Home Football Oregon @ Oregon State (Civil War Pre-Game)

Oregon @ Oregon State (Civil War Pre-Game)

229

If the Beavers, like Stanford, zone in on the RB and force Mariotta (rather than Barner) to run I think they can win this game. Just go after Barner/Thomas on every option. Mariotta is a beanpole–he will start to fear the contact.

The formula to win this game is straightforward and the same as past years: time consuming drives, open-field tackling, winning the turnover battle, touchdowns instead of field goals, converting 3rd downs, and getting stops on 3rd (and 4th) downs.

Beavs run defense was bad last week (gave up ~200 yard to Cal). Mannion got away with INTs. I know they scored 62, but if they play the same game vs Oregon they'll lose.

I've liked Oregon all year and feel they should play Alabama for the national title. My eyes tell me those are the two best teams. However, Beavs just have to be better for 3 hours on Saturday. If I'm a Beaver player, I'm confident, focused, loving practice this week, and Saturday couldn't come soon enough. Beavs have senior leadership, feisty underclassmen, and the home crowd. I think this all translates into something good; though, I can never take Riley over Kelly. I'll just say Beavs +10 is a juicy line.

(If Reuben Robinson plays significant minutes and/or rushing downs forget everything I wrote–Beavs will get creamed. Can't get away 11 vs 10 this week).

229 COMMENTS

  1. Well put Angry, one thing I would change is they need to contain Mariota, mobile QBs have hurt us in the past. Stanford did a great job of keeping him in the pocket and not letting him run around. Sell out on stopping the Barner/DAT and Contain Mariota, We have the player/athletes to do this, minus Robinson.

  2. Despite his very impressive composure thus far (tremendous freshman season), I think Mariotta’s confidence is vulnerable now. I think if he can be limited long enough, the Beavs have a good opportunity. I like Woods/Ward running hard and providing balance. Ward is starting to look like the “6th man of the year’ lately. I can see Cooks and Wheaton going off as did USC’s receivers.

    I don’t like Banker v. Kelly-coached Ducks.

    • Yes. Can’t believe Oregon didn’t use him more last week. What I also couldn’t believe is how every time Lyerla was tackled he was stood up for what seemed like an eternity and no one from Stanford came in to drop the hammer. Got to break that freak down with those crushing body shots.

      “I must break you”
      “go for it”

      • I could see him playing the role of Blount, who suspended for most of the season, came in and made a difference. Chasing Mariotta/Barner/Thomas then having to deal with Colt, or maybe Bennet in the backfield with Mariotta, would be a lot.

  3. 10 things I’m thankful for this year:

    1-7: health, family, constitutional freedoms, etc, etc.
    8: Not being 3 and 9
    9: Ducks not playing in the NCG
    10: Reserved for Saturday’s outcome

    And FTD.

  4. Reser fans need to bring the noise this week too. the students bring it, and the old side brings it, but the upper deckers need to get into the game too. Everybody’s ears should be ringing Sunday, and if theyre not, it means the fans didnt do their part. lets make sure chips parting gift from the pac-12 is his first 2 game conference losing streak.

  5. I like the line where it’s at but was actually expecting 14. I’m going to watch the creep this week to see if I can pick up another half point or so. Haven’t seen a money line yet but expecting +180.

  6. Beavers 34-31. Mannion throws for 315 yards, 3 TD’s. Scott Crichton gets a sack and a forced fumble. Rashaad Reynolds with game-clinching pass breakup to end the game.

  7. It looked to me like Oregon became a very average offensive team when Stanford had them in third and long. It’s easy to complete passes after a defense has been traumatized by Barner/Anthony 25 yard gashes, but another thing when the defense knows a pass is coming.

    Can the Beavs defense get the Ducks in 3rd and 7 enough times to make a difference? I don’t know because the other tough thing is they need to do it before the Ducks cross their own 45 yard line or Kelly just goes for it, so they have 4 plays to pick up 10 yards, not real difficult.

    I don’t think the Beavs can win a shoot out, so there’s a lot of pressure for the defense execute at their highest level of the season.

    • That would be underwhelming.

      As much as i dislike Nike, I can’t blame them for trying to pass off the color brown on us no matter what their motive might be. We’ve been using that brown smear of an angry muskrat for years now. Even Benny was brown. It’s not our color, but it is the dominating color on our logo. So those who like the logo must like the color brown as “the most recognizable color in our most recognizable logo.”

