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There is a perception that Oregon State can't escape a second straight losing season, that this slow start – one of many under coach Mike Riley – somehow feels different. That it somehow feels hopeless.

"The vultures," said defensive tackle Kevin Frahm after Thursday's practice, "are starting to circle the carcass."

Forgive Riley if he doesn't take the 911 calls on the blogosphere seriously.

The Beavers are 0-2, not 0-12 – although Riley laughs and says, he's "heard the talk" that his team may not win a game.

"I don't react to too much of that," he said. "It's not that I don't pay attention, I just don't (read it).

"It (negativity) is probably swirling all around, but I'm somewhat – oblivious is not the right word – but it's not part of my day to day existence. I don't dwell on it or think about it."

Riley won't use injuries and Jacquizz Rodgers' decision to go pro as excuses for the Beavers' ineptitude, but he doesn't discount the impact of missing key players, especially flanker/kick returner James Rodgers.

Rodgers could be back for OSU's Sept. 24 Pac-12 opener against UCLA, the same day that tight end Joe Halahuni will make his return after spring shoulder surgery.

Will the reinforcements arrive in time to send the Fire Mike Riley zealots back to their basements?

Riley can't answer that question with 100 percent certainty, not after three bye-week practices.

"I just know everyone worked hard this week, and everyone had good intentions," he said.

"We are not discouraged. ... I'm disappointed in what's happened to our season at this point. I know people are genuinely worried, and I'm worried, too. I understand the overall concern, because we haven't looked good at all."

The question was raised this week in one newspaper about whether Riley has enough "energy" to coach yet another Oregon State team through a bad start and push, prod, and coax them back to a bowl game.

Riley wouldn't say it, but he's insulted by that.

"That is so far from the truth," he said. "I'm still energized not only by this team, but by the game. I probably watched more film this summer than I ever have in my life."

Riley has talked before about "fear of failure" being a source of movitation for coaches. He can sense when the heat's on.

"Frankly, when something happens in your life that you don't like, you get adrenaline. You're kind of energized by it," said Riley.

It's not that Riley doesn't have some small doubts about how 2011 is going to turn out. "This is a younger team than we've ever had," he said. "We're usually dealing with older guys who have been in the program longer who have also had experience with turnings things around.

"So there's a mystery that surrounds this thing. I can't even come close to predicting where we're going to go. But the thing I'm encouraged by, these guys are working. We gave them the day off Monday and 70 guys showed up to lift weights."

The vultures may be circling the carcass – waiting to pounce if the Beavers do a face plant against UCLA – but Riley is ignoring them.

He thinks it's crazy that anyone would look at the rest of OSU's schedule and say the remainder of the season is a lost cause.

"Like I said, I understand the worry. But it's way too early to predict too much," said Riley, who said games against No. 12 Oregon and No. 6 Stanford look imposing but, "the rest of us (in the conference) have got a long way to go and there's lots of games to play."

Oregon State fans might be less impatient over what's happening now if last year's team hadn't under-achieved and gone 5-7, missing a bowl game for the first time since 2005.

"Yes, I can understand that," said Riley.

No one wants to hear "wait until next year."

Riley said he's avoiding that, even if it's tempting.

Oregon State, on paper, could be very good in 2012, with most of its top players returning.

Young quarterback Sean Mannion – who has a chance to be a four-year starter – will be a year older.

And immediate help is on the way on the offensive line with incoming recruits like 6-foot-6, 290-pound Gavin Andrews, 6-4, 260-pound Chase Eldredge and 6-3, 280-pound Isaac Seumalo. Seumalo may have the best chance to make an instant impact.

"It's not a topic for right now, but at one time in the Wisconsin game, I looked out there and we had a freshman quarterback, two freshmen wideouts, a freshman tight end and two freshmen defensive ends," said Riley.

Again, said Riley, this current team has played just two games, "and the best way to build for next year is to do well this year."

He's reminded the players that the Beavers have rallied from slow starts in the past.

"But I also told the players there are no guarantees," Riley said. "The other teams that (turned it around) earned it. It wasn't easy."

In each case, there were points in the season where the "vultures" were circling.

"Being 0-and-2," said Frahm, "is totally unacceptable."

Beavers Insider is a weekly analysis of Oregon State football by beat reporter Paul Buker.

- Paul Buker

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