” ads and increase their NIL revenue.

        I read Nix made $1.7M in NIL this year, much of it trading off of his “BO’ name in ad wordplay.

        Reply
    • 5

      No Fuaga? That may be who the team will miss the most. His absence will have the biggest impact. I guess one way to look at it is that every team is going to be missing players.

      Reply
  106. 1

    Dante Moore supposedly in portal. Think he goes back to Yucks? Didn’t have a great year but still young and a lot of talent. Probably gets good money for sure

    Reply
  107. 6

    Would changing the portal not being open until after the bowl games help with any of this madness? Kind of sad a team works hard all season to get into a bowl game and then players opt out of playing.

    Reply
    • 2

      The expanded playoff will kill all but a few outside bowl games IMO. These bowl games have never mattered but now it’s fully mask-off that they are meaningless. I can’t imagine that many fans wanting to travel for them. Not sure if I’m in the minority here but even the “Big” non playoff bowl games like Fiesta, Cotton, Orange are basically off my radar these days. I used to feel like big bowl games like that “mattered”, had an element of history, were things most sports fans cared about etc. I read something recently that just made me laugh out loud RE bowl games’ “meaningfulness”…..Apparently last year USC played Tulane in the Cotton Bowl! And it was an epic game and program defining win for Tulane! I’m a huge college football fan, post on this site, follow the sport week to week far more than the average person……..And I had literally no idea this occurred until like last week!

      Reply

    • Can and do NIL collectives specify terms for pay? Like if the athlete takes money from the collective, he must play in postseason game if staff determines he’s healthy?

      I understand that deals athletes make with individuals/advertisers wouldn’t have such terms, but could/do school collectives have such terms?

      Reply
      • 2

        NILs are not allowed to stipulate where an athlete plays, because that would be pay-for-play.

        Got it?

        If you do, let me know what it means.

        Reply

    • Yes probably. Make December a no contact/no declare period and open the portal the day after the national championship. But in reality it only help the media companies keep the viewership up. People would bail if half the roster left a bowl squad before the game.

      Reply
    • 4

      Oregon State football coach Trent Bray signed a memorandum of understanding that includes an exclusive negotiating agreement once the school is established in a Power 4 or 5 conference, and a hefty buyout.

      Bray, who agreed to become OSU’s coach earlier this week to replace Jonathan Smith, agreed to a five-year contract with a salary of $2 million per year, of which $1.2 million is considered base salary.

      The Oregonian/OregonLive received a copy of Bray’s memorandum of understanding Thursday.

      Once a “power 5/4 conference affiliation for football is established, we will re-enter an exclusive negotiation period” when Bray’s contract and salary will be reviewed, the MOU states.

      Bray agreed to a massive buyout in case he leaves before the end of his contract. It starts at $6 million for the first year, dropping to $4.8 million in the second year, $3.6 million in the third year, $2.4 million in the fourth year and $1.2 million in the fifth year.

      By comparison, Smith owes Oregon State a buyout of $3 million when he left for Michigan State.

      If Bray is terminated prior to the end of his contract, the school will owe him the remainder of his base salary, which figures at $1.2 million per year.

      Bray’s MOU includes additional benefits, such as a vehicle, Corvallis Country Club membership and a suite for home football games. The MOU says other benefits, such as bonuses, will be worked out during the next 30 days.

      Reply
  111. 5

    Gould declares for the NFL Draft.

    It’s gotta be weird trying to prep for whatever bowl game. Skeleton crew coaching staff. Hodge-podge roster. Just another reason why bowl games are pointless (the non-BCS ones, that is).

    I like the idea of pushing the portal date back until after the new year to prevent some of this movement. Though I guess players would just state that they intended to join the portal when it opened and sit out bowl games anyway…

    Reply
      • 7

        If Chiles is still practicing, seems like he’s going to be the QB in the bowl game.
        Would be great if MSU picked up Dante Moore from the portal instead of Chiles.
        MSU fans seem to think they can get both….lol

        Reply
        • 0

          Seems like DJU could be a possibility for them.

          My guess is Chiles is going to keep practicing and see how the OC situation pans out. I bet BG gets decent reps to play it safe.

          Reply
      • 1

        Let’s be real, Gulbranson might decide to enter the portal, too. There’s no guarantees right now – especially with the offensive players. Bray is likeable and all, but the offensive guys are probably pretty uncomfortable until we get an OC.

        Reply
      • 9
        1

        If Julian and Skyler Thomas can come back healthy and in playing shape, combined with Arnold, McCoy, Noble Thomas, Andre Jordan, and Ivy all returning, it could be a very deep and talented secondary.

        Reply
        • 2

          Defense can be a huge strength next season. Lolohea will be huge to keep. That transfer 4* from Minnesota and maybe an added transfer/juco kid. With the young dline group. Should be top 15 worthy defense

          Offense is just replacing both tackles- and keeping Chiles. Maybe add a wr, but offense should be top 15 worthy as well if we can get at least 1 tackle

          Reply

          • I saw Julian on campus at the end of October. One of smiths ops guys said Alton was likely done playing football due to his most recent injury. I wouldn’t count on much production next year but I hope I’m wrong. He was awesome before getting injured against Utah a couple of years ago.

            Reply
  115. 4

    OC is going to be Gunderson. Probably will piss a bunch of people off. Too bad. Cavanaugh or DeVan can’t be far behind for the OL spot.

    Reply
      • 3

        Not great is an understatement. Only getting someone with plenty of HC experience as an advisor to Bray could fix that…….doubt Erickson is willing….darn.

        Reply
    • 3

      Sharp OSU guy with limited play calling experience. However, he’s been a good QB coach at multiple schools and likely works into our coaching budget well. Just a big unknown on play calling – could be great or not.

      Reply
    • 1
      1

      Really?

      We’re just going to give raises to our buds?

      Really?

      I thought we were serious about this.

      I thought people like Glenn Caruso were serious candidates, because I thought our coach was serious about looking for the best, not his buds.

      Remove the cost and however many dumb INTs Moore had this year, and tell me what Gundy has over Glenn Caruso.

      I am a little pissed off at the frat boy attitude.

      I will not buy in, if we go inbred, all the way.

      Reply
      • 1

        I saw an interview with him where he said he was looking to open up the O to be more “explosive plays,” and I sloughed it off as coachspeak.

        Hiring anyone from UCLA right now seems to be antithetical to even that low bar.

        We shouldn’t be in the business of saving our friends.

        Reply
    • 2

      Off the top of my head- Cookus is coaching safeties, Firth the ST QC is handling special teams, Legi has the DL/DC, Perkins has the CB’s, OL is being coach by Kayden Lyles, Torrey Gill has the Rb’s, Boyer has the QB’s, Trevon Bradford WR’s, Kefense calling the offensive plays.

      Reply
      • 2

        LB=Brandon Huppert with help from Avery Roberts
        DE=Keanu Yamamoto

        Boyer was a senior advisor for offense who has been at OSU for six years. Boyer has coached quarterbacks at Northern Colorado.

        “When I was a GA, I would have paid money to get this kind of experience,” Hynson said. “I’m a positive dude. I find the positive in every situation and I just think this is gonna change somebody’s life in a positive way.”

        From the article, thanks to whoever here mentioned the MSN trick!

        Reply
  122. 3

    In regards to Martinez, should we “suspend” him for the bowl game (so many other guys already missing) so he is ready to go next year?

    Reply
    • 4

      Dont think that’s a choice. Guy gets a DUII, he’s gotta be suspended.
      In a sense, bowl game is probably the best one to be suspended from the fan perspective. Maybe then he’d be good to go week 1

      Reply
    • 6

      Do we know he’s actually guilty? Do we know for a fact he was under the influence of marijuana? Police report just said he smelled it. Seems a bit premature to say he shouldn’t play in the bowl game.

      Reply
      • 2

        At his age, I don’t think he actually has to be under the influence. Just being in possession while operating a vehicle might be the law.

        Anyone familiar with this one?

        Reply
  124. 3

    If the Gunderson rumor is true, it’s a funny pick because he comes from the Riley AND GA coaching trees by having coached under Riley at OSU/Nebraska and Brennan/McGiven at SJSU.

    QB coach and passing game coordinator at SJSU- coached an all-conference QB and won the conference at SJSU by improving the offense from something like 90th to 30th in the country. SOMEHOW MANAGED TO MAKE A MCGIVEN OFFENSE GOOD MULTIPLE TIMES.

    QB coach at UCLA- coached under Chip, turned DTR from a hugely underperforming guy with potential into an NFL draft pick (and guy who’s getting decent playing time in the league right now). DTR started for 3 years and his stats and PFF ratings were absolute garbage. Chip and Gunderson turned him into a NFL QB.

    People will point to this year as a warning sign, but UCLA was one of the worst pass pro teams in the country. A young QB isn’t going to excel in that atmosphere no matter who is coaching him.

    He’s known as a bright guy and out of the box thinker, has a ton of experience with recruiting management/strategy and has a pretty good track record as a coach.

    Would it be better to bring in an older experienced OC? Probably, but we could do worse. We’ll need to get that guidance from somewhere and this would leave DC as the only place to get it.

    Reply

  126. Pro tips to get around OL’s money making venture. Read the title of the article and google part of the title. With Amp links it lets you view the entirety.

    Reply
  128. 4
    1

    Beavers basketball gave up a 20-1 run at home to UC Davis. Wayne Tinkle is well on his way to being the first Beavers coach in program history to have 3 straight seasons finishing at least 10 games under .500 and having that right after an elite 8 run. Got to hand it to Tinkle, he is a historic head coach.

    Reply
  129. 4
    1

    Bray does need to bring in a coach who has some head coaching experience. This is important for game management in critical situations.

    Reply
      • 2
        1

        These things are planned out in the off season. They’ll go over every late game scenario and decide how they want to proceed. Put it on a card and then refer to it in the games. But since Bray hasn’t been put in those situations, it would be nice to have a person who has been there to help him with what worked and especially what didn’t.

        He can only really learn on the job but he’ll have to avoid blunders.

        Reply
        • 1

          Seems like he may yet create his own automaticity in ways though? Kelly brining in cards was a novelty ESPN couldn’t get enough of. JS loved his nipples. Surley TB could orchestrate some of his own gambling ways in a functional manner without needing the late-game guidance from previous fools?

          Reply
          • 4

            Not a card on the field to show players. A note card he would carry with his play sheet.

            It would say, under 2 min to go, ball at the opponents 20 yard line. 4th and 5, down 3. What do they do? Takes the thinking out because they’ve already game planned for it.

