Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema brings his team to Corvallis.
Here’s a case of be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.
Oregon State football fans wanted to have big-time programs to come to Corvallis instead of the Beavers going to them all the time.
Wisconsin, one of the top programs in the Big Ten Conference, comes to OSU for Game 2 this season on Sept. 8.
Last’s game wasn’t even competitive. I suspect it will be closer this year for the all the previous reasons of young players maturing and that it’s going to be in Reser Stadium.
Former OSU OC Paul Chryst is not with the Badgers anymore. He moved over to Pittsburgh in the offseason.
Check out this spring game report. Star RB Montee Ball sat out, while his backup tore it up. Ball is one of the top ball carriers in the country.
Here’s a good preview of the Badgers from Athlon Sports.
Here’s a quick wrap-up on Wisconsin at this blog.
Can this be a big statement game for the Beavers, or more of the same from last year?
29 comments
bone says:
May 16, 2012
If there was a ever a time to knock off the Badgers and a top ranked team, this is the time. A lot of “New” for Wisconsin, new quarterback, a few new coaches, new linemen, they could be over looking the Beavers after last season. But there is a reason Wisconsin is two time defending Big 10 champs, there will be a lot of pieces that need to fall into place to pull off this upset. I am really looking forward to this game.
73GradMike says:
May 16, 2012
“If there was a ever a time to knock off the Badgers” it’s probably not now. While I’d love to see our Beavs knock off a top team, I have doubts that #17 in the USA (Wisconsin) is likely to lose to #17 in the Pac-12. Of course OSU has a history of being giant-killers…
bone says:
May 16, 2012
Still it would be a great win to start off the season. Plus payback is always nice.
maffu72 says:
May 18, 2012
73, What’s wrong with a little positivity?
There is a LOT new for the Badgers and there is a LOT returning for the Beavers. And what do preseason rankings mean, anyway? Do you really think the Beavers will be last in the conference? They’re not going to win a conference championship this year, but they will win a lot more games than most predict.
That is, provided our players stay healthy & stay out of the frickin’ police blotter!!!
OS_Beaver says:
May 16, 2012
OSU is doing very poorly as far as needing subsidies. Great report from ESPN and another below that at Beaver Byte that shows just how far behind OSU is in conference in this and other respects. BDC isn’t getting the job done and losing so much in football is a major issue that will likely start to affect attendance & revenues in our most critical sport.
http://beaverbyte.com
Beavs Believe says:
May 16, 2012
As always, you’re a bright and shining ray of optimism. Really, your posts are blog are REALLY enjoyable to read. Oh, wait, I was thinking of somebody else. Disregard.
OS_Beaver says:
May 16, 2012
I was at the Sac St. debacle. That game won’t soon be forgotten. If there is any way that happens again against Nicholls St, then we need an interim coach by Tuesday of the following week. It is up to Riley at this point. He either proves he still has the leadership to get us 7+ wins or he needs to wind it down. But going downhill so fast to 5 and then 3 wins is not okay just about anywhere else and should not be in Corvallis. We are members of a power conference and need to act that way.
Katz would have won more than Mannion last year. Even this year many think a senior Katz would have been just as effective. So for Riley not to be blowing it, since our team doesn’t get to use the injury or youth excuse this year, than Riley should be pulling off 7 wins to give the move any validity. Who wants to be a descending program, like we have been for several years, after Riley has already had 12 years on the job? All that accomplishes is being right back where we started with 12 years gone and very little to show for it.
Our new marketing guy has been hired for many months already and still not one peep from him about anything OSU might do different. He needs to back up his hire this year. With the right promotion we should be at 99%+ capacity on gamedays since we have a strong home schedule this year. Reports are we are down 3000+ in ticket sales though. We aren’t growing the fanbase like we should be. We are running things too stagnantly and something needs to be done for this fall to move us forward and not backward.
Tagup says:
May 16, 2012
“Katz would have won more last year”…Oh really…you know that how?
