Q+A with Oregon State SBN site: Building The Dam

by TwistNHook on Nov 6, 2009 4:00 AM PST in Football Comment 33 comments

This week, Cal takes on the Beavers of Oregon State. There are 2 SBN sites from Oregon, Addicted To Quack and Building The Dam. Many people say AtQ is the better site, but many people are wrong. While AtQ gets all the hype and is so flashy (giving all of their Masolithusiasts Playstation 3s!), BtD is the much more consistent site. Year in and year out they continue to produce stable, quality work. It is not as well known work, but every now and then they really show up Conquest Chronicles and everybody starts paying attention to them again.

We thought for the OSU game, we'd do a Q+A with them. Get their thoughts on this game, Building The Dam-style. After the jump, see what their thoughts are on the game and whether or not Chip Kelly's face should remain un-punched. And here are their answers to our questions! GO BEARS!

1. Quiz or Best, who would you take? Show your work.

Ah the great debate. Best is a more electrifying player, there is no doubt about it. But Quizz is hands down a better runner between the tackles, which is our offense. Throw in that he has a little bit more speed this year and he has broken out a few big runs, and I'll take Quizz. But don't get me wrong, I'm not comfortable playing against Jahvid Best.

2. What is the #1 strength of Canfield we gotta watch out for?

When he gets time he can wing the ball in there. He throws a nice, tight spiral. And lately he's added a very accurate deep ball that's burned quite a few corner backs. But they key to Canfield is he needs time. He can't do anything under pressure.

3. How angry does Oregon's win over USC make you guys?

I think we should all be happy that USC's reign as champion is over. But why couldn't it Stanford? Or you? Or UCLA? Or even UW?? What is most frustrating is not being able to turn on the TV or radio, pick up the newspaper, or leave anywhere outside of Corvallis without hearing about the awesomeness of UO.

4. Who should we watch out for on the Defense?

The thing about our defense this year is that nobody has stood out. There is no Victor Butler this year. Even Paea and Kristick (arguably our two best returners) have had modest years. But watch out for our linebacking core as a whole. They have started to step up the last 4 games and are helping ease pressure off the line and defensive backs.

via media.scout.com

5. Who do you want to punch in the face?

The entire Oregon football program. Chip Kelly told the NCAA and Pac10 that the Blount situation would be taken care of in house. He held a press conference stating that he would be suspended "indefinitely" but that only because they didn't want to kick him off the team and take away his scholarship. I thought that was the classiest move I've seen from a head coach. Then, as soon as the heat died down, they decide they will try and reinstate him. Oregon fans love Chip Kelly's attitude. I think he is the next Urban Meyer.

6. How've the Rodgers brothers been utilized this year that's different from last?

The WildBeav (I prefer WildQuizz) offense has been fun to watch. And Quizz threw a TD against UCLA! Other than that, its pretty much Q-ball all over again (Quizz and Quon ball),

7. Are the Beavers dead meat if one of them goes down?

Not if we play Pitt, of course. There's more depth in the receiving corps than at running back. Freshman WR Markus Wheaton is being groomed to run the fly sweep, but he's not James Rodgers yet. So if the Beavers had to take one guy, they'd take Quizz, but James is one helluva player and it's hard to even say that.

via blog.oregonlive.com

8. ESPN's Ted Miller thinks that Quizz should get invited to the Heisman ceremony. Do you agree or disagree? Do the following facts change your opinion? So far this year, Jahvid Best has a better yard per rush average than Rodgers (6.3 vs. 5.4). Jahvid Best also has a better yard per reception average than Rodgers (10.3 vs. 7.6). Jahvid Best also has a worse offensive line blocking for him. It sounds like Best might be doing more damage with less help. Does that give him a better claim to be a Heisman candidate than Rodgers?

Personally, and I know I'm going to catch shit about this, but LaMichael James from Oregon deserves more than either. In 8 games he has put up 918 yards and 11 TDs on only 131 carries. He's averaging better YPG than Best and better YPC than Quizz. But look at what Quizz does. He gets his yardage every time. Jahvid Best's biggest problem is Tedford doesn't get him the ball enough. And I don't buy the whole "worse offensive line" argument. Let's check out the star ratings of each kids and compare. And don't tell me that you have a new OLine coach either. I refuse to believe that these kids forgot everything Michalczik taught them.

9. Cal's pass defense so far this year has been...suspect. Can Oregon State take advantage? Will they?

Absolutely we can. I believe we have one of the deepest receiving cores in the conference. Again, the key is pressure of Canfield. If we can get the running game going early, it could be a long game for the Golden Bears.

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QB pressure is key to beating OSU? Uh-oh…

by sec119 on Nov 6, 2009 7:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Actually the key is scoring more points than us, but I figured that was too Maddenesque

Defending Jacquizz against Jahvid since 2008.

by The VD Special on Nov 6, 2009 9:52 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs

haha, nicely played sir

by USAFGoldenBear on Nov 6, 2009 10:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Star ratings???

I can’t believe someone from Oregon State just told us to check the star ratings of our OLs to compare them. What were the star ratings of the SEVEN players they had on defense last year who are now in the NFL?

I don’t care if Jaquizz Rodgers is really Chuck Norris in disguise, you don’t run like he has run against USC the last two years without excellent blocking up front. He’s an outstanding back no doubt, and right up there with Best, but please – our OL this year has been an obvious weakness compared to last year, for whatever the reasons.

