Until the Beavs lose a couple conference games, their season is alive. That makes almost every game from this point onward a "must win". Given the injuries, overall youth, and in-season transition to a freshman QB, I can't reasonably expect much. My 7-5 prediction looks too optimistic at this point. Downward revision may be in order, but I'll wait until after the weekend.
UCLA is in more turmoil than the Beavs. But, I think they feel this is one game they can win. Beavs now have the bottom feeder mark on their back, same as WSU for the past few years. Even bad teams (see Sac State) are licking their chops. Speaking of Sac State, they were trounced by Weber State 49-17.
So this is it. Beavs must win the game or they're officially the new cellar dwellers. If they win the game, confidence will improve and they suddenly have momentum. It's a huge game, even though on paper it just looks like a couple glorified high school squads going at it.
Macro issues right now: Texas et al to the Pac-16. My buddy texted me last night saying it's a done deal. I haven't seen that anywhere else, though. Frankly, I'm apathetic about the issue. Texas is clearly a horrible institution to deal with, so no matter the (increased) revenue or conference they decide on, they're a cancer that will bring it down. None of the four proposed universities have anything to do with the west coast. At least Utah and Colorado had similar sensibilities. The pod system means the original eight won't be reunited. Mentally, I'm preparing to check out of college football. The "pay for play" voice keeps getting louder, the number of teams that can compete for meaningful bowls is getting smaller, and the overall feeling of sickness is higher than ever. Why encourage or support this corruption? The answer is probably: "so I can feel superior and brag to some meat head that my school is better." That's a me issue. There are more productive ways to feel good about myself.
Some other random thoughts about expansion:
A positive is that it'll force the Beavs to live in this century. When Texas comes to Reser and sees Randy the Logger, Longhorn boards will light up with laughter and the AD might finally realize how lame we are. The cons are obvious. Small, rural schools never do well in powerful, money hungry conferences. Beavs won't carry their weight, and Texas and Oklahoma will wonder why they're subsidizing Oregon State and Washington State. Beaver fans will wonder why Dust Bowl squads were allowed to invade their conference and put that kind of pressure on them.
Of course, I am willing to give it a year or two before deciding, but expansion appears to be nothing more than exponential acceleration toward an inevitable end.
It’s called a playoff system. With 4 16 team super conferences, that means each conference will play 8-10 teams and 2-4 out of conference teams outside of a super conference. for the Pac-16 it would be split like this(IMHO): Coastal Division: UW, WSU, UO, OSU, CAL, Stanford, USC, UCLA.
Inland Division: ASU, UA, UC, Utah, OU, OSU, UT, UTT.
The winner of the Coastal and the Inland Divisions play the Conference Championship Game in a bowl game, as well as the ACC, SEC, Big X. Then, the winners of the the Pac-16 and Big X play each other in another bowl game a week later and the SEC champion plays the ACC champion. Then the next week the winner of the Pac-16 vs. Big X game moves onto the Rose Bowl. Then the winner of the SEC vs. ACC championship game plays the winner of the Rose Bowl. Then after that, you have a clear NCAA Champion. Then the other bowl games can pick the bowl eligeable teams after that. The WAC, MWC, and Independents will no longer be able to to be “dark horses” to be a “BCS Buster”. It will be the 4 major conferences that will only matter. This will also give a lot more tv time to specific conferences. The SEC and ACC and Big X can fight out for the 11 am EST while the Pac-16 is alone with the 12:30 pm PST. We will actually have a better chance at getting games on tv with the super conferences, and we won’t need to play teams like Wisconsin every year.
This to me sounds ok, but it’s not really fair to the non-AQ’s, but they were more annoying than anything really.
That sounds healthy and not like piecemeal or anything.
(note sarcasm).
Also, because of backlash by Colorado (who now apparently carries weight in our conference) they’re doing 4 pods, not a coastal/inland division…which is even more patchwork.
What the fuck is that about?
Is Larry Scott buddies with Colorado’s AD or something? He let them have their way initially when they whined their way into the south division. Now they can apparently dictate where they’re going to be in the expanded conference.
The pod situation is not what’s best for the conference. I would have to think the AZ schools had something to do with it too…
I messed up the wording. Should be the Conference champs play in their respective bowl games. Pac-16 vs. Big X in the Rose Bowl and the SEC champ vs. the ACC champ. This should eliminate the BCS all together as well. The only thing the BCS will be good for is to look at strength of conference schedule and to rank each conferences top 6 teams outside of the conference champion. So it will be like this:
Pac-16: #1 Stanford vs. #2 Texas for the conference championship
Other ranked teams:
#1 (#3) Oregon
#2 (#4) Oklahoma
#3 (#5) UCLA
#4 (#6) Utah
#5 (#7) ASU
#6 (#8) WSU
(#) = Conference rank
Anything that perpetuates a system of elite, superconferences only entrenches us in a BCS system. Sorry to burst that bubble. There are some 120 FBS teams and half of those will rarely, if ever, come close to playing in the national championship because they aren’t in the big 6 (soon to be 4) conferences.
Angry – my cynical side is up too on the expansion. I’m hearing that UT will get to keep it’s Longhorn network which will make some of the Pac 12 members cry foul….especially the neighbor in state. I’m just not seeing a big advantage to OSU in this.
I say let them keep their schlonghorn network. Just deduct the amount of their TV contract from their cut of the PAC 16 TV contract and spread the difference around the rest of the conference.
You didn’t burst my bubble because we don’t know what will actually happen with the BCS, expansion, and whether or not the Sun Bowl’s of the world will go away. I’m assuming they won’t, but one never knows. Having 64 teams divided into 4 different conferences makes for a season as a playoff system. Whether a team wins their conference or not doesn’t matter because the bowl games will still be in place to play the regular bowl games. The NC game will be decided by the top 4 teams in each conference to play each other in their respective bowl games like the Big X vs. Pac-16 in the Rose Bowl. Then the SEC and the ACC in the Cotton Bowl for their conference championship game.
Pac-16 CCG= Stanford vs. ASU Winner = Stanford
ASU goes to Orange Bowl and Stanford to the Rose Bowl
Big X CCG = Michigan vs. illinois Winner = Michigan
illinois goes to Orange Bowl and Michigan goes to Rose Bowl
ACC CCG = Wake Forest vs. North Carolina Winner = Wake Forest
North Carolina to Sugar bowl and WF to Fiesta Bowl
SEC CCG = LSU vs. Florida Winner LSU
Florida to Sugar Bowl and LSU to Fiesta Bowl
So
Rose Bowl = Stanford vs. Michigan
Fiesta Bowl = Wake Forest vs. LSU
Sugar Bowl = Florida vs. North Carolina
Orange Bowl = ASU vs. illinois
NC game(rotated around like it is now) LSU vs. Michigan
“Mentally, I’m preparing to check out of college football. The “pay for play” voice keeps getting louder, the number of teams that can compete for meaningful bowls is getting smaller, and the overall feeling of sickness is higher than ever. Why encourage or support this corruption? The answer is probably: “so I can feel superior and brag to some meat head that my school is better.” That’s a me issue. There are more productive ways to feel good about myself.”
We’ve discussed this before, and I’m at the same place. Realignment will likely hurry my exit from college football viewership.
Regarding this weekend; Beavs could win, but it’s not guaranteed. The last two weeks revealed more about Sac State, and therefore more about the Beavs. Sac State won their bowl game to start the season…
There’s no doubt OSU has the talent, even if youthful, to beat UCLA. But this coaching staff is clearly lost, and UCLA in all honesty probably has as much physical talent, and as much motivation, as OSU.
The “calvary” may be coming (Halahuni et al) but I’ll bet we’ll get to here about how they just needed more time with Sean to “get on the same page.” I don’t like to see James Rodgers coming back this week. It seems to soon, even knowing how hard he’s worked. Further, his health and potential future career is not worth risking on this season.
My gut says the Beavs make big plays in all three phases of the game and win handily, my mind says don’t trust this coaching staff…
Is “calvary” in quotes because it’s incorrect? There is fear that OS will be crucified this season, but since Halahuni et al., will possibly rescue the team, cavalry is the word to use and we could go on about horses, etc., but . . .
anyone have any word on recruiting. Cliff was saying like 8 coaches made recruiting trips?
I’m guessing that the coaches are scrambling to keep recruits who have committed from bolting since nobody wants to play for a team that sucks shit on a national stage.
They are going to kill what makes CF great in search of the mighty dollar. TexASS has already destroyed two conferences. Tom Osborne saw this coming when the Big 8 rescued the dying SWC.
Really sucks! We will become the doormat. I’d like to kick Larry Scott in the nuts.
Has anyone dared to utter the heresy that perhaps WSU and OSU would go to the Big Sky conference? I prefer that to being the doormat for Texas/Oklahoma anything.
I mentioned it on the Rivals board circa 2008, and it was part of the reason I was kicked off.
I think I’ve mentioned it here once, too. People made the point that they’ll stay in the Pac because football is not everything and they enjoy the academic prestige.
That would be true for me. The Pac-16 is corporate football. We have that on Sundays.
oops – I misread your post. People would prefer staying in the big Pac because it carries academic prestige?
Correct. Or at least that was the only point being made in the dissents I received.
