Home Football Oregon State @ BYU

Oregon State @ BYU

320

I am surprised how confident Beaver fans are given that BYU is 27-3 at home in their last 30 games, have a top ranked defense, and OSU is starting Cody Vaz. What is there to be confident about is what I'd like to know?

Yes, I agree OSU's defense should hold BYU to under 20 points. But Will OSU score more than that with Vaz at the helm? Riley says the playbook won't change, but there's a natural tendency to coddle a new QB and call a conservative game. I can't imagine Vaz playing an error free game. We're hearing he was picked off three times in practice today. I'm thinking he'll throw a couple vs BYU. So, does OSU win the turnover battle? Riley Nelson is savvy. Can't see him turning it over much.

Then there's the psychology. Beavs know if they can afford to drop a game it's this one (non-conference). We'll see how bad they really want the excellence about which they've been talking. If they play like a team that can afford to drop a game then they aren't ready for that #10 ranking and what it entails.

Also, BYU's entire team is 25. They'll 'out man' the Beavs. So there's that. I really want to believe. Heck, I even think Vaz is a pretty good backup. I just don't see why people think this is going to be easy, or why the Beavs will even win. Because BYU's offense looked bad a few games? Each week is different, folks. A lot of that is matchups, psychology, intensity, etc…all change week to week (see Cal/UCLA). Just please explain why I should believe…why this is an easy win. Because I see an ugly, ugly, ugly game where the Beavs have everything working against them. I think the line is spot on.

17-13, BYU

320 COMMENTS

  1. I don’t see this being an easy win at all, I just have a little more confidence because this OSU team is more than just a good quarterback and I think over all we are a better team than them. But what you bring up about each week being different, this could be the week that BYU figures out how to play offense. I don’t see us winning a shootout, but if it’s a low scoring game I think we could pull it off.

  2. I think on this side of the game it is allowed to wear the orange and black glasses. This could be historic for OSU, I read something like 1939 was the last 5-0 start? I have seen BYU against Utah, Boise St and Utah St., not real impressive. Boise State didn’t score, but with last years QB they would have scored every time. The real unknown is Vaz, but he is also unknown to BYU. I remember the 08 Trojans were the “best team to take the field since the game was invented”. I was sick to death of the sportscasters crowning SC that year with that statement. And we know what happened. So in the face of superior talent and age etc. we know the Beavs can do it. Question is if they will do it. But as Angry stated it won’t be easy.

  3. I have a good feeling about Cody. I’ve seen him in practice over the years and he has some real talent as a QB. He is a smart quarterback and has a good arm. I believe the unknown is (yes I know I said it bofore) Riley’s play calling and game plan. I have no problem with short passes and running plays to get Vaz settled in at first. It’s just what kind of running and passing plays will Riley call. We have to score, and maybe for the first time score a good number of points. There will be two good defensive teams playing against each other. Which one can physically last 4 quarters is the one which will land on top.

    Remember it’s BYU’s home coming and they are having their own “blackout” with new, one time use, black uniforms. They will have something to prove to their fans, but the Beavs do to. I believe the first half will tell the direction of the game.

    31 – 17 Beavers

  4. OSU 1 BYU -3

    BYU kicker nails a -50 yarder in the wrong field post.
    4th quarter Romaine seals the deal with a shank caught by the OSU cheerleader and his megaphone, good for 1 point.

  5. Normally, I cringe every time the Beavs go out on the road. However, this season seems to be different. I think they are road-tested albeit with Mannion at the helm. Maybe there is less pressure to perform on the road than at home. I think the defense really steps it up knowing Vaz is being broken in. Hard to imagine the Beavs getting more than 20 points on the board, so I’ll go with 13-3 as the final score.

  6. It would be ridiculous to try to predict the outcome of this game. I could easily see this game being a blowout loss, where penalties and turnovers doom us. A loud stadium, hostile crowd could effect a young QB and OL. If that does happen, shake it off and move on, this game is not as important as the next pac12 conference game is.

    But I could also see a scenario where we win this game. This team has a different feel too it, maybe its due for a bubble burst, or maybe they have something special. It might be Moveao coming in for Canfield and playing well and leading us to victory? Also, I agree with the above post, I have seen BYU and they have looked terrible. I think their defense is a little overrated, but the numbers don’t suggest that. Their kicker is horrible, and their red zone offense is unimaginative and not very effective.

    I am going to sit back and watch what happens, I am anxious to see how this team handles this adversity. I have a slight feeling they might just surprise.

  7. I don’t see folks being wildly optimistic about this game. There are, however, some plausbile reasons for being somewhat optimistic: the OSU run defense and spread offense containment, which killed us vs. BYU last year are notably improved; conversely, so is our running game. Our QB hasn’t played a meaningful down ever, but then their’s hasn’t in almost a month. We have a better record against better competition (with Mannion as QB of course). I noted in an earlier thread that it’s dumb for BYU to be wearing black uniforms in the mid day sun (and I’m glad someone at OSU has figured out that playing day games in Reser in all black is counter-intuitive.)

    The way I see it, there is no advantage to either team’s scheme, our athletes might not be as big but they are faster and playing in a more disciplined fashion (excepting penalties); BYU has an obvious edge at QB. Unless OSU turns the ball over a lot I think this game ends up being played out like the first four: in doubt mid-way through the 4th quarter.

    • It’s funny that they choose to wear black and all the fans will be in black. I think they are missing the point/strategy. When I went to the Penn State game, I had some of the best seats I’ve ever had at a football game. But what amazed me, was how we wore all white- and impossible it was to see our guys surrounded by the sea of white. That concept of the crowd wearing the opponents color seemed to work well. But BYU, like many schools, is getting it backwards.

  8. BYU has scratched and clawed their way to 12 COMBINED points against Boise State and Utah State with the latter being at home. Hawaii is a horrid program, so let’s throw that game out. Against Utah, Boise State and Utah St, BYU has scored 33 points. They aren’t in the top 70 in the country in total offense and that’s with having played Weber State and Hawaii. They just aren’t a good offensive team. That’s what they are.

    Also, Riley Nelson won’t turn it over? He has 6 turnovers in 3 1/2 games. The Beaver defense will get some chances to make plays. Nelson will make some bad throws, Poyer, Reynolds and co. just need to take advantage.

    BYU’s home streak is nice and all that, but what actual good team have they beaten at Provo? All the quality teams to come to Provo during that time have kicked the crap out of BYU.

    I think this will be a really tight game. I’ve been impressed by the BYU defense, they’re good, but the Beavers’ defense is also good. Both the kickers suck. I think Vaz will make just enough plays through the air and the Beavers will make a big play on defense. I expect the fly sweep to be a bigger part of the offense. Beavers win 20-13

    • BYU has a slew of injuries this year, which probably explains much of that, and it may catch up to them against OSU (who I think are slightly overrated at #10).

      Regarding the age difference, OSU’s D just needs to say “I’m not afraid to hit an old man.”

      • I’m somewhat sick of seeing the “over-rated” comments. Actually, if the polls didn’t start until the 5th week of the season I would think we actually might be higher in the polls. Of course polls by their very nature are subjective and thus may not truly reflect reality. Since you believe that the #10 ranking is high, who do you think has proven more on the field than the Beavs this year that are ranked below them? I’m not even saying that there aren’t more than 9 teams that could beat OS, but to say that they are over-rated based on the way things are going to this point of the season is a pretty silly statement. IMO

    • you’re totally right about the fly sweep. who knows, maybe vaz throws a block on a defensive end like lyle did on grayson gunheim. i don’t think they’ll be able to contain wheaton and cooks. they both had a big game against them last year. woods is obviously the other key.

