Week 10 Open

Week 10 is now open.  I will advance the week on Tuesday (6/24).

Oregon State rebounds from their close loss to Stanford by beating another ranked team on their schedule. On the season, Oregon State has faced 7 ranked teams, going 4-3 versus the competition, including 2-2 versus top 10 teams. And OSU got the win in historic fashion. A back and forth battle, OSU finally dug in on defense late in the 3rd quarter to stop California just long enough to extend the lead with an offense that was on a roll after a slow start.

The Beavers came out throwing the ball to strike quickly, but found more success on the ground where their speedy halfback found some hidden power shrugging off tackle attempts left and right. When their opening drive stalled at the 1 yard line, the Beavers opted to go for it, and got lucky, breaking two tackles in the backfield before falling over the goalline.  California easily answered with a 2 play drive, including a 66 yard TD rush where the RB Larkin broke at least 4 tackles en route to the end zone. Both teams had multiple 50+ yard play on the ground and through the air. 

As predicted at the start of the season, the offense would have to produce to carry the team as the defense swapped schemes to opposite ends of the spectrum. The defense has given up at least 4 TDs in all but 2 games. The offense has scored 30 or more points in all but 3 games, all 3 of those games losses thus far.

The Beavers went Orange/White/Black today.
RB Robinson had a career game once the Beavers realized how terrible the Golden Bears run defense was, and it turned out to be a team record on the day as well. He amassed 226 yards rushing and added 4 TDs, which was almost 5, but he took a breather to let a backup get in on the action late.

Another record breaker, slow-footed DT Bryant somehow recorded 4 Sacks against a fleet-footed scrambling QB who punished Beaver defenders with stiff arms and lowered shoulders each time he was able to get past the LoS.

Rodents 48
Teddies 31

Bowl Watch 2018: OSU is staring up at Stanford in the standings, who beat Oregon this week. With 3 remaining games, OSU is hoping the Trees stumble versus at least two opponents. Stanford faces ranked USC, temporarily ranked Cal, and BYU out of conference. That's the only chance OSU has at the Rose Bowl, who has to be perfect themselves in their final four games versus Colorado, and 3 straight rivalry games versus Washington, Washington State, and Oregon (possible glitched game to boot) to close the regular season out. The Beavers are one win away from bowl eligibility.

Ugh. My PS3 froze in the 3rd, up 28-0 on Kentucky... don't really want to replay, so I'll probably just let it go to sim.