BFS Current Story

2010 BEAVER FOOTBALL SEASON OPENS SATURDAY IN COWBOYS STADIUM vs TCU

9-2-2010 - The new look 2010 #24 ranked OSU football ball team is heading to Dallas Texas as I write this to open the 2010 college football season on the road at the $1.5 billion Cowboys Stadium. Their opponent is #6 ranked TCU Horned Frogs.

The Horned Frogs are coming off a 12-0 regular season record and a 17-10 loss to the Beavers upcoming opponent Boise State in the 2010 Fiesta Bowl and finished the 2009 season ranked #6. Although TCU lost they dropped several balls during the game that could have easily turned the game into a win.

This season the Horned Frogs lost several key pieces to their stout defense of 2009. All-American end Jerry Hughes and linebacker Daryl Washington, were both picked in the first two rounds of the NFL draft, and starting cornerbacks Rafael Priest and Nick Sanders graduated.

However, TCU does return 24 of its 30 defensive letter winners including junior linebacker Tank Carder whose 89 tackles last season trailed only Washington and Wayne Daniels, who had 5 1/2 sacks and nine tackles for loss.

As big a game as this is for the Beavers, it is also a big game for TCU. Anything less then a BCS title game would be a disappointment for TCU. Last season TCU didn't face a ranked opponent until visiting then #16 BYU on Oct. 24, the Horned Frogs are facing a ranked team in the #24 Beavers right out of the gate on national TV.

The Beavers come into the season with 16 returning starters on offense and defense. But they have some big holes to fill. Sean Canfield was drafted last season so redshirt sophomore Ryan Katz will get the start for the Beavers. The Rodgers Brothers are back! James and Quizz are the most dynamic duo in all of college football. With the Rodgers brothers on the field getting all the attention from the TCU defense it will surely open the field up for other players to jump up and make a name for themselves.

This is a home game for TCU but the Beavers will have a bit of a home field feel as well. The Rodgers brothers are both from Texas and expect a large following of Rodgers friends and family to be in attendance Saturday.

The Beavers start the season ranked in the top 25 for the first time since 2001. In 2001 the Beavers started the season on the road against a tough opponent in Fresno State. The Beavers were ranked in the top 10 and #1 in some polls that season. That year the season did not start well and the Beavers embarrassed themselves with a big loss to Fresno State and never recovered from that loss, finishing with a 5-6 record.

In 2010 the Beavers three preseason games are all against tough teams and this game at Cowboys Stadium can set the tone for the rest of the season. If the Beavers can go in and steal a win or even just stay in the game and keep it close they can come back from Dallas with some momentum for the rest of the season.

BY THE NUMBERS

KEYS	STATISTIC	OSU	TCU	Advantage
.	Records (2009)	8-5	12-1	TCU
.	Scoring Offense	31.5	38.3	TCU
.	Scoring Defense	25	12.8	TCU
.	Total Offense	410.6	456.7	TCU
.	Total Defense	349.5	239.7	TCU
.	Rushing Offense	139,8	239.5	TCU
.	Rushing Defense	114.4	80.2	TCU
.	Passing Offense	270.8	217.2	OSU
.	Passing Defense	235.1	159.5	TCU
.	Pass Efficiency	N/A	N/A	N/A
.	Pass Defense Efficiency	N/A	N/A	N/A
.	Kickoff Returns	21.9	29.2	TCU
.	Punt Return Average	8.0	13.2	TCU
.	Interceptions	8	14	TCU
.	Punting	40.1	37.2	TCU
.	Kickoff Coverage	N/A	N/A	N/A
.	Field Goals	22/27=.814	15/18=.833	TCU
.	PAT Kicking	45/47=96%	61/63=97%	TIE
.	Sacks by	17	32	TCU
.	Sacks Against	29	12	TCU
.	First Downs	278	311	TCU
.	Opponent First Downs	251	161	TCU
.	3rd Down Conversions	46%	41%	OSU
.	3rd Down Defense	37%	27%	TCU
.	4th Down Conversions	61%	40%	OSU
.	4th Down Defense	71%	40%	TCU
.	Penalties	59$	54!	TCU
.	Time of Possession	31.53	31.48	TIE
.	Turnover Margin	+5	+2	OSU
.	Red Zone Offense	85%	75%	OSU
.	Red Zone Defense	83%	63%	TCU
.	Home Field Advantage	-	TCU	TCU
32	Totals	5	22	USC

Based upon last seasons numbers TCU dominates the stats. But TCU has some big holes to fill this season on defense. If the Beavers can find a way to control the clock and be effective in the Red Zone by scoring TD's and not just field goals the Beavers can bring home a win. TCU will bring the pressure on rookie QB Ryan Katz for sure. Katz needs to maintain his composure and execute the game plan, limit turnovers and hit the big play when it is there.

The Beavers defense will face an offense that has put up lots of big numbers. But the Beavers are accustom to facing teams that put up big numbers in the PAC-10 with bigger athletes. So I look for the Beavers defense to stand tall again and keep the game close.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The Beavers defense will keep it close. It all comes down to how well Katz can execute the game plan on offense. If the O-line can open up holes for Quizz and Katz can hit his targets down field the Beavers can put up numbers as well. This is a huge way to open up your college career for Katz. Lets hope he maintains his composure and has fun playing the game. It's going to be a great season. GO BEAVERS!

FINAL SCORE

BEAVERS 34
TCU 27

GO BEAVERS!

BFS