Viewer - Live chat: Bring your Beavers, Civil War and bowl game questions for John Hunt at 1 p.m.

Live chat: Bring your Beavers, Civil War and bowl game questions for John Hunt at 1 p.m.

Wednesday November 21, 2012

12:59

John Hunt:

Hi!

Wednesday November 21, 2012 12:59 John Hunt

12:59

The Oregonian:

Hello and welcome to the living room edition of The Oregonian's Oregon State live chat. That means I'm sitting in my living room, with the thumpy dog, Eli, sleeping at my feet. Hunt is here, so let's get going!

Wednesday November 21, 2012 12:59 The Oregonian

1:00

John Hunt:

Actually I'm not with Eli, but I'm ready....

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:00 John Hunt

1:00

The Oregonian:

Questions? We can't be in a turkey coma already. ...

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:00 The Oregonian

1:00

The Oregonian:

Are you in your living room?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:00 The Oregonian

1:00

[Comment From bhowrenbhowren: ]

I read an article this week about how Stanford was able to have success against the ducks. In the article it talked about how they ran a gap control type of defense. Isn’t this what we run? Do you see our defense as it is this year having good success against the duck offense? The article also spoke of Stanford moving their Line-backers back to around 6 yards from the line. This allowed them to see the play better, and run to the ball. Wouldn’t it make sense for us to do this as well?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:00 bhowren

1:02

John Hunt:

Yup, it's always a good idea to move those LBs back against the option. Stanford was so successful in making the Ducks run side-to-side. I imagine, though, that Kelly is aware of this and is making adjustments. We'll see.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:02 John Hunt

1:02

The Oregonian:

More questions?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:02 The Oregonian

1:02

The Oregonian:

How about bowl projections, John?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:02 The Oregonian

1:02

John Hunt:

Wow, we must have a bye week this week, or something...

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:02 John Hunt

1:03

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

If we beat the ducks we pass them in the BCS rankings correct?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:03 Guest

1:03

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Any chance for an at-large?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:03 Guest

1:04

John Hunt:

Yes, I would have to think the Beavers would pass the Ducks in the BCS standings with a win. The Beavers have a much better OOC sked, and both would have two losses.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:04 John Hunt

1:04

[Comment From bhowrenbhowren: ]

How is our health looking today? Should we be about full strength?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:04 bhowren

1:05

John Hunt:

I think the chances for an at-large are very slim. Stanford and UCLA would have to split, and the Beavers would have to win, and even then it's iffy.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:05 John Hunt

1:06

John Hunt:

Yup, full strength, with the possible exception of Grant Enger's leg and Cody Vaz's ankle. There don't even seem to be that many little dings that keep guys out on Mondays.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:06 John Hunt

1:06

[Comment From DJDJ: ]

Do you think Chip Kelly heads to the NFL? If so, how does this affect his players focus on the Civil War (and remaining games) and Duck recruiting?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:06 DJ

1:06

John Hunt:

Don't forget Tyler Anderson, the fullback, is done with a knee injury. Clayton York will take his place.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:06 John Hunt

1:07

John Hunt:

Chip? I really don't know. I would imagine so, since he wanted to do it last year and that, well, the Ducks might hear from the NCAA at some point. That shouldn't hurt the focus. What would hurt the focus is the hangover from the Stanford loss, and that really is possible.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:07 John Hunt

1:07

[Comment From bhowrenbhowren: ]

Doesn't it seem like we should be able to have a steady run game against this defense, especially in the middle? I think this would give additional success for our passing game.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:07 bhowren

1:08

John Hunt:

Yes, and of course, the best way to beat the Ducks is to keep the ball away from them - and you do that by running the ball and running the clock down. With Oregon's defensive injuries and the really good running by Terron Ward lately, the Beavers should be able to run the ball OK.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:08 John Hunt

1:09

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

I've been hearing a lot of holiday bowl projections? If that's the case who do you see us matching up with

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:09 Guest

1:09

John Hunt:

It would be a Big 12 team. Baylor has entered the picture - the Beavers could see them.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:09 John Hunt