    • Totally agree with the analysis by GoBeavs90. I’m not at all sold on the BYU defense yet. Yeah the numbers look gaudy but look at the crap competition. Weber State (FCS), Hawaii (terrible), Utah (no offense), Boise State (down year for them no offense), Utah State was probably the best win. I am much more impressed with the Beavers #4 in the nation run D who has stopped Heisman hopefuls than a BYU #1 in the nation run D who has put the hammer down on substandard competition. Now look at BYU’s offense, if you take away the Weber state game and a horrendous Hawaii defense that also lost 2 of its best defenders during the first part of the BYU game, you can see their offense is pathetic and would rank near the bottom in the nation.

      Riley Nelson is back for BYU and they are claiming him at 100% (bull $hit!). He fractured a vertebrae a few weeks ago, I’m pretty sure its not 100%. He’s a running QB and that is where he is dangerous and a merely average passer. You will not be seeing him running much if at all in this game. The coaches would be morons to run him and risk hurting him again which takes away a big part of his game. I’m not sure he even makes it through the game with the hits he is bound to endure from Scott Crichton and Dillon Wynn.

      I think Vaz just needs to be a game manager and not try to do to much. Try to do some things that get Cooks and Wheaton the ball in space and let them do their thing. Those guys are dangerous every time they touch the ball. Hopefully we can get a run game going too, I don’t buy the BYU #1 rush defense due to substandard competition.

      I think this will be a low scoring game with Beaver D winning the day and keeping BYU out of the end zone.

      Oregon State 17 – BYU 6

    • Some quick research shows that fractured vertebrae take 6-8 weeks to set and 10-12 weeks to heal. Who here thinks Nelson really is healthy?

  9. Want to know why your score is completely off? You’re predicting TWO made field goals from Lettuce. That’s just ridiculous.

    Yeah, all their players are older. But they don’t win every game, so it must not matter THAT much. Besides, we don’t apply pressure to QBs anyway(unless they stand around FOREVER like Tuel did) so OL size isn’t a big deal, and I’m confident in our line’s ability to open holes for the ground game(a staple under Riley EXCEPT during Quizz’s final two years, when he couldn’t buy a lane to run through).

    All of which is to say, BYU plays tough at home, sure, but we’re #10 for a reason. And even though QB is the most important position on the field, and ours is out, there are still 21 other starters that are playing amazing football. And Vaz is no scrub. We’re #10 and they beat nobody 6-3. I’d take them seriously, but I’m not scared.

    24-14 OSU.

  10. I’ll be in Utah the next two Saturdays, will be interesting to read the local rag.

    OSU 24-14

    Remember–there are two home teams in the country that you have to overcome the refs (BYU and Hawaii)

  11. I do like that the game is early (12:30), so we don’t have sit around all day and get yourself nervous. Maybe that will allow them to let it fly?

  12. I think it will come down to turnovers and special teams. We can’t fall behind early & need to be aggressive on both sides of ball. Really hope DJ & Wheaton are okay. Beavs 10-7

  13. I don’t think anyone was taking this game for granted even before Mannion went out. Yes, I am more nervous now for sure but agree with the post above in that this team has more then a QB playing. It is the overall play that will cause this team to WILL it out as a win.

    I think the strength this young team has displayed and the team work ethic / effort have fans confident in them. When was the last time we felt that…. it has felt like a 1000 years.

    GO BEAVS!

  14. BYU has a busted up running QB with a bad back. If he takes a few hits early, i could see them going to their 3rd stringer. same could happen to OSU. im thinking low score around 9-6 Beavs, with a td, missed extra pt, and made field goal for Romaine’s lucky kick of the day. (there will be missed field goals by both teams).

  15. I know it doesn’t make sense:

    1) BYU is undefeated at home this year and will have 64K in the stands; and
    2) Riley Nelson is far more experienced than Vaz.

    But, I FEEL like if Nelson runs often as he did successfully at Reser last he’ll pay for it against this year’s Beaver D and may not finish the game (he’s got a bad back).

    I also FEEL like the D and the O-line will pick up their games and carry OSU to the win.

    I agree that the odds are against OSU, the game will not be easy, but I’m picking OSU and it’s not objective at all….

    • other confounding factors/considerations:

      OSU has really only put up points once, kind of like BYU in that regard,
      BYU’s kicking-game has been described as “a dumpster fire.”

      • Yeah, I normally strive to be constructively critical and objective, but when I pick the beavers in this game, I can’t say its because i think they should win.

        Jack points out below some good points about BYU…

  16. I was reading somewhere that Riley had fractures in his back. How in the hell do you play with that? I guess they heal quickly or something? I think Vaz is going to have to hit a couple of long passes to Wheaton/Cooks. BYU is going to be smothering the line of scrimmage.

  17. Strangely, I am truly more confident going into this game with Vaz than I was with Mannion. Don’t get me wrong, I think Mannion is the better QB. But I just feel that now relying on Vaz, this team and all it’s members will be less complacent and more focused. With Mannion, I was nervous that we would slip, having had all this success. I was predicting a narrow and stressful win behind Sean. With Cody, I feel it reminds every player of their importance, and Im predicting a focused showing. A blowout, but probably a game much closer than the final score will show. Just my feeling on it.

    • You should be. (more confident with Vaz) We now know Mannion was an injury waiting to happen. And having a week you know you are the starter, is far different psychologically from No 1 going down in a close game, and now you are tossed in the grinder.

      If Vaz does well, and efficiently runs the offense, he is in fact better than Mannion, because Sean has a bad knee.

      Mannion “injured” his knee turning for a handoff. That really isnt an injury, its a defect. A weak knee.

      • Silly post rsteve. Knees are tricky things. Meniscus tears often happen doing silly things like stepping off a curb or such. Mannion played all last year without injury and this far into this year. To say he is injury prone is just silly.

        • I had a friend who blew out his MCL and ACL just walking up the stairs in the dark one night. He just thought there was one more step than there was. Sometimes these things are just freakish.

          A doctor friend tells me Mannion likely had a tear before he knew he had a tear. The play which he and Riley blame for the injury itself was likely just an aggravation rather than the original injury. He could have torn it slightly and healed improperly six years ago or over the summer without really knowing that something slightly serious was going on down there. He just rubbed some dirt on it before.

          • Sorry, but I do not agree. Everyone experiences these mis-steps and odd movements. And some folks can get run over by a car and get up and walk away. Others however, have weakness built in, and it only takes a small thing to make it happen. Sam Bowie, the Blazer center is an old case in point. He jumps, comes down on his feet, and breaks a bone. Defect– built in weakness.

            We are not all the same. Some are hugely injury resistant ….others get injured easily. Just the way it is.

          • I don’t disagree with that. But show me a football player who says he isn’t injured, and I’ll show you a liar. That’s just what happens when you go play in traffic for three hours.

            I think the point is that he may have had this injury for a while without knowing he had it. The body does a lot of things to compensate and adapt when it’s injured. But it doesn’t always do those things right… in a healing sense.

          • Yeah, that’s true, I guess. It got injured but the body doesnt register it. Pain even, is a funny thing and sometimes isnt there or is turned off for whatever reason.

