Townson @ Oregon State
Game thread
Alamo Bowl (Pre-game)
Texas is pretty beat up on both sides of the ball. Expect them to learn on the run game. Beavs have been poor against the run the second half of the season. Texas has speed (Goodwin/Davis) at WR, so I don't expect eight in the box. Shipley could be a major pain on 3rd downs.
Beavs have an advantage at WR if Vaz can get the ball to them. I worry about batted passes, as each presents a potential INT opportunity. Otherwise I don't have any issue with Riley choosing Vaz. I think he's the better player right now, even if he doesn't have pro upside/tools. I like his moxie, and the players seem to prefer him, too, which is all I need to know. A good bowl performance by Vaz will lead to an interesting off season debate.
I'm thinking these teams are even. In equal match ups, I'll take the team with more to prove, better QB play, and better special teams. I'm thinking something like 24-21, Beavs.
Also, great job by Riley & crew addressing the DT and CB concerns. This class is rounding out nicely.
General Discussion (Christmas Edition)
Merry Christmas, Beavlettes. Lady Beav's mom is coming here tomorrow and we're all going to be doing sight seeing, so I'll be MIA until the 26th. At that point we can analyze the bowl. BTW, I'm so sick of the QB circus. Every freaking game. Gun to my head (probably not the best time for this phrase, but we're PC insensitive around here) I'd go with Mannion in this game, mainly because Texas has athletes, and I think his size will come in handy versus that front. Big Vaz fan, though, because the kid has moxie. I just see a lot of batted balls and disruption if he were to start this game. Or since neither guy is a clear cut start, maybe go with Harrington? ("Hello, Doc…it's Angry again")
Just received this email. Shows possible motivation, contract structures, and conflicts of interest. Sad that OSU's only chance against Oregon is sanctions that drive Chip to the NFL. I do think that's what will happen, for the record. It would be nice to have beaten the guy once, though. Or to just see how long Riley could have gone without beating him.
Looking through the comments, you guys seem to have recruiting tidbits all covered.
Discuss anything else. Be back the 26th. Peace.
Howard @ Oregon State
7pm tip.
Howard is not a good team, but the Beav's D is so bad, that no game is a given. If nothing changes, conference play will be a hair-pulling experience for fans. It's bad basketball, that personally I can't watch. I tune in for five minutes each game just to see if anything has changed. It hasn't. I think people are going to be complaining about Craig Robinson in a few weeks when the real schedule begins.
Some said Cunningham leaving wasn't a big deal, that other guys were ready to blossom and step up. I don't see it that way. To me, this looks like a bad basketball team with guys who haven't "taken the next step", and now with JC gone, they're being exposed.
Recruiting Discussion
Beavs land highly coveted DT Kyle Peko. He had over a dozen high quality offers. D'Vante Henry likely to wind up at West Virginia. Discuss any recruiting tidbits here.