386 COMMENTS

  1. Heading to Reser in a few hours, hoping to see lots of OSU’s younger players in action during the second half of today’s scrimmage against Nicholls State.

  2. It could be a distracting environment, with an 11:30 start, small crowd, and light opponent. This team needs to take care of business, and look good doing it.

    Mannion and Vaz need to be efficient and accurate in the first half, land a few bombs for six to give Cooks and Wheaton a little exercise, and there’s plenty of yards for Woods.

    The defense needs to be focused and looking to pitch a shutout, and that there should be attention to execution everywhere, no dumb penalties, etc.

    Then, I hope Harrington and Wards take over the second half by mid-third quarter, and there’s about 15-20 pass attempts for Harrington to provide a chance for evaluation, and lots of running by Ward.

    This might be an opportunity to improve the kick return game and give some other players more of a chance too.

    • The game today against Nicholls St. doesn’t do much for me. If we are lucky enough to see Harrington and other new players in action, that would be a plus…….I’ll believe it when I see it.

      As far as bowl games go I believe we have the player talent to beat any team we come up against. In reality, under Mike Riley, which prospective opponents do you think we have a chance of defeating? Texas, Oklahoma State……………?????????

      • oSu with a spread offense? Unlikely. They’d get outcoached.

        I admit I’m not too familiar with Texas, but think they could beat Texas with nearly a month to prepare. The dome (if Alamo bowl) should be good for Cooks/Wheaton, Woods getting back to Texas.

        I like the Alamo Bowl for the recruiting relationships it could strengthen.

  3. Gameday decision… staying home.

    This type of game is OK in early September. Hot dry weather, have a few cold ones before the game, stick around for an hour or two after.

    I’m just not up for watching a scrimmage dressed like an astronaut. Home by the fire knocking off the conference championship games. Nothing to accomplish today other than avoiding an end of season injury. JB

  4. I’m hoping they let us move down at the game because there are going to be a lot of open seats and I’m in sec 213 row 12 and have been there all years so I’d think they’d let me have a better seat for one game ;)

        • The Reser Gestapo is one reason I don’t attend as many games anymore. Gill may even be worse. Last year I went to one of the TV games and with the sparse crowd the gestapo in the nose bleed seats were encouraging fans to move down so that the crowd looked good on TV but when we attempted to take a seat behind the basket we were kicked out. I guess there’s good gestapo and bad gestapo.

  5. Heading to Reser momentarily. Weather looks surprisingly good. Expect OSU to establish early and decisive superiority on the line of scrimmage, to start by running the ball down the throat of Nicholls State in the first quarter, and then to open up the downfield passing game. The Beavs should dominate from the outset, and should hand over the game to Richie Harrington and the younger players early in the second half. Anything less will be a disappointment….

  6. This is our Pac 12 Championship game. How many interceptions will Mannion have with that windup throwing motion that’s never been corrected by our great QB coach?

  7. does anybody have our sack totals the last five or so games? I watched a little bit of the replay of the Ucla game from Sept. and we were getting alot of pressure on the QB. Lately, it seems like we have not gotten any sacks. I remember one against Stanford, none against UW, but I don’t know what we got against Asu or Cal. I would suspect that the sack totals have been very little in the last few games?

    • Maybe the D is a little tired. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a week off. Early in the season the offense was dominating time of possession.

  8. Wouldn’t be a Beaver game without Robinson whiffing and falling down on an easy tackle to set up a big game.

    Classic: I see a defensive player whiff, wait for the replay to confirm who it was. Shouldn’t have bothered.

    • As someone who loves bikes and rides everyday, I say replay every commercial break. I’m trying to figure out where the shot is. Is it by the park along the creek?

  9. I don’t know if someone does FCS team ratings/rankings, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Nicholls is one of the worst this year in the country.

  10. I’d like to see Vaz play the first series in the second half and then turn the game over to Harrington. Why even the TV guys mentioned Harrington. But MR says Mannion to come back in the second half and no mention of Harrington. WHY?

