2-minute drill: WSU vs. Oregon State

1 Find some extra opportunities. The Beavers have proven they will turn it over, whether it’s putting the ball on the ground or with Sean Mannion making a poor decision in the passing game. When those things occur, take advantage. Last week the Cardinal dropped the ball three times and WSU only pounced on it once. Don’t miss those chances. Conversely, with the Cougars’ drops against Stanford, OSU probably smells blood. The Beavers will be ripping at the ball. Take care of it.

2 Win on special teams. The Beavers have one win this season and that was keyed by a 41-yard blocked-punt return for a touchdown, part of a 27-point second-quarter explosion against Arizona. It’s crucial the Cougars don’t let OSU create any momentum-building plays on special teams. One WSU weakness has been its kickoff coverage (the Cougars are 101st in the NCAA), culminated in last week’s 96-yard score by Stanford. That can’t happen today.

3 Get Jeff Tuel started. It’s been seven weeks since Tuel fractured his clavicle. It should be close to completely healed, back to where it was prior to Sept. 4. So let him go. Not only let the junior use his legs to gain time, but also to pick up key yardage. The Beavers remember how he hurt them last season. Play off that, get him moving early, then use the running threat to open receivers to the outside with the sprint-out pass.

4 Weather the storm. The Beavers have something to prove. Last year, keyed by C.J. Mizell punching them in the mouth – figuratively – on the first play, the Cougars took it to them physically in Corvallis. OSU didn’t respond then, but the Beavers will today. They should come out fired up and flying all over the place. But, for once, WSU is the bigger, deeper team. Meet aggression with aggression, keep in contact and take it to them in the second half.