Oregon State’s Hazy Outlook Comes Into Focus

Saturday, November 08, 2014

Jeffrey Martin, GoLocalPDX Contributor

OSU Beavers via Wikimedia Commons

At this point, a bowl game would be terrific.

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