  18. We lead the nation in time of possession, how does this factor into our defense and with Vaz at the helm can we sustain TOP? It’s interesting that the TV guys talk about some of the hurry-up offenses around and running 80+ plays in a game. We ran 82 last Saturday. The defense scores a TD, offense picks up a couple of FGs and BYU scores late against a tired D and Beaver Nation sweats out a 13-10 win when Lettuce misses a couple of FGs that could’ve iced the game.

  19. If BYU scores more than 10 points, I will eat my shorts.

    1. The last time BYU beat a ranked team: 2009 Las Vegas Bowl
    2. The last team to rack 300+ passing yards against BYU: 2011 OSU
    3. The last time BYU beat OSU in Provo: 1973
    4. The second longest home win streak ever (at the time) was broken in Provo by: OSU…

    … and Bronco was there.

    Get over the BYU hype. OSU was pummeled like any Fresno-like team does. Boise did it… and Fresno did it. They’re cheap shot shits who get away with maiming people because they’re just damn good at being cheap shot shits.

    We know this now. Two years of getting pumped means our boys are ready to give them the hell they think we come from.

    OSU 31 – BYU 9

    • Oh… and feel free to rage on about them being juiced. They are.

      Alisa worried me. Hill worried me less, but he kinda worried me. Their O-line sucks and is getting more hobbled by the week… and is small. Their defensive front hasn’t faced a real O-line yet, let alone in practice.

      This would be a monumentally huge let-down if we lost this game. We might as well be the suck-ass 2011 Beavs if we lose this one.

      • I think people are discounting too much the cumulative effect of injuries on BYU – as we know, too many catch up with you at some point. I don’t think they’ve face a D line that’s been playing as well as Oregon State’s.

  20. What we have on our side:

    BYU has no film on CV. If he starts strong, we can fool them for the first half until they make adjustments.
    No Beav will have discipline problems for curfew or getting drunk.
    No one in the stands will be drunk at game time. They will be more polite.

  21. I recommend this album to anyone. But, you know, anyone disagrees with me a lot.

    http://soundcloud.com/amoslee/01-el-camino

    If you were able to see his tour in 2011, you saw something special… at least that’s what is was at the Cuthbert. A half-filled venue gave more to the artist than the sell-outs I’ve seen since.

    And the sell-outs aren’t light-weights… … … Duh?

    He beat Lyle Lovett in terms of value for me that year. And that’s a hard thing to do. Maybe it was the eighth Lyle show I’ve seen that made me so calloused… maybe not.

  22. Ok… two last things… which is really just one thing….

    I really appreciate you all. As trolly as any of you Duck fans think you are… you’re not. As clever as any of you uncured cynics think you may be… you don’t do it.

    There is a special breed of stupid in America which has formed over the last four years. It knows no reality but itself. Facts and data be damned… literally.

    This country will know hell in only a couple years.

    And you know what?

    Most of the dumb fucks who think they know something about religion will blame the Mayans in the end.

    I personally subscribe to ancient aliens and polar shifts.

    There you go nut jobs. Take the time to read about both those whack ideas, then tell me how your sky deity is legit.

    Sorry… been a fun day.

      • Oh you just do not want to know what some of the people out there who think they’re moderates think. Dumb fucks think fascism and communism are remotely similar. Ass hats think laissez faire is awesome… but they must keep oil/grain/military subsidies.

        WTF PEOPLE!!!!! Is America really this stupid? WTF happened to my country?

        I would seriously ditch this pile of dumbshit humanity if I could. But I’ve put more into this country than 99% of those fuck-head, self-proclaimed patriotic flag-waving dumb fucking fuck heads ever will in their or their childrens’ lives.

        Why should I be the one made to leave?

      • Sorry… had to rant. Had a stalker with some pretty good net skills track me for two days across a couple forums before I found him.

        I would like to say for the record that I very much dislike white supremacists. I don’t hate them, but I hate their game.

          • It happens on some of the other forums I participate in. It’s the way some people who can’t deal with hard, cold facts deal with me and a couple other people I know in cyberspace. It’s rare that someone on that side has the tools to track me away from the stupid they vomit. But every once in a while I just get that feeling that someone manages to do it and tries to break down the personal walls rather than trying and failing to break down the linguistic (their usual tool) and factual arguments.

            At that point I have friends out there who can find these people and shut them down. As rare as the successful stalker is, my sixth sense rarely misses. This one had some nasty skills, and I don’t know that I’ve heard the last of him. But he has to be scratching his head about how I got to him.

            I only let the emotion out here. I feel sports are a good vehicle for that. That and nobody on those other forums knows Jack about Jack and his sports. So, to you Duck trolls out there, don’t worry about me trying to do anything to you. I am not my enemy. I don’t even remotely pretend to act in that way without very good reason.

          • Another two favorites are gardening and cooking. Those two personas are tied to each other and nothing else. But the mean and nasty ones are open political and economic forums. There can be trolls from both sides. There can be trolls from either side posing as a sympathetic troll. Although, that flies about as well as Duck troll does here. But there are people out there who can’t handle being beaten on an ideological level and they need to break laws, harass and threaten violence. And on rare occasions some have tools enough to think they can actually find you.

            I’m more direct and gruff than I am here when putting down “talking point” arguments from either side in that world. Both sides will attempt to pelt me with cherry-picked data. Then they will call my mother bad names. But one side has an ever-growing faction of malcontent idiots who think they can justify illegal, unethical, unjust, immoral and downright lewd actions in the name of their cause… without having to pay the consequences.

            I deal with religious idiots also, but I never visit their forums. I was pulled into a fReeper outlier a couple weeks ago, and I think that’s where now-really-hurting-boy came from.

          • Interesting. I have never ventured into the world of economic forums but I can imagine that there is a lot of shouting down of ideas that don’t meld with others theories.
            If you don’t mind sharing the name of the economic forum that you participate in I would be intrigued to read through it. I am at the point of feeling utterly hopeless about the future of the world’s economy led by the deterioration of our economy.

          • Hmmm… there is one hard and fast rule about these forums you must understand. You never… ever… link them to places where you enjoy freedom… never.

            That being said… for the absolutely stupidist and most brilliant people on earth, type politicalforum (all one word) into your google.

            Also type “circle bastiat” for another less populated blog. It’s not one I comment on often. But it does provide a reasonable tone to an ideology I disagree with… if that’s your bent.

            One I have no qualms linking is Robert Reich’s blog. The man is simply brilliant. I wish he would run for office… or at the very least move to Corvallis to teach there. I’ve talked to him about both, and he’s not buying either. Although, Corvallis does seem to be more enticing than voluntary public scorn. Duh?
            http://robertreich.org/post/11329289033

            Take those links, read the words used… not the ideas. Take those words and recycle them in your google machine. Your world will never be the same. I highly suggest creating a secondary email to register on any and all forums. And again, never link a site you don’t want to find your origin. Even proxies don’t keep the bad trolls from finding you.

          • Oh… and don’t buy that the economy is looking down. It is down now. But it’s relatively soaring compared to idiot boy’s economy… which it really still is. All leading indicators suggest solid growth on an international level. The places having severe problems are the nations, states, regions, counties and cities who bought into idiot boy’s policies wholesale. Even so-called socialist entities have suffered due to choices made in a time when they they thought they were immune to stupidity, bought into stupidity and now look stupid.

