Friday, August 10, 2007

Projected Postseason Top 25: #21 Oregon State




Some high schools attempt to emulate college football teams with their uniform schemes. Oregon State has decided to reverse that trend. Beaver fans may be confused as to whether they are watching their team or an episode of MTV’s “Two-a-Days”. While I don’t know who Yvenson Bernard is taking to the Homecoming Dance, I do know this Oregon State team is capable of putting more than a scare in big 3 Pac 10 California programs, just as they did last year when they upset USC.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 10-3 Beat TCU in Las Vegas Bowl

Who they’ll beat: Utah (Home), Cincinnati (Road), Idaho State (Home), Arizona State (Road), UCLA (Home), Arizona (Home), Stanford (Home), Washington (Home), Washington State (Road), TCU (Las Vegas, NV)

Who’ll beat them: California (Road), USC (Road), Oregon (Road)

When they Pass: To determine how well the Beavers will do when they pass, its good to know just who will be doing the passing. Sean Canfield is believed to be ahead of Lyle Moevao. Both are sophomores and are better off passing only when the situation forces them to.

When they Run: Defenses will be inclined to defend All-Pac Ten Heisman Candidate Yvenson Bernard. Expect Bernard to gain his yards anyway. He might be too small to be an NFL team’s feature back but in 2007 he is the best running back in the Pac Ten.



When their Opponents Run: All three linebackers and two members of the defensive line returning will make it tough on Pac Ten teams to run on the Beavers.

When their Opponents Pass: The secondary also returns three of its four starters but they will have to improve off of 2006 when they were 88th in the nation in pass defense.

When they Kick: Alexis Serna may be the best kicker in the country. Kyle Loomis is a solid young punter.

When they call Timeout: Mike Riley’s one of more than a handful of coaches who have found a place in college football after failing in the NFL. Riley now realizes leaving Oregon State for the NFL was a mistake and has found his way home and he and the Beaver program are better off for it.

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