A statement like that blows any credibility for your writing…..you just want to bash OSU knowing full well it will do nothing to help or support the program. For this year the team and staff are in place.We get that things need to get better but your incessant ranting will change nothing and seems only to be a desperate ploy to get readers to your equally negative blog. No thank you
OS_Beaver says:
May 16, 2012
Most people believe Katz would have won a minimum of 4 games last year. I am not a pro Katz fanatic. Just calling it like many see it. 4 wins and possibly 5 with Katz last year. Even if it would have been 4 which was probably most likely, Mannion should then make up that game in year 2. I feel Katz would be more likely than not to get this years team 6 or more wins. I like Mannion but unless the interceptions go significantly down we will struggle to reach 6 wins.
bone says:
May 16, 2012
We may have gotten one more win if Katz was still under center, but wouldn’t we be in the same position if he had? I did like some things that Katz was able to do, but he just wasn’t accurate, Mannion is. It is easier to improve decision making, but accuracy is a difficult to improve on.
Tagup says:
May 17, 2012
The thing I remember about the Sac State game last year is Katz’s preformance(11-22 for 87yards) against a crappy team. This is the same Katz that you say would have won more games for OSU? I submit that had Mannion played the entire game against Sac State, OSU would have won.
The results at the San Diego St spring game didn’t exactly change my mind about Riley’s decision
Tagup says:
May 16, 2012
Boy, I don’t know how OSU will survive…Oh that’s right a Pac 12 TV deal may help…..
Cliff Kirkpatrick says:
May 16, 2012
That was reported long ago, that’s just the debt that continues to carry over year to year from a loan to get Reser Stadium expanded. That’s where the Pac-12 money is being used to pay that off over the course of a few years.
Beavs Believe says:
May 16, 2012
This is going to be a fun game to have in Corvallis. I’m not confident that the Beavers have what they need to pull off this win this year, but I am still really excited about Wisconsin coming to Corvallis. If nothing else, this is a step in the right direction (schedule wise at least). As long as the Beavers can keep this game competitive it’s going to be a lot of fun.
OSU4Life says:
May 16, 2012
I’m sorry, but “keeping it competitive” and losing is terrible! The only way a football game is fun, is by winning. OSU must raise the expectations, and it must first start with the fans. Friends don’t let friends accept mediocrity as being successful. OSU hasn’t been even medicore for two years in a row! Only 26 more to go, to get to the famous 28!!! (j/k)
Beavs Believe says:
May 16, 2012
You clearly aren’t sorry, so that’s kind of a stupid thing to type. Being competitive with the #17 ranked team in the nation after coming off a 3 win year are reasonable expectations.
Your comparison of 2 down years to 30 bad years of football is so obscenely foolish, I don’t even know what to say. You obviously aren’t even attempting to sound like you sat down and actually thought about something productive to type.
If typing involves beating your fists against the keyboard in anger. Maybe you should find a new hobby. I would give you a few facts about Oregon State’s income in comparison to the rest of the Pac-12, but I don’t think you would get it. I could also say something about location, facilities, donors, blah blah blah. It would probably all mean nothing to you. Just try not to have an aneurysm when we don’t make it to the National Championship next year. I know you’ll be disappointed. On the plus side though, Mike Riley will still be our coach, so it will give you something to complain about for another year.
OSU4Life says:
May 16, 2012
Beavs Believe, not once have I ever insulted you, or any other poster on this blog. If you disagree, then by all means disagree. Just keep the insults under wraps.
Beavs Believe says:
May 17, 2012
If you were insulted, then that’s your problem. Maybe you should take a look at your attitude. It sounds to me like you’re feeling guilty and deflecting the blame on me.
Ben says:
May 16, 2012
This games will be over by halftime. The simplistic reasoning that players with another year of experience will suddenly be better is weak at best. Too many holes to fill and too many players who need to be better than they are capable of. Another throw away season for OSU
bone says:
May 16, 2012
Experience does play a factor, it isn’t a weak argument. How many professional teams are championship contenders led by rookies? Even in college experienced teams tend to do better (with the exception being Kentucky Bball).
craig says:
May 16, 2012
Beavers will be better this year,Wisconson not as good as last year,playing at home,you have everrthing in your favor.
