Home Football Utah @ Oregon State

Utah @ Oregon State

By
angry
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171

I haven't watched any Utah games, so no analysis this week.

Based on the stats alone, I could see this game being a blowout. Utah can't stop the pass (99th), Beavs are great passing team. Utah can't run, Beavs have the 4th best run defense. I mean, how is Utah going to stop the Beavs or score on them? Looks like they have a good punter, and they're going to need him.

Beavs have all the match up advantages. The two things that might prevent a blowout will be (a) the Beavs being their own worst enemy and (b) Whittingham is a heck of a coach who will have his guys ready and a good game plan.

If everything clicks and the Beavs reduce penalties, 38-13, but I am thinking more like 27-13, good guys. Beavs have that #8 target on their back so they're going to get every team's best effort.

171 COMMENTS

  2. I said it in the last thread. Whittingham called out Banker after last year’s game. I don’t think Banker or the team forgets this.

    You said Kelly played well last week. I think he was the least effective O-lineman. But I agree that he still played well. I just think Philipp, Andrews, Seumalo and Enger were outstanding. Philipp didn’t face the same kind of athlete Kelly did on the edge, so that might not be fair. But he did dominate his side pretty handily. What really surprised me was how the three interior linemen played like a brick wall with mobility. That Woods TD run was just perfect. Philipp and Andrews sealed the edge so well that a bookin’ Enger and an Anderson hunting for a block were able to just scream off tackle. I almost cried, it was so pretty.

    Isaac is not a kid who gets canned by the bull rush or beat by hand play. Lotulelei may have a long, tiring day.

    Utah is going with their frosh QB (Travis Wilson?) who was just terrible against UCLA. It wasn’t all his fault. He’s a frosh, and there is absolutely no O-line and nobody to throw to. When the defense is sending seven on a run blitz and coming through the gaps looking like they’re on pass rushes, it’s just not pretty.

    This doesn’t mean the screen won’t be an effective play now and then.

    I’m thinking Utah plays a three deep zone against us, hoping we stall our own drives if made to make too many snaps. And I think they get a fluke score or two.

    OSU 31 – Utah 10

    • You said Kelly played well last week.

      No, I didn’t say he played well last week. I said he’s played well this season overall, and I thought he’d be really bad prior to the season. It was actually his poor play last week that reminded me I had to give him props for his first four games and for improving.

      Isaac is close to NFL ready. He’s a huge reason for this team’s success. Hope fans appreciate the guy as he makes a lot of what we see on offense possible.

    • Did they have a lot of penalties against BYU? I don’t really remember that being an issue. There were a couple penalties (holding or PI) called that set up BYU to score, but I don’t remember false starts/offsides being an issue. But I don’t always pay attention to that kind of stuff.

      • 8-60

        False start – Seumalo
        Illegal shift
        Unsportsmanlike – Agnew (playing without helmet)
        Substitution infraction – 12 me on the field
        Offside – Fifita
        Pass Interference – Poyer
        False start – Kelly
        Holding – Kelly

        • Not a false start by Seumalo. The official call was a simulated snap, and it was tough since it looked like the BYU DE did come over the line. If he would have ccontinued the snap, he might have lost it and it would have been worse if no offsides was called. That was a frosh mistake, but it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

          The Agnew penalty was weird.

        • What was the deal on that Agnew helmet penalty? He tossed it off and thought he could keep playing? after all the hullabaloo about helmet-off-play stops? Brain leakage of some kind.

          • The rule states, if your helmet comes off during play, you must immediately stop what you’re doing. If you continue to play its a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty.

            His chin strap came loose and his helmet was impeding his vision, he tossed it off and kept pursuing the ball carrier. The shitty part about the call was that the BYU player kept blocking him, so he too should have received a penalty for engaging him.

  4. I am a little concerned about this being a let down game. I think our talent pulls us through though. I could see it being close in the first half with a second half pull away. Hoping I am wrong and we just run away with it.

