Home Football Oregon State @ Wisconsin (Game Thread)

Oregon State @ Wisconsin (Game Thread)

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Considering the opponent, time zone, and QB upheaval, like you guys I'm not expecting a good day. Earlier in the week I tried to make a case for how the Beavers could win this game. Speed on the edge and kick returns are the two advantages I see. However, after rethinking matters, I just don't have faith the Beaver's coaches will exploit that. They'll remain true to their rigid beliefs (e.g. pounding the ball up the middle, face guarding WRs, etc) and fail to make pre-game or in-game adjustments. Three times is a trend, so this is the trend several times over.

I just don't see the Beavs slowing Wisconsin's run game; therefore, if the Beavs are to win the game, this is what needs to happen:

  • Great kick and punt returns to shorten the field
  • Take the crowd out of it with early success
  • A +2 turnover ratio with good returns into Wisconsin territory
  • Exploit the edge w/speed
  • Convert 3rd downs
  • Stop Wisconsin in 3rd down passing situations (i.e. force at least 4 Wisky punts)
  • Fake punt for a 1st down or TD

If the coaches go to Wisconsin thinking they can play a standard, balanced game they'll leave with yet another early season, out of conference, blow out loss. This game will require both creativity and passion to win. Those are two of the staff's biggest weaknesses. Wisconsin has a better coaching staff, game plan, QB, RB, and offensive line. Wisconsin's LBs appear slow, and their secondary is questionable, but I have no faith that OSU will exploit those vulnerabilities. I expect to see Ward left, Ward up the middle, followed by a predictable pass short of the first down marker.

Until the Beavers win a big road game I refuse to pick them. The question is how bad the loss will be. I think the Beavers have a much better defense than UNLV, so that combined with Wisconsin's penchant to run makes me think this will be a short game. Translation: Wisconsin won't have time to run it up too bad. I think the Delta will be fairly large (25 points), but Wisconsin won't reach that 50+ stratosphere that many are predicting.

38-13, Badgers

201 COMMENTS

  1. Off topic, but I need to get this out: watching ASU last night, that fan base is amazing. Loud, young, passionate. I realize the university is huge, but still…that was energy and a gameday experience of which I could only fantasize. When contrasted against Randy the Logger, Beaver Biceps, and panoramic shots of our ancient fanbase, it’s just depressing.

    • I won’t try to predict a score but Wisconsin will win. I think there might be an OS player or two who will play out of his head despite the overwhelming atmosphere, ,the fact that the team and coaches are being dissed by many fans, and those same coaches not seeming to have faith in the players. And, in the words of Forrest Gump: “That’s all I have to say about that!.”

      • Re; ASU – Osweiler and Pflugrad are both from Montana. Erickson’s Montana connections are paying off. .

        ASU has scheduled Oregon State for their Family/Hall of Fame weekend –

  2. How many of you think the Beavs will come out flat/dispassionate and be down 2 scores before the coffee kicks in?

    *Raises hand*

    Also, I think Urban Meyer is doing the game. He’s solid, but he’s not going to do the Beavs any (National) favors by calling it like it is.

    • If Urban Meyer is calling the game, that’s another reason I’m excited to watch. I’m eager to hear Meyer’s expert assessment of, among other things: (1) our two QBs and their merits/flaws; (2) our offensive line play; (3) our secondary and pass coverage technique; (4) Langsdorf’s play calling.

      I’m also hoping that some of Meyer’s comments get back to Riley and his staff (particularly re pass coverage technique and play-calling, if we do as badly as usual in those areas today…)

    • Good points, SS. It would be nice to hear criticism from true legendary coaches. Might wake this staff up.

      I believe Meyer is calling the game. The crew shifted to him earlier, and I think I heard them say “from Wisconsin” when introducing him. I had the TV low because the Lady Beav is still sleeping so I could have misheard.

    • You mean while we are playing Katz? Yeah, I could see it. I want Mannion in after the first stalled drive. Football ain’t about trying or 3 and out. I have seen the Katz results in these games enough to know what would happen. Show me something new so I can guage how effective a leader Mannion can be even with Agnew out. I want to see some sustained drives and doing what it takes to score and keep our defense off the field as long as possible. You know, actually trying to win.

  3. I am confident Wisconsin will score 40 plus. This is Banker DB technique remember. Russell Wilson is a smooth operator. I am hoping to see atleast 3 quarters of Mannion and him do a good job of leading the Team even with a brand new RB like Ward today. Hope Cooks does better and Wheaton has a few big plays for OSU. We are going to need them

    Angry….totally agree with you on the ASU atmosphere. I am just glad the PAC-12 got that win. That was important. Not only were the flames on the LEDs and energized fans awesome it was also cool that Harden, Mickelson, Nash and other famous alum of Arizona Stae supporters were there. They totally were all in as a fanbase.