      Right?

    • Nope. The logo will be a single color affair, and the beaver will be completely new/redesigned; at least the one I saw was. It did (kind-of) have the shape of a 4-iron, but that doesn’t really begin to illustrate how it looks… That was a stretch in terms of description in my opinion. Who ever made that comparison failed to mention that it looks like a 4-iron only in relative size ratio. So imagine an fierce looking beaver where the head, eyes, teeth (head) portion are more prominent and then it tapers off.

      The early designs that I saw (now a year old) were reminiscent of the Arkansas Razor back and Nevada Wolfpack logos (in style) seen below. What I saw, I very much liked, but the designer that showed them to me is no longer at Nike, so I have no idea if they are still going forward. And, I have to say, every designer that I’ve talked to at Nike has told me that the OSU re-design is dead in the water and has been for a long time. They say nobody–no nike department–is assigned to redesigning OSU’s logo. That leads me to believe the media is full of shit on this one, but time will tell I guess.

      http://memphisport.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Arkansas-Razorback-logo-red-back-drop.png

      http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/516056/wolf-pack-logo.jpg

      • “And, I have to say, every designer that I’ve talked to at Nike has told me that the OSU re-design is dead in the water and has been for a long time. They say nobody–no nike department–is assigned to redesigning OSU’s logo. That leads me to believe the media is full of shit on this one, but time will tell I guess.”

        1) BDC announced 2-3 weeks ago that the Nike redesign is very much in the works and they will roll out a new logo and new uniforms across the board in the spring. 2) The reason the Beaver Logo at Midfield and the Endzones are painted is because the new logo will be sewn into the turf this summer after the new logo is rolled out.

        Not sure where you’re getting your info from at Nike, but the new logo is very much in the works and I have heard from various Nike employees the same.

      • HAHAHAHAHAHA!

        Fierce looking beaver…. HAHAHAHAHAHA!

        Is that what people think? A beaver can be fierce looking?

        I’m starting to get an overall vision of where we need to go with this whole “angry” or “fierce” thing.
        http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumblarge_322/1223888960z58T8h.jpg

        What idiot thinks a beaver can “look” fierce? Is this what we’ve been reduced to? Next we’ll be as stupid as those ASU dumb-asses who think they have a fork in their logo somewhere.

        I can’t wait for that day.

  8. I’ll second the “well put” Angry with two additions. Riley has to open play book the whole game and possible throw in some new plays. Second, Riley can not go conservative if we get ahead. He has to keep the steam up and score throughout the whole game. No backing down.

    Critical points are long sustained drives to keep our defense rested and defense has to be aggressive and make tackles. We can beat the ucks, but it will have to be our best game of the year to do it.

    The team who wants to win this game the most will come out on top. 38 – 21 Beavers.

  9. From the Corvallis G-T:

    ““We need to tackle better,” Riley said. “We are going to need a terrific day tackling in space against a lot of speed. We need better attention to detail.”

    The Beavers have been studying their mistakes against Oregon for the last four years. Most of them were minor that the Ducks made worse. Players were young the last two years and didn’t put up much of a fight.

    Success this season has come from those young players maturing and playing better and eliminating mistakes.

    “Understanding and doing it are two different things, but experience is always good,” Riley said. “You have thoughts for the next time.”

    The focus on tackling, detail, and the benefits of experience/senior leaders are pretty consistent with Angry’s post.

    Its good to read the players are maintaining some levity but bringing extra energy this week. Sounds like a healthy balance.

    • DJ Alexander has let some runners get out of his grasp recently. Maybe due to the injury. I expect him to tackle better. Ryan Murphy and Tyrequek Zimmerman can get better at tackling in space. I think Anthony Watkins is a better tackler. Hope to see plenty of Watkins on Saturday in nickel and dime.

  10. I remember an option pitch to Barner later in the game where Mariota didn’t even try to sell the run cuz he didn’t want too take the hit. We’ve been saying for years,make the QB pay every time he pitches late and he’ll get gunshy and Stanford did exactly that. He hung Barner out to dry for a pretty good loss on that play.

  11. possible rain but NO WIND forecast for Saturday. Huge plus for the Beav play action passing game against the over aggressive toilet seat linebackers and their 3rd string free safety.