dunerat says:
May 16, 2012
AS I have said many times before, Riley gets a second chance at turning the program around exept this time, he’ll have to finish it without Erickson. Can he do it? I guess we will find out. Riley could go into the Record books as being the only Coach to turn around a program (even if he didn’t complete it) Only to run it in the ground and then turn it around again. Not many get that opportunity. Its a shame that with all the good Capitol they built up in the ’06-’09 seasons, that they could not translate it into good recruiting. The Coaching changes before those years didn’t pan out there.He has bruoght in some new ones, but he can’t stop there. Its tough after 12 years that we are back where we started. Wow Ted Miller has predicted OSU to finish as high as 6th in the PAC-12 this year. OOps PAC-12 North.
phil says:
May 17, 2012
all i have read so far here is how and what is going to happen. like we or you really know. i hope and you all hope that we turn this over populated answers around. we stunk last 2 years o.k so what? we have 2012 cumming. lets see what happens. they are going to win or we are that is that and i don’t know how to put it any clear;er. o.k. we will win if we do. they will if we let them.
Tagup says:
May 17, 2012
Well crafted response Phil….maybe you could write for OS Beaver’s blog!
bleeds orange says:
May 17, 2012
People, be careful what you wish for! You only need to look south at the team that many of you are so envious of. Dave Wilcox and few alums blew up Jerry Frie’s(sp?) program because he couldn’t beat the Beavers. He had a pretty decent team with a few guys like, Dan Fouts, Bobby Moore (oops – Ahmad Rashad), Russ Francis, and a guy name Zimmerman who was all pro for the Broncos for many years. It took 20 years for Oregon to recover.
Those of you who wish for the reincarnation of Dennis Erickson – look at his body of work. For all of OSU fandom, we will be forever grateful for that one glorious year. However, he does not build programs – he can’t even maintain a program. He did win two NC’s at Miami, but when he left, the program was in disarray and infused with drugs and has never recovered its glory. He couldn’t build a program at ASU with great facilities and funding. Idaho is still trying to recover from his “free” year of coaching before ASU. While it is easy to remember the glory, remember also the legacy he left at OSU – being branded as the dirtiest team in the PAC 10. Remember how hard it was to get unbiased officiating for the years after he left.
Those of you that that make a living out of bashing MR and BDC – stop! Obviously, after Jim Gilstrap’s death, recruiting did a nose dive. That seems to have been rectified as witnessed by the last two year’s classes. Those of you berating the poor recruiting are the same folks who beat MR up over forcing Newhouse out in spite of him not recruiting one person for the previous two years. Those of you complaining about the coaching skills – look at some simple facts. When the secondary was playing well, we had Nigel Burton coaching them. We all know that he left for the DC job at Nevada and their subsequent success – he also seems to be doing well at PSU. Keith Heywood was not his equal. He was adept at recruiting, but clearly not the same coach. Yet those same folks are banging the drum because MR and BDC let Heywood get away to the Huskies. Those same folks are banging the drum because MR brought in one of his cronies, Perry, to replace Heywood. Wait a minute!!!! Perry and MR do have history, but don’t forget another pretty decent coach, Tony Dungy (who also knew defense), thought Perry must be able to coach – and that was on a superbowl team. Also don’t lose sight of the fact that with the new PAC 12 TV contract, MR and BDC were able to pay Perry 200K$ versus the 100K$ that Heywood was making. That tells me that budget limitations have played a part in the drop of quality we have seen the last four years.
Those of you who are beating the drum that with all the new found wealth of the TV contract, we can just go out and buy a coach and whatever that will make us national champions. Ain’t gonna’ happen’!!!! The fact is that in a few years, the Beavers will be in the same relative position we are in today. Oregon will then be paying Chip or whoever replaces him 12 million a year instead of the miserly 6 he makes now. Look at the teams that are the names always mentioned as “National Champions” and ask yourselves, “Do you really want to be in that company?” Basically it is how much can you cheat and how many fellons do you want representing you. Remember when Nebraska had to get 4 of it starting offensive lineman out of jail to start the season.
MR has made significant changes to his program. He will get the ship righted. Those of you sneering at the possibility he will be the first to rebuild, flop, and rebuild – look at even the great JOPA. Only difference was, he would blame all his assistants and fire them all. He is and was not the first. MR is a class guy that uses his position to teach the young men about more than football. He is also a very good football coach.
