clawman said:
So now that OSU has named their starter as "Mannion, the junior from Pleasanton, Calif., earned the nod after displaying improved accuracy and decision making throughout spring and fall practices."
How does that affect their game plan?
I would guess they will keep the offense as simple as possible so he has less decisions to make and keep the passing game short, especially early in the game for him to make some completions and gain confidence.
What do you think? And, can the Eagles take advantage of that game plan?
Hey Gents, I may be a PSU alumni but always been intrigued by EWU and the football program up there. I do have some insight into Oregon State.
Mannion is actually a 3rd year starter. He started 10 games in 2011 as a freshman, 8 games (due to injury) in 2012 as a sophomore. In 2012, 64.7% completion in 309 attempts, 15 TD, 13 INT, 2446 yds.
Vaz (the backup) started 5 games in 2012. He has a 59% completion in 185 attempts, 11 TD, 3 INT, 1480 yds. 5th year senior that knows the playbook backwards and forwards. Whether his head is still in it after being named the backup for 2013 is up for debate.
As a whole, OSU's passing game with both Mannion and Vaz starting at different times in 2012, was 2nd in the Pac-12.
There's no way OSU keeps the offense vanilla, even for the 1st game of 2013. They return 4 of 5 starting offensive lineman, and 8 of 11 on offense overall. Woods and Ward both return at RB, Anderson at FB. Cooks, who will be their primary WR in 2013, caught 67 balls for 1151 yds and 5 TD's in 2012. He also reportedly runs a 4.25 second 40 yd dash,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VF5SyM6QfY. Cummings who will essentially be replacing Wheaton, had extensive playing time in 2012 but didn't catch many balls due to the big targets in Wheaton and Cooks. OSU also returns 6-7/8 TE Connor Hamlett who is a HUGE target and sneaks off of blocks very well.
First offensive series, possibly even the first play, expect a play-action pass deep ball. If completed, will likely make for a very long day for the Eagles D.
Defensively, Oregon State returns a pair of what will be 3 year starters at DE. Crichton, an all Pac-12 DE in 2012, is currently ranked 3rd best DE for the 2015 NFL draft class (he's only a junior) and could possibly move into the 1st round, had 9 sacks with 17.5 TFL in 2012. Reynolds is also a 3rd year starter at corner and is projected as the 12th best CB in the 2014 NFL Draft (5th round),16 pass breakups in 2012 was 2nd in the Pac-12, also had 3 INT's. The other corner spot will be filled by either Sean Martin who played a lot in 2012 when OSU went to the nickel package, or highly touted 4-star JC transfer Steven Nelson. Zimmerman and Murphy both return, at SS and FS respectively. OSU rotates in a TON of DT's, so even though no returning starters there, expect to see a lot of fresh big bodies including 2 JC transfers both over 300 lbs.
The two stars, Cooks and Reynolds, were both overshadowed by breakout performances by Wheaton and Poyer in 2012. Cooks still had over 1100 yards receiving and Reynolds still finished 2nd in the conference in pass breakups and is considered a lock-down corner.
OSU plays an in your face, physical, brand of football. They will pound the ball until you bring safeties in to help, then go play-action over the top to the WR's. They counter LB blitzes with TE screens over the middle. Just when you think you know what's coming, they'll tweak it ever so slightly to change the play.
Don't let this post make you think they're a juggernaut or unbeatable, but they will definitely compete in the PAC-12 and Top-25 nationally in 2013.
Hope this helps.
:evil: :twisted:
