BFS Current Story

2008 Football Season Starts Thursday Night at the Stanford Cardinal

8-27-2008 - This Thursday the 2008 NCAA Football Season starts off for our Oregon State Beavers. Its been a long 8 months waiting to get back into the seats of Reser Stadium and for this fan, its been a difficult 8 months. The Beaver football team has some good news for 2008 and some bad news for 2008.

The good news is Coach Riley says his team is ready to go and expects to win the game. Beavers QB Lyle Moevao is more confident and has a year under his belt at QB. That will translate into better and quicker decisions on the field. With Canfield out Morevao's backup will be freshman Justin Engstrom from Scappose and Ryan Katz.

Sammy Stroughter is back and according to Riley is better then before. We also have a full roster of talented receivers to go with Sammy (Darrell Catchings, Shane Morales, Chris Johnson and James Rodges) that will bring the deep threat back to OSU football.

At running back we have lost Yvenson Bernard to graduation but we have a stable of running backs that are young and eager to make an impact on the Oregon State record books. Ryan McCants will start along with freshman sensation Jacquizz Rodgers and Junior Jeremy Francis.

The bad news is Offensive Line standout Jeremy Perry is staying home along with last seasons starting QB Sean Canfield. The new offensive line will be tested by a tough Stanford defensive front that sacked the Beavers 5 times last year. On the other side of the ball the Beavers lost all 7 starters on the defensive front and will start a whole new group with some experience and talent. The Beavers defense seems to reload every year so this does not concern me as much as the OL does.

Stanford returns 20 starters from last seasons team that went into USC and beat the Trojans. Something the Beavers have not been able to do since Lincoln was President.

For now, its time to dust off the car flags, rain gear, stadium customs and tailgating gear. It's time for Beaver Football. Lets take a look at the numbers.

BY THE NUMBERS

Key	STATISTIC	OSU	STANFORD	Advantage
.	2007 Records	9-4 (6-3)	4-8 (3-6)	OSU
.	Scoring Offense	27.8	19.6	OSU
.	Scoring Defense	22.6	28.2	OSU
.	Passing Offense	196.7	211.3	STAN
.	Passing Defense	235.5	266.2	OSU
.	Kickoff Returns	21.0	21.5	STAN
X	Punting	31.7	36.8	STAN
.	Turnover Margin	0.0	+3	STAN
X	Rushing Offense	174.9	111.2	OSU
X	Rushing Defense	70.6	169.3	OSU
.	Total Offense	371.6	322.5	OSU
X	Total Defense	306.2	435.5	OSU
X	Punt Return Average	6.7	6.3	OSU
X	Pass Efficiency	103.9	107.0	STAN
x	Pass Defense Efficiency	116.0	134.4	OSU
.	First Downs	253	230	OSU
.	Opponent First Downs	210	254	OSU
X	Sacks	44	37	OSU
.	Penalties	58.2	50.2	STAN
.	Red Zone Offense	77.6%	73.0%	OSU
.	Red Zone Defense	76.5%	77.6%	OSU
.	3rd Down Conversions	36.2%	29.0%	OSU
X	3rd Down Defense	27.7%	35.9%	OSU
X	Sacks Allowed	36	48	OSU
X	Field Goals	19/28	15/27	OSU
.	Time of Possession	32.20	30.24	OSU
.	Home Field Advantage	AWAY	HOME	STAN
.	Totals	20	7	OSU

 

In looking at the numbers it is very apparent that the Beavers were the dominant team last season. They control most the the statisical categories. However there are some big differences from last season to this season. We will take them one at a time.

Running Back - The Beavers lose a great team leader and running back in Bernard. McCants, Rodgers and the other new Beaver backs have great potential but they are freshman and unproven in the PAC-10. The Beavers need to establish the run to open up the passing game.

Offensive Line - The Beavers offensive line is new and not very deep. Injuries could play a big part in this seasons success. The OLine needs to get the job done and protect the quarterback and open holes for McCants and others to run through.

Kicking Game - The Beavers lost a great kicker in Serna and start 2008 with a new place kicker and also a new punter. Both need to perform as expected to win games.

Defensive Line - The Beavers are replacing 7 starters at Dline and linebacker. Can the new players continue the fine tradition of Beaver defenses?

So we can pretty much throw out the stats for this game as we don't really know what will be on the field this Thursday on either side of the ball.

Its not rocket science, we know what the Beavers have to do. Protect the QB and provide time for the plays to develope. Establish the runnning game on offense to stretch the field with the passing game. On defence the Beavers must stop the run and limit the damage down field in the passing game. The pass defense should be pretty solid if they don't have to help out on rush defense to much.

THE BOTTOM LINE

I see the Beavers testing a lot of options in this game like they would in any first game of the season. The kicker is it is a conference game that they must win. So look for the Beaver offense to go deep often in the passing game to open up the running game. I think Riley will test the new oline early by passing a lot. I think Stanford expects the Beavers to come out and pound the ball with the running game so that could surprise them a little bit.

I look for Stanford to do the same as they had little luck running the ball last season.

Kicking game will be the big thing and may be the turning point of the game. Stanfords kicker was bad last year and the Beavers are starting over.

FINAL SCORE

BEAVERS 27
STANFORD 17

GO BEAVERS!

BFS