Wow, I thought I was alone in the wilderness with that opinion.
James playing? Slick Rick’s last stand. If we lose this one can someone give me the # for suicide prevention?
Just ask Neuheisel for the suicide hot line number. He’s probably got it on speed dial, in case he needs it after Saturday’s game (and I think he will……)
Oklahoma board of regents meets in a half hour to discuss everything. And Texas BOR scheduled a meeting for three hours later. Apparently UT is moving in a reactionary manner, because they will have to conference in some of the regents.
I’ve heard too many differing stories to know what will happen, but the Syracuse/Pitt to the ACC news was something of a surprise. I was almost certain those two would be B1G targets. But the ACC struck first. Suddenly, the ACC becomes the power conference in the East. UCONN and Rutgers are left, and if the B1G doesn’t move immediately to take them, the ACC will. And i think UCONN would rather be in the ACC anyway for hoops, geography and closer rivalries. Imagine UCONN, BC, SU, RU, Pitt, MU and VT and UVA as a northern division with the others in the south. It doesn’t make for the best of contemporary football conferences. But historically those names carry weight. And it would certainly be premier hoops conference in the nation… by far.
So if the B1G is cut off from the East, they are fools for not taking Mizzou and KU now. Those two and ISU are the only “fits” as the B1G would want us all to believe they need for expansion. KSU? Louisville… Cincy… UK or WVU? No.
Do we finally see Notre Dame come on board?
If ND doesn’t pick a conference, they’re done as far as the BCS and Bowl games are concerned.
If ND finally goes B1G, then they can bring in KU, Mizzou and ISU without losing value. In fact, they likely gain value with ND overall and KU hoops. Mizzou can carry their own weight, and ISU would be filler in the revenue sports. But the B1G gets to claim academic integrity and regional/cultural fits in those additions as well as increased value. It’s a solid, conservative move. But it’s all up to ND.
But it’s a fine line when trying to nicely coerce them to go to the B1G. Do you “strongly suggest” that your member schools no longer schedule any independents? Alums from all schools would cry about rivalries and such, but many more would understand the economic necessity in a new NCAA landscape.
The question is, where does the SEC go from here. They’re stuck at 13 with rumors that WVU will be 14. But the ACC effectively cut them off from poaching along with cutting off the B1G from the seaboard. So they either chase Louisville/Cincy, or they go after Houston/TCU. They take Mizzou if they can get them, but we already know that UM wants to go to the B1G. Regional market domination by Florida, Tennessee/Arkansas and Kentucky make UCF/USF, Memphis and UL/Cincy not as appetizing for those schools. I would think they move into Texas before aTm gets a voice in SEC matters and tries to cordon off that region in the same way. The SEC should be able to add any two of Baylor, SMU, TCU, Houston. Since academics has nothing to do with how the SEC operates, Rice is gone.
It’s just going to be interesting here in a couple hours.
Reports say that UCONN and Villanova have applied to become part of the ACC. Does the ACC take in all the hoops schools too?
I heard it was UConn and Rutgers. Villanova is D1AA in football and I don’t know if they’re ready for the bump up to D1A.
Nova is moving to D1 football soon. I think the ACC might be tempted to bring them on as a hoops school with a possible football future. Philly’s not a great college football city, and Temple would be a better athletic fit anyway. But the more immediate future should say the ACC moves to shore up NYC before anyone else gets that area.
Count me as another person who hates where this “Conference Realignment” is going. It really is a HUGE disadvantage to Oregon State. I think it should be illegal for any college team to have an “Owner” cough, cough Nikegon. If one team in the NCAA can have an owner, then all teams should be allowed to have an owner! It is beyond ridiculous how much power and control Phil Knight has over Nikegon. Hopefully the NCAA will put an end to this. Follow the money trail and they will find the true source on the NCAA violations going on in ewegene. We will all soon find out just how powerful Mr. Knight is, and how much control he has over college football, if oregon gets off easily. Cheaters never prosper, except in the “modern” college football era. That makes me sick.
“Small, rural schools never do well in powerful, money hungry conferences.”
OS is about the same size as many of the SEC schools and in a similar sized college town, with similar size access to a metro area. Auburn for example.
“…OS is about the same size as many of the SEC schools and in a similar sized college town, with similar size access to a metro area. Auburn for example….”
Similar except for a few significant differences:
Per Wikipedia: Stadium Capacity: 87,451 vs 45,674
2010 Attendance: http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/d47a560045aad7aab88ffc9080650d5b/2010_Attendance.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=d47a560045aad7aab88ffc9080650d5b
Auburn: 8 games total 688,692 average 86,087
OSU: 6 games total 273,054 average 45,509
They pulled in 400,000 more fans for their games which at $10 ea is a cool $4 million. Even if OSU had a stadium that big is the fan base big enough to fill the stadium on a consistent basis?
There’s a freeway running right through Auburn where as it’s hell getting out to I5.
Agree, stadium capacity and ferocity of fans does seperate us from the SEC. I was just making a point that the size of the town or proximity to I-5 is not the difference maker, culture is the driving factor that could make it rough on OS.
Heh…
B1G wants Rutgers. Rutgers would rather go to ACC. Big East is trying to hold it together by going after KU, KSU and Mizzou… and maybe Temple. Some believe that Rutgers is viable for the ACC, but UCONN isn’t because it’s not as close to NYC? Yeah… Ok. UCONN is known nationally. Rutgers has something to do with Don Imus and a kid who recovered from a neck injury.
As for the UCLA game, I think it will be time for the d-line to prove they can consistently stop the run, if they get “pistol-whipped” game over. If the secondary can’t stop those FCS QB’s the Beavs deserve to lose.
Re-alignment sucks and I don’t give a crap about “academic compatibility”, it never mattered 30 years ago. It’s college president smoke screens so they don’t look like they are pulling money out of a cesspool. If a legitimate football champion is so important then do away with conferences make all schools independent, play a eight game schedule for seeding, invite everyone to the dance starting Nov. 1st and play away. Winner take all. Can you tell I am pissed off?
I agree with your analysis of the UCLA game. Key matchup is the Beavers’ front seven vs the UCLA running game. The pistol, and J. Franklin, killed OSU last season. If that happens again on Saturday, say goodbye to the game (and probably to the season).
I was encouraged by the play of OSU’s front seven against Wisconsin, especially in the first half. A few minutes into the second quarter, Wisconsin still had less than 10 yards rushing against OSU, despite the Badgers’ huge offensive line and talented running backs. If the Beavers’ front seven plays like that against UCLA, the Beavers should do fine.
Yes, the other side of the ball is important, too. But after watching UCLA’s defense get ripped by a middling Texas team a couple of days ago, I’m pretty confident that the Beavers will move the ball and score against UCLA (and maybe do more than that, especially if Malcolm Agnew returns and the running game gets going…) Looking forward very much to Saturday’s game, for lots of reasons (including the return of James Rodgers and Joe Halahuni….)
Great post McKalk. Direct and efficient. UCLA’s been mostly a mess with “the pistol,’ and if Banker gets his ass handed to him again I don’t think this team recovers.
The fans know this game is important; I expect it to be loud. OSU needs to have some big plays and win convincingly to develop some confidence.
From the Portland Tribune – Rodgers leaning towards playing:
http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=131645309654910600
Personally, I don’t Riley’s laissez faire attitude, but it shouldn’t surprise me, it’s his approach to the rest of the game.
A few years back, I was critical of Belloti leaving Dixon’s decision to play in Dixon’s hands. I know the situation is different; Dixon has a injury that same season with no surgery, and James has had two surgeries plus rehabilitation. Oregon was playing for much higher stakes than this Beaver squad will sniff. I also understand that these are young adults who can argue that its up to them, but to me, the head coach ultimately decides whether a player plays or not; taking in the medical information, the individual, the team, and the context of the season.
If I were in Riley’s position, I think I’d bring him back slowly, and put the onus on his young replacements to step it up – the Beavs SHOULD be able to beat UCLA without Rodgers. More rest can’t hurt, and James could still have 1/2 – 3/4 of the season to demonstrate his speed and the strength of his knee to NFL scouts. I hate to see his potential wasted on this year’s team/season.
The last CW victory for the Beavs was James Rodgers true FR season. Ouch.
the Dixon situation was a no harm no foul thing though. What people forget is that while Dixon may have re aggravated his knee it did not cause any additional damage. So while Bellotti got a lot of heat for the decision ultimately it only cost Dixon a couple of weeks rehab time.
I know there are probably privacy issues, but I would love to hear from a damn doctor. I guess there is a bit of gamesmanship involved, right? If a doctor says “all clear” then you can’t really go for a sixth year if I am thinking about this correctly (which I have been know not to be able to do!).
I would be interested to hear what the actual injury is too. All I know is James said “ligaments” (plural) in an interview once. It is tough for me to believe he didn’t also do cartilage damage if he tore multiple ligaments. Also I think there is a chance he had microfracture surgery.
Riley’s future does not depend on James playing or possibly waiting another year. JR’s does either way. I know you don’t like Riley – so that will always guide your perceptions, but this is not something that I think Riley should make the decision on. Riley should make the decision of who to play and what plays to call, but if JR is available – he is the best option and Riley will play him.
