OSU’s Formula For Success Built on Culture

By STEVEN VAUGHAN, 750 THE GAME

College football is all about money and NIL.

Or so it seems.

Oregon State football, however, is challenging that assumption.

The Beavers don’t have the most NIL money. They don’t have the highest-rated talent. But they know how to win.

John Canzano says the Beavers have their own recipe for success — and it works.

“We all know they (Oregon State) do it a little different in Corvallis,” Canzano said on 750 The Game. “It’s about player and coach retention. It’s about program growth. Jonathan Smith lost fewer players in the transfer portal to other schools than any other school in the Pac-12. Culture is what it’s about at Oregon State.”

Canzano added that not everyone can replicate OSU’s formula in the same way the Beavers don’t try to win with deep pockets and massive NIL deals.

“I always say, there’s two ways to get to the top of the tree. You can catapult yourself to the top of the tree like Oregon. Or you can plant a seed. You can water it. And you can sit on the ground and wait. That’s Oregon State.

“Either way, you’re at the top of the tree.”

After identical 10-3 records in 2022, and with their respective formulas for success in place, this year’s in-state rivalry promises to be one of the most highly anticipated matchups in years.

The Beavers won last year’s tilt in Corvallis 38-34, erasing a 31-10 second-half deficit at Reser Stadium and robbing Oregon of a spot in the conference championship game.

“I think it’s going to be fun to see these two teams hopefully meet in a Civil War football game late next season that has some big-time implications,” Canzano said.

Pac-12 title implications? College Football Playoff implications?

Only time will tell.

Oregon hosts Oregon State in the 127th edition of the rivalry the day after Thanksgiving, Fri., Nov. 24th.

Until then, both programs will do whatever it takes to get to the treetop.

Listen to the segment at the 1:07:10 mark in the podcast below, and don’t miss John Canzano delivering the Bald Faced Truth afternoons 3-6 p.m. exclusively in Portland on 750 The Game.

@steven_von