September 26th vs. Arizona (8-5): The Wildcats went bowling for the first time in ten years in 2008 thanks to the strong-armed Willie Tuitama, and the all time Pac-10 receptions leader Mike Thomas. They are now gone, and with them 3,000+ yards and 23 TD's-826 and 4 which were caught by Thomas.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats, lightning will not strike twice and again they will fail to make a bowl game. As for their trip to Corvallis, at this point, OSU should be hitting stride, and barring any injuries will begin to put all the pieces together.
Arizona proves to be OSU's punching bag in their first conference win. A far cry from the thriller in Tuscon last year.
Beavers 4-0
October 3rd @ Arizona State (5-7): Tempe has been tough on the Beavers. Their last trip saw a 19 point lead evaporate thanks to the Houdini-like performance from now-departed Rudy Carpenter.
The ASU defense could be one of the best in the conference in 2009, DE Dexter Davis and DT Lawrence Guy anchor what is a stout and aggressive front seven. OSU will need to rely on timely play calling and their ability to run successfully enough to open the play action.
This game is 50/50, but with the lack of offense from ASU, I see the Beavers outscoring the Devils in a low scoring affair.
Beavers 5-0
October 10th vs. Stanford (5-7): Darrell Catchings, we forgive you. Having now tamed his diabetes and playing like the Darrell of old throughout the spring, have yourself a game young man. OSU's inability to stop tough Toby Gerhart last year ruined OSU's bid for a win in the opening week last year and eventually ended up costing OSU the Rose Bowl.
This year, OSU's front seven will be their strength, and Stanford's passing game will have to win it for them. Another game which OSU feels they need to win for revenge's sake, and they do.
In methodical fashion, OSU screens and blitzes Stanford to death.
Beavers 6-0
October 17th - BYE
October 24th @ USC (12-1): Oh how the tables turn. Just as OSU is comfortable in Reser, so is USC in the Coliseum. And just as OSU looks for revenge against Cinci and Stanford, so does USC versus the Beavers. OSU has ruined USC's bids for a national championship in 2006 and most recently with their shocking 27-21 defeat of then-No. 1 Trojans last season.
Many say this USC team may be the mosorevulnerable defensively than they have been in recent years, but something tells me those five star backups can get the job done.
Seriously, it's been happening for seven straight years now.
Carroll sells out to stop Jacquizz Rodgers and forces OSU to throw to victory. Unfortunately a BYE week doesn't help the Beavs and the curse continues, as OSU is unable to win in the Coliseum for yet another year. OSU loses in ugly fashion.
Beavers 6-1
October 31st vs. UCLA (4-8): Homecoming night and Halloween against the most inept rushing offense in the Pac-10 from 2008. Kevin Prince has supplanted Keven Craft as the starting quarterback for the Bruins, but the offensive line is where improvement must be made before the quarterback play gets any better.
Whichever Kevin it may be, UCLA might be two years away from anything worth sweating over.
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