      • I don’t think you can pencil in SDSU on the road as a W. Rocky Long is a damn good coach and the young QB is getting all kinds of experience since Katz got injured.

  11. Looking good that Oregon State gets the Alamo Bowl invite! Like to see them get 56+ points today and get either Texas or Oklahoma St. in San Antonio. That game will be a big one for the program and continue to land us more Southwest recruits. :)

    • Baylor was beating Okla.State. Will a loss change where the Cowboys end up.. I’d like to see how the Beavers stacked up against the Baylor. I read somewhere that Baylor had 10 three and outs all year after 10 games, but they’ve turned it over a lot.

    • Okie State would be cool. It would be the “Orange Bowl.” I ended up in Corvallis because of my sister, who got a teaching job at OSU. She got her doctorate at the other orange OSU in Stillwater.

      • I’d like to see all the confusion if the Beavs play oSu. Like in the hoops game last night, the called them Oklahoma State. I remember in a pregame dramatic intro a couple years ago during a basketball game on FSN they flashed the Oklahoma State logo across the screen.

  12. In the past, I have hated Rick Neweasel. But I have to admit, he is growing on me since he has been announcing. He comes off a smart and likeable.

  13. I’ve always hated the fade as a 4th down play, it’s so do or die. It amounted to practice in this game, but I don’t want to see it when it counts.

    • It’s first or second down play to me. It’s not a high percentage throw. Has to be perfect so often. Coaches always go to it on third and 4th down for whatever reason despite logic telling them it’s not likely to work.

  14. Do you think our attendance record of 8 people demotes us to the Holiday Bowl? I was listening to Parker talk about it before the game and he said something to the effect of, “I’m surprised how many people showed up, it’s about half full in the sections below us.”

  15. Pac-12 refs are the best. I have to be honest, if that went against the Beavers in a meaningful game I would have thrown the t.v out the window.

  16. So if the bowl game was tomorrow who would you start at quarterback?

    I liked Vaz better today.

    Mannion almost looks like he’s being “coached” on his mechanics or release and it’s got him all wobbly and fucked up.

    • Mannion looked a little better today, though both looked very good. I’d play Mannion with a short leash.

      Still like Ward better than Storm too; Ward just runs with fire, plowing people over, hitting holes with force, and he’s healthy. Just a gamer.

  17. I thought Vaz threw better balls today. Mannion’s throws were all bad but we have great receivers to make up for it. Vaz was hitting receivers in stride. I say start Vaz with a short leash.

    • Vaz did throw that quick hitch to the sideline that would have been a pick six with P-12 DB’s though. It went right through the Nicholls defender into Cummings hands. I kind of like Vaz better overall, but I have these uneasiness that neither of them are the answer next season.

    • First thing I noticed about that game is how badly Alabama thoroughly dominated most of the plays throughout the game.

      That said, the SEC has a penchant for recruiting stupid players, and not teaching them clutch situations. Case in point: Connor Shaw against LSU. Usually, throwing to Marcus Lattimore for an easy 7 yards and a couple tough YAC is a good idea.

      Not when you have 35 seconds left on the clock. Similarly in this situation, the throw was to the end zone. It was tipped, which made it land shy of the EZ. For some reason, Conley caught it. Bad idea. Do they teach QB/WR’s/RB’s these things in the SEC? because it seems like the OL has it figured out…

      That said, spiking the ball would have probably been a better option at that point, and the point before, but I suppose that simply is not UGA’s style.

  18. Anyone watch the end of Bama/Georgia? At least Riley isn’t the only coach who can’t manage the clock in key situations. Georgia should have had three shots at the endzone and they end up with a 4 yard out pattern to end the game?

    That kind of strategy doesn’t deserve a shot at the NC, but I’m so sick of Alabama, I just wanted Georgia to win for some variation. In hindsight, I did not enjoy the Mike Shula era of Bama football as much as I should have. Oh joy, another SEC national champion on the horizon.