    Beaver Biceps and Randy are a total travesty in comparison. That is what I love about Erickson though. He inspires more and is so much more of a factor in the bigger games. he gets key wins and will string them together for those special seasons. he has his players always playing with attitude and swagger. It is worth it if it goes just a tad far on occassion. Compared to not having much of it like we do under Riley I much more like the jazzed atmosphere, energy and attitude he usually delivers.

    Our team used to be tough and a little renegade back in 2000 and having that attitude like we did on D is especially what I miss. It carries to both sides of the ball. It is a more fun attitude to be around and when it is clicking it is pretty great.

  4. My 6 year old is calling a Beavs win! I am going with that because “ingnorance is bliss” and I love it. Im more interested in who the back is going to be. Last week we ran with success, if we can’t do that then we are really screwed. Especially if Angew continues to have hammy problems. I hope we see some Obum this game, I think the majority of their DB’s are under 6 ft.

  5. Man, I want a beer…beaver radio team saying it can’t get any worse (which is not true)…riley saying they need to start winning these big games, emphasizing kicking game edge. Good call Angry.

    • His throwing motion is bad. He holds the ball high near his ear and short arms it.

      It was hard to see that last week due to the bad camera angles.

  6. Yeah Riley and co getting ripped, and I agree why the fuck would you pull him after 1 series???? ESP when he was doing well??? Aaaagggjh!!!

  7. 3rd down ball should have been caught. Bounced right off our guy. I said bring in Mannion after first stalled drive. Should have probably atleast let Katz go until he didn’t make a first down.

  8. Coaches are so committed to the “platooning quarterbacks was the plan” talk that they switch qbs just to make their point, even if its the wrong call at that point in the game. At least the defense held ok that first series.

  9. I like the press coverage. But that quick out is gonna kill us.

    And Poyer was looking at the ball! AWESOME!!!!!

    Bad throw by Wilson, but scouting us says that’s a PI call every time.

  10. This game was lost when Mannion came in.

    Just don’t understand these coaches…

    At some point ardent fans will have to question the staff. A good time might be now since a hall of fame/legendary coach is asking questions…

    • All in all I think were doing fine. We have to remember that Wisconsin is a far superior team than the Beavers. I think in the second half Wisconsin wears down our D more with up-the-gut run after up-the-gut run and if our offense can’t string some first downs together Wisconsin will fill up the scoreboard. We are behind and don’t have a running game without Agnew so Mannion will be airing it out.

  11. Cannot believe Hekker was that bad. Can Romaine punt decently? He seems to be a pretty good all around kicker. Beats Hekker if he is going to be inconsistent and shank like that at this level.

    • Their defense is not good except for Borland. Mannion just looks shaky so far. He seems to be settling down a little. But now that I’ve jinxed him, he’s gonna tank.

      I’m guessing Katz has been extra pouty and vocal about it. I think we would have seen him back in the game by now if he hadn’t done something to piss off Riley.

  12. Mannion doesn’t even have a good arm. The ball is floating out there. And his delivery is horrible.

    Looks good/quick on the short stuff, but anything 10+ yards, yuck.

  13. I’ve seen enough. Bring Katz in. If I’m going to watch almost picks and incompletes with poorly thrown balls, at least have someone that can scramble.

  14. Not a bad start boys! If not for a horrid punt, tie game

    My only issue is Mannion’s slow throwing motion. That is going to cause a lot of picks. Looks
    Ike Roper’s.

  15. This is exactly the type of team our old-school (read-old) gameplan works against. Slow, run, grind-it-out type teams.

    Of course, they’re murdering us with mid slants…have we never seen that before? I don’t understand.

  16. Do you think its possible that Katz wrist is still injured? The guy who shredded arizona through the air last year is being used as a running quarterback almost exclusively?

  17. I see Mark Banker worked on some excellent pass defense technique this week. For the most part they haven’t bothered covering guys so no risk of pass interference.

  18. If Parker had missed it, like a lot of our DB’s, we probably would’ve been fine

    Wow…….going from ineffective to stupid at the speed of light

  19. Really impressed with D-Line so far. Did not expect them to come out and play this well. Secondary has been absolutely atrocious. Mostly vanilla pass plays designed for Mannion, playbook finally opening up. Gonna be a long day, hopefully the Beavers stay somewhat close.

  20. On 2nd and 3 just throw a quick slant or a ball in the flat to pick up three or more yards. You do not go into a 6 or 7 step drop pass and allow for a potential sack.

  21. The worst part is not a sole in Beavernation was surprisd one bit when not only did we call an ill-advised higher risk deep drop pass play on 2nd and SHORT…….but it failed in a epic fashion.

  22. Well our D is wore out. We needed a long sustained drive and couldnt get it. I hope we go back to Katz at the half. I’ve seen enough of Mannion this season.

  23. PLEASE. CAN WE GET RID OF RILEY. HE HAS ZERO CONFIDENCE!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT EVEN AGAINST SAC ST.!!!!!!!!!!!! OSU NEEDS A FRESH START. RILEY SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!

  24. Urban Meyer’s sees an opportunity to take underdog OSU to a winner and comes out of retirement taking Riley’s spot as head coach… sorry just morning dreaming.

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