Tuesday Links: Yes, it's still Coug Week.

by ArbyOSU on Nov 17, 2009 10:10 AM PST Comment 22 comments

Not much to talk about this week. This is a game that by all means the Beavers should win handily. The only things to fear (other than a freakish letdown of epic proportions) are injuries. If I had my say, Jacquizz and James Rodgers rest the second half, Ryan Katz takes over for Sean Canfield halfway through the third and the defense rotates in the same fashion as the UW game.

Speaking of the end-of-game rotation in the UW game--was anyone else as happy as I was to see the third, fourth and fifth string kids still holding their own against Husky starters? Sad for UW, good for us.

Onto the links...

The men's basketball team is, like the rest of us, unhappy with their slow start.

Dwight Jaynes complains about something here. This time, he's complaining about The Oregonian's lack of knowledge of the Rose Bowl scenarios.

As much talking as people want to do about the Rose Bowl and the Beavers' chances, it's pretty simple: win.

Cliff Kirkpatrick goes in depth for Coug Week.

If you can't beat 'em on the field, well, beat up on someone else off the field. As if it couldn't get any worse, the Cougars lose a linebacker to the law as a starter is picked up by Pullman's finest. Story here.

One thing that Coach Sarkisian didn't pick up during his time at USC was how to lose to Oregon State with some sense of sportsmanship and/or humility. NOTE TO COACH SARK: Your fans know it and so do your players. When you get blown out, it's not just because you played poorly. It's because you don't have a very good team. Take your lumps. You'll be back soon, unfortunately.

ESPN's Ted Miller ranks job safety among PAC 10 coaches. Spoiler: Mike Riley's job is the safest. He also has a piece on the Beavers slow start and late surge toward the Rose Bowl.

A USC blog has a nice piece on the history of running up the score in the PAC 10. Worth a glance.

That's all I have for now. Post the usual below and enjoy your Coug Week! GO BEAVERS!

via www.gasolinealleyantiques.com

Poll

The spread is opening up at around 30 points in favor of OSU for the WSU game. Yeah, I know, pretty brutal. Do you think...

...the Beavers cover-BIG TIME.

75 votes

...the Beavers cover-BARELY (BARF).

43 votes

...the Cougs make it close but the Beavs pull it out w/o covering.

10 votes

...suddenly, there is an end to world hunger and war everywhere and a Cougar upset in Pullman.

8 votes

136 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 22 comments |

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Comments

Anyone else notice UCLA belly flop AT HOME AGAINST Fullterton?!

In baseball, this is OK. In basketball, it’s a travesty. Wow.

by ArbyOSU on Nov 17, 2009 11:39 AM PST reply actions

Yeah

The Pac10 is not having a good start to the basketball season

Defending Jacquizz against Jahvid since 2008.

by The VD Special on Nov 17, 2009 11:40 AM PST up reply actions

UO is 3-0

-RVM

by rvm on Nov 17, 2009 11:45 AM PST up reply actions

No, it’s not. Preseason basketball seems to be a rough time for good basketball. There are some bright spot (Joe Burton looks good so far) but the fact that we aren’t cleaning clocks makes me think that the learning curve is still pretty rough for the new kids.

And where’s Roberto Nelson?! Come on, NCAA Clearinghouse! Get it done with already!

by ArbyOSU on Nov 17, 2009 11:50 AM PST up reply actions

Ducks are 3-0

Seriously, I agree about OSU. Prediction: It is going to take a bit of time, and frustration, to get this team going and clicking, but I think once they click they will be very tough.

-RVM

by rvm on Nov 17, 2009 11:54 AM PST up reply actions

Yes but if the goal is an NCAA tournament, it just got a lot harder with a loss to Texas A&M- Corpus Christi

All I’m saying is we’re only 3 games in, and we should already downgrade our hopes to NIT. I don’t like starting the season like that.

