Round #11: Oregon State Beavers
2010 Record: 4-5 (3-3 in the Pac-10)
2009 Record: 8-5 (6-3 in the Pac-10)
Series History: USC leads 59-10-4 (Last meeting: 42-36 Trojans in '09)
Head Coach: Mike Riley (10th season)
He is known as the nicest guy in coaching, but don't let that fool you. Riley is the greatest coach in Oregon State football history. He has been a coordinator on both sides of the ball, which is a rarity in the football coaching profession. The former USC assistant has troubled the Trojans in recent years, winning the last two match-ups in Corvallis.
Players to Watch: Jacquizz Rodgers (Junior, Richmond, TX); Stephen Paea (Senior, Los Altos, CA)
The Quizz stumped the Trojans back in 2008 and kept them from an undefeated season en route to being named the first ever freshman Pac-10 offensive player of the year. He backed it up with nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage as a sophomore. However, in their upset wins the last two weeks, UCLA and Wazzu kept Rodgers out of the end zone for the first and second times this season. Here's the greatest stat: He has NEVER fumbled in a regular season college football game!
Paea did not play football until he was 16, but apparently, he is a fast learner. The senior is projected as a first round pick by most draft experts and he will likely be the best defensive tackle the Trojans run across this season.
Strength: Turnover Margin
With Quizz leading the way, the Beavers dominate this stat. They have turned the ball over a mere seven times, which is tied for best in the nation. In the upset wins over USC in Corvallis in '06 and '08, Oregon State did not give the ball away in either game. They took it from the Trojans four times in '06 and twice in '08.
Weakness: One-Dimensional
The Beavs are just 1-3 since losing WR James Rodgers for the season. Without him, defenses are loading up against Quizz and forcing Ryan Katz to beat them. OSU's first-year starter has not passed for more than 206 yards in a game since losing the elder Rodgers and he was benched for a series last week.
Oregon State Verdict
Forget the last two ugly losses, the Beavers will be desperate to salvage their season this weekend against USC and keep their faint bowl hopes alive. With ugly weather predicted, they'll ride Quizz and hope to pluck turnovers from Matt Barkley and Marc Tyler. Until USC beats them in Corvallis, they will play with a swagger against the Trojans that belies their 4-5 record.
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2010 Record: 4-5 (3-3 in the Pac-10)
2009 Record: 8-5 (6-3 in the Pac-10)
Series History: USC leads 59-10-4 (Last meeting: 42-36 Trojans in '09)
Head Coach: Mike Riley (10th season)
He is known as the nicest guy in coaching, but don't let that fool you. Riley is the greatest coach in Oregon State football history. He has been a coordinator