Game Thread Beavers vs USC & Ducks vs WSU - 2017

I figured I'd combine the game threads since both teams are most likely going to get their asses kicked.

#ShareTheMisery

 

Oregon State at No. 14 USC

Time: 1 p.m. PDT, Saturday, Oct. 7.

Where: Los Angeles Colisuem.

Record: Oregon State (1-4, 0-2); USC (4-1, 2-1)

Coaches: Gary Andersen, third year at Oregon State (7-22 at OSU, 56-60 overall); Clay Helton, third year at USC (20-8).

Latest Line: USC by 34.

On the air: Pac-12 Networks (Comcast 421/720 HD, Dish 406, Charter Spectrum 332/452); radio in Portland on KEX (1190 AM).

Live stream: Pac-12 Networks Live

OSU offense vs. USC defense

The Beavers were offensively inept last week, albeit against a very good Washington defense. USC isn't as good statistically as the Huskies were, but have played a tougher schedule and are loaded athletically. OSU would like to run the ball, but it will be impossible to do that unless quarterback Darell Garretson and the Beavers can keep USC's defense honest. Garretson was 11 of 22 for 74 yards last week. That's not all his fault. The OSU receivers dropped some passes right in their hands. Unless the pass offense improves, the Beavers won't win another game. OSU running back Ryan Nall is doubtful with a sprained left ankle.

OSU defense vs, USC offense

The OSU defense held Washington to seven points in the first half last week. If you're looking for a moral victory, there it is. The Beavers threw some schematic things at Washington the Huskies weren't ready for, and used some nicely designed blitzes to sack UW quarterback Jake Browning three times. But the Huskies adjusted and hung 35 on OSU in the second half. It will take a four-quarter effort this time, and it won't be easy. USC quarterback Sam Darnold is a big play waiting to happen. The Trojans can run the ball too, with tailbacks Ronald Jones and Stephen Carr. USC is banged up on the offensive line, and Darnold has thrown eight interceptions this year. But Darnold also has nine touchdown passes.

Did you know?

Oregon State hasn't beaten the Trojans at the Los Angeles Coliseum since 1960.

Individual matchup to watch

It's not certain this game will come down to an individual matchup. But if Nall can't go, look for former five-star recruit Thomas Tyner to shoulder a bigger load in the Oregon State running game. USC inside linebacker Cameron Smith is a superb player, and he will lead the Trojans in trying to lock down Tyner.

Key stat

Here are two. The Beavers are last in the Pac-12 in scoring offense and total offense.

 

Oregon Ducks vs. No. 11 Washington State




Time: 5 p.m. PT

Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene

Records: Oregon (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12); Washington State (5-0, 2-0)




Coaches: Willie Taggart, first year (4-1 at Oregon, 44-46 overall); Mike Leach, sixth year (34-34 at WSU and 118-77 overall)




Latest line: Washington State by 2 1/2




On air: TV on Fox, radio on KXTG (750 AM, 102.9 FM), KUGN-AM (590), Sirius 93, XM 198






Live stream: Fox Sports Go




What’s at stake: For Oregon, it's a chance to beat one of college football’s hottest teams and prove that all is not lost despite the absence of star quarterback Justin Herbert, who fractured a collarbone against Cal and is expected to miss the next month, at least. For Washington State, a team that has played all five games to date at home, it's an opportunity to prove the 5-0 start wasn't solely the result of home cooking.