            I have one simple answer for anyone who argues against national health care (not Obamasurance Care). If you don’t care that your neighbor or the kids who go to school with your kids get sick and give you or your kids (or both) illnesses you don’t think you deserve, then by all means remove health care as an option for them in their lives. By all means, spend more on taxes because of stupid policies which promote illness and funnel the ill to emergency rooms. Then tell me you got yours and I don’t matter.

            I cough in your general direction.

          • Angry… you will want to delete any links to political forums unless what you want is traffic and nothing else. I’m a kitty cat compared to some of the orcs who lurk in that darkness.

  23. 13th ranked safety(According to Rivals) L.J. Moore from Fresno will be visiting next weekend. Other schools in running for him are Notre Dame, Cal, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and UCLA. According to rivals, Tatum Taylor, a 3* CB from Washington will also be visiting that weekend as well. He runs a 40 time of 4.21. That’s fast.

    • this is from August 16 after the scrimmage:

      Junior Cody Vaz had no issues today either, going 12 of 13 for 127 yards and two scores, a 20-yard strike to the hard-running Malcolm Agnew and a 6-yard pass to redshirt-freshman Richard Mullaney.

      “I will say it again, we have two guys at quarterback who can win in this league,” Riley said. “They were both very impressive last night (Wednesday) in the two-minute drills as well.”

    • Meh… I’ll give him a pass until Mannion’s surgery and prognosis are done and delivered. I would worry also, no matter how illogical that worry might be.

      If that look is still there tomorrow, then most definitely call for him to PYHOOYA.

    • I want him to look haggard……might mean is is up late scheming the hell out of using Vaz.

      …..or maybe he is just depressed and up late hitting the bars this week….

    • Last year everyone completed a high percentage of third downs. That may be the single biggest difference to this point of the season.

      • Third down conversion rate for BYU: last season 51%, so far this year 39%. Stats by themselves don’t tell the whole story, but given their QB situation and our improved D I expect they’ll convert around 40% or less.

        • Agree with Sparky here. Our D are putting themselves in position to win on third downs this year. And they’re doing it against some good to great offenses. I don’t see BYU getting in position to use their big bruising backs for short yardage conversions this year. And even if they do it in this game they don’t have Alisa to run at our 2009-2011 weak LB corps.

          We haven’t seen much of Feti over the last couple games because dime and nickel packages forgo the MLB. So there are some good things to expect from seeing him roll into Provo with relatively fresh legs and a score to settle with his delinquent brother. I do miss Uani if only because he would be taking #13 off the field. But he chose the wrong side on this one.

          I say BYU gets something around 15% on third down conversions. I also say Poyer doesn’t trip on one of his picks this week.

      • I believe that goes hand in hand why people have complained about the lack of QB pressure. We have often been rushing 3 and leaving a LB to cover the release of the QB. Also our ends are doing a great job of not going to far up the field. Excellent adjustments at this point for the D. Doesn’t hurt that playing the dime allows us to have great speed on the field.

  24. For an ironic read check the San Diego paper. Katz on the required use of a knee brace by Riley’s QB’s, his “surprise” running ability, his weak O line, and how Rocky sees him as a RB. Written, it seems, before any Mannion knee issues.

    Katz seemed to handle things at OS(U) with class; Riley made the right decision but handled the publicity part (at least) poorly. We’ll likely never really know if Katz and/or his fate with the Beavs had anything to do with the team chemistry last season. I’m glad he is doing well with the Aztecs.

    http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/oct/09/long-biggest-surprise-season-aztecs-qb-ryan-katz-c/

    • Well, apparently SDSU staff did not review game film of Riley’s strategic and effective use of Katz as a running QB at Wisconsin…

      Wonder if they’ll be able to use Vanderveen’s(sp?) running ability when he becomes a bigger part of the QB picture?

        • I happened to catch part of the replay of SDSU’s game. Katz played great. His 9 yard TD run was very impressive. He has a gun for an arm. Threw some long out patterns with the ball on a rope. Too bad things did not work out for him here. He handled a tough situation with class. Hope he has a great season. One of the announcers said, “what kind of recruiting pipeline do they have up at Oregon State if this kid couldn’t get playing time.” LOL, Beavs , recruiting juggernauts!

    • This is why Riley mumbled a bit last summer about putting in some spread, run-oriented, play options. But in the end it was a square peg round hole kinda thing. Riley couldn’t change is pro style orientation, and besides, he could see Mannion was ready to mature into such a system.

      As to Riley’s comment that he wished Vaz had played more before necessity now dictates that he plays, is another Katz function. There were probably several games last year that Riley wanted to sit Mannion down for a possession or two but with Katz around, that would be going backward. At the same time, he didn’t want to humiliate Katz by going to Vaz.

  25. I’m not optimistic about this one. I’d take another 10-7 win.

    Our O-line has been abysmal protecting Mannion from blitzes, and BYU apparently has a blitz-heavy defense. That especially sounds like trouble for a QB playing in his first game in two years.

    I’m not convinced by our running game either. Woods had a good game against Arizona, but Arizona’s defense has made everyone look good this year.

    The penalties have to stop. They totally destroyed our rhythm on offense and killed some promising drives.

    On the flip side, BYU’s 189 rushing yards per game looks more like 128 per game when you take out the Weber State and Hawaii games.

    Their defense only has 4 INT’s on the year, which is good news for Vaz. Yes their run defense numbers are impressive, but they haven’t played a top-60 rushing offense yet this season.

    They’ve only managed touchbacks on 29% of their kickoffs this season, so our return game should have an opportunity to show us something.

    We’re going to have to limit the turnovers and hope Kostol has a good game to help us win the field position battle. If Vaz can throw screens more accurately than Mannion, we should have a chance to handle the blitzing.

    • We have Lettuce Boy……………..game is in the bag. With the thin air, his shanks should carry
      at least 5-8 yards more to the right or left.

    • Agree on the penalties and agree on just making the run game important, not necessarily flourishing. Vaz does have a quicker release, so I do expect unconscious reads to bubbles and drags. It’s Mannion’s read to release ratio that might be missed if Vaz can’t find confidence on intermediate plays.

      • I think Woods/Agnew/Ward are going to be more effective than anticipated. While there may not be a huge separation in their physical abilities (speed, cutting), I think healthy doses of them with a focused o-line will get challenging as the game wears on. One of them will always be fresh. If the o-line (juice andrews?) eliminates dumb penalties those three can be effective. Can’t put Vaz in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 20 in a stadium that will be focused on making it difficult for the first time starter….

        • Oh, and remember that quick count and hand off to Quizz when he was in at FB against USC the first time he played them?

          Like to see that with Anderson, and not wait until the red zone/goal line to use Anderson.

          That would be four backs for BYU to contend with.

          • I like Anderson too. And I agree that he should come in on less situational plays to confuse the D. If he comes in on 2nd and 5-7, then that quick hitter up the gut might yield more than a pile that Isaac moves for three yards.

  26. Go Beavs!
    Ok, time for a Mormon joke.
    Why do you always take two Mormons with you when you go out beer drinking? Because if you only take one he’ll drink all your beer.

    I was raised and baptized in the LDS church and I’ve heard that one a ka-jillion times. Needed to get it off my chest.

  27. Looking at the situation through orange-tinted glasses, the timing of this game against BYU has turned into a positive for OSU.

