This thread is for discussing the BYU/OSU game.

If you have Comcast, check one of the channels broadcasting the CO/WA game. Right now Comcast is broadcasting that game on two channels, so it leads me to believe that's an error and one of them will show the Beavs' game. We'll see.

Oregon State is riding the high of their first victory, but I can't shake the nagging feeling that this process will be more "one step forward, two steps back" than full steam ahead.

Into town comes BYU. In many respects this is the perfect opponent for this week.

• They are better than Arizona.
• They're not as good as Arizona State.

Considering the Beavers played ASU tough and beat Arizona, BYU is in my opinion the perfect incremental test.

Unfortunately, I don't think they win the game. The reasons are several:

1. BYU players are "more mature." This is a euphemism. Due to missions, BYU players are all 25+ years old. Normally, this might not be a big deal, but considering how many underdeveloped freshman are playing for the Beavs I think it's huge.
2. BYU's passing attack is precise and methodical. The Beavers do not perform well versus tacticians.
3. Bronco Mendenhall is a perfectionist and strong motivator. His team will be ready from the opening kickoff.
4. Riley Nelson, the Cougar's new QB, is mobile. Mark Banker has not shown the ability to slow mobile QBs.
5. BYU runs a 3-4 defense with three 300lb+ down linemen. Sean Mannion is going to see LB and DB blitzes for the first time. He has been turnover prone versus the more standard 4-3 defense, so it leads one to reason this might not turn out well. The LBs will be free to make plays in the run game, too.

The only clear advantage the Beavers have is their WRs versus the Cougar's DBs, but that will be marginalized if they're forced into a one-dimensional game.

In short, I really want to pick the Beavers in this game. I'm 80% on the year, with my only incorrect pick being Sacramento State. If I'm 67% on the year come Saturday afternoon I'll be a happy man. However, I just don't see it. I view Bronco Mendenhall as the better coach. Mike Riley & Co. have a ton to prove. Until they do it on the field, I'm not giving them the benefit of the doubt in these close match ups.

27-14, Cougars

Once again we're reminded what a week and a win can do. Today, nobody is writing "fire coach xyz"…I must say, it makes our message mixed and weak when all it takes to placate the fan base is one win versus a lousy squad. The fact is these coaches never have or will take the Beavers above a third place bowl. Time keeps chugging by, but their resumes remain the same (or worse). But, okay, we can put that on the back burner and be glad about the win. If we're going to criticize when they do wrong, we have to praise when they do well. It's also exhausting to write the same, negative things over and over. I get it.

Bottom line: A win is always good, but let's not ignore the big picture trends. Riley & Co. have to silence critics via results, not excuses, justifications, hopes, etc. As long as we don't lose sight of that, I'm fine celebrating this win.

Moving forward, the BYU game has a "one step forward, two back" feel to it. Even though BYU is an average squad, I see the Beavers tripping up. I'll go into the reasons why more on Wednesday, but in the meantime discuss anything you'd like and/or ask me any questions you have.

Game thread for today.

Not much to say other than Go Beavs!

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Dare I say the Beavers get their first win this weekend?

I know folks are afraid of Nick Foles picking apart the defense. He will get his yards, no doubt. However, the Beavers have a handful of things going in their favor:

• Arizona is the only Pac-12 school with a linebacker slower than Reuben Robinson. This, along with their defensive line play, has lead to an opponents' rushing average of 6.0yd.
• Opponents average 38 points versus the Arizona defense.
• As bad as Mike Remmers is, he won't have to worry about protecting Mannion this weekend. The Wildcats have only 3 sacks on the entire year, while opponents have garnered a whopping 13 versus them.
• With Wynn, Crichton, and Fernando coming on strong, the Beavers should annihilate Arizona's offensive line, in the process marginalizing their all-conference QB.
• Beavers have the home field advantage. Even though the Reser crowd is pretty lame, this is still a minor advantage.

So, all things considered, the lone reason I see to pick Arizona in this game is Foles vs the secondary. Completely valid, but I saw enough from the Beavers young pass rush this past weekend to believe they are coming into this game (a) brimming with confidence and (b) hungry for a win. If they generate a good rush, and they should, then much like last week the secondary will look better. Foles will get his yards, but the defense will keep him in check.

You could see and feel the Beavers growth in the loss to ASU. Their play improved, but more importantly their confidence improved. Assuming the coaches put the right personnel on the field, I absolutely love the Beavers in this game.

30-24, Beavs