Those of you still whining about Katz. Get over it. MR is the coach and he gets to make those decisions. The same folks that are crying about Katz are also crying about Sac State. It seems to me that we lost that game because of Katz and his poor play. In the end the argument will be decided if he goes pro and makes many millions for many years.
Those of you beating the anti BDC drums – get a life. Do some study and understand what a really good job he is doing with what he has to work with. He his operating a major athletic department with at times smoke and mirrors for finances and chewing gum and bailing wire for structure. Al Reser was the closest thing OSU had to major Sugar Daddy and he just wasn’t in the same class as Knight or T.Boone Pickens (think Okalahoma State). Is he the best AD – probably not. Is he doing a very creditable job – yes he is and we should all say a little prayer of thanks each day.
Instead of the constant negative harping, do something positive. Instead of trying to impress everyone with your football acumen gained at the Pop Warner level, put your computer to positive use. In addition to buying the few tickets per year, donate to the athletic department. Help with the endowment of scholarships. Last winter, I met a fellow snowbird who in a few months had raised over 300K$ for the athletic department by making phone calls to friends and twisting the arms of acquaintenances. Hopefully the new TV money will allow BDC to clear the crushing debt, build the BB practice facility and bank a few bucks for rainy days. That is the only way OSU can field representative and competitive teams in all sports for the future.
Beavs Believe says:
May 18, 2012
^ This. Is. Amesome.
dunerat says:
May 17, 2012
OK bleeds orange, You do make good points and not so good points. Riley is resposible for where the program is now. Just like he was getting credit along with Erickson for the first Rebuild, He is the only one resposible for the downturn period. I’m still in shock as to how Riley let it get to this point. Can you explain it to us? After all of Ericksons players were gone, was the Rogers Bros. the only ones holding the program together?
bone says:
May 17, 2012
I don’t think there is one answer on why the success has taken a down turn the past two seasons. But I think the main reasons is that we have not had the success is the player talent hasn’t been there, whether it be from lack of recruiting the right players, coaches not developing player/players not getting the most out of them selves, from injuries, deaths. to academic issues. The talent has not been there like there has in the past from 2-3 years of recruiting. This team has had some personnel changes and I think they are for the better and they have brought in a couple of really solid recruiting classes. Things appear to be looking up, can’t wait for September.
Beavrob says:
May 18, 2012
Like Bone said, there is no single answer for the last couple of years but a combination of factors. It isn’t that the game has passed Riley by, or that his styles are out of date, although I agree adjustments always need to be made. But he doesn’t need to turn OSU into a spread-option offense and 3-4 defense for OSU to compete. But the factors are still easy to recognize:
1) Bleed Orange brought out some good insightful points, the main one IMO being recruiting, especially on the lines. In particular the O-line has been ineffective for the last two years. The coaches certainly worked to correct this, bringing in a top 5 recruiting class in that category. Two of the newcomers are expected to compete for a starting spot right away, but also, the returnees are stronger than last year, so I fully expect the line to be better this season.
2) For two straight years the Beavers introduced a new starter at QB which can heavily impacts things. This season, Mannion is expected start, and he has one year under his belt and he will have one of the best groups of WRs in the Pac-12 to throw to. He and the offense overall will certainly improve over last year.
3) Due to injuries and other factors the Beavs returned only one starter on defense and they had no depth whatsoever at DT. This season the Beavs return much more experience on defense and they will certainly be better than last year. Depth is still a question mark, especially at CB and DT, but Riley says he likes the young athletes he has at DT so we’ll see.
4) One factor that people overlook that also impacts the overall record is that OSU plays one of the toughest schedules in the NATION almost every year – last year non-conference opponents BYU and Wisconsin each finished with at least 10 wins, and the year before that the Beavers played arguably THE toughest schedule in the nation with four of their opponents finishing in the top 10. Well, OSU gets Wisconsin again but this time at home – when was the last time OSU played a Big-10 opponent at home? I don’t think I have ever seen it, but it is a tremendous opportunity for the Beavs.
Overall I agree with Bone, things are definitely looking up and I also cannot wait for September. Go BEAVS!