USC @ Oregon State (Game Thread)
I’m sticking with Beavs, but I’m changing the score due to problems in the kicking game.
36-31, Beavs
USC Game Week
Might as well put up a game week thread. I thought this was the most insightful comment from the prior thread and sums up the situation well:
USC hasn’t been in pressure situations yet, nor have they been punched in the mouth by any team yet. They are going to be similar to Carroll’s teams but more like a travel all star team. I think Williams is good to great but does get careless/greedy at times. In pressure situations he will call his own number and run . Plan for it.
All of the offensive stars will get frustrated in a tight game when they can’t be flashy and prance around.
They have had 3-4 pick 6 and I expect the Beavs offense doesn’t make the same bad turnovers.
USC is attempting to create an image of overwhelming talent and track meet offense as a form of program/conference propaganda when they may be an average defense with above average offense.
My concern would be:
USC gets benefit of the doubt on ref judgment calls because they are perceived as the flagship again.
League office desires an undefeated USC go to the playoffs.
Beavs get caught up in the smoke and mirrors imagery of the Mighty Trojans 2.0
USC has added 40 4/5 star free agents and will simply be more talented but I don’t believe that means they can’t be beaten.
I want to see how USC deals with adversity rather than being front runners.
Well said, OhioBeav.
For now I’m sticking with my pre-season prediction that the Beavs win this one. Mainly because the game is at home. This is a low conviction pick. It’s objectively hard to imagine how the Beavs will stop that QB. But as noted above, he gets greedy and careless at times, so hopefully he stops himself. Going to think about it during the week and might adjust on game day.
Beavs 31, Condoms 28
Montana State @ Oregon State
Gooo Beavs.
I’m sticking with Beavs 45, Montana State 17. Nolan 3TDs; run game 3TDs.
Post your predictions below.
Montana State @ Oregon State
Fans (and players) likely take a deep breath this weekend after getting through the toughest part of the non-conference schedule, but Montana State has outscored their opponents 103-30, so the Beavs can’t sleep on these guys. I haven’t watched a snap of Montana St football in my life, so I’m in no position to talk about them outside their impressive scoring differential. That kind of dominance says, to me, that they can beat most Pac-12 schools in any given small sample of 1 game, even though their recruiting disadvantage says they shouldn’t. Put the Beavs on upset alert if they think this is a cakewalk where they just show up. I’m guessing Smith with his Montana ties and all will be telling them not to sleep on these guys.
Beavs 45, Montana State 17
Oregon State @ Fresno St
I thought this was a win in the pre-season, and I’m going to stick with that after a lot of thought about this game. I’m definitely more concerned after seeing the Beavs are mentally immature and still can’t compete for a full 60 minutes. But on the flipside, Smith didn’t make any stupid 4th down calls, and he had the opportunity to do so.
I think the Beavs depth, especially at RB where we can bring in legit 5 backs and wear down Fresno, is the ultimate difference. Nolan is better, as expected, so we should use the pass but maybe more to set up the run. If we don’t run at least equally and instead get pass happy, I think we lose. I’m going to assume the coaches are smart enough to know that, which is a pretty big assumption given Lindgren’s track record, but it is a new year, so I’ll give him the benefit until proven otherwise.
Final prediction: Beavs 31-24