  12. OT, but Ryan Allen still getting it done:

    (from CFN)

    “11. Ray Guy – Best Punter
    Finalists: 1. Ryan Allen, Louisiana Tech, 2. Kyle Cristy, Florida, 3. Scott Kovanda, Ball State
    The vote will be: 1. Allen, 2. Cristy, 3. Kovanda

    My vote: 1. Cristy, 2. Allen, 3. Kovanda
    Who Got Hosed?: 1. Riley Stephenson, BYU, 2. Darragh O’Neill, Colorado, 3. Josh Hubner, Arizona State

    Putting kicks inside the 20 might be the most underappreciated skill in all of college football. Considering what Florida’s offense does, and with field position vital, Cristy has been a key part to the puzzle. Allen is averaging 48.1 yards per kick with 19 inside the 20 on 41 kicks. Christy is averaging 46.3 yards per kick with 25 inside the 20 on 58 kicks. Kovanda is averaging 40.5 yards per kick with 23 inside the 20 on 38 kicks.”

    And look at the number of great RB’s the beavers have faced and will face this year – Ball, Franklin, Carey, Barner:

    “5. Doak Walker – Best Running Back
    Finalists: 1. Montee Ball, Wisconsin, 2. Kenjon Barner, Oregon, 3. Johnathan Franklin, UCLA
    The vote will be: 1. Barner, 2. Ball, 3. Franklin

    My vote: 1. Franklin, 2. Ball, 3. Barner
    Who Got Hosed?: 1. Ka’Deem Carey, Arizona, 2. Stefphon Jefferson, Nevada, 3. Dri Archer, Kent State

    I’m fortunate enough and honored to be one of the consultants for this, and it has been amazing how this went from being a slam-dunk for Barner to a wide-open field with lots and lots and lots of options. I pushed for North Carolina’s Giovani Bernard, but how can anyone pick against Carey, the nation’s leading rusher? In an all-around aspect, Archer deserves a much bigger audience. Partly depending on what happens against Stanford, I’m likely going to pick Franklin in a Most Valuable Player sort of way. ”

    If the D can handle Barner like Stanford did, they’ll have a season-long quality of performance of which they can be proud.

    CFN goes on to point out:

    “- Oregon State faced one Doak Walker finalist, Montee Ball, and held him to 61 yards in a win over Wisconsin. The Beavers faced another finalist, Johnathan Franklin, and gave up a mere 45 yards in the win over UCLA. The third finalist, Kenjon Barner, is up next for the Beavers after being held 65 yards against Cal and 66 against Stanford.”

  13. “Beanpole”…?

    “Fear the contact”…?

    Joe Avezzano submits that Angry appears to not have seen a single UO game this year. Joe is unsure how the moniker “beanpole” could be assigned to a 6’4″ 211 lb guy who just runs over people routinely. Plus he has deceptive speed for his size and running style…how many times this season has that young gentleman beat every defender to the sideline and scampered for thirty-plus yards?

    Joe will answer that…many.

    Fear the contact my ass. Now, Joe Avezzano is the biggest OSU supporter Joe knows, and has many insufferable friends and relatives who like the ucks, but the Stanford/UO game has little to no bearing on what will transpire in Corvallis Saturday. Let’s not let hopes and dreams obscure what the eyes have seen all season: to beat the ucks you need sure tackling by the first guy there for FOUR quarters. The Beavers have decidedly demonstrated that one on one tackling in space is not a strong point….like just about every other team.

    Joe hopes he is very wrong, but an unbiased evaluation points to a decisive UO WIN.

    • Not a strong point? The #2 rush D in the conf is actually pretty good at tackling. And Poyer may be the best in the conference at tackling in space.

    • Runs over people? Routinely?

      And you claim he hasn’t seen Mariota play?

      Run BY people with some missed arm tackles and the occasional non-wrap shoulder? Yes.

      Lowers his shoulder? Not remotely.

      Afraid for his life after getting hit a couple times and not being comfortable/experienced enough to find his fourth option? Yes.

      Will the Beavs confuse him in a similar way? No idea.

      I’m 6’4″, 215#, and I can tell you I’m considered pretty skinny. When I was running or playing competitive hoops, I was about 190#, and I looked like a famine refugee. You should have seen me at 165# in high school.

      I’ve been in a room with Darron Thomas at a listed 6’3″, 210#… and some other players of various sizes. If he’s that size, then I’m 6’5″, 240# with massive shoulders. So i doubt measurements are correct in the first place.

