Oregon State's New Expectations: What to Expect After Beavers' 1-2 Start

As an Oregon State fan, I came into the season expecting about eight to nine wins, especially with a quarterback with a year under his belt and four quality receivers.  I was also excited about Quizz Rodgers, who I thought could do a lot.

But like most Oregon State fans, I did not think of the offensive line, the defensive line, or the linebackers.  These groups are young, inexperienced, and most of all, lost too many key players to play like they did in 2007 early this season.

So after starting 1-2, what do I expect? I expect OSU to win six or seven games and maybe go to a bowl game.  As a season ticket holder I watched them roll over Hawaii, but that was an unbalanced team.  The offense could be OK, but the defense will need to grow. And they will—just not right away. 

I am excited to see USC, ASU (in Dennis Erickson's return), and maybe ruin UofO's season.  But I don't expect a Pac-10 championship, or even to contend for one.  The team is too young.

Do I think the "Fire Mike Riley" signs should come out?  No, he is a good-to-great coach and will have them back up in no time.  He just lost too many players on the defensive side of the ball, and the players he has for some reason cannot tackle.

I think fans are too quick to get rid of a coach, and Riley has built OSU up to a place it never was before in the program's history.

I am 25 years old, and for the last 10 I have been excited for OSU football.  For the first 15 years I loved the Beavers, but I did not expect them to win more than three or four games.  Now I expect them to be somewhat competitive every year.  That wouldn't have happened in the 28 years prior.

I remember the breakthrough year, when OSU won only five games in 1998, but the last game made them believe—and since then they have.

The biggest thing is that I expect to see Quizz and James Rodgers start to become a tandem to reckon with, along with Lyle Moevao growing more as well.  This team will not go to a higher tiered bowl game, but I think they could surprise a team or two and be competitive in some games they are suppose to get blown out in.

But next year, watch out, because Oregon State could end up back towards the top of the Pac-10.