Excited To Be Home, Oregon State Looking Forward To Playing Big Games In November
By STEVEN VAUGHAN, 750 THE GAME
Oregon State is ranked No. 12 in the latest CFP rankings, which is the highest ranking in school history, and they are the highest ranked two-loss team in the nation. A big accomplishment for the program who is still looking for a conference to play in.
Head coach Jonathan Smith was on the Bald Faced Truth with John Canzano and was asked about the CFP ranking and if it feels good to be the highest-ranked Beavers team ever.
“It’s cool stuff,” Smith said on Wednesday. “There’s still a lot to play for. But it is validation that I think we are doing things at a high level around here. It’s been a long, hard road. A lot of people contributed to that. So we take a little pride in the first week of November, but hopefully we are talking about the same things at the end of November.”
This is what Oregon State wanted — playing in big time games late in the season. Last year the Beavers won 10 games but couldn’t make the Pac-12 championship game heading into the final game against Oregon. Even though the Beavers have two losses, they still control their destiny. And Coach Smith is excited to play a big time game at home in front of the home crowd.
“We’re definitely excited to get back home. We haven’t played in what feels like months back here because of the bye week and two straight road games. So excited about that opportunity. The games are big! And the more you win the bigger they are and they’re bigger in November which is exactly what we wanted. To play our best football in November. To play in bigger games in November and we’re sitting here with an opportunity to do that.”
Stanford didn’t have high expectations this season, but the Cardinal under first year head coach Troy Taylor have already won three games including two Pac-12 games. Stanford is coming off of a road win at Washington and is looking for another one. Coach Smith knows how good Troy Taylor is as a coach and knows Stanford is very unpredictable.
“I think they (Stanford) can play different styles and are effective. Against Colorado they are throwing it all over the yard. I will say Troy Taylor, I’ve known this guy for a long time, offensively gives you a hard time. He can scheme you up. Put guys in pretty good positions to make plays throwing it or running it. Give this team credit. In year one. They have not cashed it in. They are playing hard.”
The Oregon State Beavers are big favorites at home. According to betonline.ag the Beavers are -20 1/2 over Stanford. It’s going to be a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on the Pac-12 Network.
Listen to the full interview with Oregon State head football coach Jonathan Smith by clicking the podcast below. Catch the Bald Faced Truth with John Canzano weekdays 3-6 p.m. in Portland exclusively on 750 The Game.