1:09

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Cummings has disappeared... As great as Cooks and Wheaton are, an underneath possession receiver would be a big help when things break down. Is there something going on there?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:09 Guest

1:11

John Hunt:

That's true. I'm not sure why that is, other than the steady emergence of Connor Hamlett as a main target to go with Wheaton and Cooks. If you're looking for a secret weapon, that might be a good one.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:11 John Hunt

1:11

[Comment From bhowrenbhowren: ]

I do think the Anderson injury is big. He has been great! Hope he comes back strong after surgery.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:11 bhowren

1:11

[Comment From WLWL: ]

Is Cooks going through concussion protocol this week?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:11 WL

1:12

John Hunt:

No, I don't think Cooks got a concussion. I think he just got knocked in the head pretty good and sat out as a precaution. (I don't mean to minimize knocks in the head, but I think this one was less than serious.)
As for Anderson, yes, he's been excellent this year. The Beavers will miss his short-yardage running ability.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:12 John Hunt

1:12

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

Any word on what the program plans to do about the Nichols St. game?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:12 Ryan

1:13

John Hunt:

They're playing it. Once the Beavers lost at Stanford, the game was a go.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:13 John Hunt

1:13

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Could Texas be a potential Holiday Bowl opponent? They have two losses but tcu and kansas state still on books

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:13 Guest

1:14

John Hunt:

It's possible. They did play in it last season, though, so that's a strike against them.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:14 John Hunt

1:14

[Comment From bhowrenbhowren: ]

If we win this weekend, wouldn't putting any other team in for a BCS game from the Pac-12(besides Stanford) be wrong? Wouldn't it be a team we had already beaten. Also wouldn't we have a record just as good, if not better.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:14 bhowren

1:16

John Hunt:

Yes, if the Beavers win the Civil War, the Ducks should not get in over them for an at-large bid. I think the Pac-12 would have just one BCS team in that case, though.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:16 John Hunt

1:16

[Comment From PrudhoeBeaverPrudhoeBeaver: ]

Any chance OSU cancels the Nicholls State game with a win over UofO to preserve strength of schedule?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:16 PrudhoeBeaver

1:16

John Hunt:

I have been told no. That's not to say minds can't be changed, but I've been told no.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:16 John Hunt

1:16

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Have you heard anything about the future of Lane Kiffin from any of your sources/outlets?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:16 Guest

1:18

John Hunt:

Haven't heard of any axes coming down. Although if it does, you'll hear cheering throughout the Pac-12 and all the way to Knoxville, Tenn.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:18 John Hunt

1:18

[Comment From WLWL: ]

Scrambling QB's have killed our 4-3 in past. Any special attention/schemes for Mariota?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:18 WL

1:19

John Hunt:

You're right. I think you'll see Mariota try to run quite a bit. It's up to the Beavers to make him not want to do that.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:19 John Hunt

1:19

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

RE: Cummings... I was impressed with Mullaney when he played. Perhaps he could be the third wide receiver and be the possession guy. He has great hands and good instincts. I don't know about the rest of his game, though.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:19 Guest

1:20

[Comment From tylertyler: ]

John Hunt: You're right. I think you'll see Mariota try to run quite a bit. It's up to the Beavers to make him not want to do that.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:20 tyler

1:20

John Hunt:

Mullaney is a favorite of all of us who watch practice. He's a great pass catcher. No blinding speed, but good size and great hands.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:20 John Hunt

1:20

[Comment From beaver believerbeaver believer: ]

for the run game why don't they give malcom agnew more opportunities? could he step in for tyler

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:20 beaver believer

1:21

[Comment From tylertyler: ]

step in for me? No one does that

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:21 tyler

1:22

John Hunt:

No, Agnew has ball security issues that would keep him from assuming Anderson's role. We were watching practice yesterday, though, and remarking about how the Beavers are pretty lucky they have a third-string back with that kind of ability.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:22 John Hunt

1:22

[Comment From tylertyler: ]

do you think going into a 3-4 defense like Stanford did is the best solution to beating the Ducks' offense?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:22 tyler

1:23

[Comment From WLWL: ]

