Oregon State's Schedule Break Down: Beaver Nation Charged Up for 2009

Jacquizz Rodgers does it all in this week nine matchup and the Beavers send the Homecoming crowd off to trick-or-treat with smiles on their collectively bloody or ghostly faces.

Beavers 7-1

November 7th @ California (9-4): It's tough to think that any team could have as good of a linebacking crew as USC, but California could have at least been in the conversation. Unfortunately for the Bears, they graduate Williams, Follett, and Felder. Two of which are now with NFL franchises.

But...

Kevin Riley returns, the Pac-10's leading rusher Jahvid Best returns,  Cal's top two receivers from 2008 return, and an experienced O-line will have eight or nine games under their belt at this time.

OSU's run of four straight in Strawberry Canyon ends in an epic smash mouth overtime battle.

Beavers 7-2

November 14th vs. Washington (0-12): Last time Jake Locker set foot on the Reser Stadium turf, he was carted off via ambulance with what later was, thankfully, only a strained neck. The culprit, Al Afalava, is now gone, however Locker wouldn't hesitate to run head first into him if the situation presented itself.

Washington is a scary team, and with the leadership and intensity that should transfer from first year coaches Sarkisian and Holt to the players, an 0-12 team could be just two years away from a bowl game.

Locker has a great game with his legs, but interceptions cost the Huskies late in the game. Closer than many Beav fans would like, but the Beavers win.

Beavers 8-2

November 21st @ Washington State (2-11): I'm going to go out on a limb and say Ryan Leaf's recent troubles are because his former team may win only one game in 2009. Circle it Coug fans, September 19th versus Southern Methodist.

Being last in the Pac-10 in recruiting for the past three years doesn't help the Cougs either.  Their best player, Brandon Gibson, has graduated and new faces look at 2009 as a year to grow and learn. Didn't we say this before last year too?

In the last two meetings OSU has outscored WSU 118-30. 2009's trip to Pullman plays out like the last two meetings between the Cougs and Beavs.  Best of luck to Paul Wulff during his job search in 2011.

Beavers 9-2

December 3rd @ Oregon (10-3): 65-38. 694. No Roses. The end of a season doesn't get much worse than what occurred last year at Reser on November 29th.  The Ducks return the best dual threat QB in the conference in Jeremiah Masoli and the aptly named LaGarrette "Blount Force Trauma" to a rushing attack that had two players eclipse the 1,000 yard mark.

Big questions for the Ducks on the offensive and defensive line, as well as a few spots in the secondary.  I'd imagine if things go well, both OSU and UofO should be ranked in the top 25, making this a game which will probably decide bowl invites and position in the final conference standings.

I think the questions on the defensive line prove too much and—absent from the 2008 Civil War—Jacquizz Rodgers shows the Duck defense just how durable he really is.

Beavers win a nail biter after almost giving it away late.

Beavers 10-2

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