Fall is here, ring the bell…

On cue, when I woke this morning it was 49 degrees out. The times they are a changin’? Can this change in seasons be a metaphor for the Beav’s season?

Well, if that’s going to happen, this is the game. Caught about ten minutes of the Oregon – Stanford game, and my takeaway is that Stanford looks like a light edition of their former selves. You still see the run first offense, big lineman, short passing game to move the chains, slow players, smart players, etc. But they look like a dumbed down version. Some of that could be the Duck’s speed making Stanford look overly slow. Their quarterback play looked especially atrocious, though. Costello had 29TDs and 3,500 yards last year, so he’s not awful, but his numbers are and he looked bad on Saturday.

A few other factors:

• Weather – Rain predicted for Saturday.
• Trap game – After the Beavs, Stanford has #17 Washington.
• Injuries – The Beavs should be healed up, while Stanford just took a beating from Oregon.
• Beavs found some consistency and confidence vs Cal Poly.
• Students should be in full force, and the game overall should be fairly loud given it’s the Pac opener.

Maybe this is why Vegas has the line as only -3 for Stanford?

With all the above I see a fairly close game. I think a TD either way. I’m going pick ’em, and gun to my head Beavs get their 2nd win.

30-28, Oregon State

Link to the article.

While this comes off as “OSU is showing appreciation for giving out free tickets”, the truth of the matter is they’re embarrassed by the lack of (a) ticket tales, which are down significantly compared to last year and (b) the empty stadium. We’re to the point of the year that you can’t blame it on the student section.

So, no, OSU isn’t being nice. They’re being desperate.

It’s a good thing, don’t get me wrong. Having people in the stands ups our odds of a win. But I don’t like how the article is spinning OSU to be saints here; the reality is they’re trying to make up for past sins. The bad HC hires, the bad AD hires, poor merchandise deals, etc. Nothing four free tickets shouldn’t fix, eh?

Some big picture takeaways:

• Those of us who want to see Gebbia start will have to wait. Luton had a good game (even though it was against a glorified HS team), and it probably buys him two bad games.
• We’re four deep at RB. I thought we were only 3 deep, but Tyler and Baylor both look like serviceable players. Baylor is a guy I didn’t have much confidence in, but he was nifty. Earned a few carries vs better teams.
• The defense looked improved. I know it was essentially a HS team, but still, the discipline and staying home on the option stood out. Getting a few turnovers and sacks was good to see. Tisebar hot seat: 3.5/10, down from a 4.5 last week.
• Confidence. This might the biggest one. Winning is contagious, and seeing your work pay off makes you work harder.
• Flemings — promising as a 2nd option, but I’m not completely sold yet. I can see him getting creamed in conference play. On the flipside, Irish was disappointing. He gave up on the punt return, dropped some passes, and didn’t do much with his opportunity vs a bad team. The guy you want to see step up is Taylor. Flemings as a slot/WR3 makes more sense. Bradford’s return should solve this problem, too, and give a legit #2.
• Musgrave — he might eat into Togia’s time. Smith has seemed frustrated with Togia, saying he’d like to get him more balls but he “has to catch them”. Musgrave looked more like a natural pass catcher. Togia with 3 catches but didn’t look very natural doing it.
• Solid play calling. After a terrible game vs Hawaii, BL had a good game calling plays.
• Good time for a bye. Stanford should get a tough game from Oregon. With their newfound confidence and needed rest the Beavs should have a shot.

What stood out to you?

Go Beavs (anarchy if they lose this game).

Having lived on the Central Coast for over a decade, I spent a lot of time in San Luis Obispo, and that football program always seemed to be in the news for playing teams tough and having one or two fringe NFL guys each year. Never went to a game, but that just seemed to be the reputation. That HC has been there 11 years so I assume that’s still what they’re all about.

I’m not sure what to make of this game. Seems the Beavs should have better athletes and be able to “out-athlete” this team, but the Beavs are so bad at fundamentals it’s hard to say. What I’m envisioning is Cal Poly’s unorthodox offense giving the Beavs some problems. If that continues into the 2nd quarter, then nerves will kick in, and then it’s anyone’s guess. So, the Beavs have to score early and establish the way it’s gonna be, else it’s going to be a frustrating day that could be a ballgame in the 4th.

Regarding Luton, I agree with the crowd who thinks if he struggles at all this game replace him immediately. Actually, I’m in the camp that says start Gebbia, but we know that won’t happen…so. I want to see a Mannion/Katz changing of the guard. We need a leader at QB. Jake is a nice guy and heroic for coming back from a spinal injury, but he’s not a natural leader. He’s quiet, and he had a passive, deer-in-headlight look in his eyes during that 4th quarter drive versus Hawaii. It is who he is. Not his fault. The coach is to blame for thinking that guy is the best talent and the best leader. So, if there is the slightest hint he’s struggling he has to go. He’d make a good backup.

I’m going Beavs I guess, but I don’t have conviction either way.

Beavs 38-31