Oregon State’s Hazy Outlook Comes Into Focus
Saturday, November 08, 2014
Really, any bowl, even one of those constantly renamed shindigs played in mid-December that only die-hards tune in to watch.
It would erase all that has gone wrong for Oregon State this season, but it would be positive, an illustration of progress - by winning two of the final four games, the Beavers would have their best ratio of success since opening 3-0 against a bunch of cupcakes.
Small victories are still victories.
The most winnable game remaining is up next - and isn’t that the same message the next foe’s coach, Washington State mad scientist Mike Leach, is delivering to his team? The Cougars believe OSU is wounded, vulnerable - and they’re not too proud to take advantage.
Here’s the setup - the loser seizes sole possession of the Pac-12 North basement.
Desperation is often motivation enough.
At 2-7, Washington State is ensured of a losing record, and the future movement has already begun. Last week, redshirt freshman quarterback Luke Falk stepped in for Connor Halliday after the senior suffered a broken leg and was capable, throwing for 370 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 44-17 loss to USC.
Leach is already in the process of discovering whether or not Falk will be his starter moving forward - provided, of course, Leach is retained as head coach.
It prompts the question - when does Mike Riley begin looking ahead? Sean Mannion will still have a professional career, but man, it’s been a ho-hum senior season - all-time conference passing record notwithstanding. And relax - this isn’t a suggestion to bench Mannion, who still provides Oregon State with its best chance of being functional on offense.
With that said, however, if they’re struggling with Mannion, who only has a handful of games left, and as some are already calling for Riley’s ouster, it’s hard to envision a scenario where the Beavers are successful in the near future with an unproven option at quarterback.
How long will patience be tolerated?
And does a bowl game ease the unrest?
Beat Washington State, and the picture will become a little clearer.
Banner Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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