This post isn't very well thought out or anything. Just some leftover thoughts, musing, rambling, and points for discussion…
The Score
Beaver fans should be thankful the final margin was only 9. There were two 14 point swings that Dalton flat out handed the Beavers, and then TCU let off the throttle on their last drive. Katz left two interceptions of his own on the field, the kicked safety could have easily been a TD, and the early fumble…well, yeah. On the final drive, Riley decided not to call a timeout, which prevented the subsequent TCU field goal, showing Riley was most concerned about keeping the score respectable on the national stage. I don't blame him. Bottom line is this game had the feeling of a 30 point loss, even if the ledger read 9.
The Defense
Maybe now we can stop arguing about the LB corp?
1. Roberson was too slow to the edge, and when he did get outside, he over-pursued, the back cut inside, and he did the old OSU flailing arm tackle. Saw him get jersey and air a lot. I still feel this is the best LB we have, but he should be moved to MLB starting next practice.
2. I don't think Pankey had a single tackle, nor do I think he was close to making one. When he was injured and I wrote that the team was better off, hardcore Beaver optimist went nuts on me. Now?
3. I didn't even notice the MLB. Honestly, it's probably because most runs were off tackle or options to the outside. Dalton ran up the gut with ease, but I didn't pay close enough attention to name the culprit.
To put it succinctly, the LB corp is slow, weak, and have bad technique. During the bye week, the idea has to be to get Roberson in the middle and Collins/Doctor outside. There's no time to waste on the current experiment.
The verdict is still out on the secondary. I thought they played okay, but they weren't tested much. The bad plays were too few and far between to say if there's a legitimate pattern. My "cause for concern" radar went a bit haywire, but it's not all doom and gloom yet.
Coaching
The game plan was correct on offense. With the safeties in the box, you want to go over the top. Problem is Katz didn't convert enough opportunities to loosen the D. I think if he hit one more deep ball TCU would have backed off, and Quizz would have been able to run.
Banker is a dinosaur who still can't scheme any version of the spread. No need to beat that dead horse or try to convince since it's now a well-known fact.
The main problem with the coaching staff is the lack of intensity they project onto players. Think about the TCU sideline compared to the OSU sideline. TCU played with a sense of urgency, meaning they knew the importance of every play. OSU seems to think, "as long as we make most plays and hang in the game, that's good enough." They seem to be content with a post game interview where players talk about how close they were, and if one break went their way they would have won the game. But they never do win the big game. At some point you have to ask: why is that? The answer is confidence and intensity. You have to want it more, and further, you have to be trained to want it more and (mentally) overcome the animal's natural inclination to conserve energy. We are not a hunter/gatherer society anymore, Beavers. There is plenty of food waiting at the hotel and there are beds, too, so burn your energy.
This problem goes back years, though…it's nothing new. It's a reflection of the head man's personality.
And before blaming this on a talent deficiency, look at TCU's recruiting classes. The RB, Wesley, who ran for 8.0 per carry, was a 2-star recruit, as was Tank Carder in the middle. TCU recruits worse than us, believe it or not.
Loose ends
Just a few more random thoughts…
Hekker once again made his worst kick when the team needed him most.
Katz played a great first game. The criticism I'm reading about his performance isn't fair.
Quizz looked shot last night. Physically and emotionally.
Riley looked depressed/shot. His last two games were the fiasco last night and the Civil War. I wouldn't be surprised if Riley retires earlier than we all expect. He's capped with the talent he's personally able to recruit, and part of his dejection is that he's beginning to realize it.
Why didn't a coach call a timeout during the Katz audible? WRs were shrugging shoulders on the field, meaning they didn't know what play was called.
Beating Louisville is no longer an given.
Boise State is going to dismantle this defense is nothing changes.
The Beavers are built better for the Pac-10 than any of these three OOC games.
The McAndrews experiment should end; the guy cannot run block. Get Phillipp on the field.
They'll be a point during this season (in Pac-10 play) where the new LB configuration is in there and things suddenly "click", and we'll wish we had played TCU that Saturday instead of yesterday.
Gary Patterson is extremely lame for opening the roof 12 minutes before game time; but if that's my school's coach I'm loving it. So, good move. Bad foresight by the Beavers–should have had it written in the contract that the roof must remain closed.
I'd like to see the Beavs use a read-option offense. It's an equalizer against opponents with superior talent. The pro offense and 4-3 defense are somewhat antiquated in college ball. Creativity is king right now.
If TCU is in the championship game I might be done with college football.
The Ducks would have drubbed TCU.
Oh…and fire Mark Banker.