BEAVERS LOOK TO GET THE MONKEY (TROJAN) OFF THEIR BACK AT USC THIS SATURDAY

Hello Beaver Fans!

Where were you in 1960. Myself, I was in Fresno California and I was two years old. I had no idea what Oregon State was let alone USC, or football. Today, 42 years later, the Beavers meet the USC Trojans in LA with a chance to break some long standing streaks.

First, 1960 was the last time that the Beavers beat USC in LA.

Second, When the Beavers win, it will be the first time the Beavers have started a season 5-0 since 1939.

This is only the fifth time in the history of the matchup that both schools come in nationally ranked. The last time was 1968. Currently USC is ranked 18th by AP and 22nd by USA Today/ESPN. Oregon State is 23rd by AP and 24th by USA Today/ESPN.

USC leads its series with Oregon State, 54-8-4, dating back to 1914.

USC has faced an undefeated Oregon State team on 13 occasions (1924-26-29-30-31-39-40-48-56-77-98-99-2000), not counting OSU season openers. USC won the first 12 of those games against an unbeaten Oregon State team, but lost the most recent such meeting (in 2000).

USC has a 363-122-27 (.735) all-time record in the Coliseum since the stadium opened in 1923.

Oregon State is 20-7 (.741) in the current decade. The Beavers did not win 20 games in the 1990s until October 3, 1998.

NATIONAL RANKINGS

RUSHING OFFENSE - OSU is #35 and USC is #81
PASSING OFFENSE - OSU is #9 and USC is #39
TOTAL OFFENSE - OSU is #2 and USC is #66
SCORING OFFENSE - OSU is #2 (KANSAS STATE IS #1) and USC is #56

RUSHING DEFENSE - OSU is #36 and USC is #44
PASSING DEFENSE - OSU is #16 and USC is #1
TOTAL DEFENSE - OSU is #13 and USC is #3
SCORING DEFENSE - OSU is #8 and USC is #21

TURN OVER MARGIN - OSU is #8 and USC is #19
PASSES INTERCEPTED - OSU is #1 and USC is #82

RUSHING - Steven Jackson is Ranked #7 and Sultan McCullough is #63
PASSING EFFICIENCY - Derek Anderson is #2 and Carson Palmer is #62

PAC-10 STATS

OSU is #1 in both Scoring Offense and Scoring Defense in the PAC-10
USC is #9 and #3 respectively

OSU is #3 in both Passing Offense and Passing Defense in the PAC-10
USC is #7 and #1 respectively.

OSU is #1 in Rushing Offense and #5 in Rushing Defense in the PAC-10
USC is #8 and #6 respectively

OSU is #1 in both Passing EFFICIENCY and Pass Defense EFFICIENCY
USC is #10 and #2 respectively

Wow! That is a lot of stats, even for me. But with two teams that are so evenly matched in many ways it might be one way to get a handle on who has the edge. I think you have to throw out the 42 year streak thing. You can argue it both ways, USC has the streak, OSU is overdue for the win. I think that OSU is overdue in a lot of areas against this team and we have put up with a lot of USC B--- S--- for far to many years. Its time for a win.

OSU statistically is a better team then USC but USC has played "Better Teams" then OSU has. However I believe that this team is just starting to find itself. If they continue to play the way they have over the first four games, keeping their heads, playing their rolls on the team, not panicking when they are under the gun, they will continue to win. The offensive line is playing better. The loss of Kilkenny won't hurt much as he is replaced by last years starter. Derek Anderson has been playing good smart football and if Steven Jackson does not read how the Sporting News has him #5 for the Heisman then he should continue to improve.

OSU is too dominate in to many categories for them to lose this game. I look for Anderson to have a modest day and pass for around 240 yards. I think Jackson will rush for over 100 yards and Wright to gain somewhere in the 80's. The way to beat USC is on the ground, they are 6th in rushing defense in the PAC-10 and that is where Kansas State did damage. They have also not faced a QB with the arm strength of Anderson and once the running game takes hold look for Anderson to open it up.

I see the Beavers taking a big first half lead of around 17 points and holding on for the victory in the second half. The starters will be in the whole game this week.

FINAL SCORE

OSU 38
USC 19

This is a big game for the Beavers, they get this one and their road confidence will grow and the conference title will be within reach.

GO BEAVS!