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

I'm sure you all heard by now, but Mannion is out indefinitely (4 weeks seems the minimum).

Thoughts on bad Beaver luck and Vaz?

I've always liked Vaz…what I dislike is that he's taking over when we're 4-0 and #10 in the country. If this were last year, I'd just accept this for what it is and move on (heck I'd even be curious to see what Vaz could do), but this year it royally sucks. Anyway, I think CV has a little J. Smith in him…gritty, savvy, etc. But when we saw him in game action he looked like the proverbial deer in a headlight. So I have no idea what to expect. If he's nervous and overwhelmed, the Beavs will get blown out. If he's matured and gained confidence over the past few years, they should be okay. Let's hope he knows the playbook and they don't have to dumb down the game plan. Height/batted passes could be an issue…I'd like to see roll outs, etc.

Also, I believe Mannion's injury happened on the blown hand off.

For all those chanting "Riley is God" and wanting to fan him whilst feeding him grapes, yeah…it's a long season, and like I said, they haven't done anything yet. Do I think Vaz can step in and do a good job? Yes. But execution, effect, procedure, etc will all have to step up and be precise (precision is not a hallmark of Riley). Room for error just decreased dramatically, and the Beavs were only winning games by one score. Does the team believe in Vaz? Do they come out deflated?

Vaz is a good backup to have, but this is a major kick in the sack, let's not fool ourselves.

Post-game thread to enjoy success and discuss what needs improving.

After four games the picture is clearing. It seems like every year has a Remmers or a Pankey, and these are the players and/or issues I've identified this year:

• Romaine FGs/XPs.
• Terrible redzone offense (play calling, execution, and personnel).
• Procedural penalties.
• #13 — has not improved at all in 4 years. Enough is enough.
• Marable on kick returns.
• Sean Martin — scary that he is likely a starter next year.

Beavs aren't going to keep winning in spite of these guys (especially Romaine), so the coaches need to figure this out.

Regarding tonight, some are diminishing the win because it was ugly. In magical seasons you always get a few ugly wins, though, so it's no big deal to me. The only thing that matters right now is fixing the problems above.

Regarding ranking: I think #11 is probable and #10 is possible. Enjoy for a few days. On to BYU coverage on Tuesday. 

If you missed the Beaver Juice clip on ESPN this morning, here is a link

Nice to see the Beavs getting pub, and hilarious that Beaver Juice has gone mainstream. The sexual innuendos ( "In and Out" (no explanation needed), "Burger" (fur burger?? lol), "beaver juice", and "put a Beaver on it") are pretty bizarre, but they're better than sheep jokes, and I haven't stopped laughing weeks later. Seems they have good staying power. Here's to hoping In-and-Out opens a shop in Corvallis and sponsors the Beavs somewhere down the road.

Anyway, nothing else to add that wasn't said in the pre-game thread.

Go Beavs!

Two computers (Massey and Colley Matrix) have Oregon State ranked 1st in the BCS, just ahead of Oregon. No doubt it has been an amazing start to the season. For those who question pre-season rankings, OSU is a poster child. For those who like neat In-and-Out Burger stories, OSU is the poster child. For those who like the underdog, OSU is the poster child.. You get the point–there is a lot of media around OSU right now. It's good, but also makes me nervous–one slip up and it's all over. No ranking, no attention, back to irrelevance.

For that reason, the Beavs can't let up if they want this story to continue. But to expect a team to bring their A or B effort every weekend isn't realistic. At some point they're just not going to be into a game. This weekend's matchup looks like a possible trap (OSU riding high, WSU low and desperately needing a win, OSU could be thinking about BYU, etc).

I mean, I think the Beavs should win big and will win, but I'm cautious. Seems the Connor Halliday era has started in Pullman. What that means, no idea. I expect him to check down and take what OSU gives. Don't expect their WR Wilson to have a huge day as OSU will key on him. If Halliday insists on getting the ball to him then expect turnovers. WSU has a bad run game, so OSU can stop it without committing too many resources. Again, this should make it tough for Halliday to get much going. Only question for me is whether the Beavs are up for this game and ready to give the effort to beat an opponent there isn't much glamor in beating. It takes a workaday, disciplined mentality to win these types of games. You don't just show up and blow WSU out; you chip away slowly and wait for them to break.

I expect the OSU offense to have some fun. The Cougs hung with the Ducks for a half, somehow…but the Beavs have two NFL WRs, an NFL QB, and a couple NFL linemen–that is going to be hard for a lower rung college D to defend.

Curious to see if this game will sell out (bad opponent might keep people at home, but fans really should get out there and support OSU when they give effort and do things right). Curious to see if the Beavs sure up their flaws (safety play, kicking game, kick returns).

The Beavs need a blowout on their resume. This is that opportunity. Seriously, though, how often to the Beavs blowout opponents they're supposed to? Doesn't really happen. The Cougs might not be good, but they give effort and are trying to buy into the new system. This would be a big win for that program, so they're going to give their best, no doubt about that. Turnovers are the neutralizer, if the Beavs hang on to the ball they win big. If not, I don't even want to think about Sunday…

Beavs 31, Cougs 17