102 COMMENTS

    • Really it seems like it’s for Utah so they could get in games vs BYU or Utah State to make up for their canceled games.

      But it can also be for bowl games. Pad the win totals and maybe the team will be more attractive to the bowls left out there.

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      I was thinking this is for the Quacks, so they can play a high profile non-conference game. Sort of a do or die to influence the powers that be so with a win, they can make their case for the playoffs. Not sure who would be high profile enough to make a difference?

      Of course, I hope they lose soon. I love it when their “natty” dreams come crashing down.

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  3. 2
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    As Olive puts more and more behind the pay line…I need a tutorial on how to use the airplane mode to read the articles. Any experts out there?

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  4. 2

    Three for three? Angry has picked the Beavs in every game this year. He’s become a true beaver believer!

    Not sure what to make of Cal, clearly they weren’t ready last week but they couldn’t be worse this week. Having a game under their belts should help them.

    Keys to the game –

    – Win in the trenches. Get the run game going and a halfway decent pass rush will be big early.
    – Get star players going. Jefferson and Rashed.
    – Oline needs to protect better or Lindgren needs to find a way to get the ball out quicker. Maybe roll the pocket more.
    – Pray to the football gods again.

    I see a pretty close game. Hopefully the Beavs can pull one out.

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    • I know…my theory is that late start was leading to slow starts, and now we see the team I expected. Lolz.

      Might as well triple down on it.

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      I didn’t watch the Cal game but saw they lost. What are their weaknesses?

      OT, temping to take AZ against Udub this weekend. I think Washington is favored double digits.

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      • Apparently Cal has issues with the D-line. Lost a three year starter at DE and just announced their NT is out for the season.
        https://www.si.com/college/cal/news/aaron-maldonado-out

        Speaking of double digits, who ya got in the UCLA/uck game?
        The link indicates Chip used speed last week and, “The quickened pace drew raves from quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and running back Demetric Felton Jr. for its ability to confound the Golden Bears, leading to an obvious question: Is it something the Bruins would consider doing more of under a coach whose UCLA offenses have mostly plodded along?”

        https://www.yahoo.com/news/chip-kelly-keep-ucla-fast-212519855.html

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          • “…if Smith decides to use it.”
            That’s the question, not only “if” but when. I’d like to see close to a 2:1 rush:pass ratio FROM THE BEGINNING. Passing on first down should be very rare, IMHO.

            Related, here is more Chip talk, “What do we do in terms of the players? What can they handle? So we did pare down our game plan and did more taking out,” Kelly said. “We didn’t add anything. We went back as coaches and figured out, ‘What should we run, what shouldn’t we run?'”
            I expect Lindgren/Smith to (finally) figure out what to run and what NOT to run.

            https://www.yahoo.com/sports/confident-ucla-set-no-11-oregon-213548961–ncaaf.html

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          • At Oregon, I recall Kelly saying he coached to the “fastest players,” not just foot speed, but those that picked up the playbook and the pace he wanted to go. Its interesting he is now coaching down.

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  6. Do we give any leeway to newer head coaches? I am just thinking about game management and if that is inherit skill or something that takes time to develop. If you look at Smith, he’s only been a head coach for three years. You only get in these situations a handful a times per year. I guess my question is where do we draw a line between experience and inept coaching? I am hopeful that with more experience Smith will get better but in all honesty coaches seem to keep the warts and not change over time.

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    • Yes, new coaches get leeway. They are here because the old coach’s way didn’t work. That runs out after year 3 though. Not sure if this year counts as Smith’s third year since it’s kind of a freebie with eligibility not counting this year.

      I will say, most coaches don’t change how they make decisions. But they will figure out a way to make those decisions turn into more successes. So Smith will likely continue to keep going for it, but will try to come up with higher percentage plays in those situations. Sometimes experience is what’s needed to make the low percentage play become higher. If it continues to not work, he may pull back.

      The question is, on 4th down, would you rather have a coach who has gone for it a lot in 4th down situations or a coach who never goes for it?

