G'morning, Beavlettes.

You know the routine by now. Here is your place to have a voice and rant about the Beavers effort versus the Trojans. Hopefully enough of you still care about the season so I'm not left talking to myself. And hopefully Marc Tyler isn't as big and fast as he looks on film. *Gulp*

Let's have some fun today, since the game may not provide it.

Over/under on the number of Keith Pankey whiffed tackles: 5

I'm taking the over!

Over/under on the number of Keith Pankey tackles for a loss: 1

I'm taking the under on this one!

Me and the lady Beav are celebrating Thanksgiving today since she'll be out of town on Thursday. Nothing like wallowing in the gluttony of pumpkin pie to curb misery. "Another touchdown, another slice" is my motto for the day. Come on, Beavs, show up and keep me svelte. Seriously though, be cautiously optimistic, but have the gin by your side and ready to go.

Landing a big time recruit, Darryl Jackson, seems to have reignited the fanbase. People have stepped off the ledge, and are now wondering if it will parlay into signing Devon Moreland as well. My opinion is it's highly possible.

In town for this weekend's games are WR Mike Thomas, CB Stefan McClure, and DE Rusty Fernando. All three are highly regarded prospects, so this is a big game for more reasons than one.

On the field, I expect an inspired effort. The Beavs tend to play better when there's no pressure on them. Fans for the most part have accepted they won't be going bowling, so the players should be relaxed but also little chippy from all the bad press. It should make for a good mindset within the team. Weather could play a role in this game as well, and the local boys will have that advantage coupled with the home-field crowd. And we know how well they've played USC (especially at home) over the last few years. Dare I predict an upset? Well, it wouldn't be a major one–USC is only a 3 point favorite in the game.

The key to the game will be the offensive line ("no duh, Angry"). Seriously, though, USC has mass on the defensive line that could, theoretically, make life hell for the Beavs. So the easy pick is USC in this game, but the Beavs have a handful of intangibles working for them, and that should keep it close. This has the feeling of a wacky game, with a late score deciding it one way or the other. It's good to know Vegas agrees.

Buckle up, Beavlettes–as much as we want to say we've written off the season and don't care, we'll all be pinned to our seats come kickoff.

It's becoming clear the Beavers season ended in Arizona with the injury to James Rodgers. Ironic, considering it was their biggest win of the year.

Who else noticed that Jacquizz started calling people out right around the time the team went in the latrine? He started during the Washington game, then took it to the media afterwards. It continued after loses to UCLA and Washington State.

When I saw Quizz getting on the offensive linemen (in the papers), my first thought was "that's the coaches job"…didn't think much about the discontent it might cause. In retrospect it seems like that's what happened. This team genuinely seems to dislike one another. Quizz clearly hates his offensive linemen, or at least their attitude, and he doesn't seem enamored with Ryan "Dirk Diggler" Katz, either. However, Rodgers did a disservice to the team by bringing it to the papers. Fans insulting the offensive line on a public blog is one thing, but when they're shamed by one of their peers it destroys confidence.

As far as Riley, I have a feeling we'll see a new man. His quotes this week have sure been out of character, sounding more like Rick Neuheisel pleading with fans:

“I am very appreciative of that,’’ said Riley, who also acknowledged the Dad’s Weekend crowd of 45,389 for WSU – a crowd eerily quiet for much of the afternoon because of the shocking turn of events on the field.

 “All I can do is assure them we will do everything we can to try and play the best football we can in the next three games,’’ said Riley, addressing the students.

Very strange quote. I'll leave it at that.

Read between the lines, though. The guy is clearly feeling the heat. Expect to see him redirect that pressure upon his staff to step up their recruiting, game planning, etc. Do not be surprised to see Riley takeover play calling. He did this before the 2008 season, and he's publicly questioned (a) Quizz getting too few carries and (b) the "rhythm" of the offense. The latter is coach speak for bad play calling. And Banker? He is under contract for just one more year, so anything can happen. Riley deserves a pass this season; the coordinators do not.

As far as USC, I don't know what to expect, nor do you. We know the Beavers will lose the eyeball test and be out-physicalled. That's about all we know. It's nice to guess right and feel smart and all, but we're beyond predictions or expectations. There's too much going on internally to gauge how the individual player (never mind the larger whole) will react to adversity. A team has a soul comprised of it's parts, and what makes that energy wax or wane are 100 different variables. How they come together this Saturday will be a matter of how the individuals handle themselves and contribute and believe in the unit. I wouldn't be surprised to see a big showing–they are definitely the more desperate team of the two–but I wouldn't be surprised to see Cody Vaz in the game and Mike Riley calling plays, either. Would you?