BFS Current Story

WE BELIEVE! - Beavers Face Second Test This Saturday, Cal Comes to Corvallis

11-14-2008 - The Oregon State Beavers will face the second test this Saturday as the Cal Bears come to Corvallis with a lot on the line. They will be looking to knock off the Beavers and move themselves into a position to go to the Holiday Bowl or perhaps the Rose Bowl with some help. Cal gave USC all it could handle last Saturday before losing to USC 17-3.

For the Beavers, it's just win baby. The Beavers control their own destiny. If they win out they go to the Rose Bowl, if they lose they could land just about anywhere as many teams (Cal, Oregon, Arizona, Stanford) are still in the hunt for the upper level bowl games. The old cliche of "We're taking it one game at a time" is true for the Beavers. There is no one team that they should be looking ahead at. All three games remaining are against teams tied for third in the conference. All are looking for that top bowl berth, all have to win out to get there.

This week it's the Cal Bears, 6-3 overall, 4-2 in conference. They bring a high powered running game to Reser Stadium with two quarterbacks who the chuck the ball down the field with ease. Cal has lost to USC, beat the Ducks and lost to Arizona. For Cal to make it to the Holiday bowl or better they need to beat the Beavers and have the Beavers beat Arizona and Oregon. Cal has Stanford and Washington left on it's schedule and most likely two wins. So this game is huge for the Bears. They will roll into Corvallis ready to play.

The Beavers have been playing well regardless of who is at quarterback. Last week Sean Canfield started for the first time in a year and led the Beavers to an impressive second half performance and the victory over UCLA in the Rose Bowl. It was Mike Rileys first ever victory over UCLA as a college coach. Quizz Rodgers leads the PAC-10 in rushing and last week set the freshman rushing record in the PAC-10 with 1089 yards rushing and has 3 games remaining in the season. The Beavers also have 3 receivers in the top 10 in receptions and yards per game.

BY THE NUMBERS

Key	STATISTIC	OSU	CAL	Advantage
.	Records	6-3(5-1)	6-3(4-2)	OSU
.	Scoring Offense	33.7	32.7	OSU
.	Scoring Defense	21.9	20.6	CAL
	Total Offense	425.2	375.7	OSU
	Total Defense	295.2	312.3	OSU
.	Rushing Offense	169.6	155.7	OSU
.	Rushing Defense	112.0	116.6	OSU
	Passing Offense	255.7	220.0	OSU
	Passing Defense	183.2	195.8	OSU
	Pass Efficiency	144.2	120.2	OSU
	Pass Defense Efficiency	108.2	98.2	CAL
.	Kickoff Returns	21.7	22.7	CAL
	Punt Return Average	8.6	11.4	CAL
	Interceptions	11	17	CAL
.	Punting	31.0	35.8	CAL
	Kickoff Coverage	40.2	41.1	CAL
X	Field Goals	11/17=.647	11/15=.733	CAL
X	PAT Kicking	34/36=.944	37/37=1.00	CAL
X	Sacks by	23	25	CAL
.	Sacks Against	9	17	OSU
.	First Downs	203	171	OSU
.	Opponent First Downs	144	157	OSU
.	3rd Down Conversions	42.3	31.3	OSU
x	3rd Down Defense	29.4	29.6	OSU
x	4th Down Conversions	58.3	33.3	OSU
.	4th Down Defense	54.5	20.0	CAL
.	Penalties	58.1	57.2	CAL
	Time of Possession	32.39	30.23	OSU
	Turnover Margin	+5	+8	CAL
X	Red Zone Offense	84.1	82.4	OSU
X	Red Zone Defense	85.2	64.5	CAL
.	Home Field Advantage	HOME	VISITOR	OSU
32	Totals	18	14	OSU

These two teams are evenly matched. The conference stats are almost even with the Beavers holding the advantage in most offensive and defensive categories and Cal holding the advantage in special teams and efficiency categories. Most categories are close regardless of which team has the advantage. The Beavers have played a tougher schedule to date then Cal has and our stats have been on the upswing since early in the season. Although the Beavers have played the weaker schedule in conference to date. So this game should be everything that the hype this week is saying. Should be a close hard fought battle not a lot of scoring by either side. Look for both teams to score points even though both defenses are pretty good.

THE BOTTOM LINE

I think this is going to be very nerve racking, nail biting type of game that will come down to which defense gets tired first. I think both offenses will put a lot of pressure on both defenses and for the most part the defenses will win the battle. Most of the points in this game will be scored late in the 3rd quarter and early in the forth with the game going right down to the wire. Beaver fans need to be every bit as loud if not louder then they were for USC as this game is going to be a clash of titans. The difference in the game will be the play at the quarterback position for both teams. Each team has two QB's who have talent and can move their offenses. It will come down to who executes the best with the fewest mistakes. Should be a wild ride.

FINAL SCORE

BEAVERS 27
BEARS 24

GO BEAVERS!

BFS