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Stanford Sources Reporting Mike Riley a Candidate

By
angry
-
50

With Harbaugh going to San Francisco, cardinalreport.com is stating Mike Riley is one of five candidates for the Stanford job.

This brings up some interesting points for debate.

1. Do you think Riley would do as well as Harbaugh with the added resources, boosters, etc at Stanford, or would he still recruit 2-star hiding under rocks salamanders?

2. Is this something we, as fans, want to see? Riley has a lifetime contract. Maybe the only way we get out of that and get someone in here who can take the next step is to have someone pouch our coach. Would this be a blessing in disguise?

3. Does Riley have any interest in Stanford? He has ties in California, but not the bay area. He says he loves Corvallis and wants to remain there, but deep down does realize he's maxed out what he can do at OSU and hand over the baton?

4. Who would you like to replace Riley if he were to leave?

5. Do you think this rumor has legs, or is it a pipe dream (much like Notre Dame before Brian Kelly and USC before Lane Kiffin)?

Personally, I think it's close to the point where Riley moves on. He hasn't been able to take the next step. He's built a solid foundation, but the school now needs an uber recruiter and motivator to rise above respectability. Is there risk? Sure. We could get a horrible coach and regress. Is there possibly reward? Obviously. If Riley were to leave for Stanford, I'd feel good about that. The lifetime contract was a mistake, and any way out of it is good for the program. I'd also be energized and excited to see what new, young blood could build upon this foundation. I'd love to see us hire the entire Air Force staff if Riley & Co move south.

All this being said, the report, much like our offensive linemen, likely has no legs. We're stuck being "walk-on U" for the next 11 years.

Oregon State Striking Out Again?

By
angry
-
67

With the "two biggest recruiting weekends of the last decade upon us" the Oregon State coaching staff is clearly slipping with each and every top prospect not named Byron Moore.

  • Moala–Cal
  • Sample–Washington
  • Peat Jr–Arizona State
  • Nowiki–Penn State
  • McClure–Colorado
  • Moreland–OSU, but a non-qualifier
  • McGill–Utah

That leaves Byron Moore as the only legit A-lister left in play.

Plenty of B-list players remain on the board.

  • Marcus Peters
  • Torian White
  • Puka Lopa
  • Darryl Paulo
  • Vivii Teofilo
  • Rahmel Dockery

Of the B-list I'd place Torian White as the highest priority. After that, Lopa and Paulo, since the rumor is if both commit to OSU their A-list compadres will follow. Vivii Teofilo is an underrated lineman who I'd gladly take.

What is most disturbing is that this late in the game we're still seeing 0-star recruits with one other offer (New Mexico State) showing up on the board. I'm talking about Rudofo Fifita, a 6"4 260lb defensive end. If his size is accurate, it means the staff probably plans to move him inside, from which one can also deduce they staff feels they've struck out with each and every major DT prospect. But the question must be asked: why are we recruiting this caliber of player this last in the game?

In a year when we were promised "Jelly Donuts", blue-chippers, A-list guys, we're once again on the outside looking in, being forced to makeup ground with a month to go. Sound familiar to the Owa situation last year? The Beavers strategy of recruiting their hardest in the off-season is a proven failure. What recruit is going to be impressed by Corvallis in January? I'll tell you who: C-list guys who have no other option. Every year the Beavers are playing catchup with the A-listers. It's time to change the strategy and get more visits during the season, during big games, and after the game talk to the recruits and tell them how they can help the Beavers take the next step and win some of these big games.This is more important than spending time with recruits in January when there are no distractions and the family atmosphere can be played up, as Riley prefers to do.

To me, the closing of this class has a bad feel to it. I foresee one big signing (likely Moore), one decent signing (Torian White), and a bunch of underwhelming "who??" type signings that will leave us all in a disappointed, head-scratching rage. In a year when the team failed to make a bowl game, the payoff from the extra time and labor has to be better than the outlook portends.

Basketball: Oregon State @ Washington State

By
angry
-
77

I can't do a write up for this game because I have to prepare for a 6:45am job interview.

I'll be checking in here and there via radio, but mainly relying on you guys to post updates. It will be interesting to see if the Beavs can keep things rolling away from Gill versus a solid Washington State team.

I've got a bad feeling about this one.

Time: 7pm

TV: No stream or tv as far as I can tell.

Radio: KPAM

Quizz is Staying; Quizz is Going…

By
angry
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81

Nobody knows, but one thing we know for sure is that Quizz is a drama queen who likes to toy with the fan base. His behavior reminds me of Brett Favre, who needed constant reinforcement, love, praise, etc from fans and media alike for him to return from retirement time and time again. What these men both have in common is size. Is this need for love "short man syndrome"? I do not know.

If Quizz leaves, the team takes a hit. No doubt about that. An average running back sauntering behind this year's brutal offensive line would probably go for 700 yards and 5tds. He creates yardage on his own. On the flip side, Riley is on the record saying he's playing the same offensive linemen next year, so unless an underclassman blows the coaches away in camp, it's the status quo. In such light, one would expect and encourage Quizz to leave for the NFL and completely understand the decision. If I were him, I would not take another 350 hits unless my coach and teammates were more both willing and able to support and surround me with the talent necessary to maintain my goals, body, health, and labor value.

Quizz leaving for the NFL brings up another interesting point. Would the odds of him leaving be diminished had he shared carries with McCant's over the past three seasons? I cannot say, but logic tells me the answer is yes. Being a running back, he knows the average carries one can take in a career and maintain production. This highlights once again the stupidity of Mike Riley's one back system. For those who rationalize it (i.e. to reduce their inner tension, also known as cognitive dissonance), try to come to grips with the fact that Riley might just lose his best player, and your favorite Beaver, because of it.

Basketball: Arizona @ Oregon State

By
angry
-
90

The Arizona Wildcats present a bad match up for the now running offense of Oregon State. OSU won both contests last year by slowing the game down and frustrating Arizona, who prefer to play up tempo. Derrick Williams is the player to watch. He makes practically every shot he takes (~70%) from three point range, and ironically shoots a bit lower than that inside the arc. Arizona is solid all around, 50% from the field, 40% from three point range, and almost 80% from the line. Granted, Arizona was a more confident and refined team (than the Beavers) to the start of the season, and they've therefore been able put up these gaudy numbers versus poor teams. The one decent team they've played, BYU, beat the Wildcats.

I think the Beavers will try to play a 2-3 zone or match up zone, maybe even some man to man defense. Playing the 1-3-1 versus a team that shoots this well beyond the arc would be disaster.

I am trying to figure out where the Beavers have an advantage. The Beavs are bigger at every position, but they are not tougher or stronger. Perhaps their advantage lies in the intangibles: the home court advantage, the confidence from having won two straight, and the fact that the team plays with poise when the precocial, fledging Roberto Nelson is on the court. The team has definitely "gelled" and improved over the past few games. Being realistic, you have to figure it's going to be a one step forward, two back deal with the Beavers. But, being optimistic, you can definitely point to the glaring confidence they finished with in the ASU game. I'm somewhere in between. I can't ignore the fact this team is young and relatively immature (i.e. not knowing exactly what it takes to win), but I can't ignore the confidence and fire I saw building over the past two games, either.

Personally, I'm excited about  what I've seen of late and can't wait for tip-off. Sure, the smart money is on 'zona, but this game has upset potential.

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