      • Mariota plays big and doesn’t drop at first contact, he appears to be a pretty tough player. The “tale of the tape” is meaningless to Joe Avezzano, he can only judge by what he’s seen. And yes, he’s good at dodging tackles, a plus (not a minus) in Joe’s book.

        Joe agrees with posts for which the tone is ” here”s how the ucks can be beat” followed by descriptions of unusually good tackling and other acts of divine providence. Posts assuring an OSU victory due to…Joe doesn’t know, abject wishful homerism or something, are bullshit.

        • Mariota is elusive and can run through arm tackles. I have watched every UO game this year and haven’t once seen Mariota lower his shoulder and run at a defender.

          Maybe Joe’s decomposing brain is mistaking Mariota with Mastoli?

          • If Joe’s decomposing brain can spell Masoli’s name correctly, what does that say about yours?

            Do not engage Joe Avezzano in a battle of wits, you will end up on your bed beating up your pillow.

          • Yeah Joe you’re a little late to this one. He’s been called Mastoli for a couple years now.
            JasontheBeaver thinks you whiffed on that one.

  14. Bowl ticket reservations have been made available by OSU marketing for season ticket holders.

    “Ordering Instructions:

    Enter the quantity of tickets you would like for each of the potential bowl games that you are interested in attending. If OSU is selected for one of the games that you have chosen, your credit card will charged once the bowl announcement has been made.

    Your credit card will not be charged at this time.

    In order to receive BASF priority with your bowl order, you must submit your request by December 7, 2012.

    Bowl Tickets will be shipped via UPS Overnight Delivery. UPS will not deliver to a PO Box. Please make sure the Ticket Office has a physical address for your order.

    If selected for the Rose Bowl, fulfilled orders for this bowl will be charged a $75 handling charge. All other fulfilled bowl requests will have a $35 handling charge. ”

    Rose-$185
    Alamo-$64-$95
    Holiday-$65-$70-$85
    Sun- $40-$50-$60
    Vegas-$55
    FightHunger-$40,50,60,75,85

    Love how the Rose Bowl shipping is more than double any other bowl. Must be some heavy tickets.

      • With UO not likely going to the NC game, isnt it very unlikely that we could do an Alamo bowl, also? Havent read all the speculation, but I would think the north and south champs would get the top two bowls?

        • not sure how that would work, since the South champs could very well end up with 4 conference losses, while the North #2 could only have 2 conf. losses.

        • The conference champ gets the automatic BCS bowl berth. Then it is open to anybody from there. If Stanford wins this weekend, then the winner of the conf. championship would pretty much get the Rose. The loser would have 3 or 4 losses. Then if UO wins the CW, they pretty much assure themselves of an at-large bid (Fiesta). Then the bowls start inviting Pac 12 teams from there (Alamo, holiday, sun,…).

          I think it might come down to OSU and UCLA in the running for the Holiday. OSU has never played in this bowl and might travel well (UCLA fans wouldn’t be snapping up hotel reservations very much). Just my 2 cents.

          • Still think OSU ends up in the top 10(or 11) and receives at large BCS bid if they win the Civil War. Take a look at the teams ahead of them. Several will likely stay or drop below 10 based on head to head matchups with other top 15 teams. 4 top 10 teams will be SEC schools, which means #2 Pac 12 team gets picked before #4 SEC team would.

    • Beaver fans should be rooting for South Carolina over Clemson and Florida over Florida State. These wins would make the ACC less likely to get two BCS teams and thus increase a 10-2 Beaver team’s chances of getting a Fiesta Bowl bid. We just need to beat the damn Ducks in order for any of this to matter.

  15. poyer can’t be playing at less than 100 percent. i’m hoping to see a lot wynn at defensive tackle this week. i’d imagine we’ll see more anthony/watkins ty/zimmerman than feti unga/dj welch(alexander), but they may want to keep run stuffers out there, so i could be totally wrong. gotta go with angry, but this is obviously riley’s best chance since 09, maybe his best chance ever.

  16. Before last weekend I figured that the Beavs might have had a 1 in 10 chance of winning but now I give them a 50/50 chance. Just shows the irrational nature of being a fan.

    Stanford made the duck O look pretty pedestrian but if DAT turns around and puts on a block all we would be talking about is can we keep the ducks out of the NC game.