I think Riley knows this year is a bust, or should I say rebuilding year. I think Riley is openly signaling he’d rather have James back next year when all these young ones have a year of experience under their belt.
I agree that Riley would actually prefer James to be at OS another year, but again I think it needs to be James’ decision. He is not an 18 year old kid. He knows the stakes.
My thoughts on UCLA is this: UCLA sucks, they appear to be undisciplined with poor coaching. For the 2011 Beavers this is a must-win. Not only is it a must win because it is a winnable game – but it is a must win to give these young guys some confidence and change the attitude of the fanbase to take some of the pressure off. The scary part about this game is that UCLA sucked last year as well and we lost that game.
PAC 16: Bad timing for OS to be having such a lull. But, all of the talk of the PAC telling WSU and OS to leave is silly. OS has been very competitive in football for the past ten years. They are also very competitive in the non-revenue sports.
PRO: There may be some positives that come out of the ugly 4 from the dust bowl joining our conference. One major difference between the PAC-XX and the other major football conferences is fanbases. I lived in Michigan and went to games at the Big House. I have always hated the Big Ten, but those games are a totally different experience than any on the West Coast. Sadly the closest thing we have to the rabid fan is Oregon. Maybe the dust bowl schools will bring a bit more fire to the PAC 16 fanbase overall which will help nationwide perception.
We can’t forget about the extra money that will be coming our way either.
Cons: You all have done a fairly good job with highlighting most of the cons. I fully understand those of you that are sorry to see the integrity of the game go away. I can hardly bring myself to watch the NBA and NFL is not much better for me. While I think it is sad, I think it is a done deal.
I think the biggest problem for OS with expansion is that we are not ready for it. As has been highlighted quite often on this site, there is not a consistent coherent brand. Oregon’s brand does not appeal to me but it is absolutely ready to embrace this new world of superconferences. OS – not so much. We are going to struggle even being what people think about when you mention the black and orange OSU. This new superconference landscape is going to be boon for those schools ready to take advantage of it, but I think OS is going to need to catch up.
Reports say that any rumor that has Texas going to the ACC or the Pac 12+ while retaining the LHN are just rumors floated by their propaganda machine. They’re trying desperately to hold onto it. But if/when the Okies move west, they really will have no choice but to disband/transfer the network. What makes little sense is that Larry can get them a ton more money than anything they can do elsewhere WITH the LHN (and what they will get if it stays as is). And they wouldn’t need to worry about all the little details that Larry lords over. If they don’t want increased revenue over any other model (currently in existence or even proposed by their own propaganda) because they would be equals among their peers, then they are going to be left out in a cold landscape for a long time.
And rumors also have the Pac with all the leverage if Texas chooses inequity over intelligence. Mizzou and KU are on Larry’s radar if Texas is out.
And the B1G loses out because they thought their heated outhouse was just fine, and all the noise outside was just noise. They’re still a solid unit, but they’re losing in the race to big revenues.
LOL — “…heated outhouse..” Thats a good’un.
Yep, money talks, and I bet Texas and the okies look at the Pac and think….hey, easy pickens.
I see this — no matter what happens, I think we end up playing our regional rivals. The bad thing that happens, though some are saying its preferable, is teams like OSU and WSU getting washed out. But i think the powrhouses need teams like us, and are only pissed off when they cant beat us.
Anybody watch practice today? Buker says Agnew isn’t looking good and is likely to miss more practices. If he can’t go Saturday, who is lined up to start against the Bruins? We had absolutely no running game against Wisconsin. Should we expect more of the same? Does anybody look like they’re taking the majority of 1st team reps?
I really don’t get why McCants would not get a chance if Agnew can’t go? I’m reading between the lines here, but he must have performed like crap in practice ala Katz and Riley is too kind to come out and say he would rather start another freshmen than give a senior a chance.
McCants has never looked great and he has had a knee surgery since then.
If only McCants would read some of the postings on this website and follow through on the advice of using his body strength to break out instead of trying to practice ballet moves.
I think Jenkins has shown the most so far. Ward has looked highly ineffective. Then again Wisconsin can make a lot of backs look ineffective. I am also interested to see if Stevenson can show anything.
In NCAA ’11 on the xbox, I made Jovan Stevenson get a heisman…. just saying, you can’t do that with everyone in the game :D
Is Storm Woods even in the picture, or is redshirting this year?
Storm Woods is redshirting this year.
I have a feeling Storm Woods is not happy with his situation at OSU. Here’s his latest tweet (Storm34thetruth on twitter.com):
“Time to figure out were I am going with my life as I step on the brake and make sharp right.”
If you check SW’s past tweets, there are other indications of discontent. But looks like it may be coming to a head soon….
Yikes.
Dang! That’s not good. Storm looked really good. OS needs to win badly or we are going to lose current and future players.
Poor coaching, qb quandry, injuries, conference realignment maybe start losing young talented recruits…this is a shit season.
I really think if conference realignment and additions continue, Riley is going to be out of his league.
Much of OSU’s success has come with down years by UW, UCLA, WSU, etc. Keep them, add texas and oklahoma schools with more talent than Riley can muster, OSU gets weaker in context and becomes irrelevant.
Scott cares nothing about “traditions,” he’ll do what makes the money. Schools are getting concerned about getting left out – its kind of like the stock market – speculation and fear are affecting decisions (perceptions = reality).
Haha, you guys gotta chill. He just likes crappy music, thats a line from a Rick Ross song.
At last Thursday’s practice, McCants was getting some reps at tailback, so McCants is not entirely out of the picture.
I couldn’t get to practice today/Monday. Maybe tomorrow. If so, I’ll report back on what’s going on at tailback.
Based on last year’s OL performance is anyone really surprised that the Beavs had no running game against Wisconsin? The only reason the Beavs had a running game over the past few years was when Quizz was playing. Agnew looks like he might have enough talent to make it go but the hamstring…..
And yet there are clowns who swear up and down that the number of stars assigned to recruits don’t matter. If stars don’t matter why is it that the big schools go after the kids who are assigned the stars?
Just more excuses to try to cover up the fact that Riley can’t recruit worth a shit.
subscribing
Big game Saturday, the UCLA coach is on the brink of being fired and needs this win to probably survive a little longer and the Beavs are on the brink of a 0-3 start. So I expect both teams to step it up.
This is the turning point in the season. If last year hadnt occurred, with a big letdown in the later part of the season, I might not say that. Previous Beaver teams had a way of maturing and getting it together as the season went on. But if last season is an indicator, thats gone.
Get em winning, now, Riley — its on you.
Agreed. I believe Riley understands this. So does Neuheisel. There is truly a lot at stake this Saturday at Reser for both coaches, both teams, and both programs. The Beavers have to show up for this one. I think they will….
Does Riley get two or three losing seasons in a row? Maryland never forgave Ralph Friegden for that 2-10 season and fired him after he was rewarded ACC COY last year with I think a 9-4 record, geez. Perennial “up and downers” like Ron McBride, Rick Minter or even Jeff Bowers eventually try the patience of the fans and administrators.
Does anyone know if Riley likes Neuheisel? As I recall Bellotti loathed Neuheisel, although it didn’t do Bellotti much good. I bring this up only because if Riley dislikes Neueisel perhaps he (Riley) will be a little more fired up.
Didn’t Neuheisel get the job that Riley wanted? I believe so and if that’s the case then maybe that would be enough to get ‘ole “ah shucks” fired up.
Karl Dorrel got the job Riley wanted.
Agree about Neuheisel but not so sure about “ah-shucks” Riley, after all he has what amounts to a life time contract. What me worry?
Interesting read: http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/19/the-geography-of-college-football-fans-and-realignment-chaos/?hp
Make sure to check out the comment area for methodology flaws. Interesting nonetheless.
Huge flaws in that study. Nice idea, but just wrong all the way. I can’t remember ever googling “college football” in my life. Are the people who did this study even fans?
I saw on another article in the Houston Chronicle that some 76% of college graduates in “Big Xii-III country” would be disappointed in super conferences… according to a poll conducted by… wait for it… Baylor.
Baylor commisioned the study since they don’t want to lose their date to the prom.
You’ve brought up what will probably be the biggest reason the newly aligned Pac 16 (if it happens) will want to oust the Beavs and the Cougs. Size of TV audience.
This is one of those cases where size does matter.
I think WSU is in the worst shape. At least the Beavs can claim part of the Portland audience. Beavs and WSU will basically be subsidized by the bigger schools. Is an easy win each year (will Beaver fans be okay with this so long as the school gets a fat check?) enough to appease the big boys, or will the Beavs slowly receive less cut and/or be forced to leave? Something will give. People in charge don’t like giving handouts to those who don’t carry their weight.
For some reason Beaver fans aren’t getting it. They believe Larry Scott will protect them and has their interests in mind. The second Texas, Oregon, Oklahoma or USC threatens to leave he’ll reorganize the profits. And you know Texas won’t take long to whine.
It’s political. You can’t escape class warfare anywhere these days.
Don’t mean to discredit you but the entire Pac-12(16) will not and doesn’t not necessarily revolve around football. OSU is very competitive in non-revenue sports and does quite well. So, football is not the deciding factor here.
Vanderveen now looking at UCLA and Arkansas. Weinrich and Jacobs, too.
I think Jacobs has always been split between ASU and Arky. His father’s coaches at Idaho were the Erickson era (with Bray as an assistant) followed by John L Smith. I think Vanderveen really wanted to go to oSu instead of OSU (Robin Ventura is his pitching coach). But the move to Mannion is probably the biggest scare for any potential QB’s at OSU. I’ve always had the feeling that Weinreich wanted UCLA to offer, but he still respects our attention. Still, he was set back after an appendectomy a couple days before their first game. But UCLA can’t afford not to take chances with some positions. Whoever takes over for Weasel will likely take advantage of the talent on that team.
I don’t think Malcolm Agnew will play vs UCLA. The reason, a pulled biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and semitendinosis (The Hamstrings). It can take up to 5 weeks to fully recover from a pulled hamstring. Agnew said that he heard a “pop” this is common with this type of injury. It depends if his injury is a grade I, II, or III? Reinjury is fairly common and in many cases reinjury occurs because of a premature return to full activity. I doubt he pulled them all. My guess is Agnew’s injury is a grade II hamstring pull, and recovery time is around 3-4 weeks. It depends on the individual, how severe the injury is, and how well he is doing with rest, ice, compression, elevation, and his stretching exercises. I’m not sure what his training regimen was, but flexibility and increased range of motion is helpful in prevention. (Many high school weight training programs don’t stress the importance of flexibility.) Staying hydrated is key too. For his health he needs to be patient with the recovery process, and rest. Rest is very important, he is only a true freshman!
Perhaps Riley used him too much?
Malcolm Agnew had hamstring injuries during high school.
I brought up his hamstring issues in the week before the Wisconsin game and someone remarked I was jumping the gun, “its only tuesday.” He missed several games his senior year because of hamstring issues, and received less recruiting attention than his talent would have warranted sans the bad hamstrings. I think this is a significant “maintenance” problem for him, and I think it will continue to be.
Riley needs to consider Agnew “nice to have” and not count on him. Figure out a starting rotation and if he’s good for a few games, nice, if not, is it Ward? Woods? Like the QB, he’s going to have to pick a different starting RB, or at least the RB who gets the majority of the workload, even if he doesn’t start.
This is really too bad, Agnew was a nice answer to “What to do without Quizz?”
there is no such thing as a minor hammy injury
Amen to that. I made the stupid mistake of trying to beat out a sacrifice bunt four years ago and that ended my recreational baseball league career. I had some physical therapy again just last year, because I now have the flexibility of a brick and the hammie is still sore.
Regarding the Storm Woods tweet, he should hang tight with Agnew’s health issues, but he had to be freaking out after Agnew’s first game performance and knowing Riley’s propensity for using one back to death. I doubt waiting until his senior year to start appeals to him.
Maybe Riley will play 2 backs more out of necessity with Agnews hammy issues. Part of the problem seems to be that one guy is so far above the rest that they are better than the back up even when they are tired.
Re UCLA: I’m nervous. We had two of our best wins last year when the coaches stayed home and prepared for the game (Cal and USC). I am amazed they hit the recruiting trail in the middle of a crisis. Says to me they think this is business as usual. Seems like the best thing for recruiting now is winning a friggin’ game.
Re Realignment: I liked PAC 12 (western teams we share region with). Don’t want Texas or Oklahoma, etc.
Re: Pay for play. Time for NBA and NFL to have real minor league programs like MLB. The talented shits who cause most of the problems could go pro out of high school. It would tone down college sports for the better. Pipe dream I know.
Great post. I share your concern.
Read an LA news article, UCLA’s coach apparently called out his players “I can’t be the only one who cares here!” Sounds like Riley telling players if they want to keep their tails between their legs to leave the field.
Missing out on the two rose bowl opportunities looks worse and worse; the boost it could have given the program, especially with more realignment on the horizon, is being sorely missed.
I think OSU going to have to take its increased revenues and “buy” a coach just to stay competitive, let alone think of winning a Pac-14/16.
Would like to know if Riley’s recruiting trip was to Hawaii. And yes I’ll be pissed if it was.
if it was we better actually get someone. Who is the last decent Hawaii prospect we’ve got?
Akuna?
Eight assistant coaches went on recruiting trips. Riley did not. Where do you get this BS information from? Riley going to Hawaii? Furthermore, it’s fairly common knowledge that Banker is the lead recruiter in Hawaii.
It also amazes me how pissed some of you are the coaches went out recruiting. Guess, what? They do this every year during the bye week(s). Last year before Cal and USC…yep went out recruiting. You only get 1-2 chances a year to go out on the road in season to watch these kids live and talk to them at their homes. You don’t waste that.
“Would like to know if Riley’s recruiting trip was to Hawaii. And yes I’ll be pissed if it was.”
That would be a question.
“Where do you get this BS information from? Riley going to Hawaii?”
The same could be asked of you. A question is a question. What information has been got?
And yes, the coaches stayed home last year during one of the bye weeks. And they made a big show of it. Perhaps one or two went out for a short trip? But the stories by the beat writers wee all about staying home and righting the ship. I would agree this year is different since we only have the one bye week. But that’s why more coaches are allowed to travel.
Langsdorf stayed back last year prior to I believe the Cal game. The rest went out…
Interesting reading on Mannion:
http://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/index.ssf/2011/09/oregon_state_football_quarterb.html
If we don’t have Agnew this Saturday it will be even more predictable play calling.
Pac-16 is going to happen. If we wait we will end up on the short side of the TV budget nationwide.
Jenkins is going to start vs UCLA. Wasn’t he a walk-on?
I am embarrassed for Riley, that he couldn’t parlay “Mr. Touchdown” into an all-world recruit.
I wrote this in May, 2010: http://angrybeavs.com/athletics/2391
Scary.
Its interesting, and entertaining, to revisit those posts.
As I said before this season, I think Agnew fits in like this: Bernard<Agnew<Quizz.
Its a shame he's likely to have high maintenance hamstrings that make him unreliable.
Bernard-Agnew-Quizz
Correct.
Though, we’ve only seen Agnew for one game vs a terrible opponent. But he does seem more explosive than Bernard.
I agree with that assessment of the three RB based on overall talent. One thing that I really like about Agnew though is the way he hits the hole. Quizz was sometimes too patient.
Ted Miller is more optimistic than you about expansion, but I think has a pretty honest analysis. Honestly, I’d love to see Texas or OU come to Reser, even rarely.
http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/26093/is-stability-the-expansion-endgame
Cleveland Wallace now a soft commit who is tripping to ASU, etc.
Nobody is getting kicked out of any conferences. I don’t know where that idea comes from. But it’s founded in what? What’s to stop this from happening to the next school once the precedent is set? It would be beyond stupid for anyone who agrees to equality to want to reneg on that principle. It would be mind-blowingly insane. We’re dealing with the broken arrow theory here, and you guys are suggesting that a couple schools would risk being a lone arrow over the security of the quiver.
Not going to happen, and if it was even considered by anyone who had any clout in any such decisions, then I would be all over their stupid asses like the stupid white on their stupid rice. Imagine how easy it would be to lobby TV providers to drop sports coverage of a league who unceremoniously dumps your region. I’m not saying it would happen. But it would be four huge black eyes on top of two pulpy, bloodied faces of a league and their TV partner before the schools who were cut would let this drop. And if they drop one pair of a rival but keep the other? It would be a monumental shit storm within those regions.
Yes, Texas brings with it a possibility of instability, but it would be because they are a threat to leave if anything. No school in their right mind would even consider bowing to pressure based on inequality, because it’s only a matter of time before their share of the pie is eaten by someone else if they allow it to happen to someone else.
Don’t listen to message board hair-pullers who suggest such things elsewhere. They’re idiots who just want to get a rise. Or they’re idiots who actually believe this crap, which would be funnier I guess.
And if the mega-football schools just want to go off and create a NFL minor league, then fine. I would lobby OSU to dump football for something less ridiculous and to join the WCC for some good hoops. Turn the football facilities into a top-notch T&F/multi-sport facility, and concentrate on putting athletes in the world who are respected by the world.
And let the NFL know that their sport would be dying at that point. I’m sure they’d be happy about that.
Beavers in the NFL
I’m especially proud of Levitre’s performance for the Bills against the Raiders. Got to watch that game and he is a standout in the NFL.
Also, Stroughter has returned one kickoff for 78 yards this year? What a stud!
Derek Anderson, QB (Carolina Panthers) – Anderson did not play in Carolina’s 30-23 loss to Green Bay.
Nick Barnett, LB (Buffalo Bills) – Barnett made 14 tackles – seven solo – and forced a fumble as Buffalo rallied for a 38-35 win over Oakland. On the year, he has made 18 tackles with one pass deflection and one forced fumble.
Brandon Browner, CB (Seattle Seahawks) – Browner made seven tackles – six solo – in Seattle’s 24-0 loss to Pittsburgh. He has 11 tackles – nine solo – on the season.
Victor Butler. LB (Dallas Cowboys) – Butler played but did not record a statistic in Dallas’ 27-24 overtime win over San Francisco. He has one tackle on the year.
Sean Canfield, QB (New Orleans Saints) – Canfield is currently on New Orleans’ practice squad.
