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

That should have been a win. All they had to do was continue to run the ball and convert any short situations that came up. Instead Smith and the OC got “Luton Happy” and began throwing when Hawaii never established they could stop the run (Beavs had like 200 yards by the 2nd quarter).

A list of some Smith errors:

1. Luton was not the best option to win the game. If the coach claims he wants to put his players in the best position to win, you can’t tell me that was Luton (at least not tonight, though I don’t think ever).

2. Kicking with Choker from 52. This guy can’t even make it from 32.

3. Fake punt when that was so obvious Hawaii was just standing there waiting for it. You should either punt or go for it with your actual QB.

4. Abandoning the run mid game and falling in love with Luton for no reason.

5. Not having Luton throw a hail mary instead and instead you call a trick play that never works. The guy’s strength is supposed to be his 60 yard bombs. Haven’t seen one.

6. Poor fundamentals. No discipline in the players — they punch one another in the face.

7. Abandoning Pierce when he had an 11.3 YPC and was the best player in the 1st half.

8. Not giving Gebbia a shot to win the game with Luton clearly was not the answer.

9. Etc. Has to be more.

What a disaster. Smith now has lost the Nevada and Hawaii games due to poor coaching. To state the obvious: we’re not a program that can afford that. Let me know what I missed on the list. There has to be more.