    In his first start, Vaz will get valuable experience against an excellent defense in a tough venue. Even if Vaz struggles this Saturday, OSU should have a chance to win, because the Beaver defense should be able to contain BYU’s mediocre offense. If OSU loses to BYU, it’s not the end of the world — OSU will still be undefeated in PAC-12 play. And the following week’s PAC-12 game against Utah should be quite winnable with a more experienced Vaz running the offense in the friendly confines of Reser Stadium. Probably not much point in speculating past that — everything depends on how Vaz plays, and how/when Mannion recovers post-surgery.

    Sure, it’s very unfortunate that Mannion hurt his knee, but the timing could have been a LOT worse for OSU. Depending on how the Vaz and Mannion story lines play out over the next few weeks, it is still quite possible that the Beavs will find themselves playing for a Rose Bowl berth at Reser in the Civil War. Not many Beaver fans expected that at the start of the 2012 season.

    Go Beavs!

  28. Looking for a grind it out, back and forth type of game but think the scoring will be a tad more than some expect. I see OSU getting two TDs, same as BYU, and the difference coming where we least expect it…Romaine. In a tight, highly contested battle a field goal can make a world of difference. I think a 4th quarter field goal might just win this for Oregon State if our defense holds BYU in the final minutes. I like Wheaton, Cooks and Woods to get 2 TDs between them and Romaine to get a first half field goal and one more big one in the 2nd half. The Vazmanian Devil hangs tough and the team rallies to go 5-0 in another gutsy showing.

    Oregon St. 20, BYU 17

    #10 Oregon State at BYU:
    http://beaverbyte.com

  29. Nelson did look good in Corvallis last year, but so did everyone else the Beavers played- particularly if they had a mobile QB. The fact is the BYU’s offense has been dreadful. Nelson was benched due to terrible play though the apparent ‘back’ story was that he was hurt. However, he has been very erratic and didn’t winback the starting job (the other dude got hurt) for a reason and if OSU can contain him the way other mobile QB’s (UCLA and Scott at zona) have been kept from scrambling and force Nelson to throw the defense will be in good shape. I do expect that Vaz will struggle but BYU can’t lockdown Cooks and Wheaton all game and they will break off some big plays. I fully believe Feti will be ready to play- he isn’t going to let his brother show him up.

    Beavs win 14-6 (Romaine misses two FGs)

  30. I actually called the Mannion thing last Sat. Our streak of having no major injuries was too good to be true, though I was expecting the major injury to come DURING the BYU game not before it. The biggest thing by far, with the exception of a win, is to come out of this game healthy. Anybody who watched the Hawaii game should know that these Mormans aren’t your friendly neighborhood door-ringers. They play dirty and nasty. Good D. Horrific offense. They’re current QB is recovering from a broken back FROM THIS SEASON. Not exactly a recipe for success. Should be interesting to see what Vaz has to offer. The height thing doesn’t actually worry me as much hearing reports that he has a good release and excellent zip on the ball.

  31. Mike Riley does look Haggard like Merle. And he has the worst posture ever. Stand up straight Mike! He should get himself in the gym and work on his core.

    slouch (slouch)
    v. slouched, slouch·ing, slouch·es
    v.intr.
    1. To sit, stand, or walk with an awkward, drooping, excessively relaxed posture.
    2. To droop or hang carelessly, as a hat.

    I think MR is a great guy but stop slouching!

    Signed the posture nazi

  32. College Football News’ Prediction:

    “What Will Happen: Oregon State was going to be in trouble this week in Provo no matter what. Now that Mannion is on the shelf, remaining unblemished just became exponentially tougher. Vaz might turn out to be just fine as a relief pitcher, but not this Saturday … and not against this defense. While BYU will have its own problems moving the chains, it won’t compare to what the Beavers are going to face. The Cougars are going to unleash all of their fury on the Oregon State O-line, keeping a 13th straight opponent under 300 yards. Nelson will play inspired now that he’s back in the huddle, without Hill looking over his shoulder.

    CFN Prediction: BYU 23 … Oregon State 16”

  33. John Hunt ?@JHuntweet
    “He should kind of sail through this,” Dr. Aukerman said of Mannion’s recovery. No timetable given, but 2-4 weeks is the norm.

    John Hunt ?@JHuntweet
    Sean Mannion had surgery this morning. It went well and he’s rehabbing already, Dr. Aukerman said.

    Stephen Nelson ?@Stephen__Nelson
    Dr. Aukerman says Sean Mannion’s surgery is complete and went well. Still week-to-week. “No min/max.” #GoBeavs

    Stephen Nelson ?@Stephen__Nelson
    Mannion is home recovering. Aukerman was asked when he’d begin rehab: “He already has…Wouldn’t expect anything less from Sean.”

    • I wouldn’t expect anything less either. His friggin’ father moved to Oregon to watch over him. I look at it and I want to say it’s a Marinovich type situation. But it really isn’t. His father knows everything but keeps to himself until serious decisions are made. And that makes Sean’s rehab something which won’t be miraculous. But it will be healing and good karma and everything you could think a conservative tact might be.

    • Not bad. I think the second sentence is wrong. Starks is not a shoot first PG. In fact, I would challenge the author to find any possession where Starks shot without passing the ball. I think this dynamic has been overlooked vastly with regards to losing Cunningham. That first pass that Starks makes simply was not a converted score. It ended up back in his hands after shy shots were not taken.

      I think Action Man (Berto) takes those shots on a more frequent basis. And I think our length and strength inside give us a really good look at a postseason… with wins in the tourney.

      I like this team. I want more, but the pieces are super nice.

      • You know, there is a site called ORANGE EXPRESS that seemed to have some real insight…..but it hasnt been updated for some time. I guess these blogs come and go … Too bad

        • Orange express is excellent. There were some summer updates, enough to surprise me since it’s a b-ball page. The guy seems committed, so I’m sure it’ll be hopping more often in the near future.

          • They do. They’re good, and that’s why we love hanging around here.

            Practice starts on Friday, and there are some 2014 prospects to watch for. Coach Rob ended recruiting so early that the early signing period seems somewhat silly at this point. I’m really excited about Cheikh N’diaye. I’ve been keeping tabs on him for four years, and he’s going to be a big time baller.

            And Hallice Cooke will finally be angry’s wish for a Mateen Cleaves like player. At worst, he will likely be a Travis Walton/Kalin Lucas hybrid… if I have to stick to MSU players. I think by the end of his career we will be talking about other players being comparable to him. But for now we just wait for that which is to come.

          • No shit, that’s your page? Not bullshitting, but by your writing style in here and your hoops input I wondered if it was you. I almost asked that question in my above post. Keep up the good work.

        • Yes, I was kidding. I thought Jack announced it on here some time ago.

          ….I was trying to bait ol Jack, having grown impatient for some BB talk….

    • I’m skeptical on the hoops team this year until someone emerges as a go-to guy. Without Cunningham, we have a bunch of talented, inconsistent athletes. That’ll win you 12-14 games, but I think we’re all hoping for more.

      • Don’t hope. Know.

        Stanford’s 2009 recruiting class was awesome IMO. And people look at it and their maturation as a reason to expect great things from them this year. I battled Furd fans two years ago when they wanted Dawkins gone for no reason other than he couldn’t win wit a bunch of frosh. Now they’re thinking they love life.

