Just began.

Rome has a guest host. Riley sounds pumped.

On containing the spread, Riley talks about assignments/gaps while remaining aggressive. Key for players is to stay with assignment/responsibility. Pretty general stuff.

On Masoli: “we’re spending a lot of time looking at film and what others have done to control him”

Did not say if the coaches feel comfortable with what they see/controlling him.

On differences in Kelly vs Belotti offense: Kelly has “taken the spread to a new level”…Riley also feels the Ducks are a well-rounded team with an underrated defense and impact special teams.

On the program: Riley wants to keep the program going in this direction, used the ambiguous phrase “recruit to OSU”, and says he’s having fun, etc. Sounds like he’s really enjoying what he built. Any talk of Notre Dame was clearly out of line. Riley is going nowhere.

Broadcasters mention Autzen is the one clear edge. Riley agrees. Calls it a “big factor.” Riley talks about Canfield and the center doing silent counts in practice, then adding crowd noise, but says the mindset, mental toughness, and poise are the key. Says it’s a conscious decision going into the game that you, as a player, will not let the noise fluster you. Personally, that was my favorite line from the interview, as I strongly believe mental preparation is everything in any competition.

Riley concludes the interview by sheepishly admitting he’s never wanted a game this much.

I’m not into conspiracy theory, but I am a man of the world, and so as college football becomes more about old, crotchety white men cashing in on young, black kids, I keep my eyes wide and look for indicators that portend outcomes. For example, check this out:

http://www.primesport.com/shop/package_rosebowl.asp

The official Rose Bowl (travel) site has both an Ohio State and Oregon package.

Apparently, we lost the Civil War.

This is really my biggest fear. Even more than Masoli or James. It’s that there’s more money in having Oregon win (and U$C at the Sun or Holiday Bowl), and so we’ll see the phantom holding calls on Beaver TDs and the type of corrupt officiating we saw in the USC game. Should we preemptively write the commissioner and head of officiating and beg for a fair game? What kind of pressure can we fans place on the powers at be to just get a fair shot? Should we write the Rose Bowl committee and ask why they are selling Oregon and Ohio State packages when that fate has not yet been decided?

Or has it?

I think tomorrow I will call and ask for the nonexistent Oregon State package and see what they say. Actually, I suggest everyone do the same and we compare notes and then go from there. This is weird. Get indignant.

*NOTE* The Oregon package has been removed and it’s now just Ohio State. Go Angrybeavers.