    • I’ve kinda given up predicting the Beavs. I’m not sure what is going on, but I think it’s a combination of (a) I can’t believe they’re actually very good (b) they are the Beavs so they can’t be good (c) Riley will choke (d) Bad luck/bounces/Refs will bite them (e) misery of being a Beav fan makes you skeptical. All these things are interacting in a way that doesn’t allow me to accurately predict scores. I mean, I have loved Cody Vaz since they signed him, yet I predicted a BYU win last week (because they historically lose that game) and only 13 points. I am so off base. It makes me nervous about this weeks game. If I am thinking they win, maybe they lose. In short, Beavs dominating = impossible to predict anything because it is such unknown territory.

      • I think I understand your sentiments. For me, while the staff and players continue to say all the right things about focusing on the next game, team first, and “room for much improvement”, it is still hard to accept that they are this mentally stellar and that it will continue.

        For many years I have felt that the Beavs were capable of a loss at any time, hard to shake that feeling.

        But, hope springs eternal and Riley is more into it than he has been lately. So, GO BEAVS!

      • This is uncharted territory. During the games, reasons (d) and (e) above keep me from really enjoying the way that they are playing. I just keep waiting for it to all come crashing down in our faces.

        One thing I really hope for this week is that the coaches are reminding the players how Utah physically dominated them last year and that they need to come out with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove.

      • I’m hoping for the blowout so they can rest the starters some in the 2nd half and hopefully avoid injuries. Maybe we’ll see another (more prolonged) Richie Harrington appearance. Angry will be walking around with a hard on for weeks if that happens.

          • I’d play Harrington in a blowout. Remember, Riley mentioned that he should have gotten Vaz some playing time before he was actually needed. Not sure additional reps for Vaz serve a more important purpose than exposure for Angry’s pick.

          • yeah I think you are right. The extra reps for Harrington would outweigh any marginal benefit to Vaz. I was more just throwing it out there.

          • Angry- I’m curious about the Harrington love. Do you honestly think he is the best QB on the roster?

            If so why, and what’s the basis? Just HS game film?

          • Oaks Christian is no slouch. I don’t understand why nobody gave Harrington a scholarship. Yet, guys like Barkley and Jimmy Clausen get 5-star rankings. Seems guys who “look the part” get massive over hype.

            I hope Harrington gets a shot his senior year… I believe Mannion graduates the year before.

      • This ‘Riley will choke’ stuff is ridiculous.

        Better players=better results

        Riley is, and always has been, a net positive as a coach. Few other teams do as much with as little as we have. He’s certainly not the best coach in college football, but he’s pretty damn good.

        • Part of coaching is recruiting and surrounding yourself with the best candidate rather than a friend. Riley ignored recruiting after gilstrap died and the team suffered for years because of it. That is not a “net positive”. There are key positions that need to be replaced next year, and again he doesn’t have the depth in the program to do that. Need JC CBs and DTs this off season or you’ll likely disappear from this site next year (you types only show up when Riley has the right pieces in place).

          • I’ve been here consistently for a couple years defending Riley. He is and always has been an excellent coach. The last couple years he didn’t display the kind of enthusiasm he has this year likely because he knew it would be a tough season. It’s probably annoying answering the same questions from reporters day after day when you’re good let alone when you’re shitty. He threw in the towel early last year in order to prepare for this year and future years. Many of you on here were pretty vocal about the lack of talent at DT but that has turned out pretty well. There are a lot of DTs on the roster right now…if it’s not a concern for the staff (which it wasn’t last year), them I take the view that its not an area of concern.

            Basically, most of you think the team is better because his attitude is better and I think his attitude is better because he knows his team is better.

      • If you go back past this year, I understand the attitude. But this year’ team has not been that way. Maybe we play to the level of competition and so let down in the WSU game, but in all we have played with resolve and purpose.

        Seems to me our attitude wont dissapate. The last conference game is looming…..the biggest one of the season. The opponent might be no 1 by that time, is our instate rival, and has beat on us for several years.

  5. Not sure if somebody mentioned it on the other thread but rumors on the scout forums are beavs are at the top for Tyner and Kersley along with UCLA and BYU respectively.