        Lost in those battles is the fact that OSU’s same young teams were… and are playing against this monster talent pool almost to a dead heat. I still think one made lay-up by Devon would have made a four-plus swing on the season last year. But it’s passed. Next season is up. I love our personnel and who they need to battle.

        We will not be blown out this year. The games we lost in crunch time will be won. And our interior length and strength will win a whole lot more games than anyone expects. I myself think 20 wins should be expected. That requires a .500 conference record given a perfect non-con slate. I don’t expect the perfect non-con slate with our very much improved non-con schedule.

        But a boy can dream.

        • Only game I don’t think the Beavers have a great shot to win is against Kansas. That is going to be so tough. But every other game I don’t see why they can’t win. I think this year’s team has matured a lot and is ready to make the next step and make the NCAA Tournament. I think they’ll go 22-9(10-8 in Pac-12 play). Could win another in conference. But I think this team will earn an at-large in the NCAA’s. They’ll miss Jared, but guys like Collier, Brandt are much improved along with Roberto. Really like this team. Some may not be as high on them but they’ll see soon enough that the Beavers are for real.

          • I am really high on this team. The trip to Europe worked out perfectly, the new guys coming in look like they will mesh really well with the existing guys. This is a NCAA Tournament team.

        • I just don’t want them to fall asleep on the floor when they play Colorado in Boulder. I plan to attend that game and hope that CR or someone has figured out the altitude thing.

      • It feels a bit silly but Vegas looks at talent, rankings look at wins. Period. Here’s how I see this game in the Matrix. First the Beavs have way more talent than BYU. It doesn’t matter where this game is played, with average coaching effect, the Beavers are my pick. But you have one of the best + game coaches in the PAC12 and the CFB. Bronco is above average but not to Riley’s level. Those two factors are a must pick to win regardless of ANY injuries including Mannion.

        The only thing BYU has going for it is the home field and that is not enough to counter either other two key matrix factors. Keep in mind that BYU has played NOBODY this year that is close to OSU talent levels and is the third toughest game on their sked coming into 2012.

        From a personal perspective, the passing game is behind defense and running the ball in Beaver football strategy. While Mannion may hurt is the Beavs are far behind and needing to throw, BYU has proven to have a lack of any offense. Their #2 QB is out and their #1 is hurt. he is a run first QB with a lower back injury. He may not make it out of the second quarter. I expect a number of hard and borderline late hits to Riley.

        2.5:1 underdogs for a game, that if played at Reser I would call a ‘lock’ even without Mannion? This Duck will take that All. Day. Long. Everyday.
        -Bartoo

        • I get the upset angle with a QB who has never started a game, playing on the road against a statistically tough defense, but remember BYU’s stats are padded against a bad Hawaii team and FCS Weber St. It’s going to be an interesting game that will tell us a lot about both teams.

  34. The air is thinner in Utah, so hopefully the kicking game will be easier to get touchbacks all game and possibly getting a couple 50+ yard punts from Keith Kostol! :) I predict that KK will be the Pac-12 Special Teams player of the week again. Beavers became forced to focus this week due to Mannion being out.

  35. Mannion will be back for the Nov 3rd game – his picture is on the ticket stub. Coincidentally, Poyer’s picture was on the OSU-WSU ticket stub when he picked up a game MVP recognition.

  36. John Rizzardini, new marketing guy for OSU, is about to be on 620AM Beaver Radio show. Will be interesting to see if he expands on many ideas much. I do like the Gameday improvements so far this year. Particularly those things they got rid of.

    • He said they had less than 1,000 tickets left for next home game vs Utah. 861 to be exact and that they fully expect a sellout. I think having the enhanced pregame festivities with Truax open is creating more GameDay buzz. I would not be surprised at all if the Utah game goes past 46,000 in attendance. We have a small amount to to make up with 42,200 at the Wisconsin game, but by the end of the season if we keep going over 100% attendance at Reser for more games we will end at 99%+ attendance on the year. To surpass 100% attendance, we just need the Civil War, the Utah game and one more game just past 46K between ASU and Cal, with the other at capacity, and we will likely average over 100% on the year (minus Nicholls St.) That shows OSU has the fanbase to support Reser Phase 3 and a 49K stadium in the next 3-5 years when it is constructed. :)

      http://www.tiqiq.com/BeaverByte/Beavers-Tickets

      • This isn’t meant to be negative (I always attend 3 games a year), just keeping things realistic. I’m going to the Utah game, but the only reason is because of the Nichols state swap. I talked a buddy into trading his $25.00 tix for the $65.00 Utah game. I think the Nichols cancellation will help boost attendance all season. That being said, they’re still putting butts in the seats instead of all refunds, so if they keep winning more people will buy tickets.

      • At least know the facts about the drum you bang incessantly.

        Reser phase 3 would expand the stadium to approx. 55,000, not 49,000 as you stated.

        We don’t have the fanbase to fill that. If there’s a big uptick in donations, I’d prefer upgrading other facilities.

        • I know the facts. Reser Phase 3 won’t be more than 49K most likely. Reser Final Phase is the complete horseshoe that would raise it to 55K. They aren’t going that far yet, although I do hope we build a structure that allows that option in the future.

          Ask 90% of the people here and they will tell you the same. We get a few thousand more seats with Phase 3, not 9K like you suggest. Phase 3 is a structure on the West similar to the East and according to BDC right now the preferred plan is to do a double deck for the West Side with some suites and area for media. That will look good and we can definitely support 49K when complete in the next 4-5 years. We don’t need the horseshoe yet, just the option to add it down the road when we are ready for it, maybe 13-15 years after we get the new West Side.

          • I agree with your assessment, especially after sitting on the old side for that last game. It really does suck over there.
            I’m down with implementing phase 3 when we can, not so much for the increased seating capacity, but for the upgrade in fan game day experience. Also, more covered seating is a great idea.

          • Are you 100% sure on your 49,000? I’ve always heard that redoing the westside to match the east side will NOT ad seats. At least not 2000+.

            I have read and agree with your claim of 55,000 give or take once the upperdeck in the South endzone is completed.

          • Eastside is all chairbacks (except for student section) westside is all bleachers. Once again, everything I’ve read/heard that redoing the westside to match the east it would NOT had a significant amount of seats, because they would all be chairbacks. The only remodel that will add a significant amount of seating is adding the second level in the south endzone

            Redoing the westside is not about adding seats, its about updating the stadium to match the westside and impress recruits more.

          • 49K is an estimate as I believe about 3,000 new ‘seats’ is about right and think they can round that as high as 49K in the currently suggested double-deck design. BDC said they are going to do a standing only area that also mirrors the student section for those fans who really like to stand for the bulk of the game. I think that is an excellent idea that will really surround the opposing team in noise and make the atmosphere incredible on TV and in-person. These standing only areas will likely be bleachers just like the student section and that allows you to condense it to a degree. The East side seating is not that more spacious as far as elbow room than the West, so you would add about a few thousand.

            Even though it isn’t about adding a large amount of seats it will serve two purposes. Appear much nicer for the Gameday experience, to recruits and to TV, and also give us a reasonable seating boost that will serve us for atleast a decade longer before any other efforts are needed. OSU can sell 49K seats within a few years IMO and certainly would do so often in the next 5-7+ years. This has to be planned as atleast a 15-20 year build because noone knows when they will eventually decide to do Reser Final Phase. Rather than 48,674 I prefer they make it a slightly better number like 48,800 or 49,000, which I think the design is about maxed out at, that is easy to remember.