            Reply
    • 4
      2

      Unless coaches make in game strategy much more difficult than it really is.
      Bray has been immersed in football his whole life and has likely talked “shop” about all manner of strategies/approaches to football games.
      We may think it is necessary to have an old experienced guy around to “help the kid out” but he may not think so.
      I’m guessing he finds a group of young guys who are all adept like he is and passes on the old guy mentor approach. It just seems a bit condescending in some respect anyway.
      Sink or swim on your own rather than being spoon fed “how to do this tricky head coach thing” by a retired advisor type who may not add much more than a distraction and wouldn’t benefit recruiting at all.

      Reply
      • 3

        It’s less about game planning and really more about having someone that can help navigate the Athletic Department, Boosters, NCAA (what’s left of it), etc..

        Those are things no assistant can truly be ready for. Having a guy that’s navigated that path before to lean on makes sense to me.

        Reply

      • Both arguments ohiobeav & youngorst are pretty valid; in the end Coach Bray may not feel he needs guidance/advice in that sense.

        A clear example where it was of benefit:

        Sean McVay’s 1st year with the Los Angeles Rams — he had Wade Phillips handle defense entirely, and had a mix of experienced staff in key offense positions (Aaron Kromer: OL, 11 years NFL, Greg Olson: QB, 15 years NFL) as well as younger staff who he was familiar with and had an understanding of the overall system he wanted to import from Washington (Matt LaFleur).

        Reply
    • 1

      I’d say it’s more important for having someone to show you how to manage a program.

      JS didn’t have an ex-HC on staff and did just fine. He had also clearly been planning to be a HC and Bray hasn’t. This is my biggest concern with Bray by far.

      Reply
  131. 2
    1

    Bruce Feldman seems to think Smith/MichSt are favorites to land Chiles.
    If so, that’s great new for OSU. Chiles is still pretty inexperienced, I don’t see a team like an Oregon or UW throwing a bunch of money at him to be their starter next year, only because they know they can pick up a plug and play QB pretty easily and won’t need to go through growing pains.
    If Chiles wants to maximize his experience, staying at OSU may be the wise move. That being said, if he has a good year, we’ll be in this same position again the next year, but with more risk of him taking another offer.
    Will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

    https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/status/1730337654322213111

    Reply
    • 5

      ? I’m assuming you meant Dante Moore? That story really was a gigantic click bait. No info whatsoever. Sports writing in 2023. One thing about the previous offensive coaching staff is it always felt like the QBs should have been better than they were. Not sure a QB like Moore with obvious warts will blossom into a star for MSU. Very biased opinion but I think Aidan is a Beaver in 2024

      Reply
  132. 1

    So if the Ducks beat Washington – I’m figuring BOTH will be in the NY6 games, – good for Pac-12 coffers. Also means Beavs would get a better bowl. Figure Arizona is going to Alamo, Beavs to San Diego since they were in Vegas last year? I just don’t see how they end up in El Paso. Ducks might get a NY6 game even with a loss.

    Reply

    • Unfortunately, they don’t pick that middle tier of bowls in order if the teams involved are within 1 conference loss of each other.

      -Alamo automatically gets Arizona because they have 2 losses.

      -Vegas picks next, from the following group of 4 or 5 loss teams
      (OSU, Utah, USC, CAL, UCLA)

      -Holiday pics next from that list

      -Sun Bowl/Independence/LA bowls are then required to take the team with the best record of the remaining teams in order.
      So at this point, if OSU/Utah/USC havent been selected yet, they could go Sun, followed by Independence followed by LA

      So really, we could land anywhere from Vegas on down to LA.
      (Highly unlikely we dont get picked for Vegas again)

      Sun Bowl may not even want our crippled program if USC is available for them to choose.

      Reply
        • 1

          Correct. Leg humpers/Liberace U winner to the cfp. Loser def a NY6 bowl. Arizona is then a lock for Alamo since they finished 2 games ahead of the 5-4 teams.

          Vegas then gets to pick between 5-4 teams (USC, Utah, UCLA and OSU) and even Cal since they finished a game behind. They likely take Utah imo.

          Holiday then gets to pick amongst the remaining 5-4 teams AND Cal. Crapshoot here. If it isn’t OSU then we def go to Hell Paso……UNLESS they pick UCLA or Cal. The Sun then picks and can only choose among the 5-4 teams. If USC is available I bet they pick them. If it’s UCLA and OSU this is where we go. UCLA participated in that bowl game last year. LA bowl then gets the last remaining 5-4 team. Cal is probably going to be going to the Independence bowl. Are all 9 of the Cal fans going to travel to a whatever bowl game they get invited to?

          For OSU it’s San Diego, Hell Paso or LA.

          Who would we rather play? An ACC team and most likely get fucking destroyed? Or LA vs a future MWC opponent and at leat have a chance to win?

          Reply
        • 1

          BTW, the MWC conference championship game was determined by computer rankings since there was a 3 team tie at 6-2. UNLV and Boise St advanced leaving SJSU out.

          Winner will go to the LA bowl

          Reply
  134. 1
    1

    Welp, we were told we’d get a schedule release “soon” and sometime this week.

    It’s Friday now and I kinda doubt they want to release this over the weekend. So, we should hear something today, no?

    Reply
  135. 9
    2

    Gunderson as OC would be very disappointing to me. Bray claimed after he was hired he received “hundreds of texts” from people interested in coaching opportunities with him. I think he needs to balance out the coaching staff with non-OSU hires for outside and new perspectives.

    Reply
  137. 6

    Holy cow Chol Marial played the majority of a game and put up a double double with 18 points. Is this a sustainable thing? Seems like he could be a difference maker for MBB.

    Reply

    • Possibly vs inferior opponents. This team is going to get smoked in conf play unfortunately. Last season they lost by 20 plus pts to the other 2 basement dwellers so the talent gap between the shitty Pac teams and the Beavs is pretty wide. At the 3nd of the day it doesn’t matter, we’re stuck with WT until his contract expires and then it’ll be another several years of rebuilds to get a remotely viable product on the court. Barring some insane coaching hire like a Rick Pitino to get names here, we’re 4-5 years away from being competitive at basketball. UNLESS, we get relegated to Big Sky or something.

      Reply
  138. 3

    Six Mountain West opponents on the schedule (3 home, 3 away). It doesn’t look like Boise budged when asked to be replaced with an Oregon.

    That means we likely get 1 more P5 opponent at home, which will be revealed “soon”.

    Reply
  140. 8
    4

    Man, people in the Big12 are messed up.
    I won’t link it, but apparently some Ok State fans murdered a longhorn bull and the dropped off in front of a Texas frat house with a branding on it that was something like “F UT”
    All for a football game.

    Bunch of psychopaths

    Reply

    • I think it’s in stillwater, and it’s one psycho frat thinking they’re playing a prank on another psycho frat that did something not quite this psycho.

      Reply

    • Dead longhorn left in front of the Farmhouse frat in Stillwater. Words carved or branded on the longhorn “Farmhouse FU”

      Nothing to do with sports or the big 12 championship game.

      Reply
  141. 3

    Sounds like Nick Rolovic will become Nevada’s new HC soon.
    Per Bruce Feldman.

    That’s one MW team that’s I’ve though had potential to improve dramatically. Now they’ll become OSU’s nemesis probably.

    Reply
  142. 7
    4

    Looks like the Civil War game for next year is officially not happening. I saw Oregon finalized their schedule. No OSU.

    I did notice they’re playing UW final as the final game of their season.

    Its clear to me UO didn’t value the rivalry as they didn’t have the guts to tell the BIG that they play OSU last game of the season as is the case in several other rivalry’s between teams from different conferences (Georgia / Georgia Tech, Clemson, South Carolina.) But I guess when you’re the red headed step child of the conference, making half what everybody else does, its hard to say that stuff. Still would’ve been cool for the ducks to show some backbone.

    It was a fun game so disappointed its not happening. If it does restart in the future, it should be a home and home situation.

    Reply

    • There’s plenty of candidates but it looks like it’s Gundy. A bit of an easy hire but him not having called plays before is a big concern. Hopefully he’s learned a lot at from Kelly.

      Reply
      • 1

        I don’t know if it has been addressed, but will the Beavs have any home games on TV next year? Or will OSU and Wazzu reach a side-deal to be included in the MWC package with ESPN and CBS? And what happens to the Pac-12’s bowl affiliation agreements?. I have to think the agreements went beyond this year (at least some of them). Don’t know if there is language “defining” the Pac-12 in the agreements or whatnot. I will be stunned if the Beavs don’t qualify for a bowl next year – particularly playing a MWC heavy schedule. They will still be short a game or two, though I assume they will play Wazzu home and home.

        Odd how much has changed within the program in just a week. I probably actually feel better about the future now, than last week. The uncertainty was worse.

        Reply
        • 1

          From what has been published, home games will be shopped independently to the networks, streamers, etc. Away games will be part of existing MWC broadcast arrangements.

          Reply

          • Tough decision for Barnes on TV money – they need the stadium full to pay it off, but TV won’t exactly be paying them to play on Saturday afternoons. Lucky to have nothing but Saturday night home games.

            Reply

  144. Another 2024 decommit. Defensive end Kekai Burnett.
    That ones curious since he’s from Hawaii and Legi is still here. Unless this is to go somewhere other than MSU

    Reply
  146. 1
    2

    This might be something of interest. A Zach Miller of Medium.com, compiled and rated the average weekly t.v. viewers for each PAC. 12 school.

    Colorado————-4.50m
    USC———————2.83m
    Washington———-2.68m
    Oregon—————-2.067m
    OSU———————1.74m
    Utah———————1.53m
    UCLA———————1.25m
    Wazzu——————-1.08m
    ASU————————603K
    Stanford——————549K
    Cal—————————450K
    Arizona———————434K

    I’m gonna view Colorado as an anomaly, considering viewership was more related to the Dion Sanders circus. So I consider the Beavs to be the 4th most watched program in the PAC. Resource wise, I still believe we belong in the MWC, but ratings wise, what are the Big10, Big12, and ACC thinking?

    Reply
  147. 2
    1

    It’s probably beneficial to bring in a few MWC coaching hires that know the landscape since thats basically our conference now.

    Reply

  149. So far the schedule is,

    6 games vs MW. I will put the already scheduled Boise St game in there.
    vs WSU
    vs Purdue
    vs Idaho St

    3 TBD power conference opponents..

    Reply
        • 2

          They’ve gotta have a pretty good idea what Chiles plan is by now. Either Gundy helps their cause to keep him or he helps them attract others he has relationships with via the portal cause they know AC is likely already gone.

          Reply
          • 6

            The fact that he’s practicing is good. If he’s just staying for the bowl he’s only giving himself a short window to transfer out. That itself is a weird plan unless he’s backdoor agreed to go somewhere after.
            If I was Trent he would have been the first guy to know what was going on. I want to think that conversation happened and that’s why he’s practicing.

