Took a walk after the game and was thinking more big picture…seems the stench of Riley (and Andersen) is finally completely gone. I mean in the players having a losing mindset. These coaches have taught them how to win close games. The culture is changing. We even saw this in the loses earlier this year.

Regarding bowl game…unsure. WSU will quick pass us to death, but we’ll score on them. WSU should be -6 or so favorites. Oregon isn’t as good as their record, but we all know that’s a likely loss. +18 Oregon should be the line.

I was reading the pre-season thread, and I had us at 4 wins and wrote, “I think 4 wins should be doable to beat the line. After that, I’m not sure. If we get QB play there’s an argument for a bowl season.” Read the full thread here with some interesting predictions. NiceBeaver was also bullish, as were some others.

Smith could be a Rueck type coach. Big flaw is his recklessness and some personnel issues. It took injuries to the players he chose to be starters to get the better players on the field. Other than those flaws, he’s promising. It’s interesting people think I dislike Smith because I (rightfully) criticized him for blowing three games. That’s what a fan should do. So yeah I have disliked some of his decisions with personnel and the game management that has cost us 3 wins over 2 seasons (and almost cost us again tonight with that stupid 4th and 2 call), but overall I’ve liked the hire from the start.

Regarding Luton, that was the best game of his career and the first game I’d call “good quarterbacking”, and that’s not because of his stats but because he made good decisions, hit receivers in stride for the most part, had some touch, and just looked the part. He was fired up and showed some heart. He dropped back and slung it with confidence. He’s never put all of those things together and had a game like that. It’s pretty moot since the guy has two games left. If he’s finally grown to the point the game slowed down and he understands the position it’s a bummer it’s this late. But, I mean, go play lights out and get us to a bowl, Luton. To me, that he’s this serviceable is a testament to the coaching he’s receiving.

I thought the game plan and play calling were both great tonight.

Finally, good to overcome the home win drought this season so we don’t have to keep hearing about it. One less mental annoyance for the staff and players that could get in the way of progress.

Agree with the line this is a pick ’em and felt that since last Saturday before it was even published. Very fair line. Will it play out that way? Who knows. But since I expect a close game might as well go with the Beavs. They’ve been doing the one step back, two steps forwad thing, so I think they’re due to take a step forward.

30-28, Beavs.

Go Beavs.

From what I’ve seen of Arizona State they’re a cut above mediocre. Their Freshman QB, Jayden Daniels, was the #2 dual threat QB in the nation. He missed last game with an injury, and another 4-star came in and did well. When I’ve seen Daniels play he’s been impressive. If he plays I think ASU wins. If the backup plays I think it’s a pick ’em. Final pick on Saturday morning.

By the way, I was surprised to see Oregon State is 2nd in the Pac-12 North. The Conference is down this year, which might explain how we’re getting away with the lack of depth. The Beavs are improving, but other teams are objectively bad. With our roster, we shouldn’t be 2nd in the North.

The Beavs need to get a home win to help perpetuate the rebuild story, and this is their final shot.

30-28, undetermined.

The game went somewhat how expected, with Washington being the superior physical team and manhandling the Beavs. From an OSU perspective, the Beav’s D was the clear story — I was saying in a prior thread these rebuilds aren’t linear and there’s a “two step forward, one step back” type pattern. This is the step back and it was predictable, but within that defeat there was a half step forward with the D. For a thin defense with a lack of experience they really have improved a ton since game 1, and over these past four games especially. Each week they’re better. To me it’s the positive takeaway.

The negatives are obviously Smith and Luton. The offensive line did get manhandled, but there are ways to combat that and we didn’t even try. Luton collapsed to the ground what looked like before he’d even receive the snap at times. I get it. The guy broke his neck and probably has PTSD. Smith should have had him out of that game in the second quarter when it was clear we had “the bad Luton” tonight (to me that was clear when the schedule read UW, but whatever).

Smith has now cost us 4 games in under two years. Not good. Not good at all. The recent string of success keeps his seat cool. But he is a liability vs good coaches and good teams. I’m not sure how you get a HC to learn or stop being so stubborn or aggressive at all the worst times…dude needs to read some books or something. He’s on the right track, but he’s also in his own way.

Biggest game of Jonathan Smith’s career? Big time statement possible (but not probable). Nonetheless…

Go Beavs!

Note: Washington’s D is anywhere from 40th to 57th depending what list you look at, so while they appeared physical in the games I watched, maybe they’re not so good after all. That seems pretty middle of the road. Let’s see if the stats lie.