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Big Recruiting Weekend (Updated)

By
angry
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153

The 14th and 21st are being dubbed as the biggest recruiting weekends in school history. The list for the 14th is somewhat impressive.

These are the Grade A recruits:

  • Vi Moala (scratch, reportedly visiting the next weekend)
  • Byron Moore
  • Juda Parker
  • Todd Pete Jr.
  • Richard Mullaney

Next level:

  • Marvin Hall
  • Earl Foster
  • Marcus Peters
  • Vi Teofilo
  • Michael Thomas (scratch, reportedly not visiting at all)

Then the rest:

  • Rudolf Fifita
  • Peter Ashton
  • Justin Addie

Ashton, Mullaney, and Addie are already committed, so that leaves just Rudolf Fifita as the one dog in this group (watch him be the one guy we land). Nowicki canceled his visit, and Akeem Gonzalez has reportedly called off his visit due to the Beavs wanting him to play defense.

We need to land some of these guys. I don't want to hear stories on Sunday night or Monday about a surprise 0-star recruit who was in town and committed. That's what seems to always happen on big recruiting weekends. Then the big fish cut off contact and sign elsewhere a month later. I want to see some real change.

Biggest need of the group is Vi Teofilo. He's a solid OL, and we definitely need at least one more, especially a guard. After that, the two monster DTs. If we could get one I'd be thrilled. If McClure is going to Colorado, then we need Peters. There isn't a single true corner in this class. Juda Parker and Byron Moore are both excellent prospects. While not at positions of need, I'd take either/both in a heartbeat.

On a side note, the commitment of Lavonte Barnett went relatively unnoticed two weeks ago. He is a major talent, landing 16 sacks last season and passing Angry's eyeball test. Barnett is a 4-star prospect in my opinion. On the flip side, the Jabral Johnson is once again wavering (Texas Tech). He's the best LB prospect in this class, so this would be a huge loss, and he might take Zimmerman with him.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see if the staff made any progress in recruiting. In past seasons, a weekend like this would yield no results. Let's let them do their thing and see if it's more of the same ol' disappointment, or if they've actually learned how to pitch the program. I'm planning for the former, but hoping (ah, there is that word again) for the latter. The pressure is on.

Basketball: USC @ Oregon State

By
angry
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53

The loss at UCLA was on Craig Robinson and his stubbornness in playing untalented seniors over his more talented youth. A big problem surrounding OSU athletics is the notion that experience equates to leadership. This problem infests both major men's sports, and could be a sign of the university's collective conservative mentality. OSU seems a step behind the times at all times. Fans blame finances, but I don't think money had anything to do with Craig Robinson playing Wallace and Haynes down the stretch. 

The Robinson honeymoon ended on Thursday. The media needs to start asking him the logic behind his coaching and lineup decisions. Why hasn't a single pundit had the guts to ask why Wallace and Haynes are in at the end of games? What is with the Oregon media? Can someone explain?

Moving on…

If the goal is to make the NIT, the Beavers must now win games they're expected to lose. They did this earlier by sweeping the Arizona schools. Over the next two weeks, they play three winnable games in USC, Oregon, and Cal. I'd say all three are must wins if they want a shot at an NIT bid. That being said, the reality is that winning the Pac-10 Tournament is their best chance for post season play, and if that's the case, Robinson better start figuring out his lineups starting tonight. More simply put, Wallace and Haynes (and possibly Burton) cannot so much sniff the floor if the game is close in the 2nd half.

TV: FSN

Radio: KPAM

Stream: None

Basketball: UCLA @ Oregon State

By
angry
-
74

Hmm. Two wins, at home, versus the Arizona schools followed by two losses on the road against the Washington schools.

What to make of this? The short answer is: "who knows?"

The sample is way too small to form any conclusions, but it seems as if both Washington schools are better than the Arizona schools, so there's that; then factor in that both loses were away games. To me it's what one should expect from a young, talented team that is searching for their identity and confidence.

Now into town comes a vulnerable UCLA squad. While the Bruins are clearly down, it should be noted the Beavers have lost 11 straight to this program, dating back to 2005, and the Bruins hold an 86-34 historical advantage. However, the Bruins have issues. Lazeric Jones has a ruptured tendon in his finger, Josh Smith has attacked Pac-10 refs in the media (which will not win him any calls), and Ben Howland has moved to a zone defense in search of answers. Tyler Honeycutt is the best player for the Bruins. If OSU insists on the 1-3-1 expect him to make them pay.

That being said, I actually prefer the Beavs in this one. UCLA is the brand name and safe pick, but I can't shake the feeling that they're in the midst of an existential crisis that trumps Oregon State's sophomoric inconsistency. It won't be a blowout, but something along the lines of Beavs by 4 sounds about right to me. 

TV: FSN

Radio: KPAM

Stream: None, check justin.tv after tip off.

National Title Game (& Quizz)

By
angry
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89

Go Auburn?

UGH, that feels as bad as rooting for the Ducks.

Also, good luck to Quizz–he is making the right decision. I hope it sends a strong message to Mike Riley, the line he's intent on keeping intact, and the number of carries received by the single back. I realize Quizz is a father, and that drove this decision, but I'd imagine he weighed what he was returning to as well.

In my opinion this is a sad day because we are losing a great player, but it will also force [the inevitable] change a year ahead of schedule.

Is College Football in Decline?

By
angry
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111

I know the ratings, attendance, and popularity are all up, so it seems ridiculous to ask this question. But, by following Oregon State, you naturally follow Oregon, and it’s hard to argue that what is happening down there (and in Oklahoma) is good for the overall health of the sport.

As we all know, there are no salaries or free agency in college football, but the donor/facility race produces the same effect: have and have nots.

In the forum I discussed this a bit, and the poster ObjCritic chimed in with his insightful post:

The “lesser of two evils’ you mention, with regards to college football, is why I think I soon quit watching the game. This was discussed on another thread, and I was talking about the trend towards “neutral” stadiums like Cowboy’s stadium. I think that trend is a disservice to college students and their fan base who give up a home game. Likewise, its to the direct benefit of professional team owners.

Add the trend of needing big money and flashy facilities to win, and you have a declining sport in my opinion. I don’t think its crying sour grapes or jealousy to suggest that UO would not be in this position without Phil’s generous support. Likewise, I recognize that Reser Stadium, as half-assed as it is, would be worse without the generosity of Al Reser. UO and Oklahoma State are in my opinion good examples of what is occurring with  college football. But I’m preaching to the choir here on this last point. I do appreciate the “Minnesota Twins” analogy you use Angry, to suggest that there is another way for at least episodic success and achievements that allows the team to retain relevance.

I think OSU is on the verge of becoming irrelevant in the Pac-12. It would not be “reactionary” to suggest some significant changes are necessary given the time the current staff has had, the time they’ve had with their own recruits, and the increased competition for So Cal/Pac-12 recruits that’s likely to occur in the Pac-12. You can’t change while the world changes around you and expect to stay in third place…

So, let’s get a pulse of this fan base. How close are you guys to just turning off your televisions and giving up on this sport entirely? I feel like I have another 3 to 5 years of college football in me if nothing changes. The overall increase in popularity, one would think, must be due to the fringe fans, or budding fans of the 20 or so traditional powers. Even if that is not that case, right now the business model is almost like that of a lottery. That is, the majority of people (i.e. fans) are going to lose. And the people playing the game (in this case, watching TV) are the working poor who are doing nothing more than hoping for their long shot.

I don’t think as Beaver fans we’re in this alone. I think most fans are struggling with the reality that their team has no realistic shot at a BCS game, and for the have-nots the odds get longer each year. It makes me wonder how much time the sport has left. Wouldn’t it be ironic, and apropos, if the Ducks won a title and nobody cared? We’re not there yet, but we’re close.

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