            Reply
          • 6

            Sales pitch needs to be that Gundy already helped DTR turn into an NFL QB with a similar skill set to Chiles’s. DTR has already started more NFL Games than any Lindgren QB. Just sayin…

            Reply
          • 1

            Seems risky to play in a meaningless game and risk injury if your plan was to leave. Guess we’ll see what the future holds but if I’m xferring I don’t think I’d risk inuring myself in practice or in the bowl game.

            Reply

  152. In thinking about next year’s games being on TV, could someone who understands how it all works better than I do explain to me why a skeleton pac-2 network couldn’t stream the games online, either for annual subscribers or pay-per-view? Do the numbers/demand just not add up to be able to cover the costs or make any money?

    Reply
    • 2

      They could do that, but putting together an actual quality broadcast is a very costly endeavor. Recouping those costs would be difficult. For the Mt. West games, it’s probably easier just to make a deal to access the broadcast from the MW Network. The Purdue game and WSU game will probably be picked up by ESPN or Fox. Idaho State game either won’t be televised or will be high school level bare bones streaming experience.

      Reply
      • 3

        It’d be great if there was some form of streaming via Apple or Amazon. Might not even have to really agree for any $ from the service but would give the ability to have eyeballs on us plus a way for Apple/Amazon to learn how to broadcast a college game. Lay the foundation for a true streaming deal with them once round 2 of realignment comes around.

        Reply
        • 3
          1

          Monetized youtube channel? Some of these influencer make a shit load of money. Post highlights and games. We own our own brand now might as well try.

          Reply
          • 2

            They make alot of money because it’s easy to stream from home when you’re playing video games, doing makeup tutorials, or opining on politics. There’s hardly any overhead. Broadcasting a college football game that actually looks good with competent announcers is an enormous amount of overhead.

            Reply
          • 1
            3

            Had a campus job at OSU where I set up the projectors or tvs, etc for classes. Maybe we can take some of the Pac2 cameras and equipment and do a live stream on YouTube. Be a great opportunity for any film students or whatever. Have them run 2 or 3 cameras at a home game. tie in the Mike Parker call for the announcing, and wham! We have our low budget viewing experience.

            Reply

      • I guess ESPN could pick those up for pennies on the dollar. For home games against MW opponents though, I’m sure some kind of side deal can be made with MW Network. I assume whatever schools we’re hosting…..Say Colorado State or Wyoming or whatever will be broadcasting the games in their markets.

        Reply

        • Barnes has already said they need a contract for all of their home games. Made it sound like they have at least had some talks with TV partners. My guess is they get more than the MWC gets.

          Reply
  153. 1
    1

    Could some form of partnership with CW/Root Sports/PAC network assets be used as the backbone for production and just tap into the radio broadcast with Mike & Big Jim as the on air talent?
    Let Beaver Blitz guys run the halftime show etc and keep it streaming onto a dedicated Beaver Sports properties YouTube channel?

    I think we are in an exploratory season for the next version of sports consumption as the cable model dies off. OSU has a great chance in a pseudo- independent status to be able to use some creativity and figure out a new format while all the others are locked into the old model and held captive by conference agreements.

    Perhaps OSU can capitalize on a general rejection of the current model and become a “normal” and refreshing version of college football for fans looking for something other than WWF college football mini NFL leagues.

    Reply

    • You still need to have an actual quality broadcast though which is the issue. I don’t really like the idea of throwing anything together ad hoc like that. Other than Vin Scully and Chick Hearn I don’t think there have been many simulcasts done well anywhere. Major risk of epic fail and embarrassment.

      Reply
    • 1

      we’d have to burn cash for a while, while creating an independent service. Partnering with someone who has already done that and is in a position of strength is both the fastest way to learn the business and how to grow it, and the most conservative move.

      That partner will have a vested interest in how our product is built and displayed. They’ll still have to burn some cash, but they know where to do it. And if they maybe buy up a network from someone who might have one sitting around, their burn will be less, and they’ll see the opportunity to enter the market with a fair amount of strength.

      Reply
    • 1
      1

      Big disappointment here. Here are his units’ season grade rankings per PFF. Remember these are not weighted for SOS.

      Clearly a strength in pass blocking vs run blocking, but I think it’s safe to say our years with a dominant OL are over. He does have experience as run game co-ordinator and associate head coach from previous stops so…I guess that’s good? 
      Pass block/run block
      2016 Ball State- 61/96
      2017 Ball State- 121/130 (last in the country)
      2018 Ball State- 48/94
      2019 Arizona- 34/81
      2020 Arizona- 114/101
      2022 Colorado- 59/101
      2023 Charlotte- 118/79

      Reply
      • 4
        3

        Well, it’s not good unless you believe the Trent Bray (playing) era at Oregon State was magically full of future stud coaches. Both of his hires thus far would be universally panned if not for their time as Beavs.

        Reply
        • 4

          It’s a pretty young and inexperienced staff so far, I’ll give you that.
          Might end up being the coaching version of NIL crowd sourcing. Every former Beav wants to pitch in

          Reply
    • 8

      I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt for now. These are OSU teammates, sure, but they’re also guys who have experience in a variety of regions (LA, North Carolina) and who have coached under some very veteran college and pro coaches (Chip Kelly for Gunderson, Sean Payton/Kevin Sumlin/Jim Harbaugh/Steve Sarkisian, plus DeVan was a Super Bowl starter in the NFL).

      Fingers crossed that they can be both “former OSU teammates” but also “rising stars in the coaching world”…

      Reply
      • 1

        When Coach Smith brought in Coach M. and Lindgren, they had track records of top-performing units in the Pac-12. And he got them when our assistant salary pool was way lower.

        Coach Bray has a P5-level salary pool; where will he spend it? Both Gunderson and DeVan should be wayyyy under market.

        Reply
        • 1

          It’s a fair question.

          If Gunderson is simply the OC, and DeVan the OL coach, then there’s still room for the “Assistant/Associate Head Coach” title to be tagged on some veteran/splashy/sexy/expensive veteran coach that’s still out there I guess…

          Reply
        • 3

          I’d think the current landscape is such that getting good experienced staff is tougher than any other time in our history. Even when Smith took over, it was “just” a badly ran program with lower talent. Now, you’re facing NIL, you’re facing xfer portal, uncertainty in schedules and truly what the future holds from a conference and income perspective. Not to mention, if I’m a proven P4 coach, do I risk being a member of a G5 in 2 years? Now, we shouldn’t just be begging for anyone with a pulse to want to coach here but these are uncharted waters and quite frankly, when you’re not the top half of the P4 programs, most jobs are a stepping stone to the next but even more so for G5 and lower schools.

          Reply
      • 11

        I run a business with 70 employees and had to build a leadership team that made us successful. You do that with people you know you can trust and communicate with, people who have character and integrity. Talent yes, but talent comes after all those other things. If you build a team that is united man you can do some things. Yeah, it may take some learning, but if mission driven it will happen.
        So, yeah I’m in wait and see on these hires. May be better then anyone expected.

        Reply
  156. 9

    It seems the uncertainty around the future of the program is scaring off outside hires. OSU alums are ones who are willing to try to save the program.

    I would think the d coordinator job would go to someone who has experience as a secondary coach or d line with Bray’s LB background.

    Reply
  157. 1

    I keep seeing people say that will schedule another P5 home game for next year, why do you think that? what P5 team is coming to Corvallis on short notice and we aren’t in a position to pay for a P5 opponent.

    Reply
  158. 2
    9

    Bray’s hiring, even if out of necessity given the current conference uncertainty, are very disappointing. Can they bridge to a major conference in the next realignment?

    I realize there’s a trend for younger, high energy coaches, and maybe the connect well with kids, but Bray/Gunderson/DeVan does not sound at all like an interesting program to watch.

    Reply
    • 16

      Bit of a pessimistic over-reaction so far I feel, but I understand it, I certainly don’t want to see the entire staff filled out with alums just because they are alums.

      Gundy and DeVan are young, but they are also really good coaches that have been mentored well and are ready to step up and do the job. I don’t feel like those guys are getting the job because they are the only ones that want it, but I get why fans might be weary of that.

      I don’t think Bray and Barnes are going about this trying to make any kind of flash with big name assistants leaving other Power jobs. They want to stabilize and build the program back up with a staff that WANTS to be in Corvallis for the long-haul and can relate with and sell the vision to recruits in the social-media’d NIL world. We’ve got 2 years of known instability and adversity and who knows what lies beyond that.

      I think we’ve gotta be prepared for many players entering the portal on Monday, and it’s gonna be ok.

      Stick to the model that JS laid out and build on it. Focus on 3-star “low-ego” high-academic HS kids that are looking for a college experience of substance where they feel valued and part of a tight-knit community, in addition to competing for the CFP. Fill the holes on the portal with guys that also fit that mold, not those that are looking to maximize their NIL payday and exposure, Corvallis isn’t the place for that.

      I tend to believe that Murthy, Barnes and Bray (as well as their counter-parts at WSU) do in fact have a real plan for navigating the downfall of the Pac over the next 3-4 years. I don’t think Bray stays if they don’t have a realistic and viable long-term path forward (not the MWC).

      Reply
      • 3

        OSU has turned into a unique/oddity. The baseball staff is all alums, the womens bball staff is mostly alums, the football staff seems like it’ll be majority alums.

        I doubt there are many schools like that.

        Reply
        • 1

          Unique/oddity. Yes, fits the “Lunch Pail U” thing.
          Have to use this as a selling point for, as Zen indicates, attracting a certain type of SA. What’s the ceiling for teams composed of SA’s who value school w/o big city distractions ? Teammates most of whom aren’t prima donnas and who will fully buy into the Team First concept.
          All a quaint story in these days of $ over all?
          Still, sell what you’ve got……..and pick up a good organizational advisor for Bray!

          Reply
  160. 3

    Interesting thought… Bray (41) and Gundy (39) represent the last generation of players/coaches in which social-media wasn’t a part of our life either before or during their college careers. Facebook was a brand new thing during the 03-04 school year (my freshman year) right at the same time those guys were playing.

    Reply
  161. 4
    3

    Gunderson reminds me too much of Riley. I’m not excited about those types being on the staff at all. I like Bray’s energy and was hoping that he would fill out the staff with guys like him. I’m saying this based on personalities only as I have no idea how good of a coach he is. Hopefully he ends up being a great coach.

    Reply
  162. 6
    1

    Man, Michigan State fans on Twitter sh*t-talking the OSU program calling it “poverty” and trash, but then getting excited at the idea of all these “poverty” level Beav players and recruits going to East Lansing.

    Reply
  165. 25
    1

    The injustice that is UW-UO in the PAC-12 Championship, when they are the 2 who ultimately killed the conference with their last minute defection. What the hell, universe?

    Reply
  166. 1

    Penix missed a wide-open receiver behind the defense. UW could have gone up 17-0. Quacks getting some momentum now and Fowler and Herbstreit are salivating.

