The weekly Oregon State mailbag, where readers ask questions about all things Beaver athletics, and OSU beat reporter Nick Daschel attempts an answer. Here goes:
Is there an opportunity for the Beavers charter jet to take a tail drop on the tarmac? Seems to have worked for the Trojans last week in Pullman? Who do I call to arrange this? – Chris
I don’t recommend this. A lucky penny seems safer.
In-N-Out Burger when they beat the Trojans? Or Shake Shack? -- @LeadfootBeav
Definitely Shake Shack. Don’t get the In-N-Out obsession.
This feels like the toughest game on OSU’s schedule until UO at the end of the year, and it feels like a 7-win streak is POSSIBLE, not counting Sat. Agree or disagree? Sidebar: do you think a win this Saturday would be the most significant in Smith’s tenure to date? – Tyler S
Anything’s possible, I suppose. Oregon State isn’t overmatched in any of its remaining nine games, including Oregon. But a seven-game winning streak? I’d have to be neutral on that. As for whether USC marks the biggest win of Smith’s tenure? Clearly, it’s 2020 Oregon for now. But given what it would mean for program momentum, 2021 USC moves to No. 1.
What margin of OSU victory would cause Will Ferrell to cry like a baby? – Casey C
One or more.
How many wins in a row will it take for the Beavs to get in the top 25? – Myles M
Get to 5-1, and the door opens. Man, are we getting ahead of ourselves this morning, or what?
If (Chance) Nolan solidifies his starting position with a good performance Saturday, what happens with (Tristan) Gebbia if he’s ready to play? -- @realSWB
For starters, Gebbia is nowhere near ready to play. But it won’t matter if Nolan continues to surge. You don’t mess with a hot hand at quarterback.
Do you think our defense, specifically our secondary is ready for conference play and how well do you feel they’ll do against Pac-12 QB’s. – Krys C
Oregon State’s defense has shown signs it can hold up against the run, and has performed fairly well on first and second down. It’s third down that remains a question. Until they have success in that situation against a couple good teams, there will be questions. Same goes with OSU’s play behind the line of scrimmage. It’s one thing to rack up tackles for loss against Hawaii and Idaho. If it happens against USC and Washington, the Beavers’ defense has arrived.
Status of Damir Collins, the 4-star running back out of Jefferson High? – Mark A
Likely a redshirt year. Too many capable backs ahead of him. He’s promising, but at least a year away.
As a USC coach having viewed Idaho film, I would be looking at lots of passes in the flat to my running back. I would also be running outside and using QB-RB options and run/pass options. How much has USC already done those things? – Mike V
I can’t say I’ve dissected a lot of USC video. But all those are possible except running the quarterback. The Trojans are already down a Jaxson Dart (knee surgery). Kedon Slovis, provided he’s able to play, is a week removed from leaving the Washington State game with a neck injury. Can’t see USC putting its quarterback at risk.
What aspect of the team do you think will be showcased in the matchup against USC that either we haven’t seen or hasn’t been prominent in weeks past? – Jason Y
A couple areas. I can see Oregon State being a little more aggressive in rushing the quarterback this week. Haven’t had to do a lot of that the past two games. Also turning loose the tight ends in the passing game. True, Luke Musgrave and Teagan Quitoriano led the Beavers a week ago with three catches each, but they didn’t need difference makers against Idaho. At some point, OSU will want to see what it has in unleashing Musgrave deep down field.
What needs to happen outside the obvious to pull the upset in the Coliseum this Saturday? – Brandyn J
I’ll give two. Oregon State must control action with the running game. If the Beavers possess the ball 35 minutes, it’ll help the defense. Second, get off the field on third down. Sorry to be Capt. Obvious, but win those two situations, and the Beavers should be in position to win the game.
How much taller is Anthony Gould than Champ Flemings? And is Quizz in between them? – Benny L
Gould is 5-foot-8, Flemings 5-5. Jacquizz Rodgers comes close to splitting them, at 5-7.
A key defensive player whose performance could make the difference? – Trevor N
Presuming this question means for the USC game, the obvious one is cornerback Rejzohn Wright. He’ll likely have the assignment much of the night on receiver Drake London, who already has 12 and 13-reception games this season. Another is OLB Riley Sharp. He’s been playing well of late. If Sharp continues to cause havoc in the backfield, it’ll aid the cause.
I know the school doesn’t have control over kickoff times, but Wazzu, Utah, Cal, Colorado and Stanford don’t exactly sound like primetime must see. Maybe with afternoon start times an increase in attendance will happen. – Joe H
What will increase attendance is winning, regardless of kick time at 12:30, 3:30 or 7:30.
I’ve heard that OSU men’s basketball is adding an 11th non-conference game? Any word on that? – Ian
Don’t know about an 11th game, but a 10th non-conference game is going through the contract stage. The Beavers currently have nine scheduled non-conference games.
--Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel
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