Kyle DeVan (Philadelphia Eagles) – DeVan started in Philadelphia’s 35-31 loss to Atlanta. LeSean McCoy rushed for 95 yards in the loss.
James Dockery, CB (Cleveland Browns) – Dockery played but did not record a statistic in the Browns’ 27-19 win over Indianapolis.
Dwan Edwards, DT (Buffalo Bills) – Edwards made two tackles in Buffalo’s 38-35 comeback win over Oakland. He has three tackles on the year.
Brandon Hughes, DB (Philadelphia Eagles) – Hughes made two tackles, both solo, in Philadelphia’s 35-31 loss to Atlanta. He has four tackles on the year.
Steven Jackson, RB (St. Louis Rams) – Jackson did not play due to injury in St. Louis’ 28-16 loss to the New York Giants Monday night. He has two carries for 56 yards and one touchdown on the year.
Andy Levitre, OG (Buffalo Bills) – Levitre started in Buffalo’s 38-35 win over Oakland. Bills’ running back Fred Jackson rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Keenan Lewis, DB (Pittsburgh Steelers) – Lewis made five tackles in Pittsburgh’s 24-0 defeat of Seattle. He has five tackles on the season.
Adam Koets, OT (New York Giants) – Koets is currently on the Giants’ reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
Gabe Miller, DE (Kansas City Chiefs) – Miller is currently on Kansas City’s injured reserve.
Matt Moore, QB (Miami Dolphins) – Moore did not play in Miami’s 23-13 loss to Houston.
Chad Ochocinco, WR (New England Patriots) – Ochocinco caught two passes for 45 yards in New England’s 35-21 victory over San Diego. He has three receptions for 59 yards on the season.
Stephen Paea, DT (Chicago Bears) – Paea did not play in Chicago’s 30-13 loss to New Orleans.
Sabby Piscitelli, DB (Kansas City Chiefs) – Piscitelli made eight tackles – including five solo – in Kansas City’s 48-3 loss to Detroit. He has 12 tackles on the year.
Jacquizz Rodgers. RB (Atlanta Falcons) – Rodgers carried the ball three times for 17 yards in Atlanta’s 35-31 win over Philadelphia. On the year, he has rushed for 17 yards on five carries and has caught three passes for 33 yards.
Roy Schuening, OG (Oakland Raiders) – Schuening is on Oakland’s injured reserve.
Sammie Stroughter, WR (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – Stroughter did not play in Tampa Bay’s 24-20 win over Minnesota. He has returned one kickoff for 78 yards this season.
stroughter got hurt in the first game and had to get surgery on his foot so he’ll be out awhile.
Dang I didn’t know that about Sammie’s injury.
WVU rejected by the ACC and the SEC.
Maybe Scott will snatch them up so Pac-XY can get some east coast market share and tv exposure…..one assumes they’d be in the Pac east Pod.
Did you guys notice that Sac St. got thumped this weekend by another Big-sky team? Wow! It makes me think that we really suck this year. I don’t feel good going into Pac-12 play at all. If UCLA wins, and I think that is likely, this will be Petabonian season. So sad!
Disturbing isn’t it. And they beat the Beavers in Reser.
it looks bad but at the same time each game is independent from the last.
Exactly. I am more concerned with the UCLA matchups than what Sac State is up to. Sac State is interesting to follow b/c it makes you wonder how the hell the Beavs lost to them, but they’re not a gauge of future results.
Each game is not independent from the last. Each prior game has a direct impact on the current game; it just doesn’t decide the current game.
I’m not going to hold my breath either way. We have enough talent to win. And if we don’t then it’s going to be a long fall. I have nowhere to go with my fandom but up. If they show me something, good on them. If they don’t, then I’m not wasting any extra energy on being frustrated, angry, or even watching any more games. So maybe this is or isn’t a tipping point for the team. Maybe they win out after losing to UCLA. But it is a tipping point for me and a lot of fans as far as this season’s support goes. If OSU is truly a family, then the team will be the prodigal son if they lose this week. I’ll be happy to welcome them back one day, but I’ll let them do the work to do so since they haven’t yet cared what I or others may think.
Interesting article about the remains. Note that WVU will now be pursuing some of this action, and Rutgers, UCONN, Mizzou and KU will be necessary for legitimate BCS consideration. How strange would that last sentence have been if I said it ten years ago?
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/6993604/big-east-big-12-talking-possible-merger-sources-say
Note the end of the article about Notre Dame. ACC over B1G? Really?
There is NO WAY that we win out this year. The best we can hope for is wins against AZ, WSU, Wash and maybe BYU. Oregon and Stanford will totally destroy us this year. We always play well against Cal. Perhaps we can play with them too.
There’s always a way. I agree that it’s highly unlikely. And if this team rolls over like it did last year, then it’s almost impossible without equal meltdowns from the opposition. But they play the games for a reason.
Note that I would not have said the same about last year’s team. This year’s team has a lot more talent overall. But the common denominator is the mindset/planning/creativity of the coaches. When you have last year’s talent, it’s easier to excuse playing up or down to the competition. And last year’s talent which carried over to this year’s talent showed the same malaise to start the season. If the coaches don’t make changes based on that alone, then they have no business coaching.
You really think this year’s team is more talented? Without Quiz? We dont even have a proven tailback and decided to go with a freshman quarterback. Our linebackers stink and our backfield is a fucking joke. I think this team actually lacks talent. Am I wrong?
What in the world makes you think our LB’s stink? The one weak spot is the MLB in coverage. And that’s the same MLB’s who were there last year. They’re 20 times better than they were against the run last year. And when Robinson isn’t jogging after a slow TE, the OLB’s are there for the kill.
The secondary is a mess, but there are more theories on that. Some players are coming around, and maybe the coaches will follow suit with the scheme. The front four was a concern before the season, but the guys who were supposed to be scrubs are playing out of their minds right now.
I always worry about the o-line, but they can’t be worse than last year.
RB is a downgrade… period. Oh well. I guess we won’t just hand it off to our RB every play.
QB is an upgrade. Sorry, but all of Katz’ experience did him zero good. Adapt or die.
That leaves TE’s and WR’s. Once Joe and James are back, do you think we’re downgraded?
Jo and James will help but without a running game our offense is dead on arrival. We simply have a long way to go before I will declare us a threat to go to a bowl game. I just think this team is in a lot of trouble. Losing to a Big-Sky team, and an average one is simply inexcusable and should alarm us all that perhaps we are not very talented.
I’m not arguing about being in trouble or not. I’m arguing that it’s NOT because of talent. It’s because of mindset. The best athletes in the world can still lose if they don’t have the heart to do it right. You can talk all you want about heart and leadership, but I have yet (this year) to see my OLB get outrun to the edge by the pulling guard from the other side… so bad that the guard has no one to block once he gets there… time and time again.
But I do agree about the pathetic state of losing to a 1AA team. How’s it going to look in this state in a couple years if we have one team who sucks due to a lack of heart and another who sucks because of a lack of integrity?
Since I’m pretty sure the integrity issue will kill Nikegon, I have to believe that at least the lack of heart can be corrected, or football in this state will just be pathetic.
Unfortuantly I think Oregon is here to stay. They are young, talented and motivated. I also think that the worse that the Ducks will get from the NCAA is a probation and possibly some scholarship losses. Players recieving benefits is the mortal sin and unlike USC, Boise St., and Ohio St. there seems to be little evidence of that. I dont want to defend Oregon, but unlike most people here I think they are unlikely to be severely punished. Is it shady? Yes. But every other team participates in the unregulated world of recruiting services, even OSU. This concerns me because without the NCAA taking them down I dont see us beating them anytime soon.
Huh? Are you concentrating on the Baron Flenory case, which is the only instance of “skirting the rules” in Nikegon’s deal? Yes, he knew the rules, and he played around them without breaking them. Those loopholes have since closed, and Flenory has acted professionally and appropriately to adhere to the new rules as well. He’s not an issue.
Lyles is probably the biggest issue at first look. And he has provided SOOOOO much evidence of rule-breaking by Nikegon’s coaches and compliance department that when they consider the hoops team’s pay-for-play, academic fraud by both programs, cars for players and players selling swag for all sorts of things including, but not limited to, agricultural products associated with cars in which Darron Thomas is a passenger… they will be hard pressed not to give them a little more than the nine ships over three years Boise got for allowing incoming frosh to crash on teammates’ couches for a couple days before the dorms opened.
This is one out of control athletic department we’re talking about. The NCAA isn’t going to allow other AD’s to follow this model to success by simply giving them a slap on the wrist.
And you apparently haven’t heard that there are other issues to consider besides those that are public knowledge here in Eugene. DA Thomas’ handlers were suddenly flashing cash after this last national signing day. And apparently it was so well known that he was interviewed by NCAA officials almost immediately. I don’t know what to think of the Colt Lyerla issue. I’ve heard so many weird things about him and his recruitment that I hesitate to say any of them here. But let’s just say that if one of them is true (out of about seven different stories) then O will be a lucky win total.
Oh, and I wouldn’t count us out of any CW period. I wouldn’t bet on us for one or two years if everything remained static. But Nikegon’s scheme will go the same way other option games have gone. It can still be successful, but it will stop being dominant probably as soon as this year.