    Reply
    • 5

      P-12 refs just cannot help inserting themselves and changing outcomes. Good riddance, but I’m sure they will get jobs elsewhere like the Mountain West.

      Reply
      • 1

        The “best” of the conference have been hired away by the other conferences.

        What these schools don’t realize is that the “best” have always been assigned the most high profile games each week. This means the teams who were winning on a regular basis and still complaining about the refs will get to see those refs again.

        Reply
  171. 2
    1

    Well, Boise state lost their rare blue chip kid, Gatlin Bair. Was a fun story for a month but now $$$ has stepped into the equation and he’s focusing on Michigan and Yucks.

    Reply

  172. So, with all the bowls being affiliated with conferences. Is any bowl free to invite OS?

    Is the CFB playoff the only chance for the Beavs to play post season next year?

    Reply
    • 1

      Daschel and the entire crew at the Big O had nike winning by anywhere from 4 to 11; they weren’t alone, Vegas stuck with 9.5 but did get the O/U on the money…..65.

      Reply

    • Wilner has put a lot of thought into that article and it is very possible that something like that happens. Essentially, all OSU and WSU have to do is wait 10 years (my thinking is less) for the PAC12-14 to come back to what I think Larry Scott was trying to envision when Utah and Colorado came into the league, add several other schools. I am excited to watch how the T10 handles all the complexities of playing in their new league and the impact on the student athelete; being a student athelete is difficult enough and I can’t imagine what all the increased travel will do.

      With regards to last nights game, OSU played UofW better than Oregon did at Reser for sure. I hate to admit it, and it pains me to say this, but Washington has a pretty good team. We’ll see how far they go when they go up against the SEC or Big10 in the coming weeks.

      Reply
    • 3

      That’s why I’m sort of “Meh” on DJU. Might be harsh, but I’m sure Smith wanted him for moments like the opportunity that the UW game presented and he failed. There was no huge lift with him at QB and yes it’s a team game but he was not an elite difference-maker. Seeing the QB that he is, I don’t understand the point of him transferring, I could see him going to the NFL because I don’t see him being any better. Knowing “Luck ‘O The Beavs” he will transfer to Oregon and be discussed as the great savior next year endlessly.

      Reply
  184. 7

    UW came closer to defeat at Reser than they did tonight. At least we were spared the spectacle of GK having a speaking role at the awards ceremony.

    Reply
  185. 4
    1

    What about Jimmy Lake for DC? He binged as a HC, and Bray could learn from someone else’s mistakes. He was a hell of a recruiter and a good DC.

    I know folks like Keith Heyward. I believe he has only 1 season of experience as a DC in 2022 at UNLV. Any idea how good the 2022 UNLV defense was?

    Reply
    • 3

      Wasn’t Heyward considered a great recruiter?

      The 2022 UNLV defense was middle of the pack but did get to the QB and create turnovers which honestly sounds like a Bray kind of guy.

      Jimmy Lake would definitely be a home run hire though.

      Reply
    • 7
      1

      I think about Duck Fan – all the glitz of the program, the fancy locker rooms, the money they are paying players, the uniforms, the coaches that seem to want to bail on Eugene as soon as a better job opens up, that they’ve gotten close to actually being in the Playoff again – and failing and I’m hoping they know they will get no closer EVER to a national title. Maybe in a good year, they’ll make the expanded playoff as the third or fourth Big 10 team, but they’ll lose in the first round.
      It’s funny, because Duck Fan is convinced they are “just as good” as Bama, Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, but they are clearly not in that club. And it doesn’t matter how much they spend on football – they never will be. And what happens after Phil Knight leaves the scene is anyone’s guess.

      Reply
      • 4
        1

        Funny part is that with the expanded CFP and the way its set up with the top G5 team getting auto bid, OSU/WSU probably have a more realistic shot to make it before the Ucks

        Reply
    • 1

      I’ve suggested Lake in the past. He’s a DB guru.

      But he’s in the NFL now, he may not want to leave. Would have to offer him a good size salary even though he’s still being paid his buyout from UW.

      Couldn’t hurt to ask would it

      Reply
      • 3

        I believe he’s an analyst with the Rams. Maybe he wants to stay in the NFL, but a defensive coordinator role would be a step up in responsibility and help him regain his reputation.

        Reply
  188. 1

    While it’s true that coaches return to the college ranks for all sorts of reasons, he’s the assistant HC rn for the Rams… it’d be perplexing why he would consider such a move.

    Reply
    • 1

      1. Assistant head coach is a title he could have at OSU with more responsibility than what he is currently getting at LA (figurehead title)

      2. He needs to rehab his image and reputation if he wants to be considered for a DC or HC role again. He’s only 46. He can put in 2-3 solid years at OSU then move in to something bigger.

      Reply
  189. 5
    1

    Reading the most recent Kerry Eggers article.
    Has a few quotes on Bray from Mark Banker.
    Learned that Banker is Bray’s next door neighbor.

    We’re doomed!

    Reply
    • 5

      Bray also said he’s interested in filling out his offensive staff first, since he already knows what he wants to do on defense.
      Said he has received 100’s of calls/texts from people interested in spots.
      Hopefully he starts to bring a little diversity to his staff and finds a few guys who arent former Beavs.

      Reply
    • 1
      2

      Just read it – I thought it was interesting to see that Barnes’s angle is to try and get a settlement with the departing Package schools. I was kinda hoping we’d be able to get the courts to give us “full custody”, so to speak,and then we’d give the departing schools the finger and quote Willy Wonka – “you get NOTHING, good day sir!”

      Oh well, if we can finagle a settlement that makes them go away and keeps us with the bulk of the assets, that works too I guess.

      https://www.kerryeggers.com/stories/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-beaver-football-but-were-afraid-to-ask

      Reply

    • It also said Banker is now retired and he no longer is on the current WSU staff…..

      This article seems to hint at that. I was unaware he was no longer coaching.

      “ Cougars coach Jake Dickert announced several developments to the program’s staff Tuesday, confirming that veteran nickels/safeties coach Mark Banker has decided to depart the Pullman school while edges coach A.J. Cooper and secondary assistant Jordan Malone will stick around.

      Banker, a journeyman coach who has worked in the football business since 1979, turned down a contract offer to remain at WSU because of “personal reasons,” according to Dickert.

      “He’s a valued member of this team and this organization,” Dickert said. “Mark has been a mentor of mine, someone I’ve relied on the last couple of years. He’s done an amazing job, and he’ll always be welcome at our program, but I think there’s a lot of sunshine and golf in his future — he’s been in this game for 40-plus years.”

      https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/wsu-cougar-football/wsus-jake-dickert-putting-final-touches-on-coaching-staff/

      Reply
    • 2

      So WSU is planning to play SDSU and SJSU as previously scheduled and then add 6 more mountain west games on top of that. 8 G5 games.
      Barnes keeps saying we’re only going to have 6 G5 games. So we must be trying to reschedule the Boise game. Probably a good bet that Sept 7 will be a civil war game if uo can reschedule Texas tech.

      Reply

    • Didnt realize WSU already has 2 MW non con games next year, besides the 6.
      They have SDSU and SJSU, so pretty good bet OSU won’t play either of those teams in 2024.
      I would guess that OSU will get UNLV and Fresno St for 2 of the Beavs games to even out the geography.

      WSU needs 1 more game to schedule, Beavs need 2.
      According to Barnes numbers, those 2 games should be P5 teams.

      Reply
    • 2

      They have a better press corp than the Beavs. Kudos to he and Dickert for staying the course, assuming they had other choices. Cam Ward, according to Dickert, leaving for the money.

      Reply
  191. 2

    Headlines today:
    “Bo Nix has not decided if he will play in Oregon’s bowl game”

    Ok, but has he decided what he’s having breakfast? Geez, these journalists need to work a little harder and ask the really important questions.

    Reply
    • 4

      I saw somebody last night suggested to Big Dave that DJ should transfer to oregon and big dave replied something to the effect that that’s the plan.

      Immediate unfollow

      Reply
      • 9
        1

        It’s sort of a bitch move, but it’s hard to argue against the increase in NIL money coming his way and playing in the B10. Going to that offense is probably not going to make DJU a better QB. Maybe he and Pop realize his NFL prospects are not great, so get it while they can. I think it’s ironic that all The Beavs supposedly needed was a QB to compete for the championship and DJU ended up not being that QB. He had a couple of opportunities during the season for legend status and came up short. If we had a crystal ball into this season, some of us would have said just get Aidan Chile’s career going now. Most likely the same 8-4 result or maybe better.

        Reply
      • 2
        1

        I have no issue with DJ transferring to Oregon. Family is hugely important to him and getting to play with your brother for a season would be really cool. The plan was always for him to play one year and turn things over to Aidan. If they can retain Aidan Chiles, I doubt there will be many complaints. I wish him well

        Reply
  193. 3

    OT : something popped up in my news feed about women sa at Oregon suing for equal treatment under title ix.

    https://www.sportico.com/leagues/college-sports/2023/oregon-title-ix-lawsuit-division-street-1234749110/

    “Bryant has previously signaled an interest in challenging the way some experts believe the college sports system has skirted gender equity requirements by working hand-in-hand with ostensibly independent NIL collectives. In September, he told On3, “NIL and Title IX are about to collide—and it’s just a question of when and where.”

    Evidently, the answer is: now and Eugene, Ore.”

    Reply
  194. 10
    1

    It felt dirty to cheer so hard for UW, especially living in the heart of Husky county.

    I mean, I did, but it still felt dirty. And Eff both of them anyway.

    Reply
    • 5

      I was busy cooking dinner.

      I did walk into the living room every now and then and say, “You guys aren’t winning. What’s wrong?”

      Reply
    • 25
      1

      Yesterday was “No Natty” day in Eugene. It is a day of reflection for those who may want to turn from their arrogant ways, and a day of mourning for those who continue in their hubris.
      “No Natty” day is always a day of celebration for all Beavers fans where we get to celebrate the yearly elimination of Ducks from their Nike$$$ driven quest.

      I love “No Natty” day. It is a day of sweet splice and joy for me and my family.

      Reply
      • 19
        1

        It took longer than to my liking this year, but good that it happened again. Didn’t want to root for the Huskies, but felt I had no choice. I hope they both burn in hell in the B10.

        Reply
  196. 4

    Enjoy the weekend! Monday is the big day when the portal opens for underclassmen. Lots of highly rated recruits who were backups this year will likely hit the portal if the starter is staying. I’d expect 5-10 Beavs to hit the portal with Bray’s hiring stemming some of the bleeding. I would think guys who walked on senior day but have eligibility left to enter just to see what’s out there. That would be Stover, Spencer, Riney, Erhart in addition to DJU.

    Bray will need to recruit hard in the portal to fill in the gaps. Don’t get your hopes up, won’t get star players or ones that will cost anything but will need to get ones who are more than G5 players. Guys like Hart.