Defending Jacquizz against Jahvid since 2008.

by The VD Special on Nov 17, 2009 12:31 PM PST up reply actions

It will all come down to conference play.

The team needs to get through the non-conference play with a winning record and beating bigger league teams will be needed. But don’t downgrade the season yet. If the team picks it up for non-conference play and has a very good conference year these three games won’t mean a thing.

Will that all happen, don’t know, will be interesting to see how Robinson gets his team to respond.

-RVM

by rvm on Nov 17, 2009 12:38 PM PST up reply actions

By no means

Are we out of NCAA contention yet. It’s not looking that good, but come on, we’re three games in. We need wins at GW and Nebraska though.

I don't care what Quinn says, I am NOT a Duck Basketball fan.

by ConnorOSU on Nov 17, 2009 4:34 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah

To begin the College Hoops Marathon too. UCLA is not very good this year.

I don't care what Quinn says, I am NOT a Duck Basketball fan.

by ConnorOSU on Nov 17, 2009 4:33 PM PST up reply actions

Ideally none of our starters are in the 2nd half, period. Let’s just get the game done and over with

Defending Jacquizz against Jahvid since 2008.

by The VD Special on Nov 17, 2009 11:39 AM PST reply actions

Yeah, I don’t want to put Quizz in some stupid situation just to chase stats. Get him a pair of scores and 100 yards tops in the first half, then it’s time to take a seat. I actually think if we get up by three scores he needs to sit immediately.

by ArbyOSU on Nov 17, 2009 11:48 AM PST up reply actions

long runs, quick hits

He needs to break some big ones to get a lot of yards without many carries. I would actually like him to get some numbers up there for his season, but also totally want him healthy, wealthy, and wise for the next game. So some quick hits for 50+ gains would be nice. Get him the numbers and the game time, but also get him the least amount of grinding hits to keep him fresh and healthy.

I think it will all be fine.

-RVM

by rvm on Nov 17, 2009 11:53 AM PST up reply actions

First off:

So some quick hits for 50+ gains would be nice.

This is true. I like those plays. Lots.

Second, I must say that preserving health for the CW and bowl game are more important to me (and hopefully Riley) than getting Quizz his numbers. The only numbers we should care about are the ones on the scoreboard at the end of this game and the CW (and then, whatever bowl we get to).

by ArbyOSU on Nov 17, 2009 12:15 PM PST up reply actions

I also think we need to get Ryan McCants and Jovan Stevenson some touches as well. Not just to keep Quizz healthy, but to get these guys some experience

Defending Jacquizz against Jahvid since 2008.

by The VD Special on Nov 17, 2009 12:33 PM PST up reply actions

Yep, I said all that too, but there is this too and Quizz is hyper-competitive and part of this is being the best in the league (and nation) and they are going to need to keep a balance between keeping him happy and satisfied with his performance and keeping him healthy (and also hungry for more in the big games).

That’s why I think if he can get some big runs it will take care of all. I don’t see him playing much beyond the half if that, and it would be nice if that was a healthy in his rhythm 135 yards versus grinding it out totally out of his groove 56 yards.

Again, I say it, and somehow I think all will be well.

-RVM

by rvm on Nov 17, 2009 12:45 PM PST up reply actions

They’ll find a balance between what’s good for the player and what’s good for the team, I’m sure of it. This has the potential of being such a throw away game that it’d be a shame to come away with any injuries.

by ArbyOSU on Nov 17, 2009 1:36 PM PST up reply actions

yep, totally agree

Need to watch for them on the defensive side too.

-RVM

by rvm on Nov 17, 2009 1:37 PM PST up reply actions

Definitely. I liked the way UW faced mostly second, third and even fourth and fifth string guys in the second half. Great experience and worth giving up a few meaningless touchdowns to preserve the health of the main rotation guys while getting some experience for the young guys.

by ArbyOSU on Nov 17, 2009 1:39 PM PST up reply actions