Go Beavs, I guess.

But honestly I am getting so sick of Riley I am close to wishing loses…a win today will be Lucy placing the football, more fools buying in, and years of prolonged pain. Just saying.

I really do want the Beavs to move up the all-time win chart (and hit .500 in my lifetime) so I have to root for them, but it’s tough knowing it means more Riley and his apologists.

The blog format compresses the image a bit, so click on it for full scale laughs.

For those who are young and don’t know this comic:

The characters involved in the gag are Charlie Brown and Lucy van Pelt. Lucy tells Charlie Brown that she will hold a football while he kicks it. Charlie Brown usually refuses to kick it at first, not trusting Lucy. Lucy then says something to persuade Charlie Brown to trust her. Charlie Brown runs up to kick the ball, but at the very last second before he can kick it, Lucy removes the ball and Charlie Brown flies into the air, before falling down and hurting himself. The gag usually ends with Lucy pointing out to Charlie Brown that he should not have trusted her.

Source: here

I’d say this sums up the Riley/fan relationship, wouldn’t you?

This is just about the worst matchup possible for the Beavs:

• Taylor Kelly is a legit dual threat QB, producing 31 TDs between ground and air.
• ASU has the best coverage unit in the Pac-12. Only allowing 15tds while notching 13 INTs. Mannion will be tested for legitimacy again.
• ASU is averaging 250+ yards on the ground over the last four games.

So, basically anything offensive strength OSU has is mitigated by ASU’s defense, and visa versa.

The Beavs would have to win this game on the ground, controlling the clock, etc, but they aren’t built to do that. So I expect to see ASU run all over the Beavs; the Beavs to play catchup through the air; Mannion to get picked several times as the throws 50+ balls. The desert isn’t going to help, either.

ASU 45, OSU 20

Of course, since OSU is expected to lose, and there’s nothing on the line, Riley may shine in his role as Mr. Meaningless, bringing the Pollys out from under their rock and further confusing the myopic and unobservant fanbase for another decade.