    • Tyner and Kearsley were in attendance for one of the fall scrimmages. That may be where it’s coming from. I’m not worried either way. Love to one or both, but I’m not going to wrap my life up in it.

      UCLA is the big rumor for Tyner. And I really can’t blame him if he’s serious about T&F (as a sprinter). With that in mind, Florida and FSU would and should also be in the discussion… maybe even LSU, USC and aTm.

    • If Tyner goes Beavs they will probably have to shut down Aloha HS for a bit just to allow them to recover, any game I’ve gone to there I was the only one wearing OSU gear, otherwise there was almost more Duck gear than Aloha HS gear.

    • I couldnt log on to Rivals ….why is Tyner decommitting from UO? What more glamourous program is out tthere? What more winning program is out there? What reason did he give?

      • someone in twitter said he met a girl who lives in LA…. take that for what it is.. a twiter rumor.

        But then yesterday… the decommittment was a twitter rumor too till it turned out to be true

      • The quote I saw basically said that he wants to take official visits to other schools. The Ducks stockpiling RB’s might have something to do with it also.

  6. I can’t see a let down in this game. The biggest reason is that Utah delivered an absolute beatdown last year. I think the team has been able to use this as motivation and help guard against a let down.

    I watched Utah’s game vs UCLA and they did not look good at all. The O-line was not good and it absolutely killed them.

    I think the keys to the game are,

    1. Control the line of scrimmage. Utah’s oline is their weakest point. Stuff the run and force Utah to the air early.
    2. Get to the QB. Sounds like Utah will start a true frosh who is not a mobile QB at all. The beavs have been pretty good against freshman QBs in Reser. The DE’s should have a field day rushing. Should see plenty of blitzes to try to rattle him and force bad decisions.
    3. Don’t change the game plan for offense. Keep trying to run the ball. Establish physical dominance over their defense.

    The weather may slow down the offense but the defense will come to play. Looks like weather will be cold and rainy. Should make for a miserable night for Utah.

    Something like 24-10 or 28-7.

    Some of the extras I’d like to see,
    1. Lots of sacks. 2nd and long, 3rd and long would be excellent.
    2. More Poyer interceptions. Or maybe a long punt return.
    3. Some kind of exciting kickoff return.

    • I doubt that the Beavs bring many blitzes. They have been effective rushing just 3 or 4 and creating pressure while having the short routes covered.

      • They’ve blitzed from the DB’s quite a lot but almost every time it’s been on the wrong side of the play or the QB got rid of it quick. Any one else notice that?

  7. If Tyner does committ back to the Beavs wouldn’t that be the biggest prophesy we’ve predicted?

    He had his twitter, etc all peppered with Beaver stuff and went to the Sac. St. game last year and that totally lost all interest for him. Then right after her commits to the Ducks. We all jokingly said he was just trolling the Ducks and stringing them along and then at the end signs as a Beaver….

    I hope its coming true haha, for the slap in the face to the Ducks aspect.

    • It would be a neat deal. But this likely would have happened if he were committed to us as well. Remember before all that he was talking about probably preferring the warmer climes.

      • I think you are right, Jack. The warmer climes and, possibly, the girlfriend heading to UCLA, along with the curiosity of youth all argue for changing/questioning decisions.

        Probably of no consequence, but does everyone realize that Pat Casey’s kid brother is the HC at Aloha?
        BTW, Chris Casey will be re-starting the George Fox football program next year.

  8. Mannion practiced in full gear today against the Scout team. Vaz will still be the starter most definitely, but ‘Manning’ should/will be back for the UW game.

    • I think you are manic Mr. believer. Your preseason predictions were overwhelmingly pessimistic. Now your a crazy optimist. We can all agree “Vaz” looked great (as many predicted) against the Y, but its too small a sample size to annoit him king QB. You cannot discout Mannion’s leadership thus far, and his game winning/sealing drives have been NFL caliber. He’s had 1 less then stellar game of 4 where our oline wasn’t great and he got injured. This is still his team. It’s great to have proof that Vaz is more then capable when he needs to be called upon. Maybe he can be OSU’s Matt Castle.

