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2009 Oregon State NCAA Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on July 7, 2009

oregon st 7709 The Oregon State Beavers are coming off a sensational 9-4 season, which included a 7-2 mark in Pac-10 play. And they were the only team to hand USC a defeat. They capped off their 2008 campaign with a 3-0 victory over Pitt in the Sun Bowl. It was the Beavers 5th bowl game in the last six seasons. Find out if Mike Riley and his troops can challenge USC for the Pac-10 title again in this 2009 college football betting preview. Oregon State is listed at +15,000 to win the 2009 BCS title.

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Offense – Senior quarterback Lyle Moevao missed spring practice with a shoulder injury, but the coaching staff is optimistic that they’ll have their field leader back in time for the season opener against Portland State. Moevao threw for 2,534 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. If he isn’t able to go right away, the Beavers will insert capable southpaw Sean Canfield under center. He has 11 starts over the last two seasons and the Beavers won both of his 2008 starts. The offense will once again he geared toward getting the football to running back Jacquizz Rodgers. Following a 1,253-yard, 11-touchdown season, Rodgers became the first freshman to take home Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year honors. His brother James will become an even bigger part of the offense this season from the flanker position. He caught 51 passes for 607 yards and four scores and rushed for another 408 yards. Three key players are gone on the offensive line, but starters Gregg Peat and Alex Linnenkohl return to anchor the unit. The offense will be the strength of the Beavers this season and I don’t see any reason why they won’t be able to put up around 30.0 points per game again.

Defense – The Beavers lose eight starters off a pretty good unit so taking a step back defensively is inevitable. While Oregon State has been among the best teams in the country at getting to the quarterback over the past few seasons, that could change in 2009 without Victor Butler and Slade Norris back. The unit does return defensive tackle Stephen Paea, who has proven to be tough on the run and solid as a sack man from the interior. He recorded five sacks last season. The linebacker unit will be the strength of the defense with Keaton Kristick and Keith Pankey coming back. Kristick is the team’s top returning tackler with 82 stops last season. The program is also big on middle linebacker David Pa’aluhi. Look for him to have a breakout season. The Beavers must replace their entire secondary so that is Riley’s biggest area of concern on the defense entering the season.

Prediction: 4th Pac-10 Conference – The loss of eight starters from a team that shut out Pitt in the Sun Bowl is going to set the Beavers back some, but the offense will remain tough with the Rodgers brothers shredding defenses with their quick feet. All in all, Beaver fans can expect to see their team make a bowl game for the sixth time in the last seven years. Oregon State is listed at +900 to win the Pac-10.

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