    • So, can the Beavers recognize the tendencies and can the linebackers make the plays? I am worried by linebackers, especially interior linebackers getting caught up in the wash and not filling holes before the interior offensive lineman fire off the line. The analysis was spot on. But bottom line is that the Beaver front four must neutralize the Duck front five. If the interior Duck five can block four OS linemen plus one backer, then the the Beavers will have trouble. Let’s not even talk about the Robinson whiff on the first Cal touchdown.

      • This is Joe Avezzano’s fear also. Our defense routinely takes AWFUL angles at the ball carrier. Unless there’s a dramatic turnaround, the ucks will eat our lunch.

  17. Angry boner alert!!

    per Twitter:
    Comcast SportsNet NW ?@CSNNW

    Vaz very limited in practice. Harrington takes most to all of snaps with the 2’s. Mannion dialed in, with exception to a few deep balls

    Could Harrington lead this team to victory if Mannion is knocked out early?

        • He has great footwork. Not just avoiding the rush but stepping into the throws. Good arm. I can’t believe nobody offered. Usually programs like BSU are all over guys like that who get overlooked.

    • Like the site name change… AngryBoner….two years out though (until Harrington starts). That name shouldn’t confuse this site with any others…..

      Nice Mannion’s accuracies there, but I hope the timing is there too. Seems a little late sometimes.

      Could Harrington lead this team to victory if Mannion knocked out. I doubt it. But if he did, I could see the headline: “Three headed monster? Who gets the start at Nicholls State?!?”

      BTW, I think Riley should’ve closed practice this week and worked on some special plays/packages in private.

      • I too think Riley should close practice. While I think it sends a message to the players MR, OTOH, seems to value the consistent routine established throughout the season.

        Working in private even on such pedestrian things as the onside kick could prove valuable. Especially if MR could be convinced to use it when/if the Beavs are ahead, not just in the obvious desperation scenarios. Great way to keep the ball out of the hands of the Uck O…..if it works.

      • He should close practice this week, even if he does nothing new. The ducks wont know what he is doing…. generate a little uncertainty….

  18. Wow, didn’t realize that the Civil War was going to be on PAC-12 Networks. Ugh, talk about no nationwide exposure. That seems crazy that no one picked this game up, or is Larry Scott playing hardball?

    • I thought that was lame too. People got over the BeaverJuice weeks ago, seemed to get over the Ducks pretty quickly. Yet still, it’s game two top 16 teams and bowl implications.

        • Everyone’s having a shit fit on the Beavs facebook pages. My question is at this point in the year, who is responsible for what network the game is on? It seems like the other networks passed on it until it was pac-12 channels option. I don’t know how that stuff gets worked out. I know people are blaming the pac commish for the channel not being on direct tv, but it seems like that’s an issue with the channel and the provider. Why do these things worked out okay with some providers and not others? I know the big 10 channel goes around and around with other providers.

          • Yes, but Delany gets it done. Major f -up to not get this done with Direct TV. No bars use Dish. Can’t get it in the Midwest. Not how you “build ” a brand. BTW, thanks for giving Angus the Purdue knee curse.

  19. I believe this the game being on the pac12 network is the ducks fault. It really is, had they won, Fox would have picked the game up before stanford/ucla.

    ABC probably had first pick and went with ND. and fox went with Stanford and LA audience. Had oregon won, the civil war would easily be the 330 time.

          • you sure about that? I don’t ever recall a day after thanksgiving game between Oklahomo/Nebraska. But I remember many Nebraska/Colorado games

            Also of note is the game’s former status as the premier Thanksgiving Day game for the middle of the country.

            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebraska%E2%80%93Oklahoma_football_rivalry

            The game was traditionally played on the Friday afternoon following Thanksgiving, with the game being nationally televised on ABC.

            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado%E2%80%93Nebraska_football_rivalry

          • I don’t remember ever watching NU/CU on Thanksgiving until very recently (like formation of Big XII recent). I remember aTm/UT all the time, and I think that game was moved to Friday when the Big XII formed… until a couple years ago when it moved back to Thursday.

          • Jack the initial post above said the day AFTER thanksgiving which is what I have been referring to. I don’t remember Nebraska/Oklahoma ever playing on the day after Thanksgiving. The linked pages stated Nebraska/Oklahoma was traditionally played on Thanksgiving day, not the day after.

          • Where does the “premiere T-day game for the middle of the country” come from?

            As I recall, CU/NU was just another game until the mid-80’s. Even then, it was scheduled like just another game. It just turned out that CU became suddenly relevant. And when the Big XII was formed and separated OU/NU in two different divisions rivalry weekend suddenly became a divisional affair. And who did TV want for T-day? NU was the power, and CU was the nouveau riche. And they were left with KSU, KU, Mizzou and ISU to round out their division.

