642 COMMENTS

  1. Angie Machado?@AngieMachado1

    Sources confirm that Oregon State will play Texas in the Alamo Bowl. Expect official announcement shortly.

  2. I like it for recruiting too. Also like that we get to play against a big time program with a chance to prove we belong. Nice job Beavs.

  3. Congratulations to the team and the coaching staff!

    I haven’t seen Texas this year so I don’t know how good they are but because of their history they scare me.

    Here’s hoping the Beavs can be competitive.

      • More than likely the talent and size of both the OL and DL is strongly in Texas’ favor and the game is usually won in the trenches so I’m concerned.

        UT pretty much has the pick of the best Texas athletes and OSU often has the best walk-on athletes (that was a bit tongue in cheek) so the walk-ons are going to have to play error less ball in order to have a chance.

        But like I said I haven’t seen Texas play this year so……….

    • It’s a game the Beavers can and I think win. Texas’ defense is pretty bad. They give up about 60 more yards per game and give up almost 5 yards per rush. OSU can score on them and move the ball without issue. Just about taking care of the football. Got the makings of a shootout.

      • This opportunity is similar to when we played Notre Dame in the Fiesta bowl. Hope we have a similar showing and smack a perrenial heavy-weight around.

      • I watched the Kstate/Texas game yesterday and OSU can beat Texas. We’ll see if they actually come up with the right game plan and make it happen.

  4. This is empirical progress. Be nice if they hadn’t tanked the UW game and left it to more chance, but if this pans out, very nice job by staff and team.

    I like the recruitiing aspect, exposure, and the idea of Cooks and Wheaton running free on turf inside a dome…..

    BeaverByte called it.

    • If they didn’t lose to UW, but still lost to Stan and Duck, they’d still be right where they are. Go figure that one (I wonder if Riley did?)

          • Oh yeah. There is a loophole, but the Beavs wouldn’t qualify.

            No more than two teams from a conference may be selected, regardless of whether they are automatic qualifiers or at-large selections, unless two non-champions from the same conference are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the final BCS Standings.

            http://www.bcsfootball.org/news/story?id=4819597

            I mean, I see why they do this (to spread the wealth), but why even have rankings if they’re going to put the #21 team (Louisville) in a BCS game ahead of the #11 team (Oklahoma). I mean, I hate Oklahoma, so I’m glad N. Illinois got in for that reason, but it’s really not fair.

          • I am fine with the conference champs making it they are from a auto-qualifying conference (Wisconsin isn’t even ranked and made it) But the N. Illinois doesn’t make sense at all. Maybe if they had played a tougher schedule and had the same record then maybe.

            But overall it worked out to benefit the Beavers, for bowl games I want the best bowl and best match up. I think we got that because the BCS took N. Illinois over Oklahoma.

  5. If we hadn’t been chosen for Alamo Bowl it would have been a crime. There are things that I like about the bowl games, but one thing that I dislike it that when bowls choose teams based on money instead on the field performance.

    • To be honest with you I’m a bit surprised that the decision wasn’t made strictly on a money basis since college ball seems to be driven by the almighty buck.

      What the hell ever happened to just getting an education?

  6. Mike Riley?@Coach_Riley
    The guys are eating dinner, watching espn, and waiting to find out who and where they play! #GoBeavs http://instagr.am/p/SwYHQtCNHq/

    Chip Brown?@ChipBrownOB
    Northern Illinois’ BCS party crash sends #OU to Cotton vs Texas A&M and #Longhorns to Alamo Bowl vs Oregon State.

    Cliff Kirkpatrick?@CliffGT
    It’s official. Texas vs. OSU in the Alamo Bowl.

    All Blue Everything?@BYUAllBlue
    BREAKING: Just confirmed with a source here in Boulder that Bronco Mendenhall has interviewed with CU to be their next football coach.

  7. I lived in Texas for 10 years and Texas is VERY overrated year after year (excluding the Vince Young NC team) and under achieves with that talent they have. Mack Brown is a HORRIBLE game day coach and I look for us to get a nice win in front of a bunch of eyeballs that do not normally get to see the Beavers play. It would be a nice win against a “name” team. Also would be nice to see us slip into the top 10 at the end of the season (we are #13 now).

    • Mack Brown was a decent assistant for some of Knute Rockne’s teams in the 30’s, but alas the changes in the college game have passed him by.

      • VinceCam YoungNewton put him on the map and it’s been down hill ever since. Although I think they had a good chance vs Bama if Colt McCoy would have made it through the first series.

  8. I really see Oregon beating ksu, but giving a great coach like Bill Snyder a month to prepare should make it interesting in the fiesta bowl.

  9. its a blatant lie that ” Considering how the season started, the Beavs should be in a better game”

    Sorry but it was Rose bowl or this for us. Fiesta was not an option because of NIU

    • i think what he was saying was that they could (should) have been a one loss team looking at other possibilites. i’m excited though, beats the hell out of 3 and 9.

    • Yeah it sucks but I bet the WA loss wouldn’t even matter in the final outcome. Beavs probably end up in the Alamo at 10-2 also.

      Compared to 3-9, 9-3 and the Alamo bowl is pretty fuckin awesome. If I wasn’t too lazy I’d search the blog and post my preseason 9-3 prediction. :-)

  10. Pac-12 Bowl games in ranking order: #1) Rose Bowl #2) Alamo Bowl #3 Holiday Bowl #4 Sun Bowl #5 Vegas Bowl #6 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl #7 Gildan New Mexico Bowl

    So, Oregon in Fiesta Bowl, Stanford in Rose Bowl, Oregon State in Alamo, UCLA in Holiday, USC in Sun Bowl(overrated much?!) Washington in Vegas Bowl, Arizona State in Hunger Bowl, and Arizona in New Mexico Bowl…. I think that means we got placed correctly…we placed 3rd in the Pac-12 overall and UCLA placed 4th overall.

    • I’m trying to swing it. Goph’s playing the night before in Houston vs TTU in the “Getting Glen Mason Fired Bowl” rematch. If it works, I got first round. Go Beavs.

  11. I was hoping for the Holliday- sunny San Diego was a done deal for travel. San Antonio- not sure. Anyone got ideas on entertainment for a bowl trip? Been to the Alamo…

    • Depends on what you call entertainment. There’s Six Flags and Sea World. There’s the zoo and SAMA. There’s the River Walk and Market Square. For history, the Alamo is not the only mission in town. There are about four or five others if you head south. But I like the caves in the hill country the most. Well, then I like driving over to Lockhart and pretending I’m going to choose between Black’s and Kreuz when I’m just going to eat at one then get take-home at the other.

      Fredericksburg is also a cool place in terms of history and the German heritage there.

  12. Beavs need to prepare for this game like its a road game and not a neutral site game. Should be plenty of Longhorn fans in attendance, not sure how many OSU fans will be making the trip down there.

  13. Mike Riley?@Coach_Riley
    Headed out in the morning, some HUGE recruiting stops the next couple days, HUGE! #GoBeavs

    Brayden Kearsley55?@BK55_ERA
    Had a great dinner and after a great in home visit with Oregon State University! Gotta love Coach Cavanaugh and Coach Locey! #GoBeavs

    • This is weird, BYU fans were needling me at the game that they had stolen a great recruit from our state from us so I thought Brayden had already committed to them.
      Must be having second thoughts?
      If he’s Mormon his family will not like coach Cav’s language.

        • I only pick on the grammer police because they seem to be too hasty to be smarmy and forget to actually follow the rules of grammar when correcting them in someone else’s post. I mean, when people resort to low-brow humor and still fail, it’s rather funny.

          Imagine some low-rent mind trying his best to be funny and failing to even complete one sentence where two should exist. It’s just ROFLMA time when that happens.

      • Right. I just found it interesting that he has “complete control…” and am surprised he’d get the award when the team had many injury problems the previous two seasons (of course it is an award for only this season).
        And, I do acknowledge that there is not a direct relationship between conditioning and injuries.

        The article did point out that claiming he is the best coach in the State is pretty remarkable since the statement didn’t limit the praise to conditioning coaches.

        I suppose that, like Riley’s award, it’s all good for recruiting.

  14. This is the situation that I always would’ve figured I could be a duck fan and root for them in the bowl… #2 in PAC , no rose bowl, no bcs title game, just simply the #2 rep from the pac12. But for some reason I cant get myself on that boat yet. I think I really dislike their brand of football and dickhead of a head coach. I guess I was just lying all those times I said I’d root for a duck in these situations. Oh well, today I feel better as a liar than a ducky

  15. Bowl payouts:

    $17,000,000 Fiesta
    $17,000,000 Rose
    $3,175,000 Alamo
    $2,075,000 Holiday
    $2,000,000 Sun
    $1,100,000 Vegas
    $837,500 Kraft Hunger
    $456,250 New Mexico
    ————————-
    $43,643,750

    Pac splits this evenly, correct?

    So that’s about 3.6 mil per team, in addition to the TV money. Pretty good year for the conference. With that type of cash flow, I think they could become recognized as the second best conference over the next few years. Bowl domination would help. I’ll root Ducks this year.

    • Joe Avezzano is unable to support UO athletics in any way, at any time, and never, ever will.

      Anyone who calls himself a diehard orange-blooded Beaver fan knows that those who trot out the shameful “I’m rooting for the ucks cuz they’re Pac-12” are hamsters of the highest order. Joe suggests those fans can go to hell.

      Angry, that goes for you too. Very disappointing.

  16. sounds like both teams are debating who to start at qb. personally i’m hoping texas goes with ash, i’m only basing this off the TCU game on thanksgiving but he looked pretty damn pedestrian. i’m hoping a W gets us into the top 12.

    • http://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/index.ssf/2012/12/osu_football_afca_names_mike_r.html

      By the way, I don’t know how Riley passed Shaw or even Kelly. Shaw progressively and successfuly worked in the young QB hogan, had a top defense, and took down the Ducks in Autzen.

      Kelly plugged-and-played Mariotta in and dominated all games but Stanford. Had he not played so many reserves, the scoring outcomes and disparities could easily have been greater. He won effectively and got to provide game development time for his reserves, which is good coaching and portends well for UO next year.

      I’d probably put Riley in third after the season’s these two coaches had. But again, its recognition for a turnaround, and it’s productive as OSU staff focuses on recruiting this week while players rest.

        • Just keeping it real. If he doesn’t deserve it then, well yeah, it is bullshit.
          If it’s good publicity for the program then that’s fine, as long as we don’t drink that kool aid ourselves when we know the truth. He drove it into the ditch, and now apparently he’s pulled it back out. Good for him and good for us. I’m stoked! Our coach could potentially get coach of the year every-other-year using that strategy.

  17. I like:

    1) Riley with this much prep time and a non pressure bowl game against a relatively weak defense (75th in country?);

    2) Wheaton and Cooks running around on turf inside a dome. I know the surface and conditions benefits the opponent too, but with sound pass blocking and time for OSU’s qb, these two WR’s, with their double moves and the double threat they pose are likely to hit some big entertaining plays.

    4) The extra motivation for Woods. Returning to Texas will be exciting for him. However, I expect Ward to have a good game and mayhaps the longer runs.

    5) The recruiting benefits. I think one texas hs RB is a verbal, with another imposing one showing interest in OSU -this could help push his commitment. I’d like to think Riley and staff could pick up some legitimate DT and LB prospects, but that might be a reach.

    I expect we’ll see both Mannion and Vaz in the game. If Vaz is hitting receivers in stride (again the long passes should be there) and not having trouble seeing the field, he may get to stay in.

  18. Stat references for Texas with Big-12 context:

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/stats/2012/divia/conference/big12/team/index.html

    36 ppg, 441 ypg, 176 rushing ypg. The rush ypg could be a concern for an OSU rush D that’s been degrading in performance.

    Their passing defense is a respectable 235 ypg, rush defense terrible at 198.8 ypg.

    Texas is +3 in TO margin.

    Individual stats for Texas:

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/stats/team/2012/texas-longhorns/index.html

    • One bad thing. Texass O-coord. is the guy from Boise and therefore has experience shredding a Banker coached D. This is a dangerous team. Major talent that has not performed. Mack has already fired everybody. I guess he would be next. Go Beavs.

  19. Vaz should be the starter in the bowl game. In the nicholl st, game Mannion looked a little tense and appeared to be aiming the ball instead of slinging it.

    Vaz looked completely comfortable.

    If Mannion does start, Riley should keep him on a short leash. I am not for rotating qbs.

  20. I just finalized travel arrangements for the Alamo Bowl. Hope to see some of you are the Marriott River Walk. Lady at Azumano Travel was real nice. I’m taking my sister who lives in Temple, TX to the game. Should be loads of fun.

  21. Coach of the year is Bill Snyder.

    Snyder
    Kevin Sumlin
    Chip Kelly
    David Shaw
    Mike Riley

    They gave it to Riley because of the “less with more”/”impossible to recruit to corvallis” mantra that we know is a self-fulfilling prophecy/fallacy.

    • JAoe Avezzano doesn’t think anyone’s said it’s IMPOSSIBLE to recruit, but that sounds appropriately melodramatic for this blog. To the fainting couches, everyone.

      Maybe folks recognized that it is more difficult to recruit to Corvallis, even more so after a 3-9 season, and so a turnaround is maybe something more than simply making less self-inflicted errors.

      But Joe knows it’s more fun to whine like a little bitch, so you go girl.

      You may now tag Joe with the “apologist” label along with other random insults.

      • Correct,I think most overlooked the “Region 5” qualification of the award even though it was in the article. My point was, from this region, Shaw and Kelly did a better job than Riley.

        • Noboby’s panicking. The game is 3 weeks out, its slow, and Riley won a decent award that should help recruiting, and so people are discussing it….

          • Pretty sure the Krog was being sarcastic. It is funny to see the negative reaction when our own coach is honored as coach of the year. People hate being wrong more than they enjoy the Beavers’ successes (seems like a common symptom of some of the great minds on this site – looking at you Fightingbeaver).

          • I see Joe setting up a melodramatic straw man complaining about melodrama. And I see you dismissing a discussion out of hand as being negative while calling out someone who’s post I apparently can’t see. I see what may or may not be a flawed argument for Riley receiving this award. I believe it’s flawed myself since I think the award has more to do with where Riley set the bar previously than some arbitrary rankings of talent which have historically been flawed themselves.

            What I don’t like is the “turnaround” argument for him receiving this award. If you say he’s the best coach in the region just because he’s winning this year, what adjective do we necessarily have to attach to his ability to coach last year?

            Do you feel Riley deserves this award over others who seemingly also do? Does that make you negative toward the other coaches? Or does that make you a participant in a conversation?

          • It was specifically Jason and Angry’s comments above that were negative and suggested Riley was not deserving of the award (which I understand given the posture of this site; Riley winning a coach of the year award is kind of the end of the world around here). As to the rest of your post, I am not sure what you’re looking for – my own take is that Riley was one of a handful of coaches that did a wonderful job this year, and when picking between those coaches who did wonderful jobs, it is probably largely arbitrary and I would not read too far into it. My point (and I think Kroger’s point), is that for “fans” to entirely marginalize or even seem upset that their coach won a coach of the year award is totally bonkers.

          • Yes, I am so negative, putting Riley 5th in my coach of the year listing:

            Snyder
            Kevin Sumlin
            Chip Kelly
            David Shaw
            Mike Riley

            If we’re ‘upset’ it’s probably because we view Shaw/Kelly as better and/or know this means we’re stuck with Riley longer. He was listed as one of the worst coaches in America last year. I really don’t put stock in either since I know exactly what he is.

          • My comment was negative? Riley has done a good job this season and I’m happy with the results. I don’t know if he deserves the award or not for the job he’s done THIS year, but he certainly doesn’t deserve it if it’s based solely on the team’s turnaround. That’s not negative, that’s just truth. He has won the most-improved award for sure, which stands for something I guess.
            I was just pointing out that that improvement came partially as a result of his under performance the year before.

          • Jason:

            These were your remarks:

            “Riley winning an award for a huge one-season turnaround is like me winning a safe driving award for towing my own car out of the ditch that I wrecked it into.”

            “Just keeping it real. If he doesn’t deserve it then, well yeah, it is bullshit.
            If it’s good publicity for the program then that’s fine, as long as we don’t drink that kool aid ourselves when we know the truth. He drove it into the ditch, and now apparently he’s pulled it back out. Good for him and good for us. I’m stoked! Our coach could potentially get coach of the year every-other-year using that strategy.”

            Those sound relatively negative to me but my apologies if I misread them.

            For what’s it worth, I don’t think Riley won the award solely or even primarily because of the turnaround. I think it has more to do with going 9-3 against one of the nation’s toughest schedules at a school without some of the advantages other enjoy.

          • That “ditch” comment is the best analogy I’ve ever come up with in my life. It’s dead-nuts accurate too.
            Don’t drag me into the group that actively searches for negativity amongst us, I’m just pointing out facts and truth as I see it.
            I’m not upset that Riley got the award, but I’m not gonna hold it up and praise it to the world either.
            I generally think we’re on the same page here, or at least the same chapter.

    • They gave it to Riley because he coached OSU to the best win/loss turnaround in the country this year. Credit where credit is due…

    • It is obviously not impossible, but setting that word aside, we literally have no history of football recruiting success to judge Riley against. And we have no evidence that it is not at least “difficult” to recruit to Corvallis. We are talking about a school with one of the worst traditions, worst facilities and worst recruiting budgets in the conference. And Corvallis is not exactly a hot spot compared with many of the other schools in the conference. I think the point is, people give Riley a break for not brining in stellar recruiting classes given some of the factors he is up against, but they do give him props for coaching those less than stellar recruits into something solid. And no matter the reason for the 3-9 season, a complete flip of that record is something people take note of.

      • Any discussion about 5-7 and 3-9 has to start with 5 walk-ons on the Oline. And that was a direct result of low hanging fruit/lazy recruiting after Gilstrap died. The person above who said Riley ran the program into the ground and then won this award by simply doing his job correctly is pretty accurate. I don’t have unrealistic expectations. I think the Alamo Bowl is a nice game and a step up. I’d be happy with that bowl most years, and then a BCS/Rose Bowl run every 5 to 10 years. I never have said they should be in the Rose/BCS every year.

        There’s still a lot of room for improvement. In regards to recruiting, OSU is behind with technology and playing catch up. There’s dead weight on the staff. etc. I want the program to be more efficient. I keep bringing up that they can be the Minnesota Twins or Oakland A’s of college football…a small market team that uses efficiency and alternative thinking to overcome regional/budget shortcomings.

        • Minnesota had the 13th highest payroll in baseball last year, so not a great example. As to the A’s, how many world series titles have they won recently (I ask not because I think the A’s are unsuccessful but because I equate their inability to win a title to your prior single-mindedness regarding the rose bowl)? I think the A’s making the playoffs (by beating three other teams in their division) any given year is not unlike the Beavs going to a “decent” bowl game.

          The A’s example is funny because I have long equated the Beavs to the A’s in that like the A’s, OSU does not have significant access to what most believe are the most talented players (4 and 5 star athletes would be high-paid free agents in this example), so they are forced to think outside the box and find 2 and 3 star recruits who have some flaw that the coaches believe they can fix after a couple of years of practice and “coach up.” I feel that it has been our ability to do this that has made us successful.

          I wonder what specific examples you have of other ways the Beavs can be more like the A’s. I also question your ability (or mine) from the outside to meaningfully evaluate what is or is not deadweight amongst our staff (hate to bring up your Rod Perry diatribe(s) again and unfair criticism of Riley at the time…oh what the hell, no I don’t).

          I am happy to hear that you are pleased with our selection for the Alamo Bowl (and that it is not a “mediocre” bowl). I am also pleased.

          • I feel like I’ve addressed Rod Perry man times. I was most concerned with him as a recruiter due to his age, and to my knowledge, he has yet to land a single recruit. As I coach, I had no idea if he’d be good or bad.

            A way the Beavs can be more like the A’s is to put a premium on running QBs (like the A’s put a premium on OBP). There are other ways. I will make a post during the slow season.

          • You do know that the A’s have had well below-average OBP for many years, right? Even last year when they made the playoffs, their OBP was in the bottom third.

            The idea behind the A’s is not that they identified any single trait (i.e. OBP, running QBs) that created success, but rather they work(ed) to zig where others zag and find inefficiencies in the player market. So in order to make meaningful suggestions on how the Beavs can be more like the A’s, you will need to ID such inefficiencies and how we can take advantage of them. Anyway, not a critique just looking forward to the post.

            My belief is that our recruiting under Riley has always focused on finding such inefficiencies. For an easy example, look at James Rodgers – a 2* that was not heavily recruited but had outstanding toughness and speed but lacked size. We recruit him with a vision of using him in the fly sweep – a manner in which his size is not a hindrance and his plus abilities are put to excellent use. I think Riley deserves credit for this (and organizations like the AFCA appear to agree).

          • When it comes to zigging when others zag I am liking all these teams going to spread offenses. That could lead to OSU landing some better QB, TE, and Fullbacks.

          • I don’t agree with some of the replies that “everyone” wants a running qb but USC. Riley has historically and demonstrably preferred pocket passers. The last MOBILE qb that was effective, was Matt Moore, certainly not a runner.

            There is however signs that Riley may be changing. This recruiting cycle, OSU offered the following running/dual threat QB’s:

            Johnny Stanton – http://oregonstate.scout.com/a.z?s=182&p=8&c=1&nid=5508445

            Khari McGee (According to Scout, not according to 24/7): http://247sports.com/Player/Khari-McGee-11378

            Damion Hobbs (who put up 875 yards on 110 carries) – http://oregonstate.scout.com/a.z?s=182&p=8&c=1&nid=5795503

            They won’t get Stanton or Hobbs, but Vanderveen(sp?) is already on the roster. If Riley adds McGee, it might suggest he is going to diversify the offense. If these sites are accurate about OSU offers, he’s certainly pursuing a different kind of QB.

            Angy’s point in the past has been, I believe, that a mobile QB is like having another player on the field, and that opponents with mobile qb’s have made it look like 12 on 11 when they attack the Beavs defense.

            Even with a mobile QB, I’d be surprised if Riley opened up the offense a lot right away. The wildcat received limited use, and never in the CW I believe. The fly sweep is still here, but that’s more of a minor evolution than a revolution that a running QB would represent for Riley. Look how long it took this staff to start using nickel and dime packages.

          • I don’t agree with some of the replies that “everyone” wants a running qb but USC

            I don’t agree with it, either. We saw Arizona go with Nick Foles over Matt Scott. Nunes got the nod over Hogan. Etc. There are probably many many examples if you sit and think about it.

            Yes, I did say a mobile QB makes it 11 vs 12. If the QB is both a QB and RB then you have both in the backfield at all times. It occupies a defender/spy.

            I think Riley should put in a Vanderveen package next year. It would be nice to have the QB draw as an option for tough 3rd downs (e.g. 3rd & 4s where neither run or pass is a great option). Vanderveen has a little Colin Kaepernick in him, at least judging by his film.

          • I am not a fan of bringing in a running QB for just a few plays like we kind of did with Katz during Mannion’s freshman season. Part of the effectiveness of running with the QB is the fact that the running play only gets called on like 5-10% of the plays (sometimes even less). Most teams with athletic QB’s still don’t call a ton of running plays because you don’t want to get your QB hurt. So if you are bringing in a running QB package you are really tipping your hand and at that point you might as well go wildcat and get the ball directly to the playmaker. Plus the best thing about running QB’s (at least IMO) is when you have man coverage downfield and a pass rush on 3rd down. The QB runs through his reads, nothing there, the pass rush is closing in around him, all he has to do is to do is take off and he can get the 5-10 yards needed because the man coverage is downfield. Or that forces the defense to put a spy on the QB which is making it 11 on 10 and could open up some other options. If Vanderveen can make the throws and can go through the progressions and looks as good as the other guys I think you have to give him the job because of the running factor. I am not sure if he is that guy or not though.

          • I agree about tipping the hand etc. It would require a delicate balance and some passes mixed in. Chris Leak/Tebow comes to mind. Tebow’s first year when he was primarily a runner he still threw a handful of TD passes.

            What I really dislike about the pro offense is it seems to leave teams with a lot of intermediate 3rd downs. One way to convert more of those is a run/pass option.

          • James Rodgers was gift wrapped with a bow. Give Riley credit for the offer and for the guts to play him as a freshman.. But Rodgers found Riley, as opposed to Riley finding Rodgers. Congrats to Riley and the Beavers for the great turn around. I am still concerned that he often manages like a European Noble. I would like to see a little more grease under the finger nails and a bit more accountability.

          • Riley recruited the Pankey brothers the same year as James Rodgers. Let’s focus on James Rodgers, though, because that helps the argument.
            lol

          • Ah yes, so because Riley has recruited bad players also (who hasn’t), my assessment of Riley’s recruiting style is laughable. Angry, you should really consider a critical thinking course.

          • And if anyone is guilty of focusing only on what appears to aid his argument and ignoring or marginalizing everything else (even where it is of greater relevance and/or importance), it is you – hell, your blog is centered around doing so.

          • BION,

            You might have a point if you weren’t focused on dismissing the duality angry speaks of. The point isn’t that he recruits bad players. It’s that he recruits them to such a degree that he’s compelled to play them. That means his inefficiencies in recruiting are greater than his staff’s ability to “coach them up.”

            It’s been discussed ad nauseum, but the consensus here is that recruiting has become more efficient and getting better over the last couple years. And credit is due Riley for recognizing the increased talent and putting it on the field ahead of the “experienced” players who came from flawed recruiting classes. That also was a stick in the craw years ago. But it appears to be diminishing.

            The general hope for me is that this season is not an anomaly in Riley’s career. Things we’ve seen as habit (and have also harped on for years) went away for one season. All the voices who called Riley a great coach feel justified because of this. But the bar for a great coach is not doing somewhat well with lesser talent. It’s getting talent and putting it in a position to do what the Beavs have done this year.

            OSU is not at a disadvantage in recruiting except for the mindset that some within our own fandom think it is. Yes, they are at a disadvantage in a case by case analysis with some recruits. But so is everyone. The culture sets the tone. When your fans tell recruits that everywhere is better than OSU, what are recruits supposed to take away for consideration?

            If you’re a highly talented recruit who happens to want a good education at a bucolic setting while playing big time football for a great coach and with a great group of like-minded kids, then OSU should certainly be in the conversation. But please ignore those within our own fan base who think you coming here makes you one of the “less” with which our coach seems to do “more.” That kind of pervasive negativity is unforgivable to many here. We happen to love our school and want this kind of nonsense to stop.

            In other words, you’re only great if you think you’re great. If you think you’re lucky to be good sometimes, you’re not great and have little chance to be so. When you want to accomplish something, you make a list and set goals in writing. It seems many in our fandom think “don’t be as bad as the 28 years” is a goal. It’s not. It’s running scared from your past.

            The danger, of course, is that those who dwell in the past will take sustained success and become entitled. I look forward to the days when I can lambaste those individuals for being the same insufferable people they are now. But at least I won’t be able to pick on them for being pouty downers about my school.

          • Many of the things you claim I marginalize are in any head coach’s job description. I don’t praise people for doing their job, you’re right.

            Your argument was bad because Riley didn’t find Rodgers, he lucked into him, and I believe Locey or a local coach suggested the fly sweep. Also, focusing on a lone 2* who panned out and ignoring all the 2 and 3* duds is cherry picking. What are you going to do next, bring up Mike Hass and claim Riley has an extraordinary history with walk-ons? lol

            Your assessment of his recruiting style is right. He picks low-hanging fruit and sometimes it ripens.

            That’s improved a little over the past few years as they embraced technology and put Gundy in the Gilstrap role.

          • Jack:

            As to your point regarding Riley’s perceived tendency to play “experienced” players over younger, more talented players, your attempt to merge this tendency with Riley’s recruiting patterns, and what I discussed above as his ability to take advantage of inefficiencies in the recruit market, is flawed. These are two distinct issues. His ability to identify less-heralded recruits as I discussed above is, in my opinion (the Pankey brothers notwithstanding), a big reason Oregon State is now “big time football” as you call it. Riley’s apparent “habit” of playing older less-talented players is separate (and actually something I’ve criticized Riley for in the past).

            As to the rest of your post, it is silly (a) to think fans are talking directly to recruits and telling them that “everywhere else is better than OSU” (recruits talk to coaches and players, not fans); and (b) OSU is absolutely at a disadvantage for recruiting the nation’s top talent – that does not mean it is without its selling points as you enumerate, but come on, as a whole, OSU is not in a position to recruit year in and year out with schools with better facilities, locales, traditions, weather, population, etc. I don’t care to argue about this as it is readily apparent to me – my apologies if this is “unforgivable.”

            Lest we forget, it is because of Riley that OSU has closed the recruiting gap and can now be described as “big time football.” It is because of Riley that recruits can play for a “great” coach with “a great group of like-minded kids.”

          • This is the type of thing people say on the internet when they run out of things to say. They then say it over and over, hoping that eventually it becomes true (or people believe it). Echo chamber.

          • Oooooh tell us more about the internet, Angry, how fascinating. Is it also like when you call anyone that disagrees with you a “troll?”

          • Jack is your argument really that the only recruiting disadvantage the Beavs have across the board is self-imposed via the perception of its fans that the program is disadvantaged? Maybe I misunderstood your point, but you can’t seriously be suggesting that this is the only issue here??

          • BION,

            Remember that some of those older, more “experienced” players were also given time as frosh and sophs. There might be a LB who started for three+ years and has yet to put up numbers which total one good year for his position.

            Oh… and last year’s O-line equals negation of your argument that coaching is not holistic.

            So this is what I understand from your post:
            It is silly to think…
            (a) Fans are talking to recruits and telling them “everywhere is better than OSU”
            *agreed… fans, like a team, take on the mentality of their coaching staff and AD… fans are not the only ones repeating “more with less” on an annual/monthly/weekly/daily basis.
            (b) OSU is NOT “on the whole” as good as most other places.

            Lest we forget, it was Erickson who demanded we step into the conversation as a big boy football program. Riley left after two seasons.

            @kroger,

            Only? No. But it’s sure hard to concentrate on and correct all the others when this one is ingrained in OSU fandom group-think. It’s less a disadvantage than it is an excuse. But it also overwhelms the disadvantages, making that conversation “negative” apparently. I’m sick of those who sub-consciously think OSU sucks, therefore anything other than abject failure must be celebrated and glorified. That’s what we did when we were experiencing abject failure. It was fine then because it was all too true.

          • The point is just that there are disadvantages to recruiting at OSU, many of which have already been listed, and most of which seem fairly obvious. It doesn’t mean anyone thinks OSU “sucks,” subconsciously or otherwise.

            I originally brought this up in response to Angry’s comment about the “fallacy” of thinking it is impossible to recruit major talent to OSU. Not impossible, but difficult. The broader context of all this is the ongoing argument about the job Riley is doing at OSU and the coach of the year award. When someone argues Riley consistently churns out a better product than one would expect given the strength of his recruiting classes (as evidence he overachieves), the response typically is “well, he’s the one bringing in the bad recruiting classes, so that also is his fault.” Well, it is not so simple as that, and its certainly not so simple as the fan base collectively putting on a smile and pretending there really are no disadvantages.

          • The point isn’t that there aren’t recruiting disadvantages. The point is that their existence is used as an excuse to not overcome them.

            Everyone has disadvantages. Do you think Fink goes to every USC prospect and says, “I know I suck as a head coach, but….”

            ?

            Of course not. He concentrates on the strengths and laughs off the disadvantages… all the way to the bank in his case.

            Good salesmen don’t get paid for disadvantages. They get paid despite them. College coaches have to be good salesmen. That’s just a part of their job description.

          • “The point isn’t that there aren’t recruiting disadvantages. The point is that their existence is used as an excuse to not overcome them.”

            Who are we talking about here? I am losing track of the argument and whether you actually disagree with me. I was talking about Riley, and I agree part of his job is to sell recruits. My guess is he does his damndest to emphasize the positives and downplay the negatives. My argument is OSU has more negatives than other schools he is competing with. I am still sensing that you disagree with this and think schools are on a level playing field, really only separated by the skill of the salesman at the HC position. ??

            Are you saying Riley is using it as an excuse and doesn’t want to overcome the disadvantages, or that the fans are using it as an excuse? Does what you are saying about excuses have anything to do with the job Riley is doing as HC? This is slipping away from me . . .

          • We know how this works. Every kid eligible for NCAA D1 schools is a lead. We send out questionnaires to those we like, and we wait for them to respond. We then cull those who do not respond from our list of leads and evaluate/call the ones who did respond. And then we move on from there.

            So why did we cull the unresponsive?

            The bromide is that it’s just a waste of resources.

            The truth is that the first “no” is just the start of a good salesman’s work. Why bow to the excuse that our product must suck more than our competitors’ products do because we just got a no?

            Look in my eyes, say it three times and click your heels kid. Then I’ll know you mean it.

            I guarantee we’re missing out on two or three “elite” recruits (of say 150 or so per year?) because we don’t cast the wide net for just two or three kids. The easier job is to set bait with a trolling rig and just sit on the boat drinking beer until the bell rings… because nets are heav

          • Well who is determining resources? This takes me back to my question which you didn’t answer–what does this have to do with Riley? Are you saying that Riley is making the call not to follow up on elite prospects because he’s simply given up and does not really think OSU can get them (resources not really being the issue)? Or are you saying he doesn’t have the resources to do it, your gripe really being with the AD?

            Regardless, I think this does raise an interesting question regarding recruiting strategy given OSU’s position in the college football world. I saw this being debated on another site recently–whether to cast a bigger national net or focus finite resources on getting kids in areas closer to home where you know you’ve had success in the past. The risk with casting the national net being that you end up not getting those recruits anyway, and then you also don’t get the kids in your traditional pipelines because they’ve been scooped up by others in the conference who made the choice to focus on them (which we normally would have done).

          • We’re going to get the kids in our traditional pipelines regardless. But that’s because we play in our comfort zone too much. What I’m saying is that minimal effort expanding the net yields more quality players.

            We did it with Texas and Okie after we lucked into James. Suddenly we had another pipeline. We lucked into Yve and Sabby, but we never really followed up on Florida because of the perceived disadvantages of recruiting in that region. Yet we’ll turn over rocks in Montana for one player every five or ten years or so.

            What’s the value of a pipeline that produces one mid-level recruit every now and then versus taking a chance in a region where you can’t throw a rock without hitting a prospect? Are there simply because the two star prospects in that region have heard of us, and we don’t have to work to at least explain our product? It’s a pretty big assumption that there aren’t a couple overlooked prospects in the Southeast who wouldn’t jump at the chance to be Beavs.

            Some coaches understand that it’s easier to develop players with talent and competitive experience than it is to take your chances with a roster full of hopeful late bloomers. They’re just more willing to put in the work on the front end despite all the disadvantages many of them also have.

            Those coaches do not have fans who think their disadvantages rise to the level of importance that we believe they are. I’ve read forums where mid-major fans from podunk boon-dock state directional school on the tundra wonder why the hell one of their prospects would even consider OSU. And i don’t get much of a different vibe from a large segment of our fans either. As a result, we lose some of those same elite prospects (or borderline elite in many cases) that we actually spend resources recruiting to those same schools with absolutely every disadvantage (and more) that OSU has.

            And we ho-hum about recruiting disadvantages when we lose those prospects too.

            Go ahead and look at the arbitrary rankings of our recruiting classes on some of the pay sites. I think we end up with a mean of about the 50th ranked class. Do we really think there are 50 schools who offer more than OSU? Yes, there are disadvantages compared to some schools when talking tradition, population, campus culture, weather, yadda yadda yadda. I would put that number at about 25-30. So that’s where we should be if all the kids are looking at are our disadvantages.

            Now throw in coaching.

            Wow… back to 50 with us eh?

            Is that because Riley’s not a good coach? I don’t think so.

            I also think we’re getting better with pitch men like Brennan and Brasfield on the road for us. So the rant is probably more against the fans at this point since it seems to finally have been recognized by the program itself. But it’s hard to change the culture when the culture fights back at every turn.

          • why woulda premium on running qb’s be like the a’s??? EVERY TEAM IN THE COUNTRY wants a mobile QB …cept maybe USC.

            Honestly, mobile QBs are like homerun hitters at this point.

          • Nobody wants a QB that can’t run. It is jut in a pro style system you are asking your QB to make smart decisions and accurate throws first and foremost.

        • I actually agree, based on everything I’ve read regarding the history of O-line recruiting leading up to the last two years, that there was definitely a couple year lapse in recruiting that area (though I think some injuries and defections compounded things). And to the extent it was simply a result of laziness or failing to attend to that area when there were decent recruits to be had, I agree that is a no-no for the coaching staff. I also agree the poor performance during the last two seasons was due in large part to the shitty O-line. My post was a more general statement as to the reason Riley is well respected across the football community.

          Riley should share in the credit and blame for each season, but even if we grant the assumption that it was solely Riley who drove the car into the ditch, I’m not sure that this year’s remarkable turnaround and #13 ranking is just the result of him “simply doing his job correctly.”

          • If we are to believe Riley is a “great” coach, then this season is indicative of what his teams should do. Therefore, this year IS simply him doing his job correctly… as a great coach.

            I hope he has found a new formula for success. We’ve wanted it for years, and we now have a season where everything we’ve complained about seems to have disappeared. When was the last time you heard Mike Riley proclaim, “We’re going to go win the game with Cody…” before the game is played? It’s that sort of mentality we’ve been complaining has been missing from our program forever. And Riley seemed to slip back to old form later in the season. But there was a sustained level of confidence for a long time this year we have never seen from a Riley team.

            That more than anything gives me hope for the future.

            More please.

          • I suppose if we’re all in agreement he is a great coach, then I don’t have anything else to add here. Something tells me that is not what Jason and Angry had in mind.

            What are you asking for more of?

    • I for one am very anxious to see how Angry’s favorite coach, Snyder, does with stopping the Ducks. Especially given all the advanced prep time (that historically has aided coaches in scheming for our soulless neighbors to the south), I am sure there is no way Oregon could hang 48 on the Wildcats. Right, cause Snyder is great and Riley is bad (*pounds fist on table)?

      • Kansas State doesn’t have a good defense. They’re below average. But, the K-State offense will put up points on the Ducks. I’m thinking 48-35ish, Ducks. But, Snyder is great, so maybe he can figure out a way to slow Oregon more than I’m projecting.

      • Regarding Bill Snyder and KSU. His offense is ok. His defense is ok. KSU blocks kicks. They cover kicks. They make kicks and rarely shank them. They manage the clock. They have few penalties and are rarely out of position or fooled. They do not showboat or call attention to themselves. When a KSU Wildcat is hurt on the field, Snyder almost always goes out to check on the player, not just the star players. He often holds their hands when they are in pain and I have seen him put his shoulder under a player and help them off the field. When Klein got banged in the head, he immediately took away the head gear, regardless of the consequences. He also pulled the scholarships and bowl rings from stars that had dishonored the program. They, KSU can be beaten by superior talent or by superior speed. Yes, Bill Snyder has his faults and warts and is far from perfect. He just does not happen to be a trending metrosexual.

      • Manziel over both of them.

        Any player or team that set any kind of record while playing Colorado should have them revoked. Or at least an asterisk.

        • Colin Klein got to play West Virginia. If ever there were a defense against which stats should not be counted, it’d be WVU’s

          • Mistake. Bad information. A nineteen year old was arrested in June for fake id and disorderly conduct. Should this warrant exclusion from post season honors. No. Should the mistake have gotten him time on the pine for the first game or two. Absolutely.

        • I’m assuming you mean spread option not spread pass. Those are run oriented offenses so obviously he wouldn’t put up big receiving numbers in a run oriented offense. Besides, USC runs a pro-style offense so if that’s the only system he can put up big numbers in, I think he’ll make it just fine in the pros…

          • Yes I did mean spread option, I was just joking about the knock on “system” players as kind of a double standard. It never seems to apply to a player in a pro set “system” for example. I’m sure he’ll do fine in the pros, maybe after this season(?). He’s a junior, correct?

    • From reading the Utah papers, Bronco is losing a little bit of his luster. Great defensive mind, but BYU fans want offense dammit! Feeling was that the team should have been much better than 7-5. One player was anonymously quoted as saying that Bronco is an “odd duck”.

      • BYU should be 10-2 right now. Nelson cost them the Boise State and Utah game along with major kicking problems. Nelson missed Hoffman open vs ND and nobody was within 35 yards of him and that probably beats ND. BYU fans got a reason to complain about a 7-5 record. Should have been a 10 win team.

        • Good point, eveyone fixates on the Pitt/ND game and forgets that BYU should have beaten ND. Bronco going for 2 against Boise was an interesting decision also. BYU seriously underachieved.

          • Yup, Hope might still have a job if he could have pulled that off. What’s with Purdue anyway, they put up with 7-5 seasons from Tiller ad naseum?

          • Pretty much everyone blames the coach. He got an uneasy pass last year with the injuries. His game management sucks and his QB shuffle this year was driving everyone nuts. Purdue essentially handed the wins to both ND and Ohio State (both away games). All they really needed to do this year was beat Wisconsin to go to the Rose Bowl, and they got hammered instead.

            I really think if they had a good OC the last couple of seasons, things would have been a lot different and Hope would still have his job. They just hired the coach from Kent State, Hazell, today. They’ll have their hands full with Oklahoma State, but if their defense plays well they may pull it out.

        • I think ND is overrated, UO underrated. Irish narrow victories over weak teams v. UO’s OT loss to #14 Stanford, with essentially top defense in country.

          I won’t expect Alabama to dominate ND, and everyone to say “What if Alabama and UO had played…”

          • Somehow ND played out of their minds against the Sooners on the road, so that really sealed the deal as long as they didn’t lose again, which as we know they managed not to do.

          • If my mother had a pair, she would be my father. If the South had more resources , it would have won the Civil War. If England had sent a larger force, we would still be bowing to the Queen. Fact of the matter is that both Alabama and Oregon lost at home. Notre Dame did not lose. All the other triangulation and speculation may be fun. But Notre Dame deserves to be on top. If Oregon would have played Arkansas State at the end of the year instead of first game, they might have lost. If Stanford played San Jose State the last game, they may have lost. If Oregon State played Wisconsin last game, they may have lost.

    • Interesting but flawed. The talent pool has been expanded to include Canada, Australia, Mexico, England, Germany, Netherlands, Nigeria, Samoa, American Samoa, Fiji and Sweden. Perhaps there are other places. I believe that college football is slightly behind basketball and soccer for this trend. No, the talent pool is definitely not fixed or limited as the author assumes.

      Of course when someone wins, someone has to lose and the number of teams does not change radically from year to year. So yes, there are winners and losers every year. But it seems that the premise of the article is that teams change conferences thinking it will improve or change recruiting. Wrongo. Teams change conferences because they believe that they will have access to more dollars and more public exposure They hope that the money and exposure trickles down to recruiting. You cannot accurately measure trickle down with a few quick snapshots.To measure this, you need time and/or a larger sample over a longer period.

    • wisconsin fans didn’t even like bielema so I don’t think they’re sweating it. 3 rose bowls and your fans don’t like you? Says something.

      • There is a Santa Claus! Happy to see more turmoil in Madison.
        For all the success Bulemia had, he was an arrogant prick who most badger fans would admit to not liking if you could catch them in a brief moment of sobriety.

        A somewhat surprising move. My take.
        Escape from the shadow of Barry Alvarez. No matter how successful he was, this was BA’s baby and he was viewed as a caretaker.
        Grab the $ while it is there. Three Rose Bowls in a row. Will never be hotter.
        The Urban Meyer factor. Writing is on the wall. Everyone is going to be playing for second place for the near future.

        The guy who would have been the logical replacement, Doren, just took the NC State job. It will be interesting to see the domino effect this has. I will send Danny L’s resume to Barry Alvarez.

  22. Big Suke on 1080thefan just rumored that he’s hearing the Beavs may be getting a teaser uniform for the Alamo bowl which will be a lead-up to next year’s logo/uniform redesign at OSU.

  23. To: Angry – comment on o live someone calling him;herself florida Beav. Unless perhaps it IS angry with a different moniker.

    I watched the Nicholls State game on TIVO are replayed each and every pass play by all three Beaver QBs. The differences between Vaz and Mannion are striking. Mannion is consistently late in getting the ball to receivers. He seldom hits them in stride. What could be a big play turns out to end with the reception because the receiver has to wait on the ball or must go to the ground to make the catch. He often throws behind the receiver. This is particularly true on the little swing pass play to Cooks or Wheaton. He is an interception waiting to happen. Vaz gets rid of the ball more quickly and hits the receivers in stride. He is more precise on the intermediate length passes. Since he is shorter, his passes get knocked done at the line of scrimmage more. His lack of height also creates a problem for him in executing the middle screen that Riley likes to run. Mannion can see over the on rushing line and does a better job with this play if the play is open; if it is not open, he tosses it up anyway and risks an interception. Interestingly, the best of the three receivers (sic) from a physical standpoint may be Harrington (sp?). He is taller than Vaz, though not as tall as Mannion. He throws a good ball with the right amount of zip. For all those who think that Mannion is the present and future QB for OSU, I would suggest that the right answer may be that Vaz is the present and Harrington is the future.

    • ah Floridabeav, he is the one who was baffled on why they weren’t playing Gwatchum last season and why he wasn’t being thrown to every play. But he does make some good points though on this one.

      • I think Vanderveen’s potential is exciting; tall, can see the field, can run well. It looks like his throwing mechanics needed work.

        I think the appropriate thing to maximize the QB development with the extra practices, and then in the spring, make it clear it’s a wide open job that will be given to the individual that best knows the playbook, makes the right decisions, and minimizes turnovers.

        I don’t think actual arm strength is real issue for any of the QB’s currently on the roster and unlikely to be a decision criteria; While Mannion’s deep throws need work, its not like the passing plays have to be drawn in a 20-yard box due to roster arm strength limitations.

        Vanderveen’s mobility should be viewed as added value, but I seriously doubt that will trump the experience of Mannion/Vaz in Riley’s eyes.

        • I had a class with Vanderveen this fall, he was always had his Playbook out and studying it before lecture started. Seemed like a real down to earth level headed guy. Unlike the 3-4 other football players that sat in the last row, and never took their Beats by Dre headphones off. He actually paid attention in class.

          • My favorite scholarship athlete discretionary expenditure is tattoos….really, you’re on scholarship but you can pay for all of that? And add to it each year?

          • Not sure why it’s surprising that guys on a full ride scholarship can afford to buy small luxuries like $200 headphones or tattoos. Its not like they have to buy food, or $200 text books, or pay rent, or…..well….you get it. If i didn’t have to pay for those things in school, I would have had a little spare change to blow on things like that too.

          • yeah seriously and lets not pretend like most kids in college (Even not on scholarship) don’t have: expensive laptop, ipad, ipod, phone, headphones or some other expensive luxury item including thousands of dollars in american eagle or dri fit clothing

    • Vaz doesn’t throw behind receivers? He must not have been watching the Stanford game where Vaz’s inability to hit any receiver in the late third and whole 4th quarter is why OSU lost. Mannion actually doesn’t throw behind receivers much but sometimes underthrows receivers. He was fantastic through the Arizona game, then he got hurt and hasn’t been the same since. I wonder if he’s not completely healthy and it’s not mental with him after coming back. Hasn’t done the same sliding in the pocket and recognizing coverage. I think Mannion is the QB for this team, just want him to have a healthy offseason and come back ready to go next season.

      I’m not a Vaz fan, he fumbled 4 times in his last 2 starts and got lucky with numerous bad throws into coverage.

      • With Vaz on the sideline waiting for the call, I don’t know that Mannion’s confidence is going to be any better next year. Let’s face it, for whatever reasons Mannion is an interception machine so far in his short career and that has to change next year or it’s going to be Vaz again.

      • Sometimes underthrowing a receiver is the correct move because it is the only place you can put the ball where the defense can’t get it. I noticed that one of Mannion’s “underthrown” balls in the Nicholls State game was actually well thrown to avoid the coverage. But you are right both Mannion, Vaz and Harrington have had some inaccurate throws.

        • I was thinking he was underthrowing many in that game as well. But looking back at the plays, he was simply sitting his receivers down in the zone. One play I was scratching my head over would have had Wheaton decapitated by one of three defenders if he had led him when I re-watched it.

      • As opposed to Mannion’s million picks? Fumbles can be recovered, picks can’t. And those fumbles were against Stanford and ASU, both of which have fierce defensive lines. Mannion has been putting up good numbers against miserable teams, and bad numbers against everyone else.

        Hopefully during the off-season he can figure out whatever is wrong with him(I think it’s an injury/confidence issue) but for right now, I don’t see how anyone can argue that Vaz isn’t the right starter for our bowl game.

    • Said that earlier and totally agree. I don’t know what the heck is going on with Mannion but at least 50% of his throws at the end of the season here are off target and it is only because we have great receivers he looks anywhere near good. Vaz got rattled in the Stanfurd game but is anyone surprised about that? Their defense is the best in the nation, I’d be rattled too. But for the most part Vaz is more consistent and has much better throws, although not perfect.

      But…. back to the coach Riley. Mannion is the son of a coach, and Riley will be loyal to that fact and play Mannion over Vaz, even though we have all seen Vaz make better throws.

      Don’t get me wrong, I like Mannion, but he needs to be better coached. Until then, I’ll take Vaz please.

      • What are the thoughts about Riley choosing the quarterback early into pre-bowl practice? It seems to me that would be best so that either one can practice for the game – not for the position.

      • I’m not sure where you’re getting your numbers. Mannion throws for a higher percentage than Vaz. His misses are a mix, but Vaz is wild with his. And the “WR plays great DB” factor is about 3:2 in favor of Vaz.

        Now throw in his inability to read the blitz, tipped balls and poor red zone efficiency and I really don’t get what you’re saying.

        I’m not saying Mannion is awesome or anything. I’m just saying it’s hard to agree that 50% of his throws are off when he throws for about 65%… and take away Vaz’ numbers against BYU and NSU. Tell me how high above 50% he was in the rest.

  24. This sport is getting crazy unsustainable:

    http://www.oregonlive.com/pac-12/index.ssf/2012/12/pac-12_rundown_colorado_dangles_5-year_13_million.html#incart_river

    $2.7M per year to coach at CU? Maybe Riley will call them if Jones declines. The worst outcome would be BDC “re-nogotiating” or “right sizing” Riley’s contract to be in line with stupid numbers like this.

    Throw in the conference realignments based on TV revenue, super conferences, play-offs and we’ll have….pro football at 64 universities…

    • While I’d prefer we pay down some of our debt by continuing to underpay coach Riley, upping his contract would at least set the precedent that Oregon State should be paying well over $2 million for a football coach. It’ll make it that much easier to lure in a better coach when Riley chooses to retire.

      • That doesn’t make sense. A new coach isn’t going to be lured here by how much Riley made. A new coach is going to be lured here by the number of years and dollars on the contract offer.

        • Paying fair market value sets the precedent to the large donors that you have to spend that kind of money on a coaching staff and it builds that cost into the budget for a legit D1 football staff. In the past, our large donors have thought that even $1 million was too much for a coach. They’ve also allowed some of our better assistant coaches to leave because they weren’t willing to pay fair market value to keep them for an extra year. I’m concerned that that is going to be the case with Bray, Brasfield and Brennan.

          We’ll continue to underpay Riley, and all of our assistant coaches, for as long as we can. I’m just saying that IF we were to suddenly bump everybody’s salary up by a combined total of $1-$1.5 million per year, it wouldn’t be the end to build the idea in donors’ minds that that is what it takes to have a good coaching staff. And we’d get to keep our assistants in the program, helping to build continuity.

          • How many of us have worked in a place where we weren’t getting the pay others doing the same job elsewhere are getting. You either want to leave but are waiting doing the minimal you can until you find another gig or you stay disgruntled and doing enough to get by.

            We need to pay what is the going rate! You get what you pay for and you won’t attract good employees if you don’t show a history of paying well.

  25. What do you think are the top, legitimate story lines for the Beavs in the Alamo Bowl game?

    1. Starting QB and QB rotation;

    2. OSU Run defense – in decline for several games, can it return to early season form?

    3. Storm Woods and Terron Ward RB rotation – Should Ward start, and can we see more two back sets with them both in the backfield? I expect Woods to continue as starter, especially because its his home state.

    4. Rueben. Robinson’s. Last. Game.

    I am not sure about individual matchups – i.e. Poyer on Texas’s best receiver, whoever that is. I suspect Beaver’s run defense will be the key, and I also suspect we’ll see more Skotte at MLB.

    • Who is prime to step in as next years #13? There always seems to be one of them on the field. Pankey, Hardin as a CB (not a safety), Robinson, any guess as to who fills the “why are they on the field” role? Or is 2013 the year without doubts…

    • Will the rest result in Seniors Castro and Andrew having a memorable game stuffing the Horns O-line and giving Wynn & Co. opportunities for forced fumbles.

      • I think they should oob, They did go 11 weeks without a bye week and I think that played a role in our ability to stop the inside run effectively towards the end of the season. The break should help everyone as long as they can stay in shape and stay out of trouble.

        • Probably did get worn down. Need to stay in game shape and out of the police blotter.
          MR has been pretty good with bowl prep………..2009 being the exception.

          • I agree about the police blotter. Very important as there’s a tendency to relax with the extra time and players to celebrate the bowl invitation.

    • Forget Blitz… who has Scout.com access?

      UCLA board seems to think Banker has been offered the USC DC job and might take it.

      Interesting rumor no?

      • Sounds like my plan may have worked :)

        ncaa_violation says:
        November 29, 2012 at 7:52 pm
        Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

        Monte Kiffin resigns at USC today. Quick, somebody send them Banker’s number. Could be a win/win for the Beavs next year with USC on Tue schedule.

        • Considering how little we’re paying Banker, (~$300k as compared to the ~$1,000,000 USC would likely offer), who would you suggest we could get who would have any more success against Oregon?

          The only team to beat Chip Kelly with athletes at or below the level of our athletes is Boise State. And frankly that’s an arguable point, I think they had better athletes that season they whipped UO in the opener. Either way, that D coordinator is off the table.

          I’m not saying we couldn’t improve the staff we have, but what’s a reasonable target in your mind?

          • Adam S, the NFL guy on ESPN, was on Mike And Mike and said it was almost certain Chipset ends up in the NFL this year. I could live with that.

          • This is probably a good time to bring up your post above about paying fair market values for coaches.

            There is zero reason to give Riley a raise. He is locked in and the buyout is steep for both sides. The only thing you do from a business standpoint is just give money away.

            But assistants are a luxury that a loyal coach can retain with a good pay schedule. And raising their levels sends a better message to boosters about how valuable they actually are. It’s hard enough to retain them because of their ambitions. Why lose them to something as easily correctable as money?

            Everyone knows we’re going to have to pay three to four times as much for our next head coach when that day eventually arrives… if not more. But what expectations do donors have for the assistants if the head is getting so much?

          • Spot on, JD.
            Here is where we are gonna see the difference between being proactive and reactive. I think there is a less than 1 in 3 chance that MR/BDC make the hard decision to drop a current asst to make room to put Bray on the payroll. The easy (read losing) way out is for them to wish him well but feel that “it’s only a GA and we still have the experienced old gang together”.

          • Excellent points from Whatever and Jack. Evaluate the market before pulling any trigger. Though I like and have liked Sonny Dikes from his TT days, the main reason he goes to Cal over other guys is money.Tedford had a big buyout and Dikes little or nothing at LA Tech. His current salary was/is modest. Whatever Cal offered would seem like a lot. I can just picture some Stanford alums donating quietly to SanJose State recently to keep the coach from bolting up the road to Berkeley.

    • You are not kidding! We just need to tell our little Texas players this is their chance to get back at the bullies they grew up with.

  26. If Dykes is in at Cal and the rumors about the chipster going pro are accurate what are the odds of Chris Petersen (83-8 in eight years) going to the ‘ucks?

    Yuck.

  27. Seems like it might worth pitching to Max Redfield (USC, ND) and Tyler Foreman (Wisconsin) given positive bowl situation, USC’s “decline” and Wisconsin’s coaching change:

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/highschool/12/05/around-the-nation-recruiting-roundup/index.html?sct=cf_bf3_a3

    http://oregonstate.scout.com/a.z?s=182&p=8&c=1&nid=5311232

    And if this kid is sitting on the shelf with no schools of clear QB need (according to S-I), why not offer him? OSU has pulled from Fla before. OSU isn’t making headway with other dual threat QB’s, put let this kid heal and you have some depth in 2014+:

    http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Asiantii-Woulard-127951;_ylt=AnUj1R.LKNVXGBGa0JnAJ7hIPZB4

    • A Texas businessman took his New York City client to the border to show how stupid Mexicans can be. He found a little Mexican kid and offered him a choice between a fiver and a dollar. The kid grabbed the dollar and ran away while the Texan hoot and hollered “Look how stupid they are!”. Every day the Texan did the same thing with the same boy just to prove the point. After an entire week, the client finally caught the little boy and asked “Every day you are given the choice between a fiver and a dollar and you take the dollar. Why?” The boy responded, “Because if I took the fiver, he would never come back.

      The moral of the story?

      Texans are idiots. And if they try to argue the point just tell them so three more times, and they’ll believe you.

      And if all else fails, just call immigration on yourself and have them deport you home for free.

      • A plane with a German, Japanese man, a Texan, and 50 Mexicans lost one of its two engines, forcing the pilot to demand they throw everything out to lower their weight.
        After throwing out everything they possibly could it still wasn’t enough, the plane was losing altitude quickly. In a moment of selflessness the Japanese man shouted “Remember Pearl Harbor!” and jumped out of the plane.
        With the plane still losing altitude and not wanting to be outdone, the German declares “Heil Hitler!” and plummets to his death.
        The plane’s one engine continues to struggle in vane to keep them aloft. Looking around and seeing the sacrifices the others had made, the Texan shouts “Remember the Alamo!!!” and throws out ten Mexicans.

  28. So I got bored and rewatched the Nicholls St game. My in person observations were confirmed.

    Vaz should be the starter in the bowl game and next year. Mannion’s throwing release seems to regressed. He’s almost dropping the ball to his waist before throwing. Not nearly Tebow like but getting there. He still did look like he was aiming the ball instead of just reacting and throwing. Vaz and Harrington have much cleaner motions. No wasted effort getting the ball out. If Mannion feels like he could reach the next level, he needs to get rid of the hitch in his windup. I think opposing defenses are picking up on this tell. He can get away with some things because he has a strong arm. Something for him to really work on in the offseason. Maybe all of next year if Vaz wins the job.

    • Agree on Mannion. Dad is a coach. How has this not been corrected? Danny L, QB guru has not fixed it. What gives?

      If anybody has connections with the Beav’s coaching staff. Max Shortell is going to transfer from Minnesota because he wants to play in a pro style offense. 6’6″ with a rocket arm. They should give him a look. Recruited by prior staff for a pro set and tried to play in a read-option hybrid O. Decent mobility, but not suited for it. Great kid and family. Would be a great fit for Beavs and would fill the whole in the roster caused by Ashton switching to D. He can sling it when he is not running for his life
      because of really bad O-line play, which sums up his career. Came into the USC game as true frosh
      when the starter got hurt and almost upset the Condoms in LA.

      • I agree that he’s the coach’s “guy”.

        Just based on watching interviews and any media they’ve been on, I get the impression that Mannion is probably the guy who in the film room can spit out the playbook verbatim and understand coach speak better due to his dad being a coach. And that’s what put him over the top. Vaz seems like more of a gamer. Doesn’t need the complex explanations to understand what’s going on. I don’t think either is light years behind each other in those categories but i think in the coaches minds it makes a difference.

        Just my opinion of what the coaches are thinking when they decide on a starter who are equals on the practice field. I’m really just hoping this competition brings out the best in each of them.

    • The issue with Mannion to me doesn’t have to do with his mechanics as much as much as him trying to do too much. Before his injury very few if any were questioning his throwing motion or if he throws a spiral or not or his running ability. The injury and watching Vaz play well made him kind of relapse back to what we saw last season when he was trying make plays that weren’t/aren’t there.

      • Yea I guess we need to remember Mannion is still pretty young. But Vaz is definitely throwing better right now. I actually do not want to be Riley right now with the QB situation. I think it is at this moment a hard call to make.

        Most of us let them practice and we would put the best man in (I know Angry – Harrington) based on the practices. But as we all know with Riley is faithful to a fault and seems to be faithful to Mannion… I still think it has to do with the whole Mannion’s dad is a coach too thing.

        Mannion will start is my prediction but maybe not because he is the best option. Hopefully I’m wrong and Mannion just tears it up in practice next week.

        • Youth has nothing to do with his long, looping windup. Bad mechanics are bad mechanics. Should have been corrected when he first set foot on campus. Actually by daddy long ago.

    • It seems to me it has to be either a throwing form problem or an injury. It just makes no sense to me that a 6’5″ guy is throwing such wobbly passes, some of which are extremely poor. Some are high and hang up, others have gone into the turf and look nearly end-over-end on the way there.

          • It’s funny I used to blather that Peyton was going to be a bust in the pros because I swear in college his best throw was a 7 yard slant. He sure proved I know nothing.

          • That is very true, Mannion’s windup is a little funky. I just don’t believe that Mannion’s wind up is the reason for his recent struggles. I think it more between the ears that has plagued Mannion since his return.

          • I’m with you. Still team Mannion. He has the ability to make all the throws, just ended the season in a sophomore slump. Still expect big things from the kid. Vaz as good as he’s been has gotten almost every bounce in his favor. Also he’s thrown several balls that should have been int’s but our receivers have been able to play great defense. He even has a batted ball for a touchdown, how often do you see that. He’s been one lucky dude.

          • Mannion is a classic “hand splitter” drops low breaks his hand and throws. Ideally he would be set up at shoulder level, raise and throw. It’s out of his hands within a second of the decision. Now whether or not the decision was good, is an entirely different conversation. JB

          • JB, there is no way in god’s name you know that much about how a QB should throw. Come on, you used to have Shanklin throw the ball 4 times a game. Now if you were talking about how a QB should reverse pivot on a speed option, then I would listen!

  29. From ESPN.com on Cal’s new hire:

    “Now Dykes’ mission is to guide Cal to better bowls and challenge programs like Oregon, Stanford, USC and UCLA.”

    How could they miss the Beavs in that little list? After all, we have owned Cal over the last decade and are going to a great bowl game. I am ready for some casual recognition.

  30. How is this years Alamo Bowl considered Riley’s best bowl? Previously it had been the 06 & 08 Sun Bowls, an achievement award for placing 3rd in the Pac10. So this year, 3rd place in Pac12. Only logical argument is there is now 12 vs 10 teams. But this is 3rd place, and more directly relates to cap theory than win theory. I wonder if Riley can ever lead a team to a better than 3rd place finish. Just because the conference is perceived as better… 3rd place bowl is third place bowl, no matter which bowl, IMO. All that said, I think this is a great bowl game match up. But come on, lets finish better than 3rd some year eh? What color is the third place ribbon anyways?

    • How is this years Alamo Bowl considered Riley’s best bowl?

      Because the Alamo is the 2nd best bowl in the Pac-12, and Riley never made a Holiday Bowl (Former 2nd place bowl for the Pac-10). Thus, it’s his best bowl.

      Your statement about a cap theory vs win theory is a good one.

      • Thanks, I knew Id get hammered in the dislikes, but it is truly how I see the result. We placed 3rd in the conference. That’s the best we’ve seen under Riley. Because the conference is perceived as good this year and we get two BCS teams and 3rd place goes to the 2nd. Because my football world revolves around the conference, I don’t see this as a substantial improvement over the Sun Bowl teams. Bring ranked where we are is the bigger accomplishment. I love this team, and am very happy about the bowl and opponent. But I want more than 3rd place.

  31. I see that Ryan Allen from La Tech is one of the three finalists for the Ray Guy award as the nations best punter. Wasn’t he at OSU at one time? What happened? Transferred?

      • so we kept Hekker and dumped Ryan Allen. Shocking. I haven’t watched many Lambs games this year so I have no idea how Hekker is doing in the league. It does appear our coaching staff made a mistake

        • I think Hekker has a good average in the NFL, but he shanked a kick that cost the Rams a game. I honestly can’t believe he went pro. He had a pretty bad training camp, but Fisher likes that he can throw (according to Westerberg, that’s the same reason he got the nod over Allen).

          • That was an awkward moment on the wrap-up show on Sunday night. Berman and Jackson were showing highlights, and they showed the shank. Berman started to comment on it, and then he and Jackson just kinda mumbled, “Well… you know… yeah… well… uh huh… ok,” for about 15 seconds.

            Here I am waiting for them to say something clever, and all they’re doing is looking at their feet and muttering their disbelief while shaking their heads.

            The only time I’ve ever seen them do anything remotely this uncomfortable was when Rush Limbaugh got himself hired then fired within three minutes of opening his mouth in the presence of smart people. It was genuinely weird.

          • something no one has mentioned is that Ryan Allen was a walk on. If you start him over Hekker he is going to want a scholarship. So the choice was not just Allen or Hekker the choice was Allen and using 2 scholarships on punters or Hekker. I am not saying we made the right move but there were other factors.

          • You got to assume the gap between McMullen and Kostol is greater than Hekker and Allen. Although maybe the coaching staff chenged their position on this some.

          • McMullen actually saw the field this year (albeit briefly), so the difference can’t be as much as it is between Shanky and the very best punter in the nation.

            Can it?

            Allen will probably try out for the Rams, get cut… then sign somewhere he’ll be an All Pro for some 20 years.

          • For a conservative, play the field position, punt on 4th and 2 from the Stanford 45 type coach I’d think a great punter is worthy of a scholarship.

            I bet LA Tech thinks he’s worth it.

          • No, Hekker won a scholarship in 2009 after that wind-aided Sun Bowl MVP. Allen emerged as the better punter by then, but Riley went with Hekker.

            The only argument for Hekker is ex post facto. That he’s succeeding in the NFL. But that might have to do with NFL coaching. He was not a good college punter, and if he couldn’t throw, I don’t think he’d gotten a shot in the NFL.

          • Hekker terrible in college but starting in the pros along with Ryan Allen leaving OSU and becoming the best punter in the country is an indictment of Bruce Reed. Couple that with below average special teams this year and I think we’ve found the worst coach on the staff.

          • Also don’t forget Read is one of those NFL coaches who hasn’t been called back to the pros. And let’s throw his recruiting abilities out there to top it all off.

          • Beavs kickoff and punt coverages have been great, though, for many years now. Return game, too, until this past year (Marable stinks/Ward isn’t fast enough to return kicks). The punting game (Kostel) was great this past year. I think Hekker is just a bad kicker and this will eventually show in the NFL, but it’s possible the Rams pinpointed his issues and resolved them. I wouldn’t say Hekker is tied to Reed either way.

            Reed left for a few years so it would be easy to compare with/without for anyone inclined.

            I’m neutral on Reed.

  32. Cliff K blog on Banker:

    “Also, someone in the L.A. media put defensive coordinator Mark Banker on a candidates list to be the new defensive coordinator at USC.

    He does have a long history in the area and with USC with Riley, but he also told me in the past that he would only be interested in leaving OSU for the right assistant job in the NFL or a college head coaching job. I’ll try and catch up with him soon to see if that has changed.”

    I suspect Banker is smart enough to see that Kiffin has an unpredictable future and less job security than Riley. Would the increase in salary be worth the decreased job security that would likely come with it?

  33. Question for they guys that have watched practices and gone to all the games. Which of the true freshman OL, besides Isaac, have played and which were redshirted?
    Did Addie hurt his knee? Who is the favorite to take over at RT next year?
    Is the Fresno State transfer able to play next year and is he any good?

    • Bays is still on the team. Andrews and Mitchell played this year. Andrews looks like a monster out there. Mitchell is a really good athlete. Don’t forget Weinreich coming back off injury. And we’ll see how Eldredge develops between now and next spring.

      Keller will be eligible next year, and he’s also good.

  34. From today’s ESPN mailbag:

    Beavfann (Denver) Do you have any insights into why the Beavers do not do well in recruiting terms 4 and 5 star guys? I like how Riley can develop guys, but it would be nice to get a couple prospects that come in rated highly.

    Ted Miller (3:40 PM) Are there any schools that are comparable to Oregon State in location, history and stadium size that get 4 or 5 star guys? Oregon has taken a step forward in recruiting due to a deeeeeeep pocketed booster, but its fans also complain about recruiting. Beavers, do you want to be Texas, that disappoints with 5 star recruits? Or Oregon State, which turns boys into men?

    Thoughts? Please discuss…

    • Texas has won national championships, so not sure what Miller’s getting at, but I’d rather they recruit men and turn them into ubermensch.

      • Texas has had the pick of the litter from the Texas HS’s. The teams have WAY underperformed
        relative to the talent level. NFL folks have started to be wary of players from Mack Brown’s program
        because of attitude problems and a poor work ethic. Described as a “country club” atmosphere.

        • Yeah, I mean Texas has a clear recruiting advantage, but Miller acts like they’re duds every year. They have the 2nd most wins in NCAA history and 4 national championships. It’s not accurate to say they’ve underachieved or somehow OSU is superior because they turn some 2 stars into great players.

          Honestly, I don’t think you can accurately compare Texas to OSU. Texas should be compared to Alabama, ND, Michigan, USC, etc. OSU will likely never be in that class, but they can be B+ program (Alamo Bowl ever year, Rose Bowl every 5 to 10 years) with some easy tweaks.

          Regarding recruiting, I’ve said this many times, but all a coach needs is LEGIT 3*** talent to win big. Many 3*** guys are underrated, some overrated, etc. Riley still misses on too many 3*** (Skyler Phillip is a good example this year). I know the star system is flawed, so when I write 3 star I am referring to the large player pool between poor and great.

          • For the past few years they have underperformed relative to their talent. That is why Mack’s ass is getting sweaty.

            They have every conceivable advantage. Tradition, location, more money than anybody.
            UT is now getting worried that A&M will start to level the field with SEC tie in, hot coach, and the
            Johnny football hype.

          • Easy to get to the Alamo bowl and a rose bowl every 5-10 years? Seriously? I agree we could get there, but stating that it is “easy” hurts your credibility. IMO, Riley is not welling to take the program to the next step because he is unwilling to make the necessary, and sometimes ethically borderline decisions. He also seems to value loyalty over winning, i.e. Langsdorf and potentially Banker. Wish he would value loyalty to the team and fans over loyalty to his own staff.

          • I concur. I think we have all seen the ceiling in Riley’s teams. The occasional Sun, Holiday or Alamo in the best years but get used to going to Vegas, SF or Albuquerque over the holiday season. The RB is just a pipe dream. 3 of the last 5 years the RB has been dangled in front of us. 3 of the last 5 years they have found a way to fuck it up.

          • This gets back to a question I posed on a previous thread months ago – is Riley’s win cap partially set by ethics? Look at coaches in the Pac-12 who had several years of dominance in the Pac, and national promince (RB or better) – Don James, Carrol, Kelly, all with clear ethics issues. After the Lyles story broke, and everyone was sure UO was screwed, Angry(?) I think submitted posts about Tedford also being compromised for recruiting violations, having something on Oregon, and many here were positing that after Oregon, the NCAA would be after Cal next, then some other Lyles clients.

            Don’t get me wrong – I hate that Riley is overly loyal to players who aren’t the best on the field, I hate his clock management, and am tired of the “find their identity” mantra. But he’s also competing against guys who are willing to be unethical to win the big games. I think OSU should expect a rose bowl about every 8-10 years, with some 2nd or 3rd place bowls on a regular basis. There are other coaches with more resources who are willing to move on, and have subsequent coaches and players pay the price for their indiscretions.

    • It’s really all about Riley. If Nick Saban came to coach in Corvallis, you’d better believe that 4 and 5 star recruits would be coming. Riley just doesn’t have that personality to win over 4-5 star recruits against a Sabans of the world. And unfortunately he can’t afford to hire ace recruiters like UW did with the Cal coaches (he also wouldn’t due to loyalty to his assistants).

      The only way he’s going to start winning those battles is to win on the field and big. I don’t see any of the assistant coaches turning into a Tosh Lupoi or Ed Orgeron, scoring recruits left and right.

      One or two Rose Bowls should do the trick.

      • Thats not a good example. Saban could take his talents to any school in a BCS conference and bring in 4-5 star recruits right away. Because Riley isn’t as good a recruiter as Saban that makes him a bad recruiter? Thats quite a leap. I agree Riley could do better but to expect Saban-like recruiting abilities at OSU is a little ridiculous. A couple things Riley has to deal with in recruiting that the Sabans of the world don’t:

        – Willamette valley winters: Not just the rain but the gloomy gray skies and low-lying cloud levels and fog. It can get plenty depressing sometimes.

        – Small market: Hard to get exposure playing in Corvallis compared to many other places high caliber players look at.

        – Distance from home: Easy to get a 5 star from Alabama to go to Alabama, hard to get a 5 star from Alabama to come to Oregon St. And there just arent a lot of guys from Oregon goin All-America…(We just recently got one by the way)

        – Facilities: Not nearly as good when compared to schools that 5 stars recruits look at.

        – Tradition: 28 straight losing seasons. There isnt another D-1 college in the country with that on their resume.

      • What school like OSU is pulling 4-5 stars????????????????????????????????? Saban wasn’t pullin that shit at Michigan State. He won there, but not with 4-5 star recruits. He got 4-5 star recruits at LSU/Bama because of tradition, facilities and a wealth of local talent.

        Ya if he went from bama to osu there’d be 4-5 stars looking his way…but thats after his success in the south.

        does frank beamer bring in 4-5 stars like saban at a similar campus to OSU’s in blackburg (with 2 decades of success)

  35. Over/under that D’vonte Henry signs with Beavs? If he does, will he become Simi Kuli part dos?
    Why does it seem like we always have trouble recruiting the positions of most immediate need.
    OLB this year.

  36. kinda off topic here but I am curious as to everyone’s most hated college teams and why. for me without question Notre Lame is numero uno. Followed by whoregon and tOSU. Mainly because of arrogance. and cheating.

  37. Going to watch the Beavs take on the Gophs in wrestling in Minneapolis. Will be sporting a retro
    Benny shirt and cheering for the aquatic rodent.

  38. Also In Minneapolis today; a reading of Emily Dickinson sonnets or a viewing of 18th century watercolors from the impressionist era. Or you could rearrange your sock drawer. Any of those sound better than wrestling. JB

    PS: Don’t sit too close, you might get hit by a folding chair flying through the air.

      • Flatulence aside, I’m thinking a resume which includes success at wrestling should be good for a 1.5 star bump for any candidate for the OL or DL, maybe even LB.
        Can’t recall the names but I believe the Beavs have had a couple recruits with good HS wrestling experience.

    • Did you hack into my planner JB? That is my schedule for the day.

      Now wonder you sucked as a coach, you never scouted grapplers.
      No flying chairs or leaps off the turnbuckles. Real wrestling. Brock
      Lesnar was the NCAA champ at Minnesota. The matches were funny; you
      could see the fear in the faces of his opponents like a gazelle thrown
      into the lion’s den. Teams started to forfeit matches so he would not
      hurt their HWT.

      PS: Jessica Alba is reading the sonnets.

    • Because you could not stop for wrestling,
      It kindly stopped for you;

      What precisely is wrong with watercolors “from the impressionist era?” You have several artists who were influenced by them very much, including some of the greatest American ex-pats like Sargent, Homer and Whistler. In fact, Whistler was so varied in style, content and medium that he was probably the most underrated artist ever.

      Cezanne and Van Gogh influenced artists like Wilcox, Keller and Sommer. In turn, they influenced artists like Burchfield and Wyeth. Then you have artists with their own styles like Audubon and the California Group.

      I’m not a huge Dickinson fan. I appreciate her writing for what it is, but I felt like I should have been high on opium when I read it. I’m not going to read it again.

      And I’m pretty sure it would be impossible to rearrange something I’ve never taken the to arrange.

      I can’t believe we lost an away match to the #2 team in the nation on riding time.

      That sucks.

  39. Tubberville dumps TTU for UC Bearcats. Must like Skyline Chili. Will never be Leach no matter what he does. Sonny Dykes missed by a few days. I hear Lubbock is a real dump.
    Mighty Gophers may now have a snowball’s chance in hell in our bowl game against them. Should be fun to get in some conversations with pissed off fans in Houston. Leach got our coach fired after our last bowl game with them. This will be great!

    • Skyline is great, but I like Gold Star just as much is not more. Cincinnati is a hell of a lot nicer than Lubbock, but it’s a weird move. Fans have never really supported Bearcat football and I’ll be dead before they renovate Nippert. Not to mention, UC got smacked down by the ACC. Tuberville is an enigma.

  40. @BrandonSprague: Mafi, Fifita, Rosa. All charged with 3rd degree assault. RT @TheRealJackT @BrandonSprague what 3 players and what happened?

    WTF!

  41. Here’s a 4* who could help make a difference in this year’s class.

    LJ Golden Boy Moore ?@LJBouncyMoore

    House Visit With Oregon State Went Great #Beavers

  42. Ucla signed their 7th OL recruit, including three OT. One being Sean Dowling who the Beavs been after, wonder if their sure size of OL class he might consider jumping??

  43. Rivals saying after more film reviews and player season closeouts, Beaver recruits are solid 3* ratings across the class:

    “All of the committed athletes (aside from X’Zavier Preston – still waiting on his senior film) have been bumped to 3-stars. ”

    http://oregonstate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1446101

    Haskins reminds them of Simonton?

    According to Rivals Beaers offering a couple of texas wr’s –

    http://rivals.yahoo.com/oregonstate/football/recruiting/player-Hunter-Jarmon-133967

    http://rivals.yahoo.com/oregonstate/football/recruiting/player-Joshua-Reynolds-143606

    • I talk to SS via email, and he is busy with some things, so I wouldn’t count on it.

      Regarding a new thread: I can’t think of anything worth writing about right now.

  44. Potentially good news re: Luke Del Rio

    Greg Biggins ?@GregBiggins

    Colorado QB Luke Del Rio has de-committed from #OklahomaState, will take another visit to #OregonSt later today, #Alabama on Wednesday

    • I know he really enjoyed his visit here. I think we have a really good shot here. However, its still going to be a battle. Maybe starting to play Colorado now in the pac12 will help us, so that he can play in front of his parents?

      • read an article from earlier this fall that Del Rio was attending Broncos QB meetings. He was quoted as saying he really likes Oregon State’s coaches and offense. I can’t find the article now

    • I won’t be surprised if he prefers Riley, and maybe Riley’s NFL experience and his dad’s produces some ancillary positives for the kid (even if they didn’t coach together). I think the point about playing Colorado is a good one. PAC-12 is a very respectable conference and has a great rep for QB’s. I wish he had better than 55% completion rate…what are the kid’s strengths?

  45. Poyer makes another All-America list, S-I Postseason:

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20121211/postseason-all-america-team/

    Chricton and Wheaton receive Honorable Mentions.

    Interesting to note that all of the first (Carey/Barner) and second team (Ball/Franklin) RB’s were players the Beavers faced and reflects well on the Pac-12. Of course the one they failed to control was Barner. I hope they get back to their run-stuffing ways against Texas.

    • If I remember correctly Carey also had a pretty good game against us, that guy is a baller. If we can stop Texas’ run game, I like our chances.

      • I like our chances better if we run the ball more than 15 friggin times in one game. Texas run D is not good but their pass D is. If we don’t I could easily see a 4 pick day from Mannion (assuming he gets the starting nod).

        • I think Riley will run the snot out of Woods because it is his home turf. And doing this would be smart for the reason Gdub stated and for recruiting purposes… Woods is known and Texas recruits might see OSU as home away from home.

          • I am hoping for a one two combo of Woods and Ward. Right now I think Ward is the better runner of the two. Seems to hit the holes quicker and has better break away speed

          • I agree that Ward looks better right now, he seems much more likely to move the pile than does Woods. My question is, will Riley use more two back sets next season and finally balance the attack on a consistent basis??

          • I think that’s possibility, although the greater likelihood may be that he stays primarily single back, but rotates Woods/Wards and hopefully Brown.

            I think the old “97%-of-the-carries-to-one-back” are behind OSU for a while…

          • I don’t think Woods was 100% healthy towards the end of the season, just with season long dings (he needs to put on 5-10 lbs of muscle in the offseason). I could see him healed up and being really energized for the Bowl game. I think Riley will stick to his current rotation of having Woods start and then go to Ward in the fourth quarter as a change of pace, hopefully with the lead and try to grind out the game. But if they are behind probably will just be passing it anyways, and Ward is a little better on draws and screens.

  46. Todd Monken gone from Okie State, which breaks the bond of Del Rio from Okie State. Brian Hairsin goes from Texas to Arkansas State. Time to check the commitment of jc tight end Geoff Swaim at Texas. Not much of a pass catcher but he lead blocks like a real man.

  47. JC DB Steve Nelson made public his commitment to OSU

    Greg Biggins ?@GregBiggins
    What he made private weeks ago Visalia (Calif) College of the Sequoias JC DB Steve Nelson made public today, “I’m going to #OregonState”

  48. Juco DT Edwin Delva is down to OSU and Kansas St. Been following him awhile on twitter and the KSU fans are constantly talking to him about KSU. He’s also posted pics of himself on their field, but OSU still has a decent shot considering the playing time and playing on the west coast, closer to home.

    http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AmJK5QoXBYPQUg.py1gUbMhJtZB4/SIG=12bve3s96/EXP=1356566126/**http%3A//oregonstate.rivals.com/content.asp%3FCID=1447191

  49. DT Antonio McGhee has said recently that the OSU coaches have dropped out of contact with him during the last month and he’s not sure why. He was interested in possibly coming to OSU, but feels like they lost interest in him.

          • Thanks for the link, bone.
            I notice Nelson gives Rod Perry props in his announcement. The kid recognizes the value of Perry’s NFL experience, maybe the concerns about Perry’s recruiting were premature.
            Not sure from the video that Nelson will make it as a returner with the Beavs but he already seems to play in decent position as a CB and did show a nice 1:1 tackle.

          • I don’t think the secondary ability of Perry’s recruiting was ever in question. And i doubt his ability to evaluate talent would have ever been in question either. It’s the sale job in the primary meet and greet that worried me. I’m sure all he has to do once the hook is set is just flash a couple Super Bowl rings and point at all the All-Pro talent he developed on the next level.

            It impresses me just thinking about it now.

            It’s just cutting through all the recruiting muck in the first place in order to sit down in front of these kids and actually talk to them that makes the difference for him. All those imaginary recruiting disadvantages go away when someone as solid a coach as Perry sits in front of you and says, “I’ve done it throughout my whole coaching career, and I’m going to help you make yourself a star too.”

            I think he was partnered a lot with Brennan on the recruiting trail. So he probably cut most of the red tape for Perry and got him in the door.

          • I would think his resume is a weapon for other coaches recruiting as well. He doesn’t even have to be there.

            Think about it, if a kid you’re recruiting has it narrowed down between OSU with coach Perry’s NFL resume and another school with a dbacks coach with a more pedestrian highschool-JC-midmajor resume it’s gonna be hard to compete.

          • Is my memory slipping, didn’t some here feel Perry’s age would prevent him from “relating” to 17/18 year olds even if he did get in the door?

          • Nope. It was the “getting in the door” part.

            The travel required and the sales job necessary just to get in a kid’s ear were a worry because of his age and his relative lack of connections/recruiting experience. Once he’s there, I can’t even imagine a punk kid not giving him his due respect and at least listening to what he has to say.

          • Maybe i shouldn’t be so quick. “Some” might have said that. But what I remember was wondering how much someone in his position was going to want to take the time to travel and make cold calls.

  50. Cliff now tweets that Mullaney will “play through shoulder pain” and have surgery after the Alamo Bowl. I really hope he is getting good medical advice; the upside of being available for the Bowl is unlikely to offset a possibly lost Fall Camp. All depends on surgery/recovery.

    In another tweet, Cliff says PAC12 will officiate ‘Bama-ND game and that it will be SEC officials for the Alamo.

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