Agnew can't run block as well as Ward. See ASU game

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:23 WL

1:23

John Hunt:

You know, Stanford had four down linemen quite a bit (or 3 1/2, with a hybrid guy), and the Beavers run lots of 3-man fronts. I think that labeling is a little overrated.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:23 John Hunt

1:23

[Comment From ChrisChris: ]

From what I have seen, pressure up the middle disrupts the duck offense more then any other blitzes, or other schemes. Do you think that we can get that pressure up the middle and blow up the plays in the backfield? And if we do, will we be able to keep Mariota from running forever, since this is typically the Beavers defense downfall?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:23 Chris

1:23

John Hunt:

You're right. Agnew is not the blocker that Ward is, but he is getting a little better catching the ball.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:23 John Hunt

1:24

[Comment From WLWL: ]

I, mean pass block

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:24 WL

1:25

John Hunt:

That's something I don't think the Beavers can do. Their best penetrator is Crichton on the outside. Now, you might see Crichton more at nose tackle in a 3-man front, but I don't think OSU can expect to get consistent push into the backfield.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:25 John Hunt

1:25

[Comment From bhowrenbhowren: ]

Do we play to stop the run first, and make the ducks beat us with the pass? Especially with the quality of our D-backs?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:25 bhowren

1:25

John Hunt:

Yup, always try to stop the run first. Or at least slow it down enough to throw the Ducks out of rhythm.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:25 John Hunt

1:25

The Oregonian:

I think this one refers back to Mariota. ...

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:25 The Oregonian

1:25

[Comment From tylertyler: ]

Do you think that putting a spy on him is the solution

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:25 tyler

1:26

John Hunt:

You might see Poyer paying close attention to Mariota's moves, I'm guessing. (That's when the Beavers go with extra DBs and Poyer plays more of a rover role.)

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:26 John Hunt

1:26

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Lets talk worse possible scenarios. Could a loss to the ducks lead to another dreaded sun bowl? If Washington wins the apple cup they will have 3 conference losses also (with the head to head victory). And lets say UCLA beats Standford and ducks go to conference championship and win that so only 1 team goes to BCS. How far can we drop? In bowl game prepsective

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:26 Guest

1:27

[Comment From tylertyler: ]

him=Mariota

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:27 tyler

1:27

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

@Chris: I always thought that the defense should put two nose tackles in shoulder to shoulder right over the center. Destroy the center on every play.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:27 Guest

1:27

[Comment From tylertyler: ]

Good thing for the beavs here is that we've got a good secondary defending the pass. Making the Ducks a one-dimensional team should help the Beavs to win.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:27 tyler

1:27

John Hunt:

I don't think the Beavers will drop below the Sun Bowl, but that is a real possibility. Come in, New Year's in Juarez, what could be better?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:27 John Hunt

1:28

The Oregonian:

Really? Really?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:28 The Oregonian

1:28

[Comment From YoYoBeavYoYoBeav: ]

I think we beat Oregon. I don't think that our "D" will be able to do as well as Stanford did... But we will also be able to score more than they did... I do not think we will put up 50+ like USC, but we will be closer to 50 than 17. I look for this to be a game in the 30's. I think our "D" is good enough to slow them dowm, but not totally... And I see them having a hard time with our wideouts. How do you feel about my thoughts? I think special teams will win this game - and a huge TO will swing momentum to us. Maybe a pick-6.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:28 YoYoBeav

1:29

John Hunt:

Possible, YoYo. I agree that this game should be in the 30s. It's anybody's game. Beavers can't lose the turnover battle, and they can't let DAT loose for any 80-yard anythings.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:29 John Hunt

1:29

[Comment From ChrisChris: ]

I think the Beavs have peaked at the perfect time. After dismantling Cal and playing really good against Stanford (gave them the game). If we had a legit chance to win, this is it! Poyer and Wheaton go out winning! Beavs 48 Ducks 38

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:29 Chris

1:29

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

How about this: When Oregon gets into it's fast-paced mode, if it's 2nd or 3rd and less than 3 yards to go, Anticipate the snap and jump offsides. It will disrupt the rhythm and if OSU isn't ready, they would most likely get more than 5 yards anyway.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:29 Guest