    • he was throwing to the receiver that was in the end zone. The ball was tipped at the LOS and the receiver that ran the shorter route caught it. He would have been better off not catching it and they would have had at least one more play. But receivers aren’t taught to not catch the ball. That’s the way it goes sometimes. Busted play that ended up just that.

      • I didn’t catch the tipping of the ball, Georgia shouldn’t of even had a player running a flat route on the play, no point in it. All options should have been endzone and a smart QB would just throw the ball away for one last play if everything was completely covered.

  19. I really don’t care how smart Chip Kelly is or how good Oregon is at their read option brand of “football”. I’d MUCH rather watch SEC ball as just exhibited by Georgia and Alabama. Well done.

    Well done.

  20. First thing I noticed about that game is how badly Alabama thoroughly dominated most of the plays throughout the game.

    That said, the SEC has a penchant for recruiting stupid players, and not teaching them clutch situations. Case in point: Connor Shaw against LSU. Usually, throwing to Marcus Lattimore for an easy 7 yards and a couple tough YAC is a good idea.

    Not when you have 35 seconds left on the clock. Similarly in this situation, the throw was to the end zone. It was tipped, which made it land shy of the EZ. For some reason, Conley caught it. Bad idea. Do they teach QB/WR’s/RB’s these things in the SEC? because it seems like the OL has it figured out…

    That said, spiking the ball would have probably been a better option at that point, and the point before, but I suppose that simply is not UGA’s style.

  21. UGA screwed the pooch at the end. The lines on both teams are HUGE.
    Guess I will hold my nose and root for Bama. Have to deal with quite a few Domers around
    here and they are already insufferable. Besides they have much cuter coeds.

  22. Wisconsin destroying Nebraska will put Oregon State easily comfortably ahead of UCLA in the final BCS standings. With KSU beating Texas, I see the Horns in the Cotton Bowl and OSU vs oSu in the Alamo Bowl! If not the Beavers are getting stiffed.

  23. I hate to say it but oregon would rape kansas st quicker than ben roethlisberger on a 17 year old girl in a nightclub restroom. And Texass is overrated as shit.

  24. I’d say if Beavs get Alamo Bowl they will most likely play Texas. If we don’t get Alamo Bowl than the powers to be don’t have any respect for Mike Riley and OSU.

    • Cotton Bowl gets the first pick of the Big-12 after the BCS. K-State and OU will be off the board. They will choose the Longhorns. Oklahoma State will be the pick for the Alamo. Bank on it. Now its a matter of who they view as a better matchup. Beavs or FUCLA?

    • Depends if Northern Illinois makes a BCS game. They’ll jump ahead of Boise State, Michigan, Texas and Kent State. If they jump UCLA, NIU goes to Orange Bowl, Oklahoma goes to the Cotton Bowl and Texas goes to Alamo Bowl.

  25. Here is why I I feel it will be OSU vs OSU. Both teams have very strong claims to be the clear choice from their conferences. OK State is better by one win than all the teams below them and beat the next possible teams soundly. Same is true with OSU and UCLA. UCLA finished with a dud by losing twice and have 4 overall losses and Oregon State didn’t just beat them. We beat them soundly on the Road. Kerouac Style. As long as Texas goes Cotton to play Georgia, as they should because they have our one notch above OK State in the standings then all else definitely deserves to fall into place for a Battle of the OSUs.

    Texas politics doesn’t want Texas vs Texas A&M in the Cotton because neither wants to lose that game. Texas vs Georgia is a strong draw after how close Georgia came last night. But after that literally star after star has alligned for both OSUs to the Alamo. Both are the deserving teams to be in that slot by multiple and practicaly all measures of team performance. Many feel strongly that Oregon State would be the team if there is an OK State selection. And OK State fans were hoping for the Cotton before losing yesterday in a fairly close game. They are definitely the obvious choice now for the Alamo if Texas is off the board as seems likely. When that much aligns for it to be OSU vs OSU, it better be, as on both conference sides the story is very similar and the OSUs are clearly most deserving. The universe wants the Battle of the OSUs!