Tell me the stories, Jack …!
…I love a good story. I’ll start — Once upon a time, there was a big university, and it loved its football. And it wanted to WIN. It got a doner who had a LOT of money and wanted the team to WIN. So it hired a coach who also wanted to WIN….. Then…..
Nah… some of the things about Lyerla are weird. The most prominent is that he wouldn’t have graduated high school if he stayed in, so he went to Duck High as an early enrollee through some loophole. I can’t imagine the university or the NCAA would be so dense as to play him if it were that simple. He probably met the NCAA minimum requirements (not Oregon’s graduation requirements) and took the GED or something like that. But there are other weird stories like that about his recruitment which, on their face, are just ridiculous but could be explained away maybe with some obscure rules out there. There are also some malicious rumors out there about PED’s, but I think most people either expect that from football or ignore them because of the vitriol with which the rumors are spread.
I think there are some car stories about him too. But I don’t think it’s as obvious as Julio Jones driving around in a tricked out Escalade, then a year later telling the media that he’s going to take care of his mom with his pro contract money–a mom who’s been working two fast food jobs just to make ends meet.
I would hesitate to believe anything about Lyerla just because there seem to be so many rumors, and half of them seem to be mean or only telling half the story with the intention of being mean.
Hey….MEAN IS GOOD! …our team needs to get MEAN!
The worst infraction that can happen with the NCAA is lying to the investigators. That is what will get a coach fired. I don’t know that Chip lied, but judging from his personality, I would think that would be in character.
Hey, dont forget that when the shit hit the fan with the Yahoo story, UO tried to cover it up and got on Lyles to provide something on paper they could say was the product for the $25k. Lying applies, I think to the school trying to cover up. The honest thing at that point would be to self sanction and hope for the best. They tried to cover up.
UO will still be a power, as they generated that image over the past decade and more, and losing scholorships and bowl bans dont bring you down entirely — look at USC. So when sanctions come down, dont expect UO to roll over and play dead. OSU still needs to get back to competitive status!
I disagree. i think the worst violation out there is gambling on your team. But lying does seem to be a quick buh-bye in the new NCAA.
True enough, gambling is worse.
This year’s team is unquestionably more talented. Your assessment of our LB’s is harsh too. Teams haven’t ran on us and we’re seeing great tackles made in open space, with some speed!
Team! Not one guy.
I don’t think the third game into the season for a team like the Beavers is a “must” win (it’s not like anyone here thinks the Beavs will contend for a Rose Bowl). I look at it as a game where the Beavers can win and it should be a gauge of the coaching staff’s ability to prepare and motivate a group of young men who have struggled so far.
I guess if you are passionate about second and third tier bowl games, then it has importance. It’s actually more interesting from the UCLA side because a head coach may be fighting for his job. There may be more critical games for Riley this season and more likely next if he can’t turn this thing around.
I dont think I agree. I think Riley needs to get this team going right now. He lost the team last year as the season went on….if he doesnt get them motivated now, what hope is there? You want him 0-whatever, and so he pulls out one game to avoid a shutout season?? What the hell point is there in THAT?? A doormat is a doormat. He can avoid the whole doormat stigma if he can just motivate them — this game is winable…
agreed. recruits are already looking elsewhere. we need to do something to keep their attention. this isn’t the pros and there is no consolation prize early draft pick for the last place team. the strong get stronger and the weak get weaker in the NCAA.
UCLA is a must win for a number of reasons, motivation and revenge are some. But on top of all that UCLA is one of a few teams in the PAC that we can actually match up or beat on paper. If we can’t beat UCLA I don’t think we have a chance to beat anyone else except maybe WSU.
Who else is going to the UCLA game? Looking forward to the standing ovation for J.Rodgers when he enters the game. I hope the crowd actually shows up. School hasn’t started yet so I’m assuming the student section will be small. It’s really too bad Mannion doesn’t have a good running back option in this game. UCLA knows what to expect and the addition of Rodgers/Halahuni won’t help too much. Anybody have a practice report from today about the running game? Maybe they should slide Katz over to the running back position since he’s a “running threat.” I actually wouldn’t be opposed to having a running back with his throwing ability out there WITH Mannion. Imagine the possibilities if both QB’s were out there together with all of those capable receivers. It’s time to start thinking outside the box.
I’ll be at the game.
I thought classes started this week?
I think they start Sept. 26th. But I guess that means there should be a large % of students already on campus by the weekend, so maybe the student section will be at nearly full strength. Hope they make some noise.
Time to bring back the single wing!
They both line up in the backfield, shotgun…..the ball goes to one of them, who then hands off to the other who runs a couple steps forward, and pitches back to the other,…who then throws for a TD!! Jumpin up an down MARTHA!!
UCLA cant stop laughing and the Beavers win a blowout….
I’ll be there.
Well, Phil Steele’s back with his weekly breakdown of our game. Cover your eyes, boys:
Oregon St is just 6-18 SU vs UCLA and is on a 1-7 ATS run vs them. UCLA has won 3 of L/4 trips to Corvallis but dropped its last visit. While the Bruins erased a 19-3 4Q deficit in that gm, they allowed a 70/7pl game winning TD drive w/:44 left (UCLA ended on OSU15). Last year UCLA
went 49/8pl nailing a game winning 51 yd FG as time exp’d (OSU’s L/4 poss ended on 3&outs, 9 total yds). OSU is off a bye but did make some noise during their week off handing over the starting duties at QB to rFr Sean Mannion (194 ypg, 66%, 0-0 ratio) who takes over for incumbent starter Katz. UCLA (road trip to Stanford on deck) is off a beatdown by Texas with continued concerns at QB as Prince (started, 3 early int) gave way to Brehaut once again (150 yds, 0 int). The Beavers have inj concerns heading into this one as true Fr RB Agnew is expected back after missing wk 2 (223 rush yds, 6.8, 3 TD in opener vs Sac St) while receiving threats TE Halahuni and WR Rodgers could see their 1st action of the year making this a game to keep an eye on later in the week.
UCLA 28 OREGON STATE 27
For anyone who thought Weasel had a chance in hell to finish this season, only the
fear of having to buy him out will save his job.
Add to that: Brehaut to start, and Sean Sheller is lost for the season with a broken arm.
Would Boise State’s offense work well at OSU? Many of Boise State’s formations look similar to what OSU does. The main differences I see, 1) Boise State QB’s get rid of the ball sooner 2) there is much more variety in their offensive scheme.
It would take more than just Boise State’s offense. They’re so well coached and execute their gameplan to near perfection. That Kellen Moore guy would help too. Riley and Langsdorf could have a full season teaching our guys how to run an offense, and they’d still be worse off than Boise State after just their summer camp.
So so true.
I miss the Dennis Erickson offense. It was a thing of beauty to see those counter traps develop and watch Simonton hit that hole scampering north.
Of course, having #35 hit those holes was a gift. Dude had incredible field vision.
I miss offense, period. Would be nice to show we can score in the red zone this week. Still can’t believe that play where Mannion marched down the field, fumbled to the center, who fumbled to Wisconsin. So close, yet so far….
I’ll use your comment to slide into a tangential pet peeve of mine… QB fumbles/incomplete passes.
It’s fucking ridiculous that people, including refs, can’t figure out that the direction the ball travels after leaving the QB’s hand for the most part DETERMINES whether his arm was moving forward or not. The only exception is if the ball itself was hit. If the ball travels forward then, by physics law, his arm must have been moving forward! How could his arm be moving backward, get hit, but the ball fly forward?
You hear commentators watching slo-mo frame-by-frame replay after replay during a challenge trying to decipher whether his arm was moving forward or not… just watch the fucking ball, idiots.
On a completely related note… should we start campaigning for what we want at midfield on the new Reser stadium turf now?
Will this save the Big Clusterf***?
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/09/tentative_plan_for_mizzou_to_j.html
LOL, these coaches man..
https://twitter.com/#!/BrandonSprague/status/116301260726083584
Hahaha.
We’re in Bizarro World.
to be fair for as much athleticism as Doctor has he really hasn’t stood out to me… then again a few times Robinson has stood out in a bad way.
Banker blames Doctor for when Robinson was stinking it up:
“I was looking for Michael to make the play, and I found him standing on the sideline just watching that really slow tight end running away from whoever that 13 guy is. So I told him to just stay there. You don’t take plays off on my watch! I’m old school dammit!”
Wait, that’s not a real quote, is it?
No
If Robinson plays and Doctor sits, UCLA is likely going to hurt us with outside runs and QB scrambles.
If that starts happening on Saturday, and Banker still keeps Robinson in the game, I may start showing up at future Beaver practices holding a “Fire Banker” signboard. Seriously…..
I posted this question on Cliff’s blog this morning:
“Cliff – have been reading that Reuben Robinson may be passing Michael Doctor on the depth chart, have you seen Robinson getting more reps? What is it the coaches see in Robinson: assignment knolwedge, play recognition and reaction, ability to shed blocks, speed, tackling form?”
