2008 Oregon State Football Picks & Predictions
The Beavers have built a solid program under head coach Mike Riley with 19 wins in the past two seasons. However, matching the nine wins they had in 2007 looks daunting considering that the defense must be rebuilt and their schedule is grueling. Find out how World Champion handicapper Jimmy Boyd sees the upcoming season shaking out with the college football predictions in his 2008 Oregon State Beavers season preview. The betting line on the Oregon State Beavers to win the 2009 BCS Championship is 100-1 at BodogLife.com.
Offense
Sean Canfield solved last season’s QB questions by emerging as the starter. We expect him to be hooking up with wide receiver Sammie Stroughter early and often. Other receivers such as James Rodgers, Darrell Catchings, Chris Johnson, and Shane Morales give the Beavers plenty of speed and depth at the wideouts. Redshirt freshman Ryan McCants will get the first crack at the starting tailback slot, but junior college transfer Jeremy Francis was brought in just incase. With three of five offensive line spots already pinned down, the front five looks solid. As opposed to last season, it will be up to the offense to keep the Beavers in games.
Defense
Oregon State boasted the nation’s best rushing defense a season ago, holding opponents to just 70.6 yards per game. But with just three defensive starters returning, none on the line, the Beavers will have their work cut out for themselves. Oregon State figures to use a deep rotation to keep its players fresh so that it can wear down the opposition by the fourth quarter. Victor Butler and Slade Norris have been productive pass rushers, combining for 19.5 sacks and 213 lost yards. Butler appears ready for the starting nod and junior college transfer Simi Kuli should make an immediate impact. Pernnell Booth is the only defensive tackle who has played significantly. Three strong linebackers moved on, but Bryant Cornell and Keaton Kristick are adequate replacements. As opposed to last season, the secondary will be the strength on the defense led by veteran corners Keenan Lewis, Brandon Hughes, and Tim Clark. Al Afalava will be a reliable force at strong safety.
Special Teams
The kicking game will drop off in 2008 as Lou Groza Award winner Alexis Serna has moved on. Justin Kahut will attempt to fill his big shoes. The punting game will also be a work in progress as a couple of walk-ons are expected to battle it out. With Sammie Stroughter back taking punts again, the return game should improve.
Prediction – 6th Pac-10
After losing its first two Pac-10 games last season, the Beavers rattled off six of their last seven and beat Maryland in the Emerald Bowl to put nine wins on the board. Having to battle Penn State and USC in two of the first four weeks of the season is not a preferred way to start things out. The Beavers will inevitably fall off as they try to rebuild their defensive front, but they’ll still land just in front of Arizona. This team just won’t be able to catch UCLA or California. Oregon State is listed at 50-1 odds to win the Pac-10 Conference.
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