Here’s the good news if you’re a fan of the Oregon State Beavers: quarterback Sean Mannion is absolutely lighting opponents up this season, having thrown for 1,237 yards and 12 touchdowns in only three games. The bad news?* The OSU defense is giving up 37 points per game and over seven yards per play, numbers that certainly won’t cut it when the Beavers play the likes of Stanford, Washington, and Oregon. Those woeful stats have OSU fans calling for the firing of defensive coordinator Mark Banker, but Banker’s players, like defensive end Dylan Wynn, have his back.

Regarding the struggles of the OSU defense, Wynn had this to say:

This has absolutely nothing to do with our coaches. I think, especially in college and professional football, things get blamed on the coaches way too fast. But players play the game, and what’s happening, it’s absolutely not them (Oregon Live).

Cornerback Sean Martin also chimed in:

We don’t pay attention to what other people say. What matters is our team –the people in the locker room, that’s who I care about. Those are the only people whose opinions matter.

It’s good to see Banker’s players rallying behind him, but it’s undeniable that the Beavers will need to turn things around fast before getting into the meat of their conference schedule. The offenses in the Pac-12 are no joke, and even cellar dwellers like Washington State and California can put up big offensive numbers.

The Beavers should have an easier time this week when they take on the 0-2 San Diego State Aztecs, a team that ranks 45th in the nation in passing yards and 111th in rushing.

[Source: Oregon Live]

*(The really bad news is this shameful video.)