    I think it’s more likely than not that Chiles enters the portal to see what’s out there. Hard to say whether he goes to MSU when a guy like Dante Moore is available and from Michigan. Fans will be screaming and willing to pay for him over Chiles. on3 estimates Cam Ward at 630k and lower level Qbs at 250k. I’d guess Chiles is at 500k or so. A guy like Moore is 1-2 million like Rhule said.

    Reply
  197. 18

    On a side note, Beav’s Men’s Soccer plays North Carolina at 2 pm PT on ESPN+ in a quarter-final match-up. The winner is on to the College Cup.

    Reply
  198. 7
    1

    Made the mistake of turning on College Game Day this morning. Man talk about verbal masterbation over the SEC. Couldn’t take it long.

    Reply
  199. 4

    The way they were booing the Big 12 Commish reminds me that they didn’t even let Kliakoff speak last night. He just handed the trophy to DeBoer and ran off the podium, hardly breaking stride. Cowardly, but at this point, who really cares what he has to say?

    Reply
  200. 1

    Said before that there was a 30+% chance DJU would go to nike; yahoo/duckswire reports 4* QB Michael Van Buren now decommits from nike.
    DJU % going up, nike gonna need plenty of outstanding receivers to make this work.

    Reply
  202. 2

    I read where Pat Chun said that the Beavs/Wazzu will still have the P-12 logo on their jerseys next season, and emblems on the field, etc. League still exists for at least next year. I’m a little skeptical that they can re-constitute, but stranger things have happened.

    Reply
    • 2

      Yeah saw that on the video. Scratched my head then thought it was a brilliant why to remind everyone every game what has been destroyed.

      Reply
    • 5

      It’s all about leverage in the legal proceedings. The traitors and the media conglomerates can’t fully “move on” until the Pac-12 is dead and gone as an entity.

      2Pac strategy is to play the big stall and carry on as if they are going to repopulate the Pac-12 with MWC teams in 2026. Forces ESPN, Fox, and the traitors to drag it out and play along until they can reach a settlement, and for damn sure OSU/WSU won’t budge until a B1G/B12 invite is included. But it puts pressure on OSU/WSU to self-fund their programs in the interim.

      But anything could happen in the meantime. ESPN could go bankrupt and get bought out due to legacy media dying off. Clemson/FSU could find an exit and kill off the ACC. The CFP could box out the B12. The Supreme Court could rule all NCAA athletes re-classified as employees and the whole thing gets blown up.

      If the dominoes fall and the landscape changes, the traitors could all be looking to buy their way back into the Pac in 2026 (which would require that it still exists as an entity).

      It’s gonna continue to be a wild ride the next few years.

      Reply

      • In the current state where all 12 vote, I believe a unanimous vote is required. would the hero 2 vote against funding the t10 this season? How will the 10 fair with no conference money this year? ( Arizona ). If they won’t let the Pac 2 proceed, then nothing proceeds.

        Reply
        • 2

          The next date to look out for is Dec 12, that’s the deadline for parties to submit briefs to the Washington Supreme Court.

          After that, WSC could decide that there isn’t enough for them to take on the case and they’ll send it back to the superior court (OSU/WSU have full control of the board) until the case goes to trial, or that they need to take the case on and it’s starts an even longer legal process.

          If the superior court ruling gets upheld, it puts ENORMOUS pressure on the t10 (and ESPN/FOX) to settle as soon as possible, because all of the Pac-12 assets are held up and controlled by OSU/WSU until they do.

          Reply
          • 2

            I would be curious to know if NCAA MBB tournament credits earned for this year would go to the P-12 also (with the P-12 just being OSU/WSU). Probably a little unfair to the traitorous ten since I doubt the Beavs or Wazzu will be going to The Dance, but screw those bastards.

            Reply
          • 3

            That’s what everyone in every conference signs up for. Unless the Conference is dissolved, the money stays with the Conference.

            That’s the choice every school made when they left.

            Reply
          • 1

            I thought I read that it’s not like they pay out in whole each year, so depending how how much money we’re talking about it might behoove OSU/Wazzu to keep the P-12 alive for two years.

            Reply
          • 1
            2

            The trial is over.

            It’s just up to the WSC to accept whatever technicalities the 10 throw at the appeal. If they take it up, then we wait for that appearance in front of them.

            If they refuse, it’s over, and the trial judge’s decision goes into effect.

            Reply
          • 1
            3

            That was the trial.

            That’s it.

            We sued to keep the 10 from being reinstated on the CEO Board and won, with certain stipulations.

            This is their appeal to that ruling.

            Reply

          • What trial do you think has to happen?

            We were in court, and the judge decided in our favor, with stipulations.

            The 10 appealed that, and that’s where we are now. That one of the points of their appeal completely ignores the stipulation the judge set forth is just more of some of the lousiest lawyering I’ve ever witnessed.

            But “the trial” is done.

            The only way there is another one is if the appeal is granted, that hearing goes for the 10, and a retrial is set.

            How do you think someone appeals a trial’s decision, if the trial and decision don’t occur?

            ??????

            Reply

  203. Beavs go 10-2 next year. What happens? SOS good enough for playoff spot?

    No playoff then go to a very low tier bowl game because decent bowl is affiliated with conferences.

    2024 Pac12 still alive (name only) does Pac12 bowl affiliations remain intact?

    Reply
    • 4

      Don’t think they get in the top 12 with 2 losses but it’s possible. 11-1 or 12-0 and it’d be almost impossible to leave em out (not that they won’t try).

      Reply
  205. 3
    1

    My one request for any OC that Bray brings is would be a complete prohibition on all sideline fade routes/pass attempts as a firm rule. Those must be the least effective passes in all of football.

    Reply
  207. 1

    Boise St giving UNLV the bufu. Looks like they’ll be in the LA bowl. I can’t see us getting up for that game if it is the destination considering we played Boise last year and play them again next fall.

    Reply
  208. 5

    Regarding thew discussion above with an independent schedule and going 10-2. In some ways the idea of becoming the highest ranked non-P4 team would be in reach, coupled with a tougher strength of schedule.
    Consider that most of the better nonP4 schools have already been absorbed into the P4 conferences, except MWC schools. Barnes needs to thread the needle to make a schedule that is good enough to be as tough or tougher than any other non P4 conference team schedules, but also has games that maintain fan interest as well as solidify the continuation of a pseudo-P4 existence until the next round of realignment happens.

    it would be a shame if in trying to create a schedule that mimics and old Pac12 schedule, they inadvertently relegate the team into an 8-4 team for no real reason. I’d sell the idea of SEC teams schedule 8 conference games, and of those games, the contenders have 3 actually tough matchups, due to the rotation and limited times they cross over and play both divisions. On the other end, Boise St may have 2 tough non conference games and possibly 3-4 tougher conference games. So my view is Barnes needs to shoot for somewhere in the middle of those 2 lines. Try to find 5-6 games that would be sure wins, coupled with 3 winnable P4 games that should be competitive and let the season come down to 2-3 games that Beavs can really dial in a have a legit shot at 12 or 12 win seasons and force the CFP to omit them…
    No to Ducks, UW, USC, UCLA, Utah, UA, Colorado. Only take a matchup you can be 60%-75% sure of a win. Even if it costs your budget to buy the game over the body bag games. The body bag games become season and program killers in this circumstance. The money for the program will come from getting into the playoffs at the end of the year and not sharing that revenue with 11 other teams. Don’t take body bag games if it is the difference between 9 wins and 11 wins over the course of the season.
    In the current situation, if the Beavs finish with 9 wins, they have become irrelevant, but if they finish with 11 or 12 wins, they are unavoidable and a thorn in the side of all the conferences and media.

    Reply
      • 3

        I think that bastard poked the Beaver in the eye or slapped him across the face. There wasn’t a good replay, but it was the Tar Heel’s best player. Serves them right!

        Reply
    • 8

      I got lucky because my teenagers have Hulu which somehow also has ESPN Plus so I can watch the game. I don’t know where my money goes, but sometimes it pays off! I know I shouldn’t help ESPN, but I just saw some history. My oldest played a couple of years of low-level college soccer, so I watched hundreds of games over the years and spent a shit ton of money on club soccer.

      Reply
  214. 1

    Wow! If Bama holds in and beats Georgia, do the Dogs miss the playoffs? No way does Bama jump Texas after losing to them earlier in the year. Assuming the favorites win out tonite its gotta be
    Mich
    Wash
    Flor St
    Texas
    What do you all think? No SEC team?

    Reply
  216. 3

    Relative to several comments above about “burn rate,” hoops credits to be paid downstream, Pac 2 financing etc. Here is a line of text on page 15 of the University of Washington’s brief submitted to the Washington Supreme Court: “OSU and WSU can support their future plans with more than $200 million in guaranteed post-2024 revenue, in the two years after the ten schools depart.” Bear in mind that this is what the OPPOSITION is stipulating to the court.

    there’s no breakdown of that number in the brief but that’s some serious moola. No doubt this is the source of the two year payout to the MW for the scheduling alliance. Reading the brief in its entirety it’s clear that the departing ten don’t trust the 2 to be fair with the distribution of “current year revenues,” also mentioned in the UW brief. This is why UW intervened on behalf of itself and the other 9.

    Reply
    • 1

      Can we trust the $200M number? Hard to believe the P2 would be fighting for a larger share of the 2024 money if they knew they had that coming…unless it’s a question of reduced 2024 cash flow.

      Reply
      • 2

        Can we trust that number? Observers ranging from the Locked on Big 12 Podcast to the attorneys for the UW have stipulated that the Pac 2 are in line to inherit hundreds of millions of dollars. Who knows if that’s the precise number but I think we can safely conclude that it is a BIG one (no pun intended). Myself, I think the number is higher than what the UW attorney stipulated. This pool of money, including the NCAA grace period, I believe, was the key Oliver Luck insight. The 2 sued the 10 to keep the 10 from dissolving the conference with a “kicker” that any money accruing to Pac 12 had to be distributed to its constituent members even if at the time of distribution they were then members of other conferences. Along the way, OSU and WSU (and their attorneys) figured out that creating a reserve for rebuilding the conference with set-asides from “current year” income added leverage. I think it is possible therefore, for the Pac 2 to lose in court ultimately and still come out of the battle with a pool of moneh to tide them over for at least two years, maybe 3-5. The key was not allowing the conference to dissolve.

        Reply
      • 1
        2

        I don’t believe the $200M. It definitely includes the CFP payments for the next 2 years to the PAC12 which would be $80M per year. I’ve said it before, there’s no chance ESPN pays the PAC2 for the CFP with only two teams.

        Reply
  217. 1

    Pundits saying Bama is in the playoffs with most leaving out an undefeated FSU. The CFB rankings then are a complete fraud!!! Why didn’t they have Bama ranked higher than FSU?

