Tackling plagues Oregon State in latest loss

Through five games, Oregon State has built an identity, but it's not necessarily a good one.

The Beavers had a pretty good showing in non-conference play despite a tough loss at Nevada, while Pac-12 play has been tough for Oregon State. Both Arizona and Arizona State had their way with OSU in comfortable wins.

Oregon State has an identity of an offense that can definitely put points up on the board, but they have a defense that struggles in every aspect. Tackling is the name of the game defensively, and Oregon State has the worst tackling grade in the Pac-12 according to Pro Football Focus at 59.6.

"The largest topic is just tackling," OSU head coach Jonathan Smith said after Saturday's 52-24 loss to Arizona State. "We just have to get guys on the ground. They had plenty of opportunities at the line of scrimmage, we had a couple in the backfield. We got to improve in that area. I just don’t know what other way to say it. I think guys were in the proper gaps. I think Tibs [Tim Tibesar] is calling good defenses. We've got guys coming off the edge. We just have to finish the deal."