            So TV put them on day after T-Day, and they moved UT/aTm to Friday as well (presumably for a double-header?). I don’t recall the CU/NU game being on that Friday either. But then I stopped watching the UT/aTm game when it moved to Friday.

  20. So, what happens if we beat Oregon, and Stanford loses to UCLA. That puts all 3 teams 7-2 with Stanford holding the tie breaker? Then Stanford loses to UCLA again in the CCG. UCLA goes to the Rose, and Beavers break top 10 due to some other teams losing.

    Beavers vs Notre Dame (they lose to USC) for a replay of the 2000 Fiesta Bowl, and finish the season #4 in the country.

    Chipset leaves for the NFL, NCAA hits Ducks with sanctions.

    Who’s with me!

  21. I watched the replay of the stanford/oregon game. It’s going to be a tough one. I’m gonna say that both offense and defense are going to have to have the game of their lives to win. Stanford’s effort on saturday was amazing. I don’t think it would have came down to OT if they could have held onto the ball better. Stanford actually ran more plays than UO.

    On offense –
    – Need to find a good rhythm on playcalling. No delay of game penalties.
    – Make third downs manageable. Can’t get to 3rd and long.
    – Playmakers need to step up. Cooks, Wheaton, Woods, Ward, Hamlett.

    On defense –
    – Make tackles. Wrap up or at least hold on until help arrives.
    – The sideline is your friend. Don’t let barner or thomas cut back to the middle.
    – It would be nice if the d could get some solid hits on mariota. get his nerves rattled early.

    I’m thinking the offense is going to need at least 35-42 points to win.

    Mannion really needs to work on his deep ball. He’s releasing too high it to where it hangs up too much. He’s got a strong enough arm to throw the ball far enough on a lower trajectory. That’s why there wasn’t a TD to Wheaton. He hung the ball up and it floated.

    The RBs are going to need to fight for every yard. Keeps the legs churning. Fly sweep with wrinkles should probably make a return. I don’t think they ran it once vs Cal.

    Hamlett will need to be huge in this game. A lot of attention will be paid to cooks and wheaton so he could get a lot more looks. Hamlett has really stepped it up this year.

    I’ll be at the game cheering on the beavs. I hope I won’t be disappointed when I leave.

    • I can’t disagree with your comments Bill.

      The value of hitting Mariota hard and often seems obvious, that could be the primary key on D.

      As for the primary O key, I’m thinking taking advantage of the ucks D line and keeping the attack balanced by pounding the middle with Woods, but especially Ward is the way to go; opens up both the play action and fly.

      Another point along with TO’s is to minimize penalties, especially those emotion driven personal fouls.

    • Good points, also, need to play smart. No chop blocking or leg whips from offensive linemen like we’ve seen this season. No roughing the passer penalties or late hits out of bounds. Got to make Oregon earn everything. Also, Riley needs to stick with the run game. This is the perfect game to run the ball. Oregon’s defense has allowed 189 yards rushing the last 3 games. With how Woods and Ward are running, keep pounding the ball. It keeps Oregon’s offense off the field, gives the OSU defense a rest and burns the clock. This also allows the Beavers bigger chances to hit Wheaton and Cooks over the top with throws with safeties moving closer to the line of scrimmage.

      Another key is turnovers. Oregon feasts off turnovers usually, last week was an exception. Their defense doesn’t get turnovers and the Beavers will score on them much more than Stanford. Mannion has to be smart with the ball, but running it a lot limits the times he puts it in the air. I don’t worry too much about Woods and Ward fumbling. They’ve been very good with the ball this season.

      Defense needs to take advantage of opportunities for turnovers. They won’t come around too often, can’t let those chances go by.

      I’m feeling okay about the game and my prediction. I think the Beavers have a good shot at winning the game. Go Beavs!

  22. Couple other things,

    The rotations on D are going to need to be a lot faster. the backups on d are going to really going to have to manage. they will give up a couple big plays. hopefully the offense can pick them up.

    Also, cover the back coming out of the back field on passing downs. They are way more dangerous than WRs downfield. Maybe the nickelback or safety will need to cover him.

    Crichton and Wynn are going to have to come up big on 3rd downs. A big question is can the d line create pressure with 3 rushers. Mariota seemed to have more issues when stanford dropped 8 into coverage.