    Reply
    • 2

      Of course it’s a fraud. Stanley was twisting logic like a pretzel this morning because they knew Texas would
      Be a problem and he was
      Adamant that SEC out of the playoffs is a non starter and not reality….SEC was exposed early in Non conference games and they have been propped up by fraudulent AP rankings all season since.

      Reply
      • 2

        It’s never been about the most deserving teams. It’s purely about the “best” teams, which translates to the teams that will draw the best ratings. The committee themselves say that time and again.

        Reply

  218. I halfway expect FSU and Iowa to win tonight so that Georgia and Alabama both get in… just based on how much is tied to ESPNSEC for ratings, betting and tv rights/coverage that pushes the SEC ad nauseam.

    Besides that, Harbaugh may have more enemies than we know.

    Reply

  222. This FSU freshman QB looks scared shitless so far why can’t the Beavs ever place a true freshman like this? Louisville may well win this if the can score a few points.

    Reply

    • Yeah, agree. FSU really misses the star QB. Have a very good D that should keep them in the game, but yeah, need to generate some O.

      Reply
  224. 1

    I’m still trying to figure out how Iowa won 10 games! It almost was 11 but they had a late game punt return called back on a penalty against the Gophers saying the returner signaled a fair catch.

    Reply
    • 5

      One could also ask how the hell did Northwestern win 7 games? Nebraska should be ashamed of themselves for not winning at least six games in that debacle of a division.

      Reply
      • 3

        Having great talent creates lazy coaching for most programs and most talent becomes lazy because of their talent over time. It is the rare program or young athlete who continues to outwork the opponent even when the talent is superior.

        Reply
  229. 5

    It would be tough to argue that ACC teams are better than Texas.
    Alabama should stay behind Texas and Georgia is behind Alabama.
    If FSU wins they deserve the spot with UW, Mich and probably Texas. Pretty funny to see how the SEC may be stuck but the FSU qb situation will be their excuse to shut them out and Norvell as well as all the other conferences should go ballistic at the injustice and blatant stacking of the deck in favor of SEC teams.

    Reply
  230. 2

    I don’t know how they would justify keeping out FSU. They won every game and three without their best QB. Can’t set that precedent.

    Michigan, UW, FSU and Texas would be my picks but I think Alabama gets picked over Texas.

    Reply
  231. 2
    3

    The best teams right now, I think in order are:
    Bama
    Georgia
    Mich
    Wash
    Texas
    Ohio State
    FSU
    Missouri
    Oregon

    The teams that “deserve” to make the final four IMO:
    Mich
    Wash
    Texas
    FSU

    Reply
      • 1

        Alabama and Georgia likely because why not.

        UW wasn’t as impressive as a P4 champion should be so they get bumped too.

        Mich #1
        Texas #2
        Alabama #3
        Georgia#4

        If they CFP actually pulls such a stunt, it may implode their kingdom as truly WWF level shenanigans.
        Let FSU and UW ply their own championship game at the NY6 round.

        Reply
      • 3

        I’d agree. Beavs would want FSU left out so they can start the process of leaving the ACC. The faster a second realignment comes around the better.

        Reply
  233. 5

    Hand it to Alabama for going on the road against Texas. Ironically, they lost, and are experiencing what the rest of the country experiences when they go on the road early in the season….its a jumbled up fucked up mess, and the SEC should be left out.
    Texas, UW, FSU and Michigan

    ….and conference championship games are pointless, but I digress….

    Reply
    • 5

      This is the year when the SEC should be mocked and ridiculed for their 8 conf game schedule and it should cost them a spot without hesitation.
      Alabama wants credit for scheduling a game at Texas but no consequence for the loss.

      It may send a message for future ooc schedulers to avoid such games…
      They argue their conference schedule is so tough they can’t play 9. Then they declare they won’t schedule tough ooc to add another tougher game.
      Now they threaten to be included just on the merits of their existence in said conference.

      Reply
    • 3
      2

      Really don’t get this “conference championship game is pointless” argument. These conferences are too big to play everyone, how else do you determine a champion?

      Maybe if every conference were 10 teams or less you could argue conference championship games make no sense but with 18 team conferences? They don’t just make sense, they’re mandatory.

      Reply
      • 3

        This is my thought too. Conferences are way too big and only getting bigger. 10 teams should be a cap. 10 teams with a 9 game conference schedule. It would help keep conferences more regional and also keep conferences from eating each other.

        Reply
        • 2

          I prefer 9 so you have 4 home conference games, 4 road conference games, and 4 out of conference games.

          I also have no problem with holding a conference championship between the top 2 teams because they’re fun and entertaining which is the point of sports but I get the “no championship” argument as long as a full round robin is played. Otherwise you have to have one.

          Reply
  234. 2

    Get rid of the conference championship, or make the conference championship a part of the playoff….This is gonna be great….gonna get the popcorn started!

    Reply
  237. 8

    This is exactly what I wanted to see. Next step is for Miami, FSU, and Clemson to leave the ACC.

    Stanford and Cal are truly fucked, and that gives us better leverage should they want to try to rejoin the conference.

    Reply
  238. 1
    1

    I’m not sure why FSU would leave the ACC. Next year with a 12 team playoff they’re practically guaranteed a spot. If they go to the SEC it would just make it harder with Texas, Bama, and Georgia all in the same conference.

    Reply
    • 1

      New conversation next year is how the CFP revenue is distributed. If the top 4 teams get a bye the first week while the other 8 play games, do the top 4 still get equal shares despite not having any expenses associated with traveling for a game?

      And equal or not, the jockeying for position in those top 4 spots will still be just as aggrivating as the current 4 team system because everybody will want the bye week to auto advance to round 2.

      Reply
  240. 5

    Committee chair says it came down to who would you rather not play. If that’s the decision criteria, then how is Georgia 6th. Pretty much only lost one game in 3 years by hitting the inside of the post on a fg. Chair is full of shit!

    Reply
  241. 5

    Booger Macfarland was the only person of the ESPN crew who said the committee got it wrong. He said FSU got hosed. Watch now ESPN will get rid of Booger.

    Reply
  243. 13
    1

    This run that Men’s soccer is on is becoming truly epic. Not sure how a soccer natty would compare to baseball but it would certainly be a bit deal for OSU. Everyone should tune in Friday against Notre Dame in the Final 4.

    Reply

  244. Putting on my conspiracy goggles for this take but here goes:
    ESPN owns the right to ACC media deal and FSU was the most vocal about trying to get out of the Grant of rights early. If ESPN has a preferred timeline to destroy all but 2 conferences and FSU was stepping out of line and endangering the ESPN timeline with their public statements, I’m thinking that ESPN just sent a message to FSU to sit down and shut up until “WE decide” when you can leave the ACC.
    I figure that they wanted to consolidate the PAC then give it a couple of years until the dust settles to destroy the ACC so it doesn’t look too planned but more random after another year or two.
    We will see if FSU takes the hint or if they get louder with their protests from here on out.

    The committee chose to offend FSU/ACC and most objective fans rather than facing the wrath of Saban/Sankey and the SEC. Or they are on the take for SEC programming.

    FSU can win their bowl and legitimately claim themselves to be National Champions just like BYU in pst decades. An undefeated season is still a
    Championship season…

    Reply

  246. Will be curious to see who the DC ends up being. I would really like Lake, but someone like Jeff Choate would be great too.

    Former HC at Montana State who left voluntarily on a high note. He really turned that program around and built a tough, blue collar team that beat their rivals consistently. He left to be co DC at Texas as he wanted to position himself to be a HC at a bigger program. DL coach at UW prior to coaching the Bobcats.

    Could be a good advisor to Bray for a couple of years and position himself for a HC job of his own. I believe he makes around $575k currently.

    Reply
    • 2

      Andy Avalos makes some sense. Available for the right price. Coached in the MW and PAC12. Team clearly had the talent as they won the conf championship. Red flag would be getting fired. Is there something more to it?

      Reply

    • Beyond brutal for the Fiesta. Any Duck player transferring or going to the NFL won’t play. And I’m actually not convinced Liberty Football is an actual real thing.

      Reply
    • 3

      yes, it does bode well for the Beavs going forward. A 12-0 OSU is automatically in the playoff going forward; at 11-1, likely; 10-2 outside possibility. Never underestimate the value of a state’s name in these calculations. OREGON state is automatically more valuable any directional school or one named after a city. OSU > Boise State, UNLV, Southern Miss, Liberty, etc.

      Reply

        • ‘How will a 12-team College Football Playoff work?
          The 12-team format will feature, in order, the top four conference champions, followed by some combination of the top six at-large bids and two highest-ranked remaining conference champions. Teams will be ordered based on the College Football Playoff rankings.

          That guarantees at least one “Group of 5” team will make the Playoff each year and, while it’s unlikely, allows the possibility of more than one G5 team making the Playoff in lieu of a “Power 5” team.

          Of note: The approved format means independent FBS teams such as Notre Dame — and, less likely, Army, UConn and UMass — will never be among the top four teams, as they are not affiliated with any conference. Hence, they cannot win a conference championship. This also means no independent team will ever have a bye in the Playoff.

          The top four teams will have a bye as seeds 5-8 host home playoff games vs. seeds 9-12. Following those games, the remaining eight teams will play each other in the current New Year’s Day 6 bowls (Rose, Sugar, Orange, Fiesta, Cotton and Peach). Those bowls will rotate among the quarterfinal and semifinal games on an annual basis.

          The No. 1 team will then choose where it wants to play its opponent in the quarterfinals. Following that, the No. 2 team will pick its venue, followed by the No. 3 team. The No. 4 team will play in the final bowl available in the quarterfinals by default.

          Following the quarterfinals, the highest-ranked team heading into the semifinals will pick its bowl of choice; the other two teams will play in the last remaining bowl of the Playoff by default.

          The CFP championship game will continue to be played at a neutral site.’

          https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/college-football-12-team-playoff-explained-date-more-to-know-cfp-format/gmkdzivaikrn4xba7c6p0ksl

          Reply

          • The top 4 ranked conference champs just get an automatic spot in the playoff. Not an automatic top 4 seed. Notre Dame and any other independent absolutely can get a bye if they are ranked in the top 4.

            Reply
  251. 2
    1

    Holiday Bowl can’t decide between OSU/USC/Utah/Cal/UCLA.

    Not sure why its hard, this was the scenario they knew was coming for the last week

    Reply
  255. 3
    19

    If I’m a player I’d rather get to go home and spend Christmas break with my family and relax for the first time in months rather than spending the whole break preparing for the damn Sun Bowl with a depleted roster.

    Reply
    • 17
      2

      You’d be a terrible teammate.

      If there are players like that, might want to get rid of them. These kinds of bowl games are for the young guys to get real game experience. Seniors for one last time with their teammates.