        • Vaz was impressive, no doubt. I think silversteams practice reports always had Vaz and Mannion being neck in neck, with Vaz often times looking better at the end of the day. Remembering those reports made me comfortable/confident last week with him at the helm. It’s just too soon to tell though. Don’t forget, Mannion is top 10 in yards per game. Also, last week the Beavs got the lucky breaks (ie defleced pass for td, bounce off the wr pick 6) that historically go the other direction. Vaz maybe great, it’s certainly a great 1st game. I’d just be foolish to unseat mannion at this juncture.

  9. Vaz is better at what? I was pleased to see that Vaz stepped in and was great for the BYU game. But, it was one game. For the most part, we played that one game with a max protect strategy. Hard to say that he is better than Mannion based on one good game.

      • I think that “no film” means close to nothing in this situation. If the OS offense changed dramatically with Vaz as opposed to Mannion, then that would matter. But, the best thing that Vaz did, IMO, was to keep the offense rolling without much change.

        I’m not bagging on Vaz. I think he did a great job and I am excited to know that we have depth at QB. But to say that he is “better” than Mannion based on 1 game is just silliness.

        • They obviously weren’t able to see the way he spirals the ball, or how he throws the ball outside to the receiver on an out-route, as opposed to Mannion, who…does the same thing.

          Tape is only useful vs a quarterback who runs, so you can see his comfort in the pocket and his tendencies. For QBs, it’s not hugely important.

          Vaz played great, got one lucky TD(The Prince tip), and will be the backup when Mannion is healthy. But at least we know we have a gamer if something bad should happen again.

      • Did you think Vaz was going to do anything materially different from Mannion? Both pocket passers, both not very mobile. They had film on our plays, so what exactly was mysterious to them?

    • I floated the idea of Kearsley to OSU to Canzano via Twitter earlier today and it sounds like he’s going to talk about that topic next. funny how a rumor can eat up and entire segment of sports talk radio.

  11. Cant see a letdown. Will be very surprised if we even come out flat. Utah kicked out ass last season, and they hadnt won a C game before that.

    And…..the home crowd deserves a blowout win — I hope we get one….even in the rain.

    Dont worry about Vaz becoming no 1 — worry about him not having a letdown. I dont think he will.

    Seemed to me the O line showed they can pass block, and I hope that continues

    We need to keep developing, keep improving….. the last game (real game) in the season is our big test, even if we dont go in undefeated. Can we compete with the Ducks? Looks like our best chance in a while.

    • Agreed; no chance for a loss, although a “Let down” might happen just because of expectations. Maybe we win 27-14 instead of 35-10; I would consider that a let down, even though it’s still a solid win.

      You know that Poyer remembers last year’s game, and he won’t let anyone else on the team forget how embarrassing it was. That’s why I’m not concerned that we’re overlooking Utah; that loss hurt too much to forget.

      BTW, Lettuce is SECOND in the Pac12 in FG%, at 75%. What a joke. 3-4, so good!

    • Regarding Vaz, even if he has another good game like last weekend, I think the best you could say is that he is just as good as Mannion (though everyone has to agree he has virtually no game experience and you just never know how and when that is going to bite you in the ass). Assuming they are on an equal playing field, it makes absolutely no sense to keep playing Vaz and stumble into another clumbsy QB controversy, possibly alienating the sophomore who stands to be a phenominal QB for the next two years. It is Mannion’s team, and you give the ball back to Mannion unless Vaz is clearly superior.

      • Yep….. Vaz has gained stature, and now seems a solid backup. …assuming he continues his solid play.

        If when Mannion comes back, he stumbles and only gets some poor efficiency, then you have a decision to me as head coach.

        This seems to be one of those weird, magical seasons, so I dont expect that. Cinderella is still on the dance floor, and midnight is a long way off … (I hope … lol).

        • There both fine, no worries. If Mannion’s healthy, he starts. Vaz is a dependable, capable back up. No controversy, this is exactly what a team wants.