    Aliotti in recent years seems to have picked up on the beavs bread and butter plays and stuffed them all day. I hope Riley can install enough wrinkles to throw the defense off their keys. not sure the wr screens will be available.

  23. JC CB Steven Nelson (decommit from Georgia, visiting USC this weekend):

    RT @Nelson_Island: For those wondering why i like oregon st so much do your research on the corners coach more credentials then any other coach ever
    Blessed]

  24. Bruce Felman of CBS sports says a close “source” to Chris Peterson says 2 jobs could tempt him to leave Boise. CAL and Oregon head coach.
    He may get his choice this off season, so as Beaver fans, where would you rather see him land if he ends up deciding he doesn’t want to be stuck in a mid major conference any longer with Boise St?

    Bruce Feldman ?@BFeldmanCBS

    I know Chris Petersen’s name ALWAYS gets tossed out. Heard from a source close to him 2 jobs that’d tempt him: Oregon & Cal.

    • UO because he’d likely go away from the super no huddle “blur” spread offense. No matter the talent gap, the beavs will always have a better chance against a pro-style offense than the spread.

    • Go away. You’re my least favorite person on the entire internet, and I bet you sound like Mr. Mackey.

      “We’d hate to give Riley any props for this week, mmmmkay.”

    • Only a moron would give a coach props for the coming weekend, BEFORE the game is played. You are not a moron, ….are you?

      Since Riley has never beat Kelley, one has to think this might not be any different. Think I will wait to see what a coaching job he does. If he actually applies himself, schemes well, and calls the plays, I think we might win. But seems like Riley just doesnt care for some games, or even periods of time….like last year. The Riley that lost to Sac State has NO chance to beat Kelley.

    • That’s a nice story. Then he writes this:
      “Yet the Beavers remain the only team of the trio incapable of winning a tiebreaker.”

      Huh?

      I think he meant, “… winning the Pac 12 North.” Nikegon can’t win any tiebreakers either. They have to win outright.

  25. I asked DT Antonio McGhee when he’s planning to visit OSU and he said sometime in January. Angie Machado has already retweeted, haha.

    Antonio McGhee
    @TonioMcGhee3
    shuld be sometime in january

  26. I am the biggest Beav fan and nobody wants them to beat the Ducks more than I do.
    I don’t want to be Mr. negative here but I think the chances of the Beavs even keeping this game close is slim to none. We would have to play better than we’ve played in a long time. We beat a Cal team last week that handed us the game and didn’t even want to be there, and yet they still had 200 yds rushing. We still have the same coaches that have never had a clue as to how to slow down a spread team.
    I think our only hope is if Oregon has a hangover from the Stanford loss and not having the opportunity to play for the nc. I’m afraid they will come out pissed off and smack us hard and then we have to play catch up and they spank us.
    Ucks 48

    • OSU last 2 opponents Stanford and Cal. Combined score 85-41.

      uo last 2 opponents Stanford and Cal. Combined score 73-34.

      I’d say there’s a chance.

  27. i’m going to believe it when i see it. not sure if coach riley will EVER be able to slow down slick chip’s spread – had too many dreams shattered since 2007 so i’ll go again with the trend – i don’t see us winning – the real question will be if we can stay within 9.5pts…..

    • Ever think that the reason Suh didn’t end up at OSU is that he didn’t fit in the “family atmosphere” that is Beaver football under Riley?

      • I thought that family atmosphere is what molds young men, not the other way around. What good does it do to just be a neato club for like-minded kids. You might as well hang a sign on the door that reads, “NO GURLS ALOUD.”

        For all of Riley’s weaknesses real or perceived, I don’t think he would take the lazy route and cherry pick only kids who would homogenize the locker room. I’ve never heard talk of him being a weak Christian.

          • I think it’s different to set expectations then show forgiveness once if rules are broken than it is to just give up on a kid before he’s actually brought into a system and given the structure of those expectations and the mentors who set them. Discipline is also different than forgiveness, so that’s not precisely what this is about. Kids are allowed to be kids. But when they’re expected to become adults in the process, they can’t insist that they remain irresponsible and expect to receive all the same rewards those who walk the line receive. If they choose their own path, they need to wear their own boots.

          • My point was not that Riley would exclude some kids but that some kids would exclude themselves because they really don’t want to be held accountable.