      Reply
      • 2
        1

        While I agree, ever been to El Paso?

        I’d stay home too

        OSU gets to be the last Pac representative ever in the shittiest bowl game we’re contracted with.

        Reply
    • 1

      A share of $4.5 million for playing in it which is all that really matters these days sadly. Bonus is extra playing time for the backups and guys that aren’t shooting for the NFL or have an outside chance of being drafted to have one last hoorah.

      Reply
  256. 2

    Also being told this wasn’t a deliberate act to further destabilize ACC. It was done to protect SEC reputation/investment. The former being a bonus collateral damage

    This is from MHver3 on twitter. He is the one that predicted ucla and usc leaving. Has another post saying several schools talking to the big12.

    Reply

      • They would all do it together, because what the fuck?

        If your conference doesn’t matter in any way, it’s time to rethink the whole conference thing.

        And if all it takes to be released from your TV handlers is to dissolve your conference… the same conference that just doesn’t matter… why not do it?

        Hi ESPN. You overplayed your hand. Now you will get to see the response.

        Reply
    • 1

      don’t lose sight of the fact that CBS lost its connection to the SEC at the end of this season; going forward their main media partner is ESPN. Who has the rights to the CFP? To ask this question is to answer it. Case Closed.

      Reply

      • It’s best to look at the map and see who has any reach into any market.

        ESPN played itself out of the West, except for Calfurd.

        They are dying out here, and they don’t care.

        Reply
  258. 2
    2

    One source tells me the network knew the results of the selection committee before the show started and Herbie’s soliloquy about bama prior to the reveal was scripted by a committee member who shall remain nameless.

    Another post from MHver3 on twitter.

    Reply
  259. 8

    one silver lining with the Sun Bowl. It’s the only bowl game CBS does. They pay a lot of attention to it and it will be advertised extensively during the Army Navy game next weekend. it gets better ratings than most of the 2nd and 3rd tier bowls. It’s also the media partner for the Mountain West, which for the time being is positive.

    Reply
    • 4

      was thinking the same thing. Then it occurred to me that Notre Dame doesn’t want to play OSU because they are on the verge of scheduling the Beavs for South Bend next November

      Reply
    • 1

      I honestly don’t know why, unless you’ve just been there so many times, it gets boring.

      El Paso is the one place in Texas where you can get Mex-Tex food.

      UTEP is a gorgeous campus, and the stadium is a classic location for the second oldest bowl game.

      At the same time, it takes at least one layover to get there. And that’s if you can avoid the surge scheduling for that location on that date.

      Fuck ESPN, and Phuck the University of Phil.

      Reply

    • Hello?

      They’ve been been having plane-banner wars over Westwood. One day the UCLA fans fly one that says, “fire Chip Kelly,” the next day USC flies one in support of Chip Kelly.

      Reply
  267. 15
    1

    If you’d rather hit the portal than play a game vs Notre Dame then don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

    I’m no fan of Hell Paso but I’d be stoked for the game.

    Reply
  273. 5

    Anyone else think they would have left Oregon out if it beat Washington and the other results stood? I do.

    Getting a top 20 matchup on broadcast TV against Notre Dame is probably better than the Ducks getting Liberty in the Afterthought Fiesta Bowl.

    Reply
    • 3

      Agree, Beavs got a better game than nike did.
      Still not sure the extra practice time is that big a deal this year; questions about which coaches will be involved lessen the usual benefits. Still, better than the alternative.

      Reply
      • 4
        1

        Man, Nix just won’t go away. Sounds like he’s playing in their bowl game for sure. He can pad he’s stats against Liberty. That poor bastard Ty Thompson is never going to get a break.

        Reply
        • 1

          Must be some kind of payout involved haha. It would actually make sense for the Fiesta to pay players at this point because they’ll always be running in to this situation where transfers and NFL guys mostly don’t play.

          Reply

          • With Nix, I kind of doubt it. He seems to psychotically love playing college football. I don’t know anything about his NFL prospects, I’ll need to read up on that.

            Reply

          • You’re actually not wrong about bowls paying players to play.

            There are no rules against the practice, because they are paying for NIL… and presence.

            Reply
  274. 4

    I really can’t get a read on the quality of the offensive coach hires. I think the Beavs are in a let’s save some money mode and are hiring less experienced candidates. Possibly these will work out but I do have some concerns. The lowered competitiveness of our opponents may alow us to get away with this.

    Reply

    • Look at it this way..
      Competition level aside, all these new hires are going to have a chip on their shoulders and ‘prove themselves’ mentality.
      If all works out, we may have an incredible squad for multiple years on the cheap. Once we start paying them their deserved wage, they may continue to stick around even longer for family and integrity.

      Reply

      • There are some shakey stats out there regarding Devan’s o-line performances and it’s not an insignificant sample size. I don’t think he’s improved any team he’s coached. Hopefully, there’s a first time, we’ve been spoiled in the past.

        Reply
          • 1

            Yeah, but when you bounce around only coaching bad units on bad teams that don’t improve that means your best assets are probability in the charisma department. Hopefully that
            means he’s a good recruiter

            Good news is he knows Jay Harbaugh from Michigan…

            Reply

          • People are freaked out about the wrong things.

            Tell me what you know of the units he was asked to coach before he coached them. Tell me what you know about who remained in year 2, of the units he took over.

            Tell me the HC wasn’t already shitting the bed.

            Reply
      • 1

        Can’t make a hire to appease a few people but I read AC did not have good interactions with Gundy and UCLA during the recruitment process.

        Reply
  275. 9
    1

    I actually think the Sun Bowl is underrated. Maybe not for the fan travel experience but it’s a CBS national tv game with their main SEC announcing crew. Probably gets more exposure than some of the other supposedly more prestigious games.

    Reply
  276. 6
    1

    Saw the CFP rankings. LMAO college football is a complete farce only existing to enrich a handful of media corporations and coaches at a bunch of hopeful suckers’ expense.
    Just end this bullshit already.

    Reply
    • 2
      13

      I disagree that leaving FSU out is that controversial. It’s tough luck for them but they played a crap schedule and lost their QB. They clearly would have been a massive underdog against any opponent. Also, let’s think of it this way……Say nobody that won their championship game dropped……Michigan would be #1, Washington#2 and FSU#3. Then they would decide between Texas and Bama for the final spot (I assume Texas would get in based on head to head). In that scenario, the #1 seed Michigan would get a much tougher game than the #2 seed Washington. Washington would basically get a free roll into the championship game. I don’t think it does the sport any favors to give one of the favored teams a free game in the final 4.

      Reply
      • 13

        All this “but they lost their QB!” bullshit when I seem to recall the first CFP championship won by a team missing its top TWO QBs.

        It’s SEC bias and ESPN/TV plain and simple. The games need to matter results need to matter. Alabama hasn’t exactly been stomping everyone this year, either, but in any case if you think this isn’t controversial, you are living under a rock. If there isn’t controversy, it would only be in the sense that most people think FSU got hosed, not that Bama was the obvious deserving choice.

        Reply
        • 1
          6

          It doesn’t matter lol. FSU would be cannon fodder. UW would destroy them, they’ve looked like shit the last few weeks. No freebies allowed in the final four.

          Reply
          • 11

            You’re doing the same thing the CFP committee did: trying to rank based on predictions instead of results.
            Whether FSU would win or get smoked, they deserve the opportunity to play.

            Reply
          • 1
            7

            Nah the SEC actually is better by every possible metric. Bama’s schedule is wildly better and going undefeated in the SEC is something nobody else could do. Could care less about the one loss to Texas in like week 2 lol. Texas is also a top 3 team anyway. There is no scenario, even at full strength, where FSU even gives Bama a game right now. Leaving the SEC champ out of the top 4 would be more ridiculous.

            Reply
          • 5

            If you’re talking P5 vs P5, wins and losses are the most important metric. By far.
            If you’re talking two P5s with the same record, now you can get into the other stuff. If the SEC is a better conference, they get the nod above another team with the same record. The record has to matter most. SEC SoS is always inflated by pre-season ranking bias anyway.

            We’re looking at the very real possibility of the only undefeated team at the end of the year being a P5 champion that doesn’t win the title and didn’t even get a chance in the playoffs for it. If you don’t think there’s something very obviously wrong with that, I don’t know what to say.

            Reply

          • You’ve not provided any useful data points, other than to wave at some reference to SOS.
            You definitely swallowed the sheeple pill.

            Remember back in September, when it was pretty obvious the SEC was the weakest P5 conference, according to what the BCS/CFP has been telling us for decades?

            And remember how we all said by the end of the season there would be five ranked SEC teams, to make their wins/losses appear to have more quality, so they could push the same annual narrative that the SEC is elite, and everyone would just forget they are the weakest conference?

            It’s called gaslighting, son. Either you’re trying to do it to us, or someone has successfully done it to you.

            But it ain’t gonna fly here.

            A determined FSU beats Bama on the field, and you can’t prove otherwise.

            Reply
          • 2

            Everyone who is upset about last year’s blowout in the CFP CG is a moron for not mentioning they won a game against someone to get there.

            That argument has to say Michigan wasn’t deserving to be there, or admit it wasn’t, “One of the best teams.”

            Go away.

            Reply

      • What if Georgia beat Bama? Would FSU have played Georgia first round?
        Maybe this will all be quelled if FSU can’t beat Georgia in the Orange Bowl regardless?

        Reply
  277. 3

    Daschel reporting the following announcements to be announced tomorrow:

    OC – Gunderson
    OL – DeVan
    WR – Hynson
    DB/CB (not yet known which) – Perkins

    Reply
  279. 3

    Regarding FSU getting left out, everyone can blame Hugh Freeze and his fucking Jeckly and Hyde Auburn team. They had Georgia on the ropes and 99 out of 100 times a team should stop 4th and 31 against Bama. Get those two wins and I think it drives the stake into the SEC’s heart for this year’s playoffs. Although, who the hell knows, the committee would probably have found a way to get a two-loss SEC team in.

    Reply

    • Yes. If the SEC champ had lost 2 games they’re out. Everyone in the final 4 won their leagues so it really isn’t that controversial at all.

      Reply
      • 1

        For context, they’ve already used the, “They’re the weakest conference, because of their non-con record,” excuse many times.

        Hello?

        Have you watched this Pac 12 at all?

        Reply
        • 6

          I guess it’s incumbent on me to add additional explanation. Since it seems everyone here fails to understand why the SEC is and always will be….significantly better. Here it goes…..

          Yes, the SEC isn’t overly “deep”. And I agree that their out of conference record and record in non-playoff bowl games isn’t always stellar. There’s one reason for this. They don’t give a shit about anything but winning the SEC. And then, if they get the opportunity, a national championship. They don’t show up in meaningless bowl games, and are more vulnerable in early season non-conference because those games are not season defining. When they actually get into the SEC season schedule, most don’t have great records because they beat each other up. Then there are the couple dominant teams who prove how dominant they are by rolling through that schedule. When it comes to the actual playoff…….the games that truly matter…….THEY WIN LIKE 90% OF THE TIME! It would be one thing if they kept getting preferential treatment and not delivering in the biggest games. But they always deliver.