  12. Who’s the Offensive captain again?! Oh ya, Mannion…not Vaz. When Mannion’s healthy again, you give the start back to the captain. Vaz came in when he had to and that’s why he was the backup. Also, with all the batted balls against BYU, I wouldn’t be surprised to see an INT or two against Utah from Vaz unless the pocket is rolled and pump fakes are implemented. BYU adjusted their pass rush for tipped balls at the line of scrimmage. Otherwise, the Offense was exactly the same as the last 4 games.

    • ? They all say 10.5 is a big spread but they think OSU will cover. That OSU is the surprise team of the year, that the gamblers haven’t realized how good this team is. And I think that he’s implying that a lot of the OSU players are under the radar types that don’t get recruited by the popular schools like Oregon. Other then Wheaton and Seumalo he’s pretty much spot on. Maybe I’m missing something or reading too far into the statement.

        • I guess if you go literal and take it to be only U of O scraps, then yeah it’s not entirely accurate. However, I’m sure you’ll find more players on the ducks roster with OSU offers then vice versa. Especially with Oregon kids. Other then that 1 misstep the three dudes are very bullish on OSU.

  16. Comcast SportsNet NW ?@CSNNW

    Reportedly, RB Thomas Tyner has contacted Oregon State and is planning to schedule a visit with the Beavers

    Casey Holdahl ?@CHold

    Tyner clowns the Beavs after they lose to Sac State, and now OSU is “in the hunt”?

    John Canzano ?@JohnCanzanoBFT

    Autzen Stadium camera person put Tyner on jumbo screen vs. Arizona. Oregon self-reported what is a minor NCAA violation http://bit.ly/Raunif

    John Canzano ?@JohnCanzanoBFT

    Column: Oregon State joins Oregon in the Thomas Tyner Sweepstakes http://bit.ly/Raunif

    • This season could end up better then Ted Millers best case worst case: OSU knocks UofO out of the NCG, and ends up going themselves. Oregon top commits switch to OSU. NCAA drops the hammer. Chip bolts for the NFL. Having excellent dreams tonight!

  18. Tyner has been a Beaver fan since he was a young boy. I think his quick commitment to Oregon was just sheer pressure and the glitz and glamor + winning and now hes really weighing his choices now.

  19. Also just a thought, Oregon has already committed two minor NCAA violations with Thomas Tyner already (that we know of) already. First there was a booster contacting Tyner and trying to sway him (which I personally emailed NCAA and Oregon about lol, they thanked me). Then, secondly, putting him on camera via the jumbotron at the Arizona game.

  20. I hadn’t realized FB Anderson was only a sophomore – that’s great to learn. He should continue to put on weight and develop as a player and be a great compliment to Woods/Agnew/Brown next year. I hope we see his number called more in the next two years.

    As for Tyner, he’s a young kid with a tremendous number and diversity of options. I think OSU should continue to recruit him hard, but everybody should probably be patient and prepare for some indecisiveness until potentially signing day itself.

  21. Jon Wilner giving Riley, Wheaton, and Crichton some luv. In another post he picks the Beavs to go to the Alamo Bowl.

    blogs.mercurynews.com/collegesports/2012/10/17/pac-12-football-midseason-awards-and-all-conference-team/#more-27848

    • Would be nice if Cooks and Wheaton got some love from national writers. They love Marqise Lee and the Lee-Woods duo, yet Cooks and Wheaton are just flat out better. Lee’s big #’S came against garbage opponents. Last 4 games he has 33 catches 418 yards and 3 TD’s. Wheaton’s last 4 games he has 33 catches, 477 yards and 6 TD’s and a rushing TD. But because Wheaton plays for OSU he doesn’t even get mentioned in the same breath as Lee. Wheaton and Cooks are the best 1-2 combo but probably won’t get the credit they deserve unless the Beavers stay undefeated which I expect them to.

      Was nice to see Crichton get some love. That dude is an absolute beast. Hard to believe he’s only a sophomore. This Beavers team is so fun to watch.

  22. http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8513545/what-second-half-college-football-season-bring

    #8 team in the country is not mentioned in this entire article about looking forward to the second half of the season. OSU is ranked higher than USC but somehow the November third game between Oregon and USC is some unbelievably enormous game but the Civil War game isn’t even thought of as being close to a big game. The bias is incredible from ESPN. Wouldn’t expect differently though. Beavers keep winning and they’ll get their respect, just funny how the Beavers can’t even be mentioned a single time.