1:31

John Hunt:

I'm not sure I'd say the Beavers are peaking. I don't think Cal played well at all. But they certainly are playing well enough to win if Oregon is off its game at all.
Well, I don't know about the offsides idea - you might get a job on Cal's staff with that philosophy, though.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:31 John Hunt

1:31

[Comment From bhowrenbhowren: ]

It seems to me we should be better with running QB's than in years past. Especially with the speed we have at LB now. Shouldn't this be the case?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:31 bhowren

1:32

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

I can't get a job at Cal. I just got fired as coach.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:32 Guest

1:32

[Comment From YoYoBeavYoYoBeav: ]

After we win. I want to stomp on Chip's visor!

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:32 YoYoBeav

1:32

John Hunt:

Yes, the Beavers are better against the running QBs. Hogan had his moments (one great play in particular), but the only one that really has hurt the Beavers this year is Nelson for BYU - mostly because he's so unpredictable.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:32 John Hunt

1:32

[Comment From ChrisChris: ]

Special teams always play into the Civil War. I say always kick it out of the endzone on kickoffs or out of bounds on punts. Thomas is super dangerous and it would be terrible coaching to let him touch the ball.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:32 Chris

1:33

John Hunt:

I agree, Chris. Romaine has been good on his kickoffs, and Kostol has put the ball where he's wanted to on the vast majority of punts. Plus with Poyer as a gunner, I think OSU should be in pretty good shape to contain DAT in the return game.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:33 John Hunt

1:33

[Comment From YoYoBeavYoYoBeav: ]

We are going to win... I promise!!!

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:33 YoYoBeav

1:33

John Hunt:

Cool!

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:33 John Hunt

1:33

[Comment From ScottScott: ]

In the past when the Ducks have run the zone read with the QB and RB, the Beaver DE's have been caught chasing the RB from the week side(allowing the QB to pull the ball out and get the edge). I think that DE should just make sure he gets a solid hit on Mariotta EVERY time that play is run!!! Anybody else feel the same way?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:33 Scott

1:34

John Hunt:

I agree that Mariota should be of primary concern.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:34 John Hunt

1:34

[Comment From DavidDavid: ]

John, Duck fan here and always appreciated your work with Goe on the Ducks beat in previous years. Rivalry aside, do you think Beaver Nation has been as impressed with Mariota's performance as a redshirt freshman? Also, as a former writer on that beat, what is your personal opinion on Mariota?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:34 David

1:36

John Hunt:

What strikes me about Mariota is how much bigger a weapon he is than Darron Thomas was. I remember Duck fans gripping about losing Thomas and thinking, wait - Bennett and Mariota are so much better (although I'll always add that Thomas was super-tough). Mariota is fun to watch. Riley said the same thing yesterday, that if he didn't have to play against him, he'd really, really like him.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:36 John Hunt

1:36

[Comment From bhowrenbhowren: ]

Is it prediction time yet?

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:36 bhowren

1:37

John Hunt:

Prediction? How 'bout 37-31 Oregon. Classic Civil War, won by the visitors, who make just one too many big plays. Sorry, Beaver fans - just my guess.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:37 John Hunt

1:38

[Comment From ChrisChris: ]

Thanks John, keep doing the good job you are doing. If you need an apprentice let me know. I can hold a recorder with the best of them!! GO BEAVS!!

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:38 Chris

1:38

[Comment From marcodgmarcodg: ]

@David: as an OSU alum and fan, I've been very impressed with Mariota. He's the real deal and the way the game is evolving will end up playing on Sundays. It's hard to filter out the "system effects" but you can't argue with or make excuses for his success.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:38 marcodg

1:38

John Hunt:

Thanks, Chris!

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:38 John Hunt

1:38

The Oregonian:

And, with that, we'll let John go. Happy Thanksgiving, y'all. Thanks for making this a great chat.

Wednesday November 21, 2012 1:38 The Oregonian

1:38

[Comment From ScottScott: ]

Easy John...B. Bennett couldn't hit a barn running a post pattern!!!