          • I don’t remember Suh being bat shit crazy in college. I sat across from him at the PDX airport last summer, he seemed pretty full of himself and was in no mood to sign an autograph for a pre-teen who nervously called him “Mr.Suh”, but I guess that happens.

            I was always pissed at Riley and staff for not closing the deal with him. They got beat out by Callahan and people forget that Suh was a proud member of one of the worst defenses in Nebraska football history until he was resurrected by Bo Pellini. I guess mid-college career Suh almost transferred to the Beavs. What might have been with Suh and Pea.

  28. OT… Holy crap!!!!!!!!!!!

    Eight minutes left in the Vandy game, and Marist is just killing Vandy.

    The holy crap comes with the score. Marist has only 42 points… and that more than doubles Vandy’s score.

    Vandy’s worse than really really really bad.

    • That made my day, Leach actually looked stunned as he crossed the field. Just proves what a facade the Huskies are. Riley should be suspended for the Nicholls State game for losing to them!

        • That’s because they’re a horrible horrible team.

          They actually looked decent on offense today. But if it wasn’t for Wazzu gifting the game to them early through dumb mistakes, their D would have been the same lousy D it just is.

          I know. I said I wouldn’t watch because it’s not compelling. And it really wasn’t. Wazzu was the better team all day if not for doing stuff like bouncing the ball off your receiver’s face and straight into the air for an easy pick. But the LSU/Arky game was just boring football except for the fact that the score was close. Man… those two teams are not very good either.

  29. Gents,

    In Sunriver for the civil war and the game is on the Pac 12 Network (which our house does not get). Would anyone have any suggestion on where to watch the game in Bend? Deschutes Brewery? McMenanmins? Sunriver has a few watch parties here, but I don’t feel like paying $25 per person to get in.

    All suggestions appreciated and Go BEAVS!

  30. I cannot believe I’m going to watch the game on a computer screen. Little did I know that when I signed up with DirectTV (actually Primestar) some 15 years ago fate would deal such a cruel blow. Screw you P-12 Network and Directv, but thank god for “European” friends.

    • I don’t care for that video. In my view, it tells the team, “You’re the underdog. People shouldn’t expect you to win. You’re not the strong, but you can upset the other team.” That’s the wrong message.

      Like most OSU media productions, it reflects improved production qualities, but still a weak message.

  31. I definitely see how the Beavers can beat the Ducks. The Offense will score. The Defense must play disciplined positions and slow the Ducks down. If they can do this, the Ducks will become impatient and make mistakes. They are afraid to try the three pointer. How ironic. Lettuce may be the difference.

    • Doesnt UO practice primarily indoors? To avoid cameras and reporters? How much time have they actually played in rain other than Stanford?

      • No, theres no need to go inside to avoid cameras and reporters. With a closed practice nobody outside the team is allowed inside the stadium and they can’t see the field from outside. As far as the rain goes, unless it becomes a torrential downpour I don’t think it matters much since both teams are accustomed to the rain.

  32. Today I pray and cheer with all my might for the Beavers!

    That said, I believe that our biggest psychological challenge is how fast we gain confidence and settle in. So far every game has been “you’re 0-0” and this one starts out your season. Unfortunately, this game has finale implications and our players will start anxious.

    Talent aside, we need to get into some sort of comfortable groove soon in order to keep pace or hold stride for 4 quarters.

  33. SOS!!!!!!!
    Will be freezing my ass off at the Gopher/Sparty game.
    NO ability to DVR Civil War because Comcast does not carry PAC network.
    Does anyone know how to save a live stream for later playback?
    Please help a semi-computer literate Angrybeav. I’m ready to blow a gasket with the thought
    of missing this game.

    Go Beavs………….FTD.

  34. OT- but son of a bitch. Ducks hoops looked pretty impressive on the road last night against UNLV. Their frosh looked game impactful already and I’m sick of these high quality transfers they keep getting. They don’t look like a 7th place P-12 team to me. Cincy should be an interesting game tonight.

    I think the Beavs might be ok against them if Starks plays smart against that trap, but they are going to miss Brandt’s ability to hit threes. Ducks zones dare you to take them.

  35. Huge game. Huge expectations. Another huge Riley let down. 41-17 ducks. C’mon people we still have Banker. Be real for a minute. 2008 all over again.

  36. More than how many plays Robinson is in it will come down to Mannion’s timing. I think we can run the ball enough to make play action work but if Mannion misses the over the top pass plays we’re doomed.

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