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      He should not be making the same mistakes on year 3 and he still is. That’s what I look at. I don’t see the in-game adjustments that should be made by now. 2.4 million per year for a 7-20 record? Cristobal gets 2.6 but has a 21-7 record

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          I don’t understand this either. Truth hurts? JS has consistently made questionable decisions during games. In addition, game planning doesn’t always seem to leverage our strengths against opponents weaknesses. Game adjustments don’t seem to be a strength of JS either. His approach with officials hasn’t been working and I’d like to see more passion when calls consistently seem to go against us. After the phantom PI call that led to UW’s first TD wasn’t called after an obvious PI call that was missed against us, plus the non-targeting review that went against us, plus the running into the kicker that clearly should have been roughing, plus the numerous holding penalties that weren’t called on UW, etc… Smith should have been on the field losing his mind when we got screwed on multiple critical spots near the goal line. Then we get the targeting call that severely cost us at end of game… it was legit but so was the non-call against UW and the one that was overturn against WSU. At some point, the coach needs to stand up for his team. JS is not earning his pay check IMO.

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            Yeah I think it’s time we objectively say he’s not doing well, especially in-game. Enough of a sample size to say that. He can correct it, but there’s been no evidence he will do that or is capable of that. Just because he’s “our guy” doesn’t mean you ignore this stuff. Tribalism and clan mindset with the inability to admit that.

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        Cristaballs inherited the golden cow. JS inherited the muddy pig. Comparing the 2 programs to each other when there is such a money / facilities / Nike difference is kind of stupid. But comparing OSU to WSU or Colorado or Cal seems like better comparisons. But even in those comparisons OSU seems to be falling short.

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        • Good thought. I was thinking of multiple WSU coaches – Price, Erickson, Doba, Leach – who have got the Cougars to 9-10 wins and decent bowls while OSU has Erickson’s Fiesta Bowl and Riley’s Alamo bowl as high water marks. Price even got hired away to Alabama then lost the job before he started by going to a strip club – and people here though Andersen was bad. WSU coaches have seemed to favor offenses that spread the receivers out, are relatively pass heavy with a run threat that has a good YPC, some good interior dline, and then occasionally good DBs (but not better than OSU). All seemed to be relatively “aggressive” on offense without approaching aggressiveness as oddly and awkwardly as Smith does. I suspect they all had stronger personalities and leadership than Riley and Smith as well. But those coaches are across quite a span and I don’t recall some of them in detail.

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        Don’t get too orgasmic over Cristobal. It wasn’t like he did anything magical his first time around as a D-1 coach. More like 20 games under .500. Bellotti, Chipster, Helfrich, and now Cristobal have all had success thanks to Uncle Phil’s long term generosity.

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  7. 3

    Dam… been off my feet for a while and have a ton of yard work to do and Saturday looks like the only day the weather will cooperate. The one day the Beavers have a day game… luck o’ da Beavs.

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  8. 1

    Nba draft came and went with no Beavs drafted(not surprising)
    We should hear about Kylor Kelley getting an unrestricted free agent deal at some point and maybe a training camp invite for Tres. Although I have no idea when training camp is slated for this year since the normal NBA season has been flipped all upside down.

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      I think they start next month since the season starts around christmas. Both guys are g league bound for now. Overseas doesn’t seem practical at this point but I guess stevie thompson is in Italy. Kylor has the biggest upside. Could sneak in like Eubanks as a two way guy.

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        I really think Tres has a future in the NBA even though he’s really old for a rookie and was undrafted. He’s got such a good feel for the game and would fit in well as a shooter and versatile player off the bench. Kelley I can’t see ever making the NBA even with his late bloomer potential, due to his lack of rebounding and build.

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      • It’s a message that comes up as part of the Flash update check. It’s letting you know that it’s about to die and it won’t be replaced (at least by Adobe).

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    • Flash has been a security risk for a while now. It’s end of life is the end of December. There may be some sites where it’s still necessary but those are dwindling. I got rid of it and haven’t missed it.

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      • I got rid of it long ago and haven’t missed it, too.
        Every one in a while a site requires it, but I usually try to find an alternative to that site rather than reinstall flash.

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  10. 2

    Awesome, I can watch da Beavs live at 2:30 local time. Prime drinking time, which may be the only way to survive this season.
    Go Beavs…..
    and go booze!

