Head-to-Head: Make or Break Match-Ups for the 2009 Beavers

Also, the next week defending Big East Champion, Cincinnati travels to Corvallis with a similar offensive attack.

Keep An Eye On - Pass Rush: Covering a wide out becomes much easier for a corner when the quarterback is pressured and timing is thrown off.  Watch for the defensive ends for OSU to have a great day and take pressure off the young secondary. Timely blitzes from the linebackers and pressure off the edges will be crucial if OSU wants to walk away 2-0 headed back home.

Week Five - @ Arizona State: The Beavers travel to scorching hot Tempe Arizona for their first conference road game in a venue that hasn't been kind to the Beavers.

In 2007 OSU was on their way to getting their first road win since 1969 against the Devils, only to see a 19 point first quarter lead vanish and end up losing 44-32 thanks to Rudy Carpenter magic.

Carpenter is now gone and Danny Sullivan will step in and try to recreate the magic that Carpenter provided week after week.

Key To The Game - O-Line vs. ASU D-Line: Last year Arizona State played its best game in Corvallis, holding the OSU ground game to only 109 net yards rushing. Jacquizz Rodgers, seemingly the only bright spot, had 188 total yards in the closely contested 27-25 win.

This year the front seven, and D-Line in particular, will be even better.

With questions at one tackle spot for the Beavers they will have their work cut out for them against what could be one of the best D-Lines in the conference.

Dexter Davis and Lawrence Guy provide an inside-outside punch from the defensive line that will give any offensive front five fits.  The bulky 6'2" 255 pound Davis recorded 11 sacks in '08 from his defensive end position along with a team leading 15 tackles for loss. 

And that Guy guy, a freakish 6'5" 295 pound D-Tackle, destined for the NFL.

Incoming freshman Michael Philipp may end up getting the starting nod at the second tackle spot due to an injury to the former front runner Timi Oshinowo.  If so, this will be the four star recruits biggest test early in his career.

What To Watch - Play Calling: These are the games that coaches earn their money.  Screens, draws, and roll out play action passes will help disrupt what Coach Erickson and Craig Bray want to do on defense.

If OSU can keep the D-Line guessing and on it's heels, with not much offense coming from the Devils, OSU could win easily. If the D-Line is in the backfield all night, it'll be tough for OSU to come out victorious.

Week 11 - Washington: Annually OSU loses a game in conference they have no business losing.  2008 Stanford, 2007 UCLA, 2006 Washington State..etc.

If OSU isn't careful the 2009 Huskies could be added to that list.

Jake Locker is back from injury and has the backing of a new coaching staff.  Locker will be looking to blow up the Beavers and shockingly could be vying for a bowl bid if all goes well in Seattle.

IF.

Key To The Game - Contain Jake Locker:

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