          Reply
          • 2

            The SEC sucks.

            And winning it while losing to not the best conference winner is the proof.

            The decision is bullshit, and the reasoning is also bullshit.

            There is no logic that makes this correct, no matter how many pretzels you want me to eat.

            Reply
          • 1

            “Since it seems everyone here fails to understand why the SEC is and always will be….significantly better.”

            The SEC was literally the weakest P5 conference this year, according to the same reasoning the SEC honks have used in years past.

            So… hypocrites on top of everything else?

            Everything else now includes extreme corruption.

            Reply
  280. 15
    1

    The SEC went 7-9 against other P5 schools. The ACC went 10-9.
    This “Strongest Conference” literally has a losing record against other P5s this year. I don’t give a crap about other years. They don’t count.
    I stand by my original post.

    Reply
    • 4

      The SEC was exposed in September ooc games and it was a season long over-ranking of teams like Tenn, Ole Miss, LSU in order to save the SEC reputation by having ranked games for Georgia and Alabama.

      This was the year to make the argument for a weaker sos based on 8 conf games and poor non conf results conference wide. FSU beat LSU handily at full strength and Florida handily after they lost their qb. Any arguments that they didn’t belong are short sighted.

      Alabama lost at home to Texas. FSU won all games.
      I’d say even if FSU was dropped to #4 it would have been wrong but to drop them back to 5 is pure financial/SEC driven baloney.

      It is all shown to be fraudulent by such a decision in broad daylight. FSU just got the same treatment OSU would have gotten and every in every conference besides the SEC should take note that something is wrong with this system and I’d say it starts with ESPN’s bottom line hemorrhaging massive dollars and the only fix is more SEC programming.
      It will cost them in the end though as fans across many regions will finally see the way it has been set up for so long.
      Talking heads will have their scripts for the call in shows and Cowherd will dismiss it all as much ado about nothing because the rosters are the 4 most talented rosters blah blah.
      I like the ACC commish fighting for his conference but his words will be drowned out and dismissed as sour grapes and he should know better etc.
      The ACC is now on the clock and will be next to the scrap heap of conference history.
      Meanwhile the Big12 will float like fools that they are ok and miss the irony that Texas is their only team
      Close to a playoff or NY6 bowl. Next year they will only have Utah representing them, then what for the trick stop conference? Expanded playoffs mean first round road games for everyone outside of SEC and Big10.

      Sun Bowl could be the return of BG to glory or the beginning of the Chiles era in Corvallis. Either way, the majority of the defense will be motivated and present to play lights out and the offense may have just enough even without DJ and DM to compete and score. Haven’t seen who on MD has opted out or gone transfer portal already but they had a pretty stout Dline early in the year. The offense was limited and mainly a ground game with some downfield shots. I like the Beavs chances and also the matchup seems like it should revive some fire and drive to bounce back and finish the year on a win rather than the debacle of the last 2 1/2 weeks.

      Reply
  282. 4

    Quotes from head coaches: Beavs soccer sounds like I expect Bray to sound; Liberty coach sounds like……….I don’t know, lacking confidence? Star struck?

    “Today was surreal for our program, for our players, to see in our name or logo up there in the Fiesta Bowl was something that really was beyond our dreams,” Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell said. “And then on top of that, to play one of the premier college football programs in the country with Oregon, you know, it’s something that typically doesn’t happen to programs like us.”

    Contrast that with this beaver attitude, Casey would be proud, I think:
    “We have a major chip on our shoulder. We are exactly where we expected to be when the bracket came out and I would assume a lot of people looked right past Oregon State. We’re really proud of that,” Dalby said.

    HC Dalby was a team captain and All-American during his playing days at Notre Dame so it’s a bit of a homecoming for him.

    Reply
  284. 1

    Looks like ND has lost several wr to portal and a couple of key Dline guys so far. I wonder Hartman plays…
    It could be a defensive struggle but OSU will have offensive playmakers on the field and ND was already
    Limited to a heavy running game
    As the primary offense.

    Reply
  285. 7
    1

    We’re nearly at 1200 comments on this thread, I suspect angry will come up with a new one soon.

    Meanwhile, if you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and spend 9 minutes listening to Kefense Hynson.
    I’d post a highlight quote if I could narrow it down, lots of solid talk there, sounds like a future HC to me.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-knV6F6kIvQ

    Reply
    • 6

      “Very few coaches have a good relationship with every single player on the roster [offense or defense]. Trent is one of those guys.”

      Reply
  286. 22

    MHver3 reappeared this afternoon after going silent for the entire football season. This was the news he posted today on X:

    16 B12 schools had a briefing this afternoon and discussed current events/landscape along with bowl invites. ACC implosion was discussed. Several scenarios were explored. The most intriguing being a merger of sorts with the ACC. Members would be shuffled around between conferences for geographical/travel cohesiveness. Not saying this will happen but it was the most interesting scenario discussed and the one discussed at length.

    One final nugget from that briefing and the merger scenario: the possibility of adding OSU/Wazzu with PAC assets and having 3 entities. A PAC, BIG12 and ACC (w/ND) negotiating TV under one umbrella, sharing revenues, and scheduling almost exclusively amongst themselves.

    He also says he expects 4 teams from ACC to leave for SEC/BIG10. Also says this mega conference would have 3 guaranteed spots in the CFP when it goes to 12 teams next year.

    After what the CFP did to Florida State today it obvious its the SEC/BIG10 vs everyone else. This would be a way to try to stay relevant and fight back. Strength in numbers. Coast to coast footprint. SCE/BIG10 along do not have enough inventory to cover all the media needs. Not even close.

    Reply
    • 5
      1

      Thanks, MHver3.

      Good to have you on board.

      I think the conferences are re-thinking the whole P5 thing. You’re completely correct. They should have no faith in the system that arbitrarily shuts them out, because why should they.
      ?

      I said at the beginning of all this that I could draw a direct line between this and the state of North Dakota creating both a State Bank and a State Granary.

      This is that. It’s as perfect an anti-trust suit as exists.

      And if you doubt that, consider that the Pac 12 has a network that is being killed by media giants… who must not be a trust.

      Reply
    • 5

      The apple deal would be a very good fit for this idea. Schools with more engagement get paid more with no cap. No reason to leave since they would get more revenue due to their own success.

      Too bad it’s years away for the Beavs.

      Reply
  287. 7
    1

    FBS postseason is an absolute clown show. Only level of sport where winning your league doesn’t give you a chance at winning anything substantial. Having a bunch of people with extreme biases decide who can play for a title and who can’t based on arbitrary reasons is insane. ACC collapsing will give the Beavs some life for a conference with a merger tho. At least there’s that.

    Reply

    • If you go by Sagarin ratings then Notre Dame would be a 3.5 pt favorite. ND has good defensive stats, but their strength of schedule is not good. They beat three bowl teams. We beat four.

      Reply
  290. 6

    When you look at Michigan States record of 4-7, you got to questions Smith’s decision. Smith came to Oregon State with no head coaching experience so the opportunity made sense. Gotta think the extra money and Pac 12 implosion played a huge part in his decision. However, with his recent success, seems like he could have waited for a more desirable choice to come his way.

    Reply
    • 2
      1

      Everyone can see this train coming. He clearly never wanted to be at OSU in terms of the connections we all thought. I’m guessing he has maybe even higher ambitions of NFL? I don’t get this move at all. He is a career 34-35 HC and look at the places he left. They moved (OSU we shall see) on without him and had success. The year after he left Boise St they went 12-2. Don’t need records to know what UW did after he left as well. I’ll give him credit for being the OC in 2016 but that team also had a D coordinator by the name of Jimmy Lake. The offense cost them games. Loss at home vs USC and ran into an Alabama team that was just better. UW was fortunate that year to run into an overrated Colorado team in the Pac12 Title game when they were doing North/South divisions.
      I have no idea Jonathon’s motives but I don’t see him being welcomed back. Looks like he burned that bridge and I’m guessing maybe something internal? It really can’t be about making maybe 2 mil more? Barnes put an offer in front of him and I would guess 5.5-5.8. If he is 8-4 in 3 years he will be fired. Think of this too. He could have been at OSU going 6-6 (those seasons would need a big win) as the benchmark for infinite seasons. So MSU fires you in year 4. You make maybe 21 mil (7×3) versus you would be in year 7 with Oregon St (7×5) at 35 mil. It also tarnishes any legacy he had built. It’s like Mike Reilly 2.0. Best of luck Opie.

      Reply

    • Not to mention your great point about waiting a year. USC doesn’t figure shit out that job will be open. He jumped to coach football at a basketball school.

      Reply
  291. 1

    Early morning ESPN shills were given the proper argument from hq: Dismiss all references to FSU’s complaints and make the argument about how it was actually Georgia that got screwed. So obvious

    Reply
    • 2

      If anyone said Georgia got screwed that’s silly. Committee has always first deferred to the P5 conference champions. After the clear and obvious teams are added, the committee then begins it’s analysis of the remaining conference champions and wild cards. Those teams are then ranked by comparing their records and strength of schedule. Usually four separate conference champs will end up being selected, but a wild card can make it (and thus, 2 teams from 1 conference in the playoff) if the remaining conference champs are compromised by having a worse record or significantly worse strength of schedule.

      Personally, I’ve always felt that you should have to be a conference champ to get in. There shouldn’t be two teams from 1 conference. Other than that, I have no issue at all with comparing the resumes of the conference champs and taking all information into consideration. This year is a unique situation, but every team selected was their conference champion, and all selections were undefeated within their conferences. The one blemish that Alabama had was a week 2 game AGAINST ONE OF THE OTHER TOP 4 TEAMS! Alabama went undefeated in the most difficult conference to win. FSU has their case for sure but you cannot take that much issue with Alabama being in considering all of the variables.

      Reply
    • 4

      A lot of players were coming to play for him. We know Corvallis isn’t a draw due to NIL or facilities (they have been upgraded). Bray will build the dam again. Just has to build his own pipelines.

      Reply
  296. 4

    I can’t believe Barnes hasn’t released the rest of the schedule yet. If there are P4 teams who want to play us then wouldn’t they want to finalize it before today also??? This is ridiculous.

    Reply

    • I just don’t see a 5th P5 team available. I think it will be WSU, Purdue, Cal, Utah, Boise St, San Diego St, San Jose St, Idaho State and four other Mtn West teams.

      Reply

    • As I pointed out before: the GA era sucked from a results standpoint, but was unmatched for fun storylines. Maybe that’s our future!

      Reply

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here