I had family commitments yesterday, so I only got to see the 1st half live. Then I watched the 2nd half last night. This morning I re-watched the whole thing.
First thing: it's really weird to watch the Buffs play football when I already know the final score and some of the plays that are going to happen. It was watching CU but without any emotion, so it was like watching a good college football game that I don't have a vested interest in and can just enjoy the football. Totally different and it also gave a different perspective.
My notes:
Oregon State played its "A Game". This was the OSU team we expected this season based on how those guys were playing at the end of last season. Coaches had a great plan, they stuck to their strengths and they executed as well as they possibly can. For example, some of those passes that were completed on Oliver were perfectly timed and absolute dimes by the QB. That's not something the Beavs have done all year but they were on it yesterday.
The defense, with Udoffia and Edwards out plus Tuiloma not 100% and limited (kudos to that dude for manning up and playing some), was so limited. They couldn't get stops on 3rd down. In fact, I don't know that I've ever seen a defense that incapable of stopping a team and getting off the field. But they didn't break. Giving up 5 scoring drives in the 1st half was bad, but making 4 of them FGs was huge. If only 1 of those FG drives had gotten to the end zone the Buffs would have lost. Guys like Lewis, Worthington, Fisher, Oliver and Jackson all stepped up and made plays when they were needed. McCartney moved the best he has all year and might be turning a corner (let's hope). One of the Achilles Heels, though, is that our NT and RDE are getting washed out of plays which is allowing huge running lanes - particularly on cut backs. The other Achilles Heel (yes, this defense took an arrow from vengeful gods in both feet) is that their tackling has gone to ****. Over-pursuit, failure to get off blocks and just plain missed tackles are an epidemic.
I believe that the defense can and will play better, but there's a lot to fix and in some cases the personnel is simply not there.
On offense I was very impressed with the way Lindgren planned and called this one. Stayed committed to the run and mixed in some creativity to keep OSU off balance. Lindsay is a beast. OL is improving every week. Bobo looked like an NFL WR. And Montez overcame some early struggles probably due to a defense designed to force methodical intermediate throws to the boundaries. So he had to go through progressions, which is not his strength yet. And there was probably some adjustment with throwing sideline routes when I don't think he's ever played on a field with such a large crown. Impressive that it was the 3rd straight game by the offense with no turnovers. Also impressive that the O finished every drive in the end zone. Those boys are growing up.
I have concerns about this team because I know there are holes. But I also like the fight in these guys and believe this is a team that can turn a corner and have a winning season. This was a very good win yesterday in tough circumstances (injuries on defense, conference road game, fired up opponent, reversing season momentum coming off 3 straight losses). It is hard to win and they found a way. Feeling so much better about this team and season today than I was before kickoff yesterday.
First thing: it's really weird to watch the Buffs play football when I already know the final score and some of the plays that are going to happen. It was watching CU but without any emotion, so it was like watching a good college football game that I don't have a vested interest in and can just enjoy the football. Totally different and it also gave a different perspective.
My notes:
Oregon State played its "A Game". This was the OSU team we expected this season based on how those guys were playing at the end of last season. Coaches had a great plan, they stuck to their strengths and they executed as well as they possibly can. For example, some of those passes that were completed on Oliver were perfectly timed and absolute dimes by the QB. That's not something the Beavs have done all year but they were on it yesterday.
The defense, with Udoffia and Edwards out plus Tuiloma not 100% and limited (kudos to that dude for manning up and playing some), was so limited. They couldn't get stops on 3rd down. In fact, I don't know that I've ever seen a defense that incapable of stopping a team and getting off the field. But they didn't break. Giving up 5 scoring drives in the 1st half was bad, but making 4 of them FGs was huge. If only 1 of those FG drives had gotten to the end zone the Buffs would have lost. Guys like Lewis, Worthington, Fisher, Oliver and Jackson all stepped up and made plays when they were needed. McCartney moved the best he has all year and might be turning a corner (let's hope). One of the Achilles Heels, though, is that our NT and RDE are getting washed out of plays which is allowing huge running lanes - particularly on cut backs. The other Achilles Heel (yes, this defense took an arrow from vengeful gods in both feet) is that their tackling has gone to ****. Over-pursuit, failure to get off blocks and just plain missed tackles are an epidemic.
I believe that the defense can and will play better, but there's a lot to fix and in some cases the personnel is simply not there.
On offense I was very impressed with the way Lindgren planned and called this one. Stayed committed to the run and mixed in some creativity to keep OSU off balance. Lindsay is a beast. OL is improving every week. Bobo looked like an NFL WR. And Montez overcame some early struggles probably due to a defense designed to force methodical intermediate throws to the boundaries. So he had to go through progressions, which is not his strength yet. And there was probably some adjustment with throwing sideline routes when I don't think he's ever played on a field with such a large crown. Impressive that it was the 3rd straight game by the offense with no turnovers. Also impressive that the O finished every drive in the end zone. Those boys are growing up.
I have concerns about this team because I know there are holes. But I also like the fight in these guys and believe this is a team that can turn a corner and have a winning season. This was a very good win yesterday in tough circumstances (injuries on defense, conference road game, fired up opponent, reversing season momentum coming off 3 straight losses). It is hard to win and they found a way. Feeling so much better about this team and season today than I was before kickoff yesterday.
Last edited:
