The Oregon State Beavers decamped yesterday for Bend for three days, and I think it's a good move for several reasons.
OSU coach Jonathan Smith has said it's a practice road trip. That isn't a bad idea since the Beavers' daunting Sept. 1 opener at Ohio State looms.
But I think it's also a smart outreach for the program to make outside the Willamette Valley.
Both in-state schools have developing problems with home attendance. It's most noticeable at OSU. But the Ducks don't sell out regularly at home anymore either.
There are lots of reasons for this, and I've laid them out before.