Curious to see the response, though its likely to be vague and safe….
yeah Cliff makes it sound like they are just trying to get Robinson reps so he learns the position better and that Doctor is still the starter. This is concerning to me because Robinson was a MLB and as a MLB you must know what the other LB’s are doing to know what your role is. The best defensive players know what everyone everyone elses role is. It is concerning that Robinson needs to be coached up so much. It would be one thing if he was an athletic freak but to have to coach up a guy that should already get it and isn’t overly athletic to me means he should just be buried on the depth chart.
“Cliff Kirkpatrick says:
Sep 21, 2011
Reply
Robinson is a good one, but Doctor is still the starter. Robinson doesn’t have a tackle this year while Doctor is fourth on the team. Robinson is still learning what to do at OLB instead of MLB.”
I identified Robinson’s status as #2 as a concern earlier, not because he makes sense, but because these coaches won’t admit there wrong on their project players and I was afraid of something likes this. I hope to god its a joke.
From Buker in the Oregonian:
“A couple of other personnel notes: Junior Rueben Robinson is pushing Michael Doctor at one of the outside linebacker spots, and Grant Enger will replace Josh Andrews (knee) at left guard after taking almost all the first-unit snaps there.”
http://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/index.ssf/2011/09/oregon_state_beavers_rundown_8.html
Pac -12 will NOT expand beyond 12 teams
Whew.
Say no to Texas.
I agree. Didn’t want them here. Sounds like the presidents felt Texas was much more trouble than they were worth and felt the conference was better off not inviting them. Texas undoubtedly would try to throw their weight around and try and call the shots, that simply was not gonna happen.
I like the conference at 12 teams, see no reason to expand any time soon.
The teams that have bolted for other conferences will be Syracuse, Pitt, Texas A&M. Wow. All the noise about conference realignment and right now that’s all there is.
Based on what?
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/utes/52616838-89/league-pac-texas-whether.html.csp
I would offer this before you guys start whooping it up too big, courtesy of The Oklahoman newspaper a few minutes ago:
“And in case you think the Pac-12’s late-night announcement that it isn’t expanding makes this conversation null and void, I’m not sure it does. Not so long ago, Larry Scott was asked about expansion, and the Pac-12 commissioner basically said that his conference wouldn’t be interested in adding teams until it was. So, if teams like OU and OSU make themselves available, here’s guessing the Pac-12 will suddenly be interested in expanding.”
Full article here:
http://newsok.com/jenni-carlson-the-oklahoma-plan-is-so-crazy-it-just-might-work/article/3606061?custom_click=lead_story_title
Does this mean we’re standing pat? For right now. But I can almost gurantee you if Oklahoma and Texas become free fish, there’s gonna be opportunity seen by Larry “Pick Em” Scott.
Interesting. Hearing that officials from both OU and Texas trying to reach a deal that will keep them in the conference for at least 5 more years. So, if that happens Texas and OU won’t be leaving the Big XII any time soon.
I feel this is the best news for college football. I love this for the conference especially.
Is Rogers in or out for UCLA?
In.
kind of makes me wonder if it isn’t a bargaining ploy to make Texas give up the Longhorn network.
If Texas gave up the LHN they, along with TT, OU and Ok St would be joining to form the Pac-16
I think they’re overestimating the LHN. Seriously, how many people want to watch Texas practice? Even rough for hardcore fans after the first half hour.
Does anybody know what channel the UCLA game is on? The website says 12:30 on fox college sports and something called prime ticket. Do those exist on comcast? The old fox sports is now root sports, which is showing cal vs uw. Why do they make it so hard to find the games? If anybody knows the channel in portland on comcast, please let me know so I can set up the dvr.
Nevermind, I found it on comcast channel 415. Who even has this channel? What’s the point of being on tv when nobody knows the station exists? I guess we can pay for the beaver sports network online stream. Yipeee! Maybe the picture will freeze on another scoring drive.
Seriously, Oregon gets their game against Missouri Community Christian for the Blind broadcast in HD, on a station everybody with basic cable has, but Oregon State can’t get a freaking Pac 12 game against a Los Angeles school on a station people have heard of? Just pathetic. I even have Comcasts’ expanded sports package and this channel isn’t included.
CSNNW is not available to everyone.
I didn’t say everyone has CSNNW, I said “everybody with basic cable”
It’s far more common for Comcast subscribers to have CSNNW than Fox Sports Prime West (which is also not available in HD even if you did have the channel)
yeah… if you are outside Comcasts area you can’t get CSNNW. Plus next year CSNNW won’t be able to broadcast any of the games. CSNNW is desperate for content. They will televise any Oregon game that doesn’t get picked up.
Did a little more research and found that the Fox Sports Prime channels are only available to the Comcast subscriber who have the Digital Premier package. That’s the “whole enchilada” package. Comcast offers several tiers of packages between Limited Basic and Premier, but the channel doesn’t exists on any of the lower tiers. Hardly anybody even has the channel.
Wish CSNNW would have picked this game up if they’re desperate for programming. At least their channel is available in the starter package. I know a matchup between the #11 and #12 teams in the Pac-12 isn’t a top draw, but even the Portland State Vikings have had their first 2 games on CSNNW in Portland in HD!!! I went to one of those games and there were probably less than 2000 people in the stands. How do they get on TV!
Seriously, Bob Decarolis needs to step it up when it comes to broadening Oregon State’s presence in the Portland area. This shouldn’t be an issue. As game time approaches you’re going to find a bunch of angry fans hitting the message boards, trying to figure out a way to watch the game.
OK, I promise I’ll stop posting about this subject, but just wanted to share with any local Portland Comcast subscribers what I was able to do.
I just got off the phone with Comcast and asked how to go about getting channel 415 (Fox College Sports) added to my programming, a la carte. The operator said it’s only available as part of the Sports and Entertainment package, which would have cost me an extra $8 or $9 monthly to add. Sure that’s not a huge increase, but since Comcast is already raping me in the a**, I told her I wasn’t about to add that package in order to watch 1 extra game. The operator then offered me the full sports package for free as a 6 month trial.
Long story short, the squeaky wheel gets the grease so I recommend calling Comcast and complaining and you may just end up with the full sports package for free. Also, it looks like this will be the only way to get the ASU game next week too. I’m assuming there will probably be more, so it’s probably worth trying. Pass the info along.
http://www.buildingthedam.com/2011/9/20/2438639/arizona-st-game-to-be-on-fsaz-fcs
I agree, this OSU TV thing is a joke. I noticed the same thing about Portland State not only being in HD, but they also replayed their game several times throughout the week. WTF?!
Not only does this piss off existing fans that will discover at the last minute that they don’t receive the game, it also squelches gaining any new fans.
What does this do for recruiting also?
I don’t know how TV deals are made but this is weak.
Speaking of weak, did anyone hear on radio 750 when Chad Doing was arguing with a Beaver fan about the Katz/Mannion debate and the caller asked if he had even seen the Sac St game and Doing said yes. The caller then informed him that it wasn’t on TV… BUSTED! Caught with your pants down on the air on your own radio show, nice. I like Chad Doing as a personality but his football reporting skills are weak and this proves that he knows it. Liar.
the PSU game was replayed because CSNNW has absolutely no content. OSU cannot be played on CSNNW for contractual reasons.
To make it worse, I live in San Diego and I don’t get the game. I have every sports channel that is available. I get “Fox Sports West,” but not “Fox Sports Prime Ticket,” which is only available in the L.A. area!
Just watch it online streamin pirate style
I don’t think CSNNW can play any non-UofO pac-12 games.
This marks the second time Larry Scott has been played by a Big-12 school in as many years. Once by Texas so they could negotiate a deal for the Long Horn Network then by Oklahoma so they could squash the LHN. Where are the Williams sisters when you need them?
Larry Scott by no means was “played” by a Big 12 school. Oklahoma wanted the Pac-12. The Pac-12 is the only conference they really wanted after they made it clear they wanted out of the Big 12. Once they were told they wouldn’t be able to go to the Pac-12 they have decided to reach an agreement to stick around for 5 more years.
Texas wanted to keep the LHN and did not want equality in the conference, instead they wanted to be a special case like they are in the Big 12 and the presidents of Pac-12 schools were not gonna have it. Larry Scott agreed.
Oklahoma is not real happy with the development. They, along with Ok St would have came without Texas but the presidents felt that a 14 team league just wasn’t the way to go.
I’m glad this has happened. The Big 12 will continue to exist for at least 5 more years. They will be adding BYU and likely TCU, I think they will also add Houston. It will be a mostly Southwest conference reunion sans Texas A&M, Rice and Arkansas. They wanna add Arkansas but I highly doubt that happens. The Pac-12 is perfect right where it is at with 12 teams. They will stay at 12 for quite some time.
Which Pac 12 president did you talk to?
I do agree w/ you that the Pac 12 is better without expanding. Let’s stay where we are and get used to it.
I disagree. I hate the 12 and not playing everyone. I thought 10 and round robin was great. Going to 16 with pods would have been stupid. Although I was hoping for 16 and east west split with round robin play in the good ol pac8, and guarenteed better ooc (2 cross confrence) games. I hate the BCS. I’m not really in favor of playoff systems either, unless there are lots of good losers bracket options. The pre BCS system was so much better, I don’t care who wins a national title game played practically in February. I don’t care for the faux title claims
ESPN reported earlier that Oklahoma and Oklahoma State the Pac-12 did not have a problem with but putting the conference at an uneven 14 teams would have caused some major scheduling issues. It was either going to be add 4 or add none. The only way I can see a Pac-14 working with the OK schools would be to put Utah in the West and Colorado in the East, since they are more “travel partners” and have not even begun to explore that rivalry yet.
anyone know what time practice is tomorrow?