Personally, I think that maybe, just maybe, losing Alex Mack and Will T did in fact hurt us as much as we were hoping it wouldn’t.

by abaddon on Nov 6, 2009 7:53 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

And Pain Train on the other side....

….I’m looking forward to the game, but in my book a Cal win is a pretty big upset. Our Bears simply make too many mistakes. I’m hoping it all finally comes together this week.

by ohsooso on Nov 6, 2009 8:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I haven’t watched enough Cal games this year to make a judgment on your offensive line. I saw the Minnesota game and the Oregon game, but that was it. So I’ll take your word for it that our OLine is better. But my point was is you have good coaching. And I am not one of the Oregon State fans that say “oh boo star ratings look at us” blah blah blah. I know they aren’t exact science, but they do a pretty damn good job. And since most of the star ratings are based on who’s offering scholarships, it really isn’t the Rivals people scouting and rating them, its the coaches. And I trust that coaches know what they are doing.

Defending Jacquizz against Jahvid since 2008.

by The VD Special on Nov 6, 2009 9:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget Camron Morrah, too

it’s painfully obvious those three were money on the pass/down-field blocking… We might have seen a whole different Riley this year with an extra second or two in the pocket. Then again, maybe a whole different Tucker, Jones, and Boateng would have produced that as well. :(

"He's so fast, he can turn off the lights and be in bed before it gets dark!" -- Lee Corso on Jahvid Best in NCAA 10.

by dirt on Nov 6, 2009 10:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No, OUR Oline is weaker.

No, OURS is weaker.

CGB: Resisting Hope Since 2007

by Spazzy Mcgee on Nov 6, 2009 12:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Mic-man: please show up big

It appears Cal is going to need home field noise support, something that’s been lacking in previous games. If you are Mic Man, and read this, or know a Mic Man, tell them to get their game face on. The second half is going to be under the lights and cold. If it’s close, fans have to stay in the game. The only way that can happen is if the MicMan is on it — we don’t have any other cheer start/stop leadership (except random outbursts), than the MicMan. Please be on. It might seem like your position is overlooked, but that’s just people who don’t know.

by crackpipe on Nov 6, 2009 8:52 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

At the basketball game last night, the mic man with the glasses was on, trash talking Chico State players like crazy. I was really surprised since he hadn’t been doing very well at football games. I hope he can bring that energy into Saturday evening. I know I’ll be yelling for our team throughout the entire game.

by GeoFreak on Nov 6, 2009 9:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Geo, it helps to know things might be better than previous games this weekend. We’ll see. In the stadium, large groups of coordinated loud cheers at the right times might go further than individual trashings. I’m going to give it all I can. Here’s to a win.

by crackpipe on Nov 6, 2009 9:52 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, trash-talking is more for basketball where the players can actually hear you. But I do think the glasses guy has improved. In the Maryland game at the beginning of this season, he sounded nervous and lots of students made fun of him for it. In recent games, though, he’s been a lot better and was even able to get the whole stadium fired up in leading the C-A-L cheer.

by GeoFreak on Nov 6, 2009 8:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

by GeoFreak on Nov 6, 2009 9:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Can someone please explain "mic-man"

Defending Jacquizz against Jahvid since 2008.

by The VD Special on Nov 6, 2009 9:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A college-aged man with a microphone who directs the student section in cheers

STAY THIRSTY, MY FRIENDS

by Thoroughbred on Nov 6, 2009 10:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I figured as much. I didn’t know if there was more to it, like do they have to try out for it? Or is it just someone who buys a microphone at Wal Mart and says “I’m going to be Cal’s mic-man”

Defending Jacquizz against Jahvid since 2008.

by The VD Special on Nov 6, 2009 10:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

good question

I’d like to know how they’re selected too. Of equal importance, they don’t appear to get support from previous mic-men or have good knowledge of what the team needs. It seems like nearly every year, Cal has new mic-men struggle with the cheers and/or when to lead them. Maybe it looks (and sounds) like they went to Wal Mart because of a lack of coaching support by the person in charge of the Mic-Men. Whoever that is.

by crackpipe on Nov 6, 2009 10:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So they kind of start of slow, but then by the end of the year pick things up?

Are the mic-men coached my Mike Riley? And if so, does that make them Mike-Men?

Defending Jacquizz against Jahvid since 2008.

by The VD Special on Nov 6, 2009 1:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

like do they have to try out for it?

Once a year, thankfully only during one or two excruciatingly awful quarters, Micmen tryouts are held. The candidates are inevitably drunk or utterly uncomfortable in front of large, angry crowds. Those that don’t get viciously booed off the stage survive to become micmen. Unless everybody gets booed off, and then one of them gets picked anyway and that lucky person gets to be booed for the rest of the year!

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Nov 6, 2009 3:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That’s basically it. They are actually in the process of selecting mic men for next year now. They send out applications among the student body and then interview the candidates. Then, those that pass that step are trotted out before the student section for an audition during a game. At some point later, a decision is made, but I’m not sure if it is made by the current mic men or the Cal athletics spirit advisor.

"It's going to be a long season" - Old Blues from 1868-present

by AVNevis on Nov 6, 2009 6:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

My feeling is the Rodgers brothers will undoubtedly get theirs; we just gotta keep that at a manageable level. If we don’t allow the Special Teams foibles and perform on offense as we did during our 6 wins, we’ll be in a great position.

Remember, Oregon State no longer has YvenSam BernStroughter, the most horrible Cal nightmare ever!

STAY THIRSTY, MY FRIENDS

by Thoroughbred on Nov 6, 2009 10:03 AM PST reply actions 0 recs