With the bye it’s likely Nolan comes back for this game. Could be a distraction. I think Smith has to have the difficult talk with these guys. Big elephant in the room. I think the plan has to be start Gulbranson and have him on a short leash. I think that’s the plan for either QB. If Nolan starts, he has to be on a short leash, too. I’m in favor of Gulbranson. He’s got more upside and has been very good outside of some normal mistakes for a young QB. Shows a lot of promise.

If the Beavs were at home I’d like them in this game, but on the road it’s a toss up. I think Washington is overrated and not that great a team, but their QB will cause some problems, and the environment will cause some additional problems.

I’d take the Beavs 28-27.

Go Beavs

45-17 Beavs

Posting in Angry’s absence today.

(WSU game recap from Ohiobeav)

Good win by Beavs. When does Bray get his extension?
BG is growing up and the idea should be Learn how to manage the game without losing It. He is now 2 for 2.

Lindgren play calls are still alarming at times. JS didn’t resort to any absurd gambling, which is growth.

Kickers/field goals are an adventure and may force different approach for future games.

TEs contributed for the 1st time since Fresno St, that was nice to see.

Martinez, Colletto, Grffin in that order please.
Sacks and Turnovers, check

Go Beavs, JS has a victory over every conference team and all streaks have been broken.

Bowl eligibility next up

Gooo Beavs.

30-24 Beavos.

From what I’ve seen of WSU, they’re very similar to OSU. Ward vs Gulbranson is the matchup of the game. The jury is out on Gulbranson (we need 4 games to fairly gauge), but I thought he looked really good in both games outside of a few mistakes. He throws a lot like Matthew Stafford. I’m not saying he is Stafford, but it’s the QB whose game he most resembles to me just looking at their athleticism and throwing motion.

Every time I watch WSU I am impressed, but Ward has been prone to INTs vs good secondaries, and OSU qualifies as a good secondary. The trend is your friend, as they say, so I’m going to say he throws 2INTs and OSU gets a fumble as well to win the turnover battle and the game. I had this as a loss, but I had USC as a win, so I’m just changing those around.

We need to see more of Bolden in the passing game (and fly sweeps), we need to see Lindgren turn off Madden ’99, kicking game to firm up, etc. A lot could go wrong. But I think the Beavs are slightly better right now and riding that momentum at home.

30-24