UO offense vs. WSU defense

Either senior Taylor Alie or freshman Braxton Burmeister will serve as Herbert’s replacement at quarterback. Alie has played in 43 games, mostly as a holder on kicks, and has 398 yards of total offense in his career while completing 21-of-34 passes for 211 yards, an interception and a touchdown. In 2015, he also ran for an 87-yard touchdown in a win over Georgia State. Burmeister has thrown one career pass, which came in Saturday’s 45-24 win against California, when he entered following an injury to Alie. Running back Royce Freeman, the leading active rusher in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 4,738 yards, left Saturday’s game with a shoulder injury but returned to practice this week. Freeman is one touchdown away from passing LaMichael James for UO’s career leader in points and total touchdowns. He also needs six more rushing touchdowns to pass Oregon State’s Ken Simonton for most in conference history. Receiver Charles Nelson (ankle) was out of a walking boot and wearing sneakers and pads into practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, an encouraging sign for his rehab but not a guarantee he will play. Receiver Dillon Mitchell, hurt on a punt return against Cal, was not seen during portions of practice open to media. With questions swirling around the capability of its quarterback and receivers, UO will likely lean heavily on its running game and offensive line against the Cougars. Left tackle Tyrell Crosby this week was named the highest-rated tackle in the country by Pro Football Focus, and UO has allowed just five sacks this season, which is tied for fewest allowed in the Pac-12. Washington State averages two sacks and five tackles for loss per game, with lineman Hercules Mata’afa accounting for two of those TFLs. The defense is solid on the back end, too, having allowed just four completions of 25 yards or longer, which is tied for third-fewest in the country. The Cougars rank 52nd in points allowed (27.0) but have allowed opponents to score on every drive that’s extended inside their 20-yard line. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch is “an aggressive playcaller,” said UO defensive line coach Joe Salave’a, who worked at WSU for five seasons. “I think those are the things that those guys continue to do well is position guys in the right places and demand that they play going 100 miles an hour.”

UO defense vs. WSU offense

Quarterback Luke Falk leads the FBS with 164 completions, ranks second with 16 touchdowns and his 74.5 completion percentage ranks fourth. He has thrown just two interceptions on 220 attempts. His senior season has only added to one of the most prolific careers in history by a passer, as Falk is the active career leader among all quarterbacks in passing yards (12,611), total offense (12,308), and those categories’ per-game averages, too. “Literally for WSU, he makes everything go and he’s got a good supporting cast and it’s been working,” Salave’a said. “He’s going to make his plays. That kid is blessed with a lot of tools and it shows every Saturday.” Yet this is not your father’s Mike Leach Air Raid offense. The Cougars are potent on the ground as in the air. Consider that WSU ran for 29 yards per game as a team in Leach’s first season in Pullman, in 2012, an average that ranked dead last in the FBS. This season, Jamal Morrow is gaining 91 yards per game by himself, including a 35-yard run against USC and a 23-yard touchdown catch on a shovel pass. Junior Tavares Martin is averaging 89 receiving yards per game, the seventh-best number in the Pac-12. Slowing WSU’s offense starts up front with a defensive line that is playing its best football of the season, led by veterans Jalen Jelks and Henry Mondeaux, who “have been playing on another level these past couple games,” Taggart said. Inside linebacker Kaulana Apelu is out for the season due to a fractured ankle suffered against Cal, and the player he alternated reps with, AJ Hotchkins, has yet to return to practice fully as he rehabs an injured ankle. In their absence, Blake Rugraff and Jimmie Swain will see their most extensive playing time of the seaso. They’ll play next to Troy Dye, whose 2.5 tackles for loss per game lead the team. Safety Tyree Robinson, ejected last week on a targeting penalty, is eligible to play Saturday. In practice this week, true freshman corner Deommodore Lenoir took reps at safety. He could be available in nickel packages there, coaches said.




Did you know: This is the 95th meeting of the schools. Oregon leads the series 47-40-7 despite an 11-11 all-time record against WSU in Autzen Stadium. WSU has beaten Oregon in back-to-back years and last won three straight in the series from 1982-84.

 

Don't diss on the Burmeister Meister Burger.

 

Condoms - 14

Condom receivers - 0

 

Trojans - 14

Beavers - 3!

HURRAY!

 

I think Benoit is by far our best running back but we won't give him the carries he needs because Freeman came back.

 

You think the Beavers are going to score touchdowns during the Duck game?

 

We will need big plays if we're going to win.

 

Beavers are looking.....

not horrible.