The Beavers Running Game Isn't Dead Yet

Jaquizz Rodgers

While watching the TCU game I felt that the coaches should've run the ball more often because it seemed like we were getting good yardage.  I know mixing it up is good, but I like to see runs on 1st or 2nd down when he's rolling regardless.

A quick look at the drive charts in the second half showed:

3rd Q

• 2nd and 10 at ORST 13 Jacquizz Rodgers rush for 8 yards to the OrgSt 21.
• 2nd and 10 at TCU 17 Jacquizz Rodgers rush for 15 yards to the TCU 2 out-of-bounds for a 1ST down.
• 1st and Goal at TCU 1 Jacquizz Rodgers rush for 1 yard for a TOUCHDOWN.
• 1st and 10 at ORST 28 Jacquizz Rodgers rush for 7 yards to the OrgSt 35. 

4th Q

• 1st and 10 at ORST 26 Jacquizz Rodgers rush for 4 yards to the OrgSt 30.
• 2nd and 6 at ORST 30 Jacquizz Rodgers rush for 5 yards to the OrgSt 35.
• 3rd and 1 at ORST 35 Jacquizz Rodgers rush for 3 yards to the OrgSt 38 for a 1ST down.
• 3rd and 10 at ORST 38 Jacquizz Rodgers rush for 7 yards to the OrgSt 45.

 Its not a big sample size, but I think we were wearing their defense down.  I think he would have excelled on that last drive and would have been key.  In fact, instead of a pass play I think the first play should have been run.  We had 4 minutes left so there was plenty of time.

Anyways, I think the running game will be fine.  The key is just getting Jaquizz the touches he needs to be successful and do his thing. 


Go Beavs!

Tale of the Tape - Oregon State Beavers vs. the Oregon Ducks

Seems most people think that the Ducks are going to win the Civil War. Vegas has us as 10 point underdogs. Every local poll has the 60% of the people voting that the Ducks will win. Blah, blah, blah. Is Autzen really worth 10 points?

I was looking at the stats and things look pretty even to me. On offense, we each do things a little different, but the result is basically the same. Lots of yards and points.

Pac-10 Rankings: (From the Pac-10 Release)

OFFENSE

Rushing

OSU - 6th (149.7)
UO - 1st (231.4)

Passing

OSU - 1st (272.5)
UO - 9th (187.5)

Total

OSU - 2nd (422.2)
UO - 3rd (418.8)

Scoring

OSU - 3rd (32.4)
UO - 1st (37.7)


On defense things are surprisingly even as well. The pass defense for the Beavs is a bit scary, but it looks like the Beavs can run on Oregon. Its unlikely the Beavs will hold the Ducks under 100 yards rushing, but it does appear to be a strength again this year.


DEFENSE

Rushing

OSU - 1st (98.5)
UO - 5th (130.6)

Passing

OSU - 6th (242.1)
UO - 2nd (193.4)

Total

OSU - 5th (340.5)
UO - 3rd (324.0)

Scoring

OSU - 4th (22.2)
UO - 5th (22.7)


What will be the difference? Who knows, but the thing the Ducks have a clear advantage over the Beavs is creating turnovers and sacks. The Quacks have double in each of those categories (Sacks 30-15, Opp TOs 24-12). The good news for the Beavs is that the Ducks give the ball up a bunch more as well. In fact, its over twice as often (19-8).

The best hope for the Beavs is to capitalize on turnovers by the Ducks and force them into 3rd down situations (where they are only converting at 36%). Oh, and don't give up the big plays. Either that or just keep scoring all game long like Stanford did.


Come on Beavs! Early Christmas Present!

Civil War Video!

Junior Raimey put together this sweet song for the Civil War: Pasadena Bound ( I Smell Roast Duck )



The video isn't as good, but the song is awesome!

Go Beavs! Beat the Ducks!

Civil War of the Roses!

Two weeks ago, Arizona had to lose twice and USC had to lose once for Oregon St. to have a shot at the Rose Bowl. Two weeks later, the improbable happened and the Civil War for the Roses was set. This is the biggest Civil War ever. Sure, 2000 was big, but the Rose Bowl is the Rose Bowl! I'm not old enough to remember anything before the streak, so anyone who remembers a bigger Civil War, let me know in the comments below!

The Game

I'm a believer that in the Civil War, anything can happen. Home field means something, but not everything. After that, its just two teams that REALLY want to win.

What is the formula for beating the Ducks? Here are my options:

* Outscore them (i.e. Stanford)

OR

* Don't let them get any big plays (Boise St.) and contain them on offense

OR

* Hope for an implosion on offense and don't let their defense win the game. (Purdue, Arizona, Boise St.)


Of course, the Beavers also need to do at least 3 out of 4 of these:

* Get TDs not FGs

* Limit the penalties

* No turnovers

* Force a few turnovers


What do you think? How do the Beavs win the Civil War?

Wazzu Game and Rose Bowl Possibilities

The big news after last weekend's amazing run of results (USC, Arizona losing) the Beavers have a very real possibility of making the Rose Bowl. Of course, we have to beat Oregon at Autzen to make it happen. Not an easy feat. How cool would it be to have the Civil War be for the Rose Bowl!

In case you haven't seen it, here's how the Beavs get into the Rose Bowl:

1. Beat Wazzu (Listen to the game at 2:00 pm on the Beaver Sports Radio Network)

2. Oregon or USC beats Arizona

3. Beat Oregon

That's it. So if Oregon beats Arizona today (5:00 pm, ABC) and the Beavers beat Washington State, then the Civil War is a one game playoff for the Rose Bowl. That would rock.


Here are some of the other Rose Bowl scenarios for the other Pac-10 teams still with a shot:

Oregon

* Beat Arizona

* Beat OSU


Arizona

* Beat Oregon

* Beat USC

* Beat ASU

From: Saturday could help decide USC's Rose replacement - Sporting News

Arizona, though, would take control of the league with a victory. Head-to-head victories over Stanford, Oregon State and Oregon would give the Wildcats a shot to go to the Rose Bowl if they win out. Arizona finishes with road games against Arizona State and USC.

Stanford

From: Stanford's Rose Bowl possibilities - SF Examiner

* Stanford must beat Cal.

* Arizona must beat Oregon in Tucson.

* Oregon must beat Oregon State in the Civil War.

* Arizona must lose again to either Arizona State or USC, both games will be played on the road.

The result of the above would leave Stanford tied with Oregon with two losses in the Pac-10. Tie goes to the winner.


So that's it. If I missed anything, let me know.

First things first, the Beavers need to beat the Cougars at 2pm today. Then everything else can continue to fall into place.

Go Beavs!

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