  26. From the G-T:

    “Holiday Bowl selection committee co-chairman Larry Baber, who was also in Corvallis, said if the Beavers are available, his bowl game will pick the Beavers.

    “It’s in the Alamo Bowl’s hands,” Baber said. “We’ve wanted to have Oregon State in our game for a long time.”

    The Alamo Bowl has the first pick of Pacific-12 Conference bowl-eligible teams after the Bowl Championship Series game selections. The Holiday Bowl gets the next pick.

    “What we’ve heard from the Alamo Bowl is they were leaning toward UCLA early in the week, and I don’t think (the Bruins) did anything in the Pac-12 title game to change that,” Baber said.”

    If I were selecting for the Alamo bowl, it seems like a UCLA-oSu shootout would be good viewing.

    Nice to see some adjustments in the backfield and Ward getting some time at FB. Again, from the G-T:

    “Backup running back Terron Ward learned the fullback playbook this week and played some at the position against Nicholls State.

    Ward took the place of Tyler Anderson, who injured a knee against California on Nov. 17, and is out for the season.”

    • Gossip for today. Someone tweeted that a Holiday bowl rep jabbed MR with something like, “maybe you can come back to San Diego and win a football game.”

  27. Which back-ups impressed (with opponent quality factored in) yesterday? Did Skotte look good? I expect we’ll see more of him next year. Was Singler fast/quick, or was the “white lightening” remark above sarcasm?

    SS, do you have any observations you’re going to share?

    • I too am hoping for a report from SS.

      Any chance MR goes with more two back sets next year, using Woods/Brown at TB and Ward/Anderson/Balfour at FB? Unlikely. The use of Ward at FB was probably only a stopgap measure with the bowl in mind. Something new for oSu or whoever to plan for, maybe or maybe not used much in the bowl. Anyway, Ward has outclassed Woods lately.

      Looking forward to SS’s observations on DL and OL prospects as well.

    • The only one that stuck out in my view was Akuna. He looks like he was worried more about growing hair, than growing talent on the field. Looked fat, slow and out of place(due to said slowness)

    • Singler has looked great in every spring game I’ve ever attended. Nicholls State was no different. We need to get him on the field before he graduates.

      Similarly, Micah Audiss was probably the defensive star of last spring game, and had a pick with a nice return on Saturday w/ many broken arm tackles. Wouldn’t mind seeing more of him next year…

      Mullaney looked good. Gwachum looked bad, although he did get a TD. Hatfield looks…servicable. Seems fairly solid but he just doesn’t seem all that special to me. Career backup?

      Klute had a impressive catch on a bad Vaz throw that was unfortunately out of bounds (uncatchable). Looked shaky on other plays as I recall. Caleb Smith had no targets.

      Our backup linebackers looked very forgettable from what I saw, although Skotte did make a play or two.

  28. Looks like none of the prospective opponents for either bowl will be in the top 25?

    http://www.oregonlive.com/collegefootball/index.ssf/2012/12/ap_college_football_poll_orego_4.html

    “Others receiving votes: …Texas 51, … Oklahoma St. 15, TCU 14, …, West Virginia 1.” Texas Tech, no votes.

    oSu and WV have the ability to light it up and don’t look like good match-ups for Banker – though watching Geno would be fun. TCU and TT just doesn’t sound compelling to me but I haven’t followed their seasons at all. Texas and oSu look like the best potential games.

    Also, good to see Kiffin and USC on the “others receiving votes” list. Haden is wasting time by not jettisoning him sooner rather than later.

    Too bad OSU ends regular season 15th and end up with an unranked opponent in a bowl.

  29. I had a surprisingly good time at the game, my second of the season. Spent most of the game chatting with a few couples from around Oregon, my club section was almost empty. I will be attending the bowl if the Beavs head to the Holiday, for some reason I can’t justify going to a non-BCS bowl if I’m not also going for business or visiting family.

    • The BCS bowl selection show is on ESPN starting at 5:30 PST so I would imagine the rest of the bowls will announce immediately thereafter.

      • Most stuff will leak out prior to the show. People are claiming here in the twin cities that it is confirmed
        that the Goph’s are playing Baylor in the(historic) Meinike Car Care Bowl in Houston.

        You go to the game Jason?

  30. Not much to say about the game after that debacle. A couple of random musings:

    I saw in the paper that Stone is retiring…how about retiring that stupid “That’s another Beaver first down” announcement with him. Very high school.

    While we’re at it. I watched the Nevada-Boise State game for a while yesterday. I noticed that Nevada also has an “awesome” inflatable helmet. Time to let that air out of that bad-boy once and for all. Put it in the parking lot for the kids to play in pre-game.

    If we are in fact a big time perennial top 20 program let’s ditch the high school type affectations. JB

  31. It appears every projection has Oregon State in the Alamo Bowl now. Being far ahead in the polls, especially in the coaches at #14, over Ucla (#19), should seal it for Oregon St. Only question left is will NIU edge into #16 in the BCS or just miss it? Oregon St. will be in excellent shape in the BCS with Wisconsin looking great. Should be #14. If NIU squeezes in by the slimmest of margins then OSU will take on Texas. The consensus at this time is that since Oregon St. is ranked well ahead of everyone else being considered, they deserve to be invited no matter who they play. If NIU just misses we still get an awesome OSU vs oSu showdown. It will be razor close tonight on our opponent but Oregon State is the hands down deserving #1 pick for the Alamo Bowl and is the only team which guarantees that the winner of the game will finish in the Top 20 after the bowl games. Beating Texas or OSU gives Oregon State a good chance to finish in the Top 12. :)

  32. Thanks for the info Jason.

    A deja vu moment – Hekker just shanked a 14 yard punt in OT giving the 49ers excellent field position.

    • Baylor is in Holiday, it appears OSU is headed to Holiday from what I’ve read. That would suck, hopefully I will be surprised and they’ll be in the Alamo Bowl, but we all know Luck ‘O’ the Beavs

    • No, you don’t understand Beaver Byte, no one is more deserving of Alamo Bowl…I could totally see Alamo taking UCLA for the matchup of UCLA’s impressive offense and the tv market. Holiday would be very happy with OSU.

      Seastrunk finally gets a run at OSU….the way the run D has been playing, he could have a big game.

      • “@ChrisLevel For those wondering about Baylor, my info tells me you all are headed to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl. #Big12”
        And OSU can go to either Alamo or Holiday, just get the feeling it’s the Holiday. Alamo Bowl wants UCLA cause of LA market. I hope they choose OSU, but I doubt they will.

        • This is the silver anniversary of Terry Baker’s Heisman season. Oregon State earned the right to play in the Alamo Bowl more than any other team. This is not a year to get screwed in bowl selection. There will be plenty of other opportunities for that. The 50th anniversary and this team deserve a very special game. Texas vs Oregon State is the perfect ending for a once in 50 years occasion. A win over Texas would make this a magical and long remembered season in Oregon State lore.

  33. YYYYYEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Pacific Takes?@PacificTakes
    RT @KegsnEggs: Over/under 999.99.5. RT @SicEmSports: Source has confirmed Baylor to the Holiday Bowl vs Pac 12 runner-up UCLA

    Pacific Takes?@PacificTakes

    Stanford Wisky Rose, Oregon KSU Fiesta, OSU Texas Alamo, UCLA Baylor Holiday, USC GT Sun, UW Boise Vegas, ASU Navy Hunger, Arizona Nevada NM

    Pacific Takes?@PacificTakes
    Only unconfirmed game is Georgia Tech in the Sun. Might be Virginia Tech too.

    Bryan Fischer?@BryanDFischer
    RT @Andy_Staples: Holy points. Baylor-UCLA? Get your popcorn ready.

  34. BeaverBlitz.com?@BeaverBlitz

    From San Antonio Sports Anchor…RT @donharris4: I’m hearing OU vs A&M in Cotton and Texas vs Oregon State in Alamo Stay tuned.

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