  37. Questions:

    Can Riley be excited enough about the 4 wins and #10 ranking to want more, much more?
    Can Riley add new and different plays to the play book as games progress?
    Will we see any “trick” or imaginative play calling in the future?
    Can Riley motivate team to improve and take on the difficult schedule ahead?
    What kind of gum does Riley chew………”juicyfruit”?

    GO BEAVERS!

    • If memory serves correctly, we normally go deeper in the playbook as the year progresses. This tends to include the gadget plays and more creative looks.

      With all the blocking penalties we’ve had, I think we need to work on everyone being in the right place on the basic plays first.

  38. Mike Riley will be interviewed on the Tim Brando show in the next couple minutes. More exposure. Brando has Oregon St. #8 in his poll.

    • Riley says the Mannion news has improved. He thinks Sean will likely be back in 2-3 weeks. (Probably can read this as back for ASU for sure and with a reasonable shot to return for Washington.)

        • We shouldn’t get too excited about a Washington return at this point yet. Riley will want his QB that week to get atleast a couple of good days of practice. It’s possible but the odds may still be below 50% for that one. I do think Riley should leave the Huskies in the dark for that week. Have Mannion doing some light throws in practice, which he should be able to, and keep them guessing. If the timing is right and Sean feels good, then go for it, otherwise hopefully we make them spend more time preparing for two different QBs and their DBs and Wilcox sleeping with more confusion.

  39. Great news about Mannion. But what if Cody plays brilliantly over the next few weeks and leads our team to 2 or 3 victories? Is Riley going to be between a rock and a hard place? It could be interesting to see what plays out.

  40. How about the OSU O-line take the challenge to keep Vaz off his back this game? Too much pressure on Mannion against WSU. Control the line and eliminate penalties.

  41. Bruce Read still doesn’t get it. He says taking a knee may be more appealing with the new rules but then still talks his -5 yard deep crappola. -5 will NEVER be worth it. Far more risk than reward. With Deion Sanders at his prime than yeah maybe, but not otherwise.

    This whole article is filled with way too much thought process still. Bottom line is their average will be less every time they decide to take it out of the endzone. Even if just a yard or two deep, you may return one a couple yards past the 25 but the odds are against you and you are being foolish and opening the game up to something that can hurt us. For the highest average we need to simply not return anything out of the endzone. Making one or two excpetions for a ball a yard deep won’t even get the average any higher so for simplicity and keeping a dumb error from occuring just don’t do it. Read needs to save all his wasted energy on the return process and put it into getting Romaine reliable as a field goal kicker. He deserves that OStateNation kick in the nuts for even trying to still defend this garbage -5 talk.

    http://www.gazettetimes.com/sports/beavers-sports/football/osu-football-a-new-approach-on-kickoff-returns/article_a1407640-136b-11e2-8030-0019bb2963f4.html

    • ”Read needs to save all his wasted energy on the return process and put it into getting Romaine reliable as a field goal kicker.”

      Can Read get some advice from the SL Rams special teams coach? Granted, the Rams’ field goal kicker was a known quantity but Hekker – not so much – and he’s doing very well and, as I once dared to mention, it might have something to do with coaching.

      • I don’t think Read needs to be shown the door. That’s his choice. But he should be informed of a pay cut to make room for Trent Bray. Unless we can get a second grad assistant year from him, and then show him the $. I’d sign the contract now though.

    • Well, if he has guys just take a knee, it looks like he hasnt done his job, in terms of scheming the return well. He needs a long return or two to justify his notion of going for it.

      • I wonder if there is a hang time mental clock he’s having them count. The new rules immediately play for touchbacks with out a doubt. If I were a kicker, I’d try to have a huge hang time and drop the ball inside the 1, and force a return. If its a line drive to -5, maybe a return will work.

        • Have to agree…..surely we will start seeing that…..at least from the more talented kickers. I thought I saw on here that someone at a preseason practice remark on Romaine trying that kind of high kick dropping just outside the goal.

    • I think Washington will come out with fire and be able to pull out an upset here….they aren’t playing Oregon again..so they have that going for them and I think SC is overrated(have since the beginning of the season due to depth behind starters).

      Stanford will be able to hang with ND, but they won’t come away with a W after going into OT against Arizona. That can take a lot out of a team to get a hard win, and then play a top 10 team the next week.

      WSU is playing CAL, until CAL can become consistent on all sides of the ball, I can’t pick them to win; especially with WSU able to do some things against their opponents…minus Oregon State…..

      Which leads me into OSU, I will pick the beavers to win only because of our stout and ‘for real’ defense. If it wasn’t for the defense, I’d be scared….let’s hope we win the coin toss on Saturday and defer to the second half to allow the defense to set the tone this game for Vaz! GO BEAVS!

  42. Man, it would be SOOOO cool if Vaz does good on sat and suddenly the oddesy that is this season is still going on, …..AND now it is even building…..gaining strength. Vaz a prven starter.

    Riley teams from his old successful years seemed to mature and grow during the season. If that can happen here, cut way down on the mistakes/penalties/etc…..Man, what a finish we might have….

    Shit, now I jinxed it…..

    Ok, just GO BEAVS….do the best you can, win or lose….

  43. What’s even more encouraging is he had some ridiculous scrimmage numbers in the off-season and I thought it portended another bad defense. Turns out it didn’t – he’s performing well against a good D.

  44. Recruiting front!!!

    LATEST COMMITMENT

    Skyler Phillips, 6-foot-3, 340-pound OG, Churchill HS (Eugene): Phillips was offered by the Beavers in June after a strong performance during their summer camp. He went on to have a solid showing at The Opening at Nike, where he went against some of the top defensive linemen in the nation.

    “I love the atmosphere at Reser, love all the coaches, too,” Phillips said. “Coach Riley sealed the deal for me. He is a great guy.”

    http://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/index.ssf/2012/10/oregon_state_recruiting_update_13.html

    • His film was underwhelming to say the least. I’m pretty skeptical about him. Hope he proves me wrong and becomes a damn good O-Lineman

      • This is old news… he committed last Saturday night.

        His tape is likely underwhelming because last year was his first full year of football and only his second overall. He has great size, strength and feet. What he needs is to learn the game itself and work more on conditioning. He can be a good one for the S&C coach and Cav to mold into a D1 road grader.

    • To the person who keeps giving me negative votes on my posts….obviously you have some issues going on right now and everything, but why in the wide world o’ sports are you disliking my recruiting post?! This is an AWESOME get! we’re thin at best at OG and from the sounds of it, he could start as a true Frosh….you have issues, and I hope and pray you can get through this.

      • He won’t start as a true frosh. There are some really good O-linemen with years of experience ahead of him once he gets on campus. But if he has a short learning curve he could be a contributor by his third year (redshirt soph) and work his way into serious time as an upperclassman.

      • If you care so much about getting negative ratings on your posts maybe you need to find out whats going on with you. Everyone who posts on this site gets negative ratings once in awhile. Stop worrying about it. Whoever is doing it is doing it because you lose your shit whenever they do. If Jackbeav cared about negative ratings as much as you do, we would have lost him a long time ago. Lighten up and save your prayers for things that matter big guy.

        • lol I am a big guy actually…but on another note, it was that particular post that shouldn’t have gotten negative comments IMHO, because I hadn’t seen anybody post the link or bring it up in the last 2 posts from skimming for links. So even if it was 4-5 days old, shouldn’t matter, kinda like getting negative posts shouldn’t matter.

