1) The Health of Jacquizz Rodgers - If Jacquizz can stay healthy, and if the coaching staff can find an effective backup to spell him when needed, the Beavers are very dangerous offensively this season. If not, we've seen what happens to the offense without him.
2) Offensive Line Must Find a Tackle and Depth - All other line positions are fairly solid, but OSU needs to find a tackle opposite starter Mike Remmers. If you're weak at the tackle spot, you'll struggle in the Pac-10 with all the speed rushers. As with every team in the nation, O-Line depth is a crucial part of a successful season.
3) Secondary Must Play Fundamental Football - These are almost all new starters, and while they are more athletic than their departed seniors from last season, mental mistakes will greatly overshadow any physical advantage. Fundamental, smart, and fast football is what defensive coordinator Mark Banker is looking for.
2009 Schedule:
September 5th ss. Portland State (4-7): Coach Glanville has found wins hard to come by in his last two seasons as the Vikings head man. Seven wins in the last two years certainly doesn't scare the Beavers, especially on the Reser Stadium turf.
What might give defensive coordinator Mark Banker a bit of a scare is the run-and-shoot offense matching up against the very inexperienced OSU secondary. Corvallis High product, 6'5" Jr. QB Drew Hubel, will look to have a big game in front of his home town crowd.
Still, the Beavers will prove to be too much at home in front of a revved up crowd and roll to an easy win on the legs of Jacquizz Rodgers.
Beavers: 1-0
September 12th @ UNLV (5-7): OSU figures to be the favorite walking into Sam Boyd Stadium, but I throw up an emphatic "not so fast my friend." The Rebels return 15 starters and now-2nd year quarterback Omar Clayton looks to improve on what were very impressive numbers as a freshman.
Clayton threw for over 1,800 yards and tossed 18 TD's to only four interceptions. With another spring and fall to perfect his craft, you can bet Clayton will be the man for the job in 2008.
What eases my fears is the astounding 32 points per game the Rebels yielded to opponents in 2008, this playing in the Mountain West. Game plan going in needs to be to pound the football early and often and tire out the Rebel front four. If this is achieved, the Beavers should win fairly comfortably.
Beavers 2-0
September 19th vs. Cincinnati (11-3): The Bearcats are riding high after winning the Big East and earning a trip to the Orange Bowl last season. OSU certainly remembers the embarrassment that unfolded in 2007 and will have revenge on their minds.
The Bearcats sent six players into the NFL in April's draft, four of them from the defensive side of the ball and three of them from the secondary. With OSU at home, a senior quarterback, and speed at the receiver position, it could be a long day for the Cinci secondary.
OSU opens up the playbook and hits the long ball a couple times en route to a feel-good win.
Beavers 3-0
We're going to send you the most entertaining Oregon State Football articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
12 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete