Most notable is Burton and Cunningham are starting this game. Nice and necessary change. Burton has 4 quick points to give the Beavers an early 10-0 lead.
http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/gamecast?gameId=293320045
Apparently the Obama family is at the game. That story can be read here:
Wimberly is having a huge night (and good freshman season) for the Wolfpack.
Some may remember that Wimberly was originally an OSU recruit, but when Riley decided to greyshirt him he parted ways with the Beavers. From Wimberly’s standpoint, the decision made sense. He wanted to get out of LA and the gang-invested neighborhood he grew up in. From Riley’s “family first” perspective, the decision is questionable. In retrospect, OSU probably should have made room for the guy.
As far as the Boise State Interlopers, they’re doing their usual thing–an unimpressive lead vs a largely inferior opponent. Kellen Moore would be Kevin Riley in the Pac-10. Oh well, college football is on a downward spiral and it’s mainly because of the lack of focus on the good teams and good stories that occur in the middle. Nobody outside of Texas wants to hear about Texas, nobody outside of Alabama cares about Alabama, and everyone knows Boise State are interlopers in Bronco clothing, yet even in lieu of tonight’s malaise the telecasters are trying to convince me this is a top 10 team because of their undefeated record. There are good stories in college football that aren’t being told. I’d rather learn about teams in the middle who are fighting battles versus good schedules; teams that have a struggle recruiting yet still win, etc. For example, I find Georgia Tech and Cincinnati infinitely more interesting than Florida, Alabama, or Boise State. And Oregon State is more interesting than Oregon, USC, Stanford, or Cal, yet all of those teams get more exposure. If college football focused on good stories, or at least covered them occasionally, it would be a much fresher ticket. Instead, it’s more Florida, Alabama, Texas, and Boise State, and we fans are left eating day old bread.
Just began.
Rome has a guest host. Riley sounds pumped.
On containing the spread, Riley talks about assignments/gaps while remaining aggressive. Key for players is to stay with assignment/responsibility. Pretty general stuff.
On Masoli: “we’re spending a lot of time looking at film and what others have done to control him”
Did not say if the coaches feel comfortable with what they see/controlling him.
On differences in Kelly vs Belotti offense: Kelly has “taken the spread to a new level”…Riley also feels the Ducks are a well-rounded team with an underrated defense and impact special teams.
On the program: Riley wants to keep the program going in this direction, used the ambiguous phrase “recruit to OSU”, and says he’s having fun, etc. Sounds like he’s really enjoying what he built. Any talk of Notre Dame was clearly out of line. Riley is going nowhere.
Broadcasters mention Autzen is the one clear edge. Riley agrees. Calls it a “big factor.” Riley talks about Canfield and the center doing silent counts in practice, then adding crowd noise, but says the mindset, mental toughness, and poise are the key. Says it’s a conscious decision going into the game that you, as a player, will not let the noise fluster you. Personally, that was my favorite line from the interview, as I strongly believe mental preparation is everything in any competition.
Riley concludes the interview by sheepishly admitting he’s never wanted a game this much.
I’m not into conspiracy theory, but I am a man of the world, and so as college football becomes more about old, crotchety white men cashing in on young, black kids, I keep my eyes wide and look for indicators that portend outcomes. For example, check this out:
http://www.primesport.com/shop/package_rosebowl.asp
The official Rose Bowl (travel) site has both an Ohio State and Oregon package.
Apparently, we lost the Civil War.
This is really my biggest fear. Even more than Masoli or James. It’s that there’s more money in having Oregon win (and U$C at the Sun or Holiday Bowl), and so we’ll see the phantom holding calls on Beaver TDs and the type of corrupt officiating we saw in the USC game. Should we preemptively write the commissioner and head of officiating and beg for a fair game? What kind of pressure can we fans place on the powers at be to just get a fair shot? Should we write the Rose Bowl committee and ask why they are selling Oregon and Ohio State packages when that fate has not yet been decided?
Or has it?
I think tomorrow I will call and ask for the nonexistent Oregon State package and see what they say. Actually, I suggest everyone do the same and we compare notes and then go from there. This is weird. Get indignant.
*NOTE* The Oregon package has been removed and it’s now just Ohio State. Go Angrybeavers.
Angry is ticked off. Al Michaels just said Afalava went to school at Oregon. Get your head out of your ass, Al.
Angry is happy, the Beavers are ranked #16 in the BCS.
Angry is scared, of the Oregon rushing attack.
Angry is feeling brave. Let’s try something new: a poll.
I’ll have a write up on the Civil War early next week. I want to see where both teams stand with injuries and mental makeup before writing anything. In the meantime, vote on the poll. Curious what fans think. Try to take emotion and what you want to happen out of the equation and simply vote on what you think will happen. Feel free to comment on who you voted for and why.
[polldaddy poll=2290212]