Last I heard, it was 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
FYI, I called the OSU Athletic Dept earlier this week, and confirmed that spectators can still park for free in the Reser Stadium parking lot to attend weekday practices. I was told that free parking in the stadium lot will end on or about October 7.
I haven’t been able to attend practice this week (due to a crush at work) — maybe tomorrow. But definitely going to the game on Saturday with my kids. Looking forward to seeing an improved Beaver offense featuring Mannion, JRod, Halahuni, Wheaton, and Bishop on the field at the same time. It would be great to see Malcolm Agnew out there too, but looks like that may not happen this week….
Hmmm, Mike Riley’s never started 0-3, but Riley has a dismal record against UCLA….
But I also heard the New-weasel is something like 2-11 against Pac-12 on the road.
See my above Phil Steele excerpt.
I read this as bad news for our offense, from Cliff Kirkpatrick’s blog:
“Hopefully we add some energy,” Halahuni said of himself and Rodgers. “Our guys have been focused all year. It doesn’t matter if we all come back, we need to be focused and not change anything we do.”
The poor kid is just repeated what is coached. And thats what I’m hating. Don’t expect any new wrinkles in our offense or better play calling by Langsdork. They are trying not to change anything, after all they’ve been so competitive lately… ughhhh
I read that too. I was wondering if he misspoke or was quoted incorrectly. If not then this team is never going anywhere. A clear lack of focus was what killed them in the Sac State game. The coaches should have hammered it home that they weren’t focused and need to pick up the intensity for every second that they are on the field.
Adding JRod and Halahuni will definitely help the passing game. Also, Mannion figures to get better each week, as he gains experience. Probably not a lot of change required in the passing game at this point.
The running game, however, is an entirely different story. Except for Agnew’s second-half performance against a physically overmatched Sac State front seven, the running game has been awful so far this season. The running game was bad last season, too — even though we had an All-American tailback in Quizz Rodgers.
Change is clearly needed in the OSU running game. That probably includes personnel changes, scheme changes, and play-calling changes. If we don’t make such changes, we can expect the same (awful) results (e.g., 23 yards net rushing against Wisconsin). Unacceptable…
I don’t understand why we never run to the outside except with the fly sweeps.
It’s amazing that the Beavers opponents have figured out how to defend the delay hand off up the middle with the same zone blocking every single time (sarcasm).
I agree, when the Beavers run a rare toss sweep or other designed outside run it is usually a nice gain.
I don’t understand their fascination with Robinson. It wreaks of stubbornness.
This is a 2-star player with one other D1 scholarship (from Big10 doormat Northwestern). He has played horrible when given a chance. Cut bait!
Watching Robinson so far this year, he’s looked slow to react and also slow afoot — a deadly combination. If Robinson is on the field Saturday, he’s the guy I’ll be watching most of the time (giving him the same focus accorded to Brandon Hardin last season). If Robinson proves to be as bad as expected — and if Banker keeps playing Robinson anyway — then Banker needs to be fired. Period.
It drives me crazy that no member of the coaching staff will say why he gets playing time. If I’m/we’re wrong, fine, just tell us why. If it is something besides knowledge of the defense and player roles, play recognition and reaction, (running) speed, cover skills, block shedding ability, and tackling ability, I just want to know why its more relevant than any of these factors that seem to matter on the field. Just say it!
Welch and Akuna are the only players who would seem, on paper, to be better options for either backup OLB spot. The problem is, Akuna is still nursing injuries and Welch wasn’t eligible last time I checked. (He’s in the same boat as Glover, waiting on some summer grades.) Te’o has gotten some snaps too, but he’s not all that great either in my opinion.
Who else is there? I guess we could burn Jabral Johnson’s redshirt? I don’t think that’s a great move personally and even if he’s better, is he going to be 50% better? Or just 5% better? A marginal improvement at backup OLB is not important enough to burn a guy’s redshirt.
Mike Riley and staff have shown that they are more than willing to play the players they feel are the best options, irrespective of seniority.
Unfortunately, he’s probably the best option we have at this point.
http://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/index.ssf/2011/09/oregon_state_football_james_ro.html
James is playing!! We needed this! Something to get excited about.
I’m so excited to be at the game this weekend! The ovation that James is going to get will probably give the chills to 46,000 people. Hopefully having him back in uniform, doing everything he possibly can to win (as he and Quizz always did), will put some fire back into our team.
Here are some interesting comments by Jon Gold, the beat writer who covers UCLA football for the LA Daily News:
***
The UCLA secondary has been great – when it’s in position.
Unfortunately, Sheldon Price and Aaron Hester have often lined up 10
yards deep, becoming overly susceptible to the short pass, which
teams have exploited. Price is developing into one of the
conference’s best cover corners, but UCLA is extremely thin at the
position, and he needs to start getting some more breathers. Aaron
Hester has been better, too, after closing out last season strong.
The safeties – Tony Dye, Dalton Hilliard, Dietrich Riley and Alex
Mascarenas – have not been very good, and they are missing routine
tackles that have led to huge gains. Shifty receivers seem to be
giving them fits, so the return of Rodgers could be costly for UCLA.
***
http://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/index.ssf/2011/09/oregon_state_football_jon_gold.html
Sounds like Jon Gold is giving his honest appraisal of the UCLA secondary. If Gold’s appraisal is even close to correct, the Beaver passing game could put up some big numbers this Saturday….
yeah… we will see how Mannion handles the blitz. If he can indeed make quick reads and fast decisions we could make hay offensively.
Agreed. UCLA will likely employ a variety of blitz and stunt packages to pressure Mannion. It will be interesting to see how Mannion handles it (I expect he’ll do very well). In dealing with blitzes, Mannion should be helped by having JRod along with Wheaton for bubble screens and quick slants. Halahuni on quick hitters up the middle (and H-back screens) should also be available. And this is also an area where Jordan Jenkins — as the presumed starting tailback — should be useful, since Jenkins seems to run good routes out of the backfield, and also seems to have good hands.
Yeah I really like everything about Jenkins except for the fact he doesn’t have amazing athleticism. Good routes, good hangs, he runs hard…. he just doesn’t have the absurd agility Beaver fans have grown accustomed to.
Agreed. Jenkins does not have impressive speed, agility, or athleticism. But he makes the most of his limited athletic gifts. He plays hard. And he seems to play smart, too (although we only have a small sample to make such judgments). It will be interesting to see how Jenkins does this Saturday at tailback. Interesting to watch Terron Ward and Jovan Stevenson at tailback, too. Ryan McCants — not so much….
yeah Stevenson seems like a total wildcard… having a productive year from him could be a big boost.
I think what Jenkins brings to the table is good vision. He can see where the whole is developing and can usually get there. He doesn’t have a burst, but he doesn’t just fall over like Ward might. Ward is shifty and quick, but lacks the ability to break tackles, and his vision is suspect too often I saw him just get swallowed up in the wash. I think with Jenkins if the line can hold their blocks for nano-second he might be able to get through the seem, he won’t take off on any long runs by out running anybody, but he has good vision to get into the holes and be patient enough to let them open up for him.
What’s needed is one back with all of their attributes. In other words, a 3-4* Pac-12 RB….
Interesting, I’m almost sure that I’ve seen previous posts from you saying that Riley needs to run a multi back system because he finds a back with all of those attributes and abuses him. We have 3* RB’s but they are young and blocking and route running usually need time to develop. Agnew seems to possess good skills in all of these areas, but he has bad hammy’s.
Hey, for those of you on facebook, check this out:
http://www.facebook.com/OregonStateBeavers
Scroll down to the “ask the AD” section. They’re taking questions from fans to be answered by Bobby D on the air live on Root sports tonight. This could be interesting. There are only about 3 questions posted so far, so chances are, some of us could get our questions answered, but you should probably post your questions soon.
correction, it’s not airing tonight. it airs next Wednesday Sept 28th.
Malcolm Agnew again not participating in practice today. The strategy, presumably, will be to get Agnew fully healthy and then to bring Agnew back at Arizona State on October 1, or perhaps against Arizona at Reser on October 8. Those are games where we are likely to need Agnew more than against UCLA this Saturday. Not taking UCLA lightly, but the return of JRod and Halahuni should give us enough offense to beat UCLA this Saturday…..
Robinson getting most of the 1st team reps according to Sprague
Mannion threw 5 picks in practice so far… not a great sign.
When there’s no run game to defend, everybody has their head up and is ready to pick off the pass. It will be like this all year. Mannion nearly threw 3 or 4 picks vs Wisconsin but was lucky the Wisconsin D had butterfingers. A few of those were right in their hands and they just couldn’t hang on.
yeah he did basically come out and throw 2 picks in the Wisconsin game but I thought he looked solid after he settled down. I guess we will see.
Against who’s defense???? :-)
Why are the DBs looking back for the ball?
This should have been PI not INT, if you know what I mean.
How are James and the run game looking in practice?
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