Oregon State mailbag: Football scheduling, cursing the Beavers, impending quarterback change?

A day late but still better than never, here is this week's Oregon State mailbag, in which readers ask questions about Beaver athletics and The Oregonian/OregonLive's Nick Daschel provides an answer

Here it goes:

The demise of the PAC 12 has led to a number of problems, including football scheduling. Your current one The column details OSU's upcoming football schedule is a typical example. I don't mean to offend any of Oregon State's opponents, but do you think potential recruits will find this schedule attractive? I realize this is not OSU's exclusive job, but they need to find a more effective path to relevance. I enjoy your work. – Tom M

The 2025 schedule was never going to last forever. Oregon State had little and, if we're honest, no impact. Most FBS schools are not open in October and November because they are playing conference games. OSU (and Washington State) had to do everything they could to stay on schedule. Given its options, Oregon State has done a good job for 2025. Seven home games and five games against Power 4 schools. At least eight of next year's opponents will be 2024 bowl teams. It's 2026 and beyond that matters. The Beavers will have a defined Pac-12 schedule that is expected to include eight games plus four non-conference dates. OSU athletic director Scott Barnes said the non-conference formula going forward is a Power 4, two higher-level Group of 5s and an FCS.

What a way to curse the Beavers football team with your 1-3 prediction after the first bye. Are you a Beaver football fan or just an OSU Athletics reporter (for the Oregonian) with no optimism about Beaver football? Please be honest, because I really don't know if being a fan is necessary for the job, or if you're just being unbiased (and heavily pessimistic about OSU football) because the job requires it… So or something, I'm not a fan of your reporting… – Mario F

I don't remember making a prediction where I wrote that OSU would be 1-3 in October. But if so, wow, I was exactly right. Whether I'm a Beaver fan or a reporter, I understand it's confusing for readers during this time. The media situation is unclear due to a combination of traditional media and fan websites covering the teams. I work for a traditional media company, so we're not fans of the teams we cover. We owe it to our readers to report and analyze honestly. Approaching a reporting event with an open mind means telling readers what is happening. Sometimes it's optimistic, sometimes not. I tell you what I see, hear and know. Maybe you like what I read, maybe you don't. That is your decision. But I sleep well at night knowing I did my job.

1. They don't have great players

2. It is difficult to come from behind with concentration on running.

3. They don't have great players. – Jan K.

Thank you, captain. Obvious.

Oregon State (4-4) vs. San Jose State (5-3)

• When: Saturday November 9th
• Time: 12:30 p.m. PT
• Where: Reser Stadium, Corvallis
• TV channels: The CW (Channel 32 in Portland)
• Electricity: Fubo (free trial) or DirecTV Stream (free trial). Streaming coverage for this game will be available locally in Oregon and Washington on these streaming services, but may not be available outside of the Pacific Northwest depending on your location.
• 2024 Oregon State football season schedule, results
• Sign up for The Beavers Beat newsletter

I wonder where we stand after the 25 years expired last June. The naming rights should have served their time… based on what I found out. Any possible information on this topic? — @14OSU

The reader asks about the naming rights for the Reser Stadium. I'm not sure if that's true, but I'll try to remember to ask next week and report back then.

What's the story with prized Washington transfer infielder Aiva Arquette? He is listed on the Beavers' 2025 fall baseball squad but did not play in any of the Beavers' three exhibition games in Corvallis in October. – Rich G

Arquette is recovering from an injury and is expected to be ready to play when the baseball season begins in February.

How is that Lawsuit against Pac 12 and MWC according to your connections? If there is a Pac-12 win, how might the savings from poaching be used? When is the final timeline for adding another soccer school? – Scott G

Few expect the dispute to be resolved by 2025, if not by the summer. About $40 to $55 million is at stake. Don't expect either side to go all out in this lawsuit, because that just means the lawyers and their billable hours win. If the Pac-12 can recoup some or all of the poaching fees, don't expect the conference to immediately put the money to use. If it's summer or later by the time there's a solution, the Pac-12 will likely have completed its expansion process. Some of the money could be used for branding and ways to put their schools in the best possible position. The Pac-12 needs high-profile games in football and basketball. Maybe a small portion of that money will go toward opening up those opportunities.

How convincing was the MBB exhibition game against MSUB? Who is the point guard? Would ESPN+ be worth investing in this basketball season? — @Beav_fan_in_NE

I didn't see the game because I was at Cal covering Oregon State football that day. A few people have told me the team looks promising, but like exhibitions it's more about getting everyone some time in court. There is little to no game planning. The point guard will be Demarco Minor, a senior transfer from Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. I wrote a story about him from Pac-12 Media Day. I can't tell you how to spend your money on ESPN+ and Beaver basketball. But if you want to look at the men's and women's, that's where you'll find most of the next two years' games.

What is a reasonable expectation regarding media rights assessment and programs added to the p12 timeline? — @ctony4109

It all depends on the streamers. If Apple and Amazon and other streamers suddenly want to get into the college game, the number may skyrocket. Anything between $8 and $15 million per year per school seems like a possibility. There is no set deadline for adding one or two more schools to the Pac-12 mix. But with the holidays approaching, announcements in January or February seem likely.

Is there any sense in the QB position being open in practice during the bye week? Gulbranson looked increasingly comfortable and effective as the Cal game progressed. – Jason

Oregon State practiced Thursday and Friday during the bye week. Practices are closed, so no idea if a change has already been made. Frankly, if a change does happen, it will be to Oregon State's advantage to keep the news quiet until game day against San Jose State. I suspect there has been some discussion, but I wouldn't go to the bench and think there will be a quarterback change.

Has OSU ever considered having a doubleheader game involving both the women's and men's teams to increase viewership for basketball in general outside of the Gonzaga games? — @2024SportsGuy

A doubles competition between women and men will take place in Gill on Tuesday November 12th. The women will play Northwest Nazarene at 5 p.m., while the men will face Western Oregon at 8 p.m. A D2-on-1, as an Oregon State staffer called it. I don't think a doubleheader will increase attendance. A win increases participation.

With four games left on the Beavers' schedule, which freshman do you think could get playing time without fear of a burned redshirt? Thanks – @Lionbenny 1010

Freshmen who burned their redshirts include running back Salahadin Allah, inside linebacker Dexter Foster and outside linebacker Shamar Meikle. With their next appearance during a regular season game in 2024, cornerback Exodus Ayers and receiver Jordan Anderson lose their redshirt option. The only other freshmen who have played are Carson Kolb and Dylan Sikorski. Everyone else could play the rest of the season and still keep their redshirt.

–Nick Daschel can be reached at 360-607-4824, [email protected] or @nickdaschel.

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