Episode 206

Braden Atkinson Arrives, Jesse Legree's Breakout Debut, Beavs Cover, Texas Tech Awaits

Oregon State lost 33-20 at No. 23 Houston, and nobody is hanging a banner for it. But Braden Atkinson threw for 376 yards in his Beaver debut, Jesse Legree exploded for 136, and JaMarcus Shephard's staff did something refreshing when the running game vanished: it adjusted.

The boys break down Atkinson's poise, arm talent and command; an offensive line that remains a legitimate problem; the creativity Oregon State never consistently found under the previous staff; Eric Olsen and the tight ends; a defense that swarmed, forced two timely takeaways and still gave up 533 yards; and all the missed tackles that kept turning almost-good plays into Houston explosives.

Then it is on to No. 12 Texas Tech. Will Hammond and J'Koby Williams lead a talented team that still settled for four field goals against Abilene Christian. Can the Beavs create red-zone stops, steal field position on special teams and keep Atkinson upright long enough to make Reser believe? We revisit the preseason predictions, bet or bail on our original scores, and somehow end up debating Brendan Sorsby, Anthony Hankerson, transfer limits, employee status and whether college football can ever put itself back together.

No moral victories. Plenty of reasons to keep watching.