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    I’m really curious to see how much leeway our athletic department gives JS. After all, he is our golden boy. I think several people here had that concern when we hired him. It’s not as easy to cut ties with an alum who everyone adores. I personally think he deserves one more year after this. If he doesn’t turn things around in year 4 then we need to move on from the fantasy. But I don’t have much confidence in our AD doing that.

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      Are we underselling what a dumpster fire the program was after Andersen left? I’m not trying to bail out JS for a series of terrible in game decisions, that is his cross to bare. However, keep in mind the starting point when evaluating the balance sheet.

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        Well, I’ve mentioned this before but if you look at the players that have really contributed to Smith’s successes (especially last season), most of those guys are Andersen guys! What you’re seeing now are the start of the “Smith-era” recruits. Don’t get me wrong, there are some great players but some questionable ones (including transfers).

        Some Andersen guys left behind: QB J Luton, WR I Hodgins, S Jalen Moore, LB H Rashed, LB AH Murray, WR T Bradford, RB Art Pierce, LB D Taumoelau, OG Gus Lavaka, OL N Keobounnam, LB S Smith, DB J Grant, S D Morris, WR K Taylor, WR C Flemmings, DT E Aydon (probably missing some more contributors) but those guys all made some big strides to help this team last year. Again, not saying GA is a good coach, but Smith inherited a better group (overall) than GA did from Riley, IMO. 3 of those guys are getting reps in the league as we speak!

        I think a big problem with Smith is Gut decisions vs Analytics, at key moments (going for it on 4th down when it’s either not necessary or it warrants bad field position, going for 2-point conversions at times when it makes no sense, onside kicks just to do them…). It’s one thing to play “balls-out” with no reservations your first year but people started to catch on to some of those habits of JS and it’s less of a tactical move anymore and more a tendency. I still think this receiving corps is more talented than what we are seeing?! Part of that is coaches not putting them into position for success. Coach M is a great coach but wow the O Line is hurtin’! Kipper has taken literal (slow steps lol) steps backward. D Line is disappointing, with exception of Skelton, these (DL) are all JS’s guys. Just sayin’!

        Go Beavs!

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      Smith isn’t going anywhere. One, it’s still year 3 and this isn’t a normal year where there is something to play for. Beavs aren’t going to a bowl game regardless if they are eligible.

      The other reason he isn’t going anywhere. Money. OSU doesn’t have any to fire a coach then hire a new one. And any new coach will likely want to use OSU as a stepping stone.

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  12. 2

    It would be cool to get football commits rolling in like baseball is getting. Although I don’t know if they are all high caliber players.

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    Anyone concerned that, as tweeted by the new guy at the GT: “Oregon State running back Connor Morton and wideout Job Dockery have both left the program, Jonathan Smith said.”?

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  18. 5

    Don’t know if this behind a paywall but: long story short CAL walk-on earned schollie but opted out this year. Cal then charged for summer school tuition, reversed the charges, but is charging the kid for the final 15 credits he needs to graduate. Highest GPA on the team. Best quote of the story re: coaches attitudes towards opt out players:

    Utah State Coach Gary Andersen, before he was fired after an 0-3 start, said there was a reason none of his players had opted out. “It’s not an option,” he told reporters. “If you opt out, you’re not with us.”

    Irony is not dead.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/20/sports/ncaafootball/cal-walk-on-scholarship.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage&section=Sports

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  19. 4

    Drew Eubanks signed a 3 year deal with the Spurs. I assume for the minimum and with a team option on year 3 but who knows. Still good money to play a game. I think Eubanks is the biggest indictment of Tinkle. A big man with loads of potential that never got any better under a coach that was a big man himself. Not a good sign.

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      • 4

        Tough to say considering I don’t even know who the players are. Maybe not having Tres will help other guys get more involved but considering the lack of improvement year to year that the players have shown no real reason to be optimistic.

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  20. Tres signs and Exhibit 10 deal with the Lakers. Not super up on what that means but I believe it is along the lines of a training camp invite and a chance in the G league.

