Oregonian Sports

Washington State coach Jake Dickert pushed back on the idea that his Cougars and the Oregon State Beavers are pals, but did anybody really believe that was the case between the lines?

On this week’s episode of the Oregonian Sports podcast, co-hosts Bill Oram and Brenna Greene discuss why OSU and WSU’s institutional alliance has little bearing on Saturday’s game and why the matchup has a long way before it can be considered a rivalry.

Also discussed on this week’s episode:

• The Beavers “epic faceplant” against Air Force

• Did we like Dan Lanning’s fake field goal try? Or not so much?

• Why the Ducks scheduling disadvantage now gives them a major edge

• Are the Blazers winning too much?

• And do they really have to trade new fan favorite Robert Williams?

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After eight conference games in as many weeks, the only team in the country to endure such a stretch, the No. 1 Oregon Ducks can finally breathe with a bye week.

Oregon is 11-0 after a narrow, 16-13 road win over Wisconsin on Saturday. What can be gleaned from that one, beyond the result? And how are Oregon men’s and women’s basketball doing? 

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Is Oregon State on the right track, despite a five-game losing streak and the likelihood that the Beavers won’t play in a bowl game in 2024?

Former Oregon State defensive end Isaac Hodgins and The Oregonian/OregonLive’s Nick Daschel talked about the ramifications of Saturday’s 28-0 loss at Air Force. What does it mean, and what has to happen to get the Beavers turned around.

Whatever it is, Hodgins – who played for coach Trent Bray for six years – believes the Beavers have the right head coach.

“This is the long game here. He’s going to build a culture that can build this program back up,” Hodgins said.

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The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, discusses the death of Brian Wheeler, the Blazers' incredible two-game sweep of Minnesota, how the play of Donovan Clingan and Shaedon Sharpe offered hope, Chauncey Billips’ performance and more. 

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The Blazers went from one of the worst losses of Chauncey Billups’ tenure as head coach to one of the most galvanizing wins in a mere 48 hours. Is there any path for Billups to find long-term success in Portland or will his coaching arc have to follow the path of his Hall of Fame playing career that required many stops before he found his footing?

That’s the question Bill Oram and Brenna Greene from KOIN consider on this week’s episode of the Oregonian Sports Podcast. Also, Bill breaks down a dominant performance by Robert Williams III against Minnesota which should feel bittersweet for Blazers fans. Williams is likely the next player the Blazers will try to move.

Other topics discussed on this episode:

• An update on Kelly Graves and the top-25 Oregon women

• Did Oregon have its one Big Ten letdown game the Ducks win against Maryland?

• What next in Corvallis now that the Beavers are likely out of bowl contention?

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Basketball season is here, and both the Oregon men and women are off to strong starts. On the women’s side, an upset win over No. 12 Baylor on Sunday night could spark the turnaround this program needs.

Plus, No. 1 Oregon football commits too many penalties but pulls away from Maryland to move to 10-0. Will either of the Ducks’ remaining games before the Big Ten title game be remotely competitive?

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Are Oregon State bowl hopes dashed, or is there hope?

In this week’s Beaver Banter podcast, The Oregonian/OregonLive’s Nick Daschel and former Oregon State defensive end Isaac Hodgins discuss the possibilities. Hodgins makes a case that OSU coaches will play video clips from Saturday’s 24-13 loss to San Jose State and show players that they’re not that far away from making big plays.

The podcast examines the good and bad of Saturday’s performance. One area that Hodgins explains is what it takes for a quarterback and receiver to get on the same page (he has personal experience).

They also get into a little basketball talk, and the relationship between the football and basketball programs.

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It was no surprise that Oregon was seeded No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff rankings. But Ohio State at No. 2? And what can we learn from these rankings with so much football left to play?

On the Oregonian Sports Podcast, columnist Bill Oram and Brenna Greene of KOIN break down the initial reveal, and break down potential matchups and the Ducks' potential path to the Jan. 20 national championship game in Atlanta.

Also discussed on this week’s episode:

• What it was like at Providence Park for Christine Sinclair’s farewell game

• Why Traeshon Holden’s breakout game resonated

• Will Oregon State have a new starting quarterback on Saturday?

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The Blazer Focused podcast, hosted by Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive and Craig Birnbach, examines the team following a 3-5 start. Young forwards are playing well, but Scoot Henderson is still struggling. What does losing the right way look like?

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The Oregon football team is showing no signs of slowing down, fresh off a 38-17 road win at Michigan to move to 9-0. What can be parsed out of that game by way of criticism, and what was so dominant about it?

Plus, a look ahead to the initial College Football Playoff rankings, and brief previews for Oregon men’s and women’s basketball.

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