I'm high on osu in this game.
They are starting Pritchard, came out today. Check PAC-10 blog on espn.
Front 7 of osu is biggest ? imo and they return talent that played but justdodnt start. And they beat Standord last yr by 17 w/o 2 starters, but two of the guys who start this year. Standford had -8 yards rushing on 25 attempts last year.
I'm not buying the hype on them yet
They are starting Pritchard, came out today. Check PAC-10 blog on espn.
Front 7 of osu is biggest ? imo and they return talent that played but justdodnt start. And they beat Standord last yr by 17 w/o 2 starters, but two of the guys who start this year. Standford had -8 yards rushing on 25 attempts last year.
I'm not buying the hype on them yet
arty:
I've been watching OSU's offense all summer long and two major things have happened there...
First of all, last year QB Lyle Moevao started '07 off throwing too many picks but then he leveled off and finished 4-0 in games he started by the end of the season. This year he took the starting job 20 lbs. lighter and faster with a better arm with much improved vision and accuracy. I honestly didn't expect to see him playing as well as he has been playing. He's shown good accuracy and looks well synced up with OSU's WRs.
The Beavers have probably the best group of receivers in the Pac-10 this season. Sammie Straughter came back from a medical redshirt season LY and has looked like the player that was 3rd team all-America in '06. He's joined by Daryll Catchings and James "Fly Sweep" Rogers in the slot. Also a Soph who wasn't expected to do much, Shane Morales has earned himself a starting spot rotating with Sammie Straughter at WR. etc. OSU also has a couple of very good TE's.
Ryan McCants has moved up from the Fr. scout team and this year is a redshirt freshman and starting RB. He's said to resemble Stephen Jackson, a very punishing running back. Behind him is the player I will be especially watching this year, Jacquizz Rogers, James Rogers Brother. Quizz was offensive player of the year LY in the state of Texas setting career record for TDs in the state. "Mr. Touchdown" has been compared to Barry Sanders with his seamless cuts without breaking stride. Almost impossible to catch in the open field. He's going to make a lot of highlight reels this year.
Stanford's offense has nothing to compare with this. Even Gerhardt and Kimble would be hard pressed to match up to McCants and his 3rd down backup, Jeremy Francis, a JC transfer with all kinds of stats accompanying him into D1-A.
The Beavers are loaded with offense this year. Stanford is not. Jacquizz Rogers in the secondary will be Stanford's problem. He may account for a couple of TD's himself if the springs loose behind the LBs. They won't be able to catch him. I think that's a distinct possibility that the game will play out the same way. I think it will be tougher than that but I just don't see the Cardinal matching up very well with Oregon State's speed and overall athleticism, but they won't go down without putting up a good fight.
First of all, last year QB Lyle Moevao started '07 off throwing too many picks but then he leveled off and finished 4-0 in games he started by the end of the season. This year he took the starting job 20 lbs. lighter and faster with a better arm with much improved vision and accuracy. I honestly didn't expect to see him playing as well as he has been playing. He's shown good accuracy and looks well synced up with OSU's WRs.
The Beavers have probably the best group of receivers in the Pac-10 this season. Sammie Straughter came back from a medical redshirt season LY and has looked like the player that was 3rd team all-America in '06. He's joined by Daryll Catchings and James "Fly Sweep" Rogers in the slot. Also a Soph who wasn't expected to do much, Shane Morales has earned himself a starting spot rotating with Sammie Straughter at WR. etc. OSU also has a couple of very good TE's.
Ryan McCants has moved up from the Fr. scout team and this year is a redshirt freshman and starting RB. He's said to resemble Stephen Jackson, a very punishing running back. Behind him is the player I will be especially watching this year, Jacquizz Rogers, James Rogers Brother. Quizz was offensive player of the year LY in the state of Texas setting career record for TDs in the state. "Mr. Touchdown" has been compared to Barry Sanders with his seamless cuts without breaking stride. Almost impossible to catch in the open field. He's going to make a lot of highlight reels this year.
Stanford's offense has nothing to compare with this. Even Gerhardt and Kimble would be hard pressed to match up to McCants and his 3rd down backup, Jeremy Francis, a JC transfer with all kinds of stats accompanying him into D1-A.
The Beavers are loaded with offense this year. Stanford is not. Jacquizz Rogers in the secondary will be Stanford's problem. He may account for a couple of TD's himself if the springs loose behind the LBs. They won't be able to catch him. I think that's a distinct possibility that the game will play out the same way. I think it will be tougher than that but I just don't see the Cardinal matching up very well with Oregon State's speed and overall athleticism, but they won't go down without putting up a good fight.
Great post once again Conan. I love the depth.
For whatever it's worth SI pegged OSU 18th in their preseason poll. The concern of the new starting front 7 on defense I feel is a non-issue as the new starters saw significant playing time last year. They have a solid group of linebackers and DE's Slade Norris and Victor Butler wreaked havoc on QB's last year. Butler was 3rd in the Pac10 with 10.5 sacks last year.
I am not touching this game and think it will be tight. Beavs win by 3 is what I'm feeling. The Beavers are under the radar once again and we are talking about a team that is 19-8 over the last two seasons. And is Stanford that much improved coming off a 4-8 season?
For whatever it's worth SI pegged OSU 18th in their preseason poll. The concern of the new starting front 7 on defense I feel is a non-issue as the new starters saw significant playing time last year. They have a solid group of linebackers and DE's Slade Norris and Victor Butler wreaked havoc on QB's last year. Butler was 3rd in the Pac10 with 10.5 sacks last year.
I am not touching this game and think it will be tight. Beavs win by 3 is what I'm feeling. The Beavers are under the radar once again and we are talking about a team that is 19-8 over the last two seasons. And is Stanford that much improved coming off a 4-8 season?
OWG, the outcome of this game will be decided by Oregon St's OL. Depends on how well they can open holes for McCants/Rogers and protect Moevao. All Harbaugh has going for him is a DL and LBs that need to put a lot of pressure on Moevao to keep the Beaver offense in check. Might be harder than it looks, depending on OSU's OL. Like you said, their defense will be fine. (Plenty for Stanford anyway.) It's the Beaver OL that needs to step up.