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  24. PHIL STEELE REPORT:

    Last time here (2018) Cal entered off an upset blowout homecoming loss & was travelling for the 2nd time in three
    weeks, while Oregon State was off a bye. Patrick Laird ran for 193 yards and the Bears finished with a 539-241
    yard edge winning 49-7 (-7.5). Last year Cal was at home (-11) and without QB Garbers. OSU won its
    2nd consecutive road game for first time s/2013 and led 14-0 in the 2Q and 14-3 at halftime. Cal went 69/8 &
    50/1 for 3rd Quarter TD’s to lead 17-14. Modster was sacked 8 times (OSU 9 sks) and injured late in the 4Q. OSU
    went 80/12 for a Baylor 13 yd TD run w/4:41 left. 3rd string Cal QB Brasch tossed an interception on the last drive
    and Oregon State won 21-17. There have been 3 upsets the last 6 years. Cal had their opening game cancelled
    and last week in a game scheduled just 3 days prior (both teams opponents canceled their games) and played on a
    Sunday, UCLA dominated with a 440-176 yard edge leading 27-10 at halftime in a 34-10 home win. Oregon State
    led Washington State early but lost 38-28 at home. Last week at Washington the Huskies had 267 yards rushing and a 408-
    252 yard edge. A bad snap resulted in a block punt TD and Oregon State led 7-0. Washington got 3 TDs and a FG on their next 5
    drives to lead 24-14 with 2:19 left in the half. Oregon State drove 56/9 for a TD with :13 left to make the score 24-21 at half time.
    Washington drove 85/17 and missed a FG. Oregon State drove 75/13 and faced 3&1 4&1 resulted in questionable spots on Jefferson
    runs and Oregon State was stopped on downs. Washington drove 52 yards in 15 plays, using 7:24 of the clock for a 23 yd FG with 1:45 left
    and Oregon State threw an interception from their own 37 on 4&5 with :54 left. Tristan Gebbia is hitting 63% with a 1-1 ratio and Jermar Jefferson has rushed for 253 yards(5.8). Oregon State could have knocked off Washington on the road last week and grab the home win here vs a Cal
    team that is 3-7-1 ATS as an AF and Oregon State is on a 10-3 ATS run. The wrong team is favored here.
    UPSET GAME OF WEEK.

    BEST BET: OREGON STATE 23 (+) CALIFORNIA 16 (2 Star Play)

    POSITION BY POSITION EDGES:

    WHEN CALIFORNIA HAS THE BALL:
    California QB/WR vs Oregon State DB’s: ORST +0.76
    California RB’s vs Oregon State LB’s: ORST +2.09
    California OL vs Oregon State DL: CAL +0.06

    WHEN OREGON STATE HAS THE BALL:
    Oregon State QB/WR vs California DB’s: CAL +0.29
    Oregon State RB’s vs California LB’s: CAL +0.77
    Oregon State OL vs California DL: ORST +0.15

    MISCELLANEOUS:
    Special Teams: ORST +0.95
    Kicking: CAL +0.90
    Coaching Staff: CAL +0.55

    POSITIONAL EDGE: ORST +1.38

    Projected Box Score (CAL-ORST)
    Projected Rushing: 128-170
    Projected Passing: 119-196
    Projected Yardage Total: 246-366
    Projected Final Score: 19-26
    Experience Rankings: 6-99
    Team Schedule Strength: 55-42

    Las Vegas Line: California by 3.5
    Las Vegas Total: 49 Points
    +/- Ratings: California by 0.9
    Game Grade: Oregon State by 21.7
    Computer Yards: Oregon State 366-246
    Computer Points: Oregon State 26-19

    Reply

  26. New game thread up. This can become a general thread.
    Trump seems to have found two goons in Michigan to flip the State. That’s the optics at least, at this point. We will wait and see, but my “evil” brain (i.e. knowing how people like Trump operate) says something has brewed there. Still think he’s going to “win”…watching democratic media they are all laughing. I wouldn’t celebrate yet.

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  27. PA judge has ordered the state to block certification. Similar suits in GA and AZ are likely to follow. WI might be a stretch but could happen.

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  28. This election was pretty cool. Biden got 11 million more votes than Obama did in 2008 without having to campaign.

    What this means is that hatred for one candidate is much more effective than actually supporting another and believing their vision. Hopefully we see this more going forward.

    Reply

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