There are no moral victories, but...

I somehow feel more at home here seeing a post from you here, Mike!

I agree that the most gratifying thing for a Beaver fan right now is to see them play better or more competitively than expected. The past couple of weeks, OSU has exceeded what I thought I would see - by quite a bit. Tackling has improved, blocking has improved, and these kids have competed and been resilient to the end.

I won't lie...I can't imagine how we'll be able to sustain drives against a really good defense. We could easily ring up goose eggs on O. Offensively, UW has the best O-line not playing for 'Bama, and they are loaded with talented skill kids. On paper, it's not ridiculous to think that this could be epicly ugly - like 56-0 ugly - if we don't show up.

However, I thoroughly expect this banged up, out-manned group of guys to compete. To win some downs, and to fight and claw for 4 quarters. I won't even guess at a score. The Huskies have an exceptional team this year and we aren't close to where we want to be. Despite that, regardless of the final outcome, I'll be watching for individual victories in the games within the game!

In the same vein as the above posts... I think there are morale victories playing a #5 team (not sure their schedule dictates that ranking but lets not get into polls and bowls!) on the road with a banged up team playing with a 3rd string QB that in all likelihood might not have seen the field this year if not for injuries.

I'd like to see this GA team throw a caution to the wind so to speak and not only continue to play fast, but with some reckless abandon... attack on both sides of the ball. I think we lose no doubt. The game has changed drastically and the uptempo pace of this game will be too much to cling to an upset that would have to be low scoring. BUT... if we can sustain some drives, accentuate the offense but hitting mid-range and deep balls that cause the D to respect the pass and open up some lanes for Lucas, Cook, Seth, and Bolden, (Pierce*should also sit if there is any chance of causing season ending complications... maybe Kyle White is getting some carries this week???)... and Bailey if needed... it would be huge progress in a hostile environment.

If we can come away healthy, force some FG attempts/turnover or two... score TDs in the red zone and get Owens back on track... I'd take like 48-27 and say it could be the turning point of GA's program (although as some here know I'm highly biased and think we could be 3-3, maybe even 4-2 with MM as the starter from day 1). It is a tough place to toss a QB who was passed over so many times, but so was the CW and he did himself proud in spite of very limited reps.

On the otherhand, if this teams comes out scared/flat and looks like a HS team out there it does not bode well for our fortunes of building confidence in the next man up/depth. We are what we are. Players should never think they don't belong on the same field as their opponent. If we are unorganized, running in substitutions late, misusing timeouts, and putting our offense in unwinnable positions due to poor play calling we again are not making the strides necessary on the coaching side of things.

In essence we can make some huge strides in a game like this by relaxing... both players and coaches... and getting our sh!t together for the remaining games that I think are all winnable IF we make strides to act like we belong on the field with anyone.

I think this game is within 3 touchdowns, and closer much of the game. It certainly could get away much worse, it's just a feeling that a) UW isn't as good as they're hyped to be (still quite good), b) they won't take OSU very seriously c) OSU has become much better in a short period of time than people realize, and d) MM is out to prove was the #1 all along.

I suspect the vegas line is moving a lot more because 1) UW is getting a lot more national money due to their ranking and 2) OSU starting their 3rd string QB is a strong reason to take UW on the line. Under normal circumstances ... I'd agree, but not this time.

And quite frankly, if UW does go nuts and win by 40+, I will be more inclined to drink the Koolaid as well.

I want to believe we can beat the spread, I really do. But the logical part of my brain doesn't accept that. They are seemingly pretty good, the game is in Seattle and our O is anemic. I have some faith in McM but, seriously, everyone needs to gel incredibly quickly to not make this a blowout.

If we don't get shutout I'll consider it a moral victory.
If we hold them under 50 points I'll consider it a moral victory.
If we can accidentally sprain the ankle of their overly-arrogant QB I'll consider it a moral, yet unethical victory.

After this game, presuming no major injuries, I think the opponents will be (relatively) easier.

Go McM! Win one for the bench player turned starter turned bench player turned starter turned bench player turned starter! Or whatever iteration you're on!