Go Beavs.

42-35 Ducks

There’s a lot I’d like to write about last game, but I just don’t have the time right now.

In short, you all know I disagree with the call by now. I did before the call, so it’s not Monday morning quarterbacking. In the game thread I said (and another commented said shortly after) having Luton try to get the D offsides then punting was the call. Good mix of aggressive and conservative.

That game felt like if you punt there you win. You can’t be so afraid of conventional football that you overthink yourself out of a win. There also has to be a point where you don’t fear the opponent. Everyone thinks going for it means Smith is aggressive and going for the win, but in reality it means he feared WSU. At some point you just have to punt and tip your cap to WSU if they go the full 80 yards in a minute. What’s wrong with that? It’s not Riley-esque. It’s just smart.

The other issue was the clock. I missed it, but apparently Luton was snapping the ball with 13 to 15 seconds on the clock. How is this an issue at this point in the season? And is that on Smith or Luton? I’ve seen it in earlier games. Seems it should be coached out of the QB if it is the QB. Disturbing.

I still like Smith, but this is going to get old fast if it’s degenerate gambler move one after another. I don’t think aggressive for the sake of it is somehow cooler than lame-ass Riley curling into a ball. Both are terrible for different reasons. Why is it so difficult to have in-game feel and play the odds?

Anyway, go Beavs. Ducks should be -14.5 favorites, so the line is steep again. Ducks are fast on D but not technically very good. They make up for that with speed. Johnson and Verdell are matchup nightmares. If we get the A+ Beavs and the B- Ducks we get a win. Anything short of that we’re done.

Go Beavs.

Go Beavs!

I don’t feel strongly about this game so no prediction, but I felt the line should have been WSU -6.

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.