          • Look at it this way…… a negative on your post just means someone who has a wrong opinion doesnt like you having a right one. In the case of listing a link, maybe they didnt like the opinion expressed in the link.

            Hell, GO BEAVS could get a negative from duck fans who are reading this stuff.

  45. Called the campus OSU Beaver Store and asked them how the #BeaverJuice T-shirt sales were going and they said “Great!” Also asked them to confirm the weekend arrival of these shirts at the Downtown and Keizer stores and was told they actually were also able to get them today.

    You may want to call either to confirm but it looks like you can get them at all stores as of today. Some Downtown Portland and Salem area folks can maybe make a stop after work today or tomorrow if they want to get their pick of the sizes before the weekend crowds.

    Last time I called, they told me they also hope to have them for sale at both Truax and at the stadium on GameDay so the fans can get them easier. :)

        • I love the $10 price and think they are very good GameDay shirts. Next time I’m in Portland I want to take $20 and get both orange and black ones. I like the marketing angle and good vibrations of them too. It’s smart to have something well-priced like this that can get more people to spend $10 or even $20 for a pair and get more merchandise sales on GameDay and at the stadium without gouging. I like the Benny helmet tee they are also featuring but at $26, I would much rather have the full spectrum of #BeaverJuice tees for $20. Nice gift too.

          • I’ll focus on watching Arizona St. and Colorado the rest of the evening.

            I think I am just glad this Rizzardini guy seems to be making a good difference and is getting improvements implemented in a variety of ways. Not having Beaver Biceps, the directions thing, and getting what we have so far give reason to be upbeat on the direction of OSU Athletics. He seems to like giving fans what they want and not lollygagging around.

          • Beaver Byte,

            We joke around with you a lot, nothing personal.
            You just take things to seriously/professional as if your writing on your blog.

            LAUGH WITH US A LITTLE! :D

  46. Imagine that Vaz helps lead us to our next two consecutive wins. Mannion could be (rushed) back by UW with a 6-0 record, but Riley keeps Vaz in play. Then we lose. Much like 2000. How much mutiny does the fan base experience given our already exceeded expectations and what then would we need to do as a team to refocus before the (difficult) home stretch?

  47. last time i saw cody vaz play in person was at stanford in 2010 and i have to say i was not impressed. yes it was garbage time in a miserable game but he did not look like a D1 QB (smallish but did have some zip on 5-10 yd passes) nor did he throw like one. fast forward to 2012 and word on the street says he can really sling it – lets hope he has matured and improved * alot * over the past 2 years.

  48. OK… so I’ve been taking in all the Vaz-mania. Sorry…can’t buy in. “Dominating in practice” well that’s great.

    I have sincere doubts that a 6′ foot backup that hasn’t played meaningful minutes since high school can lead the Beavs to the promised land. Maybe he can hold off disaster until and if Mannion returns, but that is a huge IF.

    I also have doubts about this 2-3 week miracle recovery for Mannion. These things always start out optimistically, then the reality of a week to week status sets in. Ultimately a tender, heavily braced athlete returns and isn’t at full capacity. Mannion wasn’t the most mobile pre-injury, he shouldn’t be rushed into service until he is back to 100%. Probably next year. JB

    PS: Sorry to be DebbieDowner…. just can’t make myself feel any differently.

    • Next year for Mannion, your joking right? Obviously you know nothing about meniscus injuries and/or minor meniscus injuries like he has. Right after surgery it doesn’t hinder walking, etc and people can get back within a week… I can recount numerous accounts of this injury and athletes are back within 1-2-3 weeks.

      As for Vaz, I’ll agree with you to a point. However, we don’t need Vaz to play lights out to win. He just needs to be serviceable at the least.

      • Mannion hasnt exactly played lights out in the 4 games so far. Putting up some big numbers but keeping everybody calm and playing without mistakes is part of being a team leader. Our red zone production for sure hasnt been lights out.

        The doubts are there for me just like for bonehead, since this is Vaz’s frist start since high school. IAnd on the road. If he gets jitters, it could be a tough game. If he can do it like practice, hey, not problem.

        Wont know until its on.

        For me, I have a feeling its going to be ok…..fate or whatever seems to be scripting this season, and I have a hunch a Vaz win is in the script. Part of this weird story.

  49. “I have sincere doubts that a 6? foot backup that hasn’t played meaningful minutes since high school can lead the Beavs to the promised land. ”

    Hey JB, I couldn’t tell, were you describing Jonathan Smith or Lyle Moevao here?

        • Personally if it were me I’d rather be at a place where everyone in the stands hated me vs. at home where everyone in the stands is pressuring me. Being hated will make me want show them what I got, at home I’d feel more pressure to live up to Mannion.

        • According to the OSU Football team’s media guide, Vaz’s middle name is Beelzebub.

          Looks like Saturday’s implications may be greater than pride and post season bowl placement.

  50. Slow day around here today.

    Off topic-Has anybody seen the movie Goon? Was alot better than I expected. Comedy/Drama about an ice hockey player known for being a fighter. The fighting is pretty brutal, but it’s also a pretty funny flick.

  51. Many here have wanted the beavs to get past the mindset of merely hoping to win. Now that they finally believe they can win, and understand they can win, i’m not discounting the team because the backup qb has to play.

    On a minor note, Paea will apparently be there to encourage the D.

  52. Forgot to mention my celebrity citing at last weeks game. was picking up my tickets at will call and the guy in line ahead of me was Jerome Kersey. who knew he was a Beaver fan?

  53. DISH and Pac-12 Networks expect to have Pac-12 Now service ready by late October to provide online & iPad access to all 7 networks! #PAC12onDISH

    • I changed over to Dish after waiting for Direct TV to get off their butts but missed the boat. When I called to cancel service they asked why and I told them they did not have Pac12 network. They replied…”we have all ESPN”. What a joke. Most of my neighbors now have switched over to Dish and are very happy so far.

  54. ” I can’t imagine Vaz playing an error free game. We’re hearing he was picked off three times in practice today. I’m thinking he’ll throw a couple vs BYU. So, does OSU win the turnover battle? Riley Nelson is savvy. Can’t see him turning it over much.”

    I agree that whoever wins the turnover battle probably wins today’s game.

    I agree that it’s asking a lot for Cody Vaz to play an error-free game (given that CV has almost no game experience at the college level, and is going up against an excellent BYU defense).

    In contrast, Riley Nelson is a senior QB who has lots of game experience for BYU. But Nelson is more of a runner than a passer, has missed time this season with a bad back, and is turnover-prone (at least that’s been his history). BYU’s offense features a lot of designed runs for the QB, but not clear whether that will be the case today, given Nelson’s bad back.

    Seems to me that if either team can apply significant pressure on the opposing QB, turnovers will happen. If OSU’s o-line can protect Vaz and open up some holes for Woods/Agnew, and if OSU’s d-line can generate some pressure on Riley Nelson, the Beavs will win.

    And that’s exactly what I think will happen.

    Go Beavs!

  55. I think we lose this one. Our composure during critical drives on offense has been dreadful, the playcalling has been getting progressively “Langsy ” each game and will only get choked to death because Riley wont trust Vaz, and we have no special teams to speak of.

    • That and people know they can go deep on us and they will- a lot. That and Nelson only needs awareness (not speed) to burn Banker’s guys with the run.

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