BFS Current Story - EMERALD BOWL 2007

Beavers Look to Extend Bowl Win Streak to 4 Games in the Emerald Bowl

12/24/2007

Welcome Beaver Fans to the 2007 Emerald Bowl Preview.

The Beavers face the Maryland Terrapins this Friday evening. For those of you who do not know what a Terrapin is, it is a turtle. And people think a beaver is a funny mascot.

The Terrapins might just be the best 6-6 team you have ever seen. Of their 6 loses, they lost at Wake Forest in overtime, at home to Virginia by 1, at North Carolina by 3, at Florida State by 8. They could very easily be 8-4(5-3) like the Beavers. Maryland has had similar troubles to Oregon State this season, losing key players during the season and having to struggle through it during the season.

It is the first ever meeting of the two BCS conference teams and should present a very good game. Maryland features a sophmore quarterback (Chris Turner) like the Beavers and an experienced senior running back (Keon Lattimore) similar to Yvenson Bernard.

I have not seen Maryland play this season so I am not real sure how much of a threat they are. But any team from the ACC is going to be a team that could beat any other team on any given day. So the Beavers need to come prepared and ready to play.

BY THE NUMBERS

Key	STATISTIC	OSU	Maryland	Advantage
.	Records	8-4 (6-3)	6-6 (3-5)	OSU
.	Scoring Offense	28.4	24.9	OSU
.	Scoring Defense	23.3	21.6	MARYLAND
.	Passing Offense	204.1	203.2	OSU
.	Passing Defense	238.1	219.2	MARYLAND
.	Kickoff Returns	21.0	19.6	OSU
.	Punting	34.7	41.3	MARYLAND
X	Turnover Margin	+1	+7	MARYLAND
X	Rushing Offense	166.6	147.3	OSU
X	Rushing Defense	74.9	136.7	OSU
.	Total Offense	370.7	350.6	OSU
.	Total Defense	313.0	355.9	OSU
.	Punt Return Average	5.8	7.8	MARYLAND
.	Pass Efficiency	103.98	131.24	MARYLAND
x	Pass Defense Efficiency	115.30	121.40	OSU
x	First Downs	229	224	OSU
.	Opponent First Downs	199	228	OSU
X	Sacks	42	23	OSU
.	Penalties	58.5	44.3	MARYLAND
X	Red Zone Offense	79%	90%	MARYLAND
X	Red Zone Defense	78%	89%	OSU
X	3rd Down Conversions	35%	41%	MARYLAND
X	3rd Down Defense	28%	37%	OSU
	Sacks Allowed	31	38	OSU
.	Field Goals	19/27	17/22	MARYLAND
.	Time of Possession	32.16	31.31	OSU
.	Home Field Advantage	.	.	TIE
.	Totals	16	10	OSU

Statistically the two teams are pretty evenly matched. Both scoring and passing offenses and defences are pretty much even. The big offensive difference is in rushing. The Beavers rushing offense puts more yards in the books and our defense has been able to shut down the rush better then Maryland. This is going to be one of the big factors in the game. If the Beavers can run the ball and force Maryland to put more people on the line of scrimmage it will open up the passing game.

The next biggest factor will be the play of the Beavers QB's in Moevao and Canfield (if he plays). Moevao needs to make smart decisions and keep the ball and not turn it over. If the Beavers can control the ball on offense and sustain drives it will be a good day. Maryland is +7 in turnover ratio and they have not turned the ball over much this year. Turnovers will be a key for the Beavers, get what they can and limit what they give up. Maryland has only sacked the QB 23 times this season so Moevao should get time to make good decisions.

Next is Red Zone Offense and Defense. The Beavers need to capitalize on every opportunity they get into the Red Zone and they to shut down Maryland in the Zone if they can. Maryland has scored 90% of the time they have made it into the Red Zone.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The Rushing game, taking advantage of scoring opportunities, turnovers and our ability to put pressure on Marylands QB will be the big keys to winning this game. Is senior running back Yvenson Bernard healthy enough to play well? If not, seniors Clinton Polk and Matt Sieverson will have to step up and make big plays. Will our young sophmore QB's be calm enough to make the smart decisions in their first bowl game? Will Alexis Serna bounce back from a poor performance in the Civil War? Will the Beavers defense shut down Marylands running game?

These and the big questions for this Fridays game. If the Beavers can play like they have been playing these last 6 weeks of the season they should win this game. Only time will tell.

FINAL SCORE

BEAVERS 38
MARYLAND 24

GO BEAVERS!

BFS