Just got around to watching the Smith interview (located here).

He definitely looks frustrated…a lot like GA did by game 5. He now seems like a mixture of GA (frustration, impatience) and Riley (neat deal/folksy talk). Like him better than both so not really knocking him, just observing the reality that Oregon State mentally breaks coaches down. We saw GA break down week by week. Smith has looked more frustrated each week. What happens by season’s end when we likely don’t win another game?

That he says it’s not a talent issue is a lie. It’s both a talent and depth issue. Do think he’s correct that tackling is a confidence issue, but it’s also an attitude thing. We let opponents drag our guys into the end zone, even if we have several guys swarming the ball. That’s just like of attitude or “swagger”.

Anyone find the worst defense in D1 history? I’m curious if we’re going to set a new futility mark.

Washington State 49, Oregon State 24

Our only hope is the “Edwards Factor”, which is not unlike the Riley factor.

In reality, another Saturday spent rooting against the Ducks for Beav fans.

38-21 ASU

The Arizona game erases any doubt/hope about this team. They do have an identity now:

• Lack of talent.
• Lack of depth.
• Okay offense. Good WRs and RBs.
• Possibly the worst defense in NCAA D1 history (still trying to find the numbers, but they have to be on pace).

So, where do we go from here? My focus will be on recruiting and transfers. I’ll still watch the games to look for progress and try to find the guys who are players, but in general I have checked out after that game last night. Hit me with your thoughts on where we go from here, deductions, observations, etc.

Fall is here, ring the bell…

I’m thinking Tate finally runs, and he could be the difference. If not, it’s a pick ’em game because the offense are both solid and the defenses both suck eggs. Rain is a wildcard. Gun to my head, I pick Arizona in a close game, but given Tate isn’t running, chance of rain/cool weather, home crowd, and Beavs building confidence (even off their loss), my biased opinion is the good guys.

30-27

Go Beavs!

Positives:

• Play calling.
• Effort was there.
• Blount and Luton both played well. Like Blount more due to command of the offense and gutsy player. Luton can get hot but mean reverts with a large sample.
• D played well in the 2nd half.
• Given that this game was at 4.5k elevation, they seemed well-conditioned.
• Just overall better looking team than under GA despite loosing talent.
• Wide Receivers finally broke out. Been high on that unit for a while now, so good to see that.

Negatives:

• The Kicker. We need a new one.
• Smith’s use of timeouts (very Riley-esque to leave two on the table and also play not to lose).
• Team wasn’t ready out of the gate, so still waiting for four quarters of play.

Biggest issue was we’re now at 21 straight loses on the road. That albatross had to be lifted this weekend. I don’t see another opportunity this year. It’s possible we catch a team overlooking us and nab one, but this was the shot. I like what I’ve seen from Smith overall, and I loved the play calling tonight (didn’t see one comment about it all game until that final play), but man, he definitely has some Riley in him. Leaving those two timeouts on the table and playing not to lose was straight out of Riley’s book. I wonder if Riley got in his ear and told him how to manage those last few plays.