      • No kidding. It seems whenever it comes out someone from the program is leaving or thinking about leaving (Chip, Bennett, Tyner), the next morning they’ve had a sudden change of heart. Does Phil own any race horses? I’m thinking these guys are finding horse heads in their beds.

        • That would be funny but it’s probably near truth. Then there’s the sports column that someone would offer Tyner something he couldn’t refuse. If the Oregon program had integrity, I think they would tell the young man to look around, that they want him to be absolutely certain. Instead they apparently pressured or offered something he couldn’t turn down – and this was only overnight. Go figure.

  26. The CIA assassinated Kennedy. 911 was an inside job. Phil Knight influenced Tyner. Lots of conjecture with no credible evidence. Yes…folks it’s right up there with popular conspiracy theories. This thing will play itself out… sit tight… wait it out. JB

    • Our best hope will be someone from this year’s class (Bolden?). All the speed guys from previous years are gone or converted to DB’s.

      That said, we have some big, talented possession receivers in Gwacham, Mullaney, and Gilmore.

      • Don’t sleep on Mullaney or Gilmore. Those two have a ton of talent and will only look better as they mature. They’re big, technical and physical with sticky hands. The speed is coming in this year’s class on both sides. I think Walter Jones is the fastest commit right now. But Walker and Bolden aren’t far behind.

        • Just checked out Jones’ track times. 10.7 100m puts him in Cooks/Wheaton territory. Hopefully he can catch and doesn’t get moved to the defensive side of the ball.

          Going purely off track times, Bolden is a bit behind with low 11’s in the 100m.

          A guy I’m curious about that hasn’t committed is Joshua Reynolds from San Antonio (Brasfield’s alma mater). He’s 6’3, a hurdles star, and he plays offense, defense, kicker, and punter, as well as playing basketball. Sounds to me like a guy that will commit later in the cycle, but he seems to be flying under the radar thus far.

  28. I know most of us are partial to our Beavs but seriously. Wouldn’t chosing the Beavs right now really be a good move for Tyner and others wanting to make it to the NFL. OSU is obviously on the up track and I believe will continue upwards at least for a couple years. We offer a great atmosphere with no NCAA sanctions, a Pro-style, and no real depth competition. Tyner would be a star at OSU. At OU he will be just another one of their players.

    • Depends on how much he loves track and how fast he actually is. That’s probably the deciding factor, the ability to compete for two national championships. If he’s a world class sprinter, then he’ll go to UO.

      If he wants the NFL, then OSU is a better fit since there is not as much adjustment to the pros in terms of scheme.

      Anyways, he’s not going to go to OSU.

  29. Just a note on RB’s and prospects…

    I’m still high on Brown. Give him a year of training and practice as well as a training table, and he will be your typical NFL type tailback. We see how Woods’ has progressed from his senior year to this year with the redshirt. Brown will do the same, which makes him a scary scary man in the backfield if you’re a defense.

    Agnew, Ward and Anderson have been nothing short of wonderful as back-ups to Woods. They are all solid, low to the ground, strong and improving. When they’re all seniors (2014) we will have a true stable of backs who can just fill in when needed. And that leaves Woods, Brown and X prospect from this year.

    The X prospect I’m buying for 2013 is Lawrence Mattison from Smithson Valley in San Antonio. The kid is old school. I love the mechanics of his stride, the smooth hips and quick feet and how he drives his shoulders instead of trucking a hit. His tape looks like the old slo-mo tapes of Walter Payton IMO with that elongated stride, great balance and even the sideline drive instead of stepping out. My favorite play on this tape is the bounce, bounce, stiff-arm, hurdle, missed tackle and drive down the sideline at 1:30. It also doesn’t hurt that he likes to line up in the slot and catch the ball.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMhSCJc47wc

    • Agreed on Mattison. After seeing him on tape, it blows my mind that no Texas school bigger than UH or UTSA want him. He does look a bit chunky, so a redshirt year for conditioning would definitely do him some good.

      Supposedly he ran a 10.66 in the 100m last year (that’s around what Brandin Cooks ran in HS).

    • I like not only his ability, but that fact that he would add something different to a good OSU backfield.

      Looking out the next couple of years, its heartening to see OSU will have – at least on the offensive side of the ball – enough depth and ability to diversify play calls and not have to rely heavily on one RB or a limited number of skill players. They can put people in the game that add a different dimension and threat.

  31. OT – Homecoming weekend. I don’t know how many of you plan to be there, but it’s a full schedule. Roosevelt Credit, OSU alumnus, and now an internationally renowned Broadway performer will be in concert. I think it says something about OSU that he will go there and perform a free concert. Doesn’t mean he isn’t getting paid but there’s no cost to those who attend. I especially love it because OSU isn’t really thought of as a music school.

  32. Jack Arute just noted that Mike Riley and Nick Saban will be the guest coaches on his S/XM radio show tomorrow morning.

  35. So I was thinking about how great it would be to go to the Rose Bowl on the off chance that the Ducks get to the NC game and we have the second best P12 record. Then I thought to my self…hey, wait a minute, that still kind of sucks to have UO in the NCG, and it would mean that I’m at least passively rooting for the ducks’ success. Which is unacceptable. So now, I’m rooting for ASU to beat UO, run the table (losing to us, of course), and then hopefully we can muster up a CW win. Beavs face ASU in the CCG, which we of course win and go to the Rose Bowl. Ducks head to the third place Holiday Bowl, with ASU going to the Alamo.

    In this scenario, we could lose one conference game so long as it’s not to the UO and land in the top spot for the North.

    I like that much, much better. Go Sun Devils.

    • Nonsense. I’m rooting for both teams to be undefeated going into the civil war, at which point the good guys beat UO, move up to number 2 in the BCS, and after beating ASU or USC for the Pac12 championship, subsequently beating Notre Dame in the national championship game (I’ve got ‘bama losing to LSU and Florida losing to South Carolina).

    • Why not win out and go to the national championship game?

      Oregon loses to ASU, USC, Stanford and OSU and goes to the kraft fight hunger bowl.

      • We don’t move up to number 1 or 2 in the BCS unless we beat a top-3 ranked Oregon. Without a win of that caliber, we’d be relegated behind a 1-loss SEC team.

        • An undefeated Pac-12 team would not be jumped by a 1 loss SEC team. That would only happen for an undefeated ACC team.

          • If the Beavs go undefeated, they will be in the top 2 of the BCS. Their computer ranking would most likely be #1 as the only 2 ooc games would be Wiscy and BYU along with victories against 10 PAC12 teams.

          • Unless the human pollsters totally screw us. Typically the problem has been when there is a one loss team PAC-12 vs say a two loss SEC team. The only scenario that we get screwed in is if ND goes undefeated, OSU/PAC-12 team goes undefeated, and SEC team goes undefeated… that would be trouble for us. Kansas state could also be a problem, but I don’t think the computers like them much.

    • I’m cool with the Beavs goin to the Rose Bowl and the Ducks in the National Championship. That would be good for the whole state. In the end though, we would win our bowl game and the Ducks would not.

      • Whoever goes to the Rose Bowl from the Pac-12 will win it. The only semi-decent team from the Big 10 is tOSU and they are ineligible. The Pac-12 representative wins by 20!

  36. I was in San Francisco yesterday, in Beaver gear of course, and it was a lot more fun talking Beavers this trip than in the last couple of years. A couple of the more interesting comments/ questions were, “how come the Beavs are so much better this year?’ and “are you going to beat the ducks this year?” I did run into one usc fan who is convinced that the Beavs will be the only undefeated team going into the Civil War

  37. just read on olive that mannion will dress and be available to play saturday. im pumped. i’m sure vaz still starts (we should be able to win with either one) but it’s nice to know his recovery is going swimmingly.

  38. Vaz should play the whole game. Only time Mannion should come in is for a kneel down. Vaz has all the reps. No reason to rush Mannion back. If Vaz struggles, put in Harrington..

  39. Vaz won’t struggle. But when it’s time to pull him, get Harrington some reps. I’m hoping Harrington gets to play the last half of the fourth quarter.

  40. Cody will do just fine and I believe even better than last week due to all our fans supporting him in the stands. I hope Riley gives Mannion all the rest and healing time he needs and more. At this point I don’t see any reason to rush his return.

    I think electricity will by in the air at Reser Saturday evening. I hope the weather co-operates with a mostly dry game and tailgating. It’s going to be fun!

    • “Cody will do just fine and I believe even better than last week due to all our fans supporting him in the stands.”

      I agree with this statement but I also feel like are fans can suck the air out the stadium just as quick. During the wazzu game when it was close, in the section I was in, no one would stand-up on 3rd downs and acted like a bunch of whiners. I had to reference Autzen staduim at least being loud the whole time and having energy, for a few others in the section to stand-up and support the team. I like playing on the road better sometimes, it’s the us against the world attitude. Of course I rather be in the stands rooting and cheering but until those in Reser start getting pumped up like some of us do, it could hurt this team in a bad way.

      • I Agree. For the amount of people at the Wazzu game, it wasn’t loud. There were a few points during the Wisconsin game when I couldn’t hear a thing.

        A quick start Saturday night will be important to get the crowd going.

        To all the old farts who complain about people standing: FUCK OFF

        • I was on the new side and stood and got loud for every 3rd down opportunity to get Wazzu off the field. I also stood for some defensive plays when I felt like it on 2nd down. We were on the new side and doing this the whole game as were many other people on the lower level. I imagine Section 225 up above was doing this plenty as well as that is one of the best upper sections.

          I did notice that the old side was just sitting there, even on the vast majority of 3rd downs. To me this is pathetic and what can get you in trouble once in awhile. The previous game against WSU at Reser in 2010 we lost partially because fans were dead quiet for most of the game. That can at times lead to the players playing more lethargic. I thought the new side all in all was pretty loud for most of the game. I just thought the old side had too many people happy to sit there and watch. That’s why I can’t wait until Reser Phase 3 and getting a standing only section that matches the student section. It will force the West Side to start getting into it early and get the energy amped up early across the stadium as it should be.

          Once there are enough people standing on enough plays those who don’t want to show energy become too timid to say anything because they become the minority as they should be. The best atmospheres stay juiced for most of the game. You have to envelope the opposing team in a hostile environment early and let them know it will be a huge uphill climb to try winning. This usually makes it more likely they will shrink some and increases OSU’s odds of being the victor. If you can basically put a team away at halftime, you are in prime position to win most your games.

  41. OT – If ASU is to win tonight, I think Sutton and the interior have to play out of their minds and have their best game of the season. They need to disrupt in the backfield a la Auburn and LSU. Some turnovers would sure help, and UO can turn the ball over.

    Still picking the ducks because of Kelly and their familiarity with the spotlight and pressure.

    • IMHO Arizona State has to do three major things tonight to beat the ducks:

      1. NO TURNOVERS and capitalize on any duck turnovers with points.
      2. Make the ducks play their game, and not be forced into the quick pace of the ducks. When the ducks played Auburn, LSU, Stanford and USC and lost they had to and did slow their offense.
      3. AS has to score first and keep scoring right off the bat. When Oregon gets behind in a game it seems their game plan crumbles and it throws everything out of wack or quack for them. It’s like killing a snake before it strikes out.

      Oregon has a good team, a good coaching staff and they are dangerous. It will take almost a perfect game for AZ to out do the ducks tonight.

    • ASU hasn’t played anyone yet. They didn’t even get Cal on one of those wacky days when Cal looks decent. UCLA got that Cal game. So they played one team with a good offense and no defense and got beat by one terrible team and their back-up QB.

      The loss was on the road, but so was Cal. We’ll see which ASU shows up tonight at home. They might have enough to hang for a little while since Nikegon hasn’t really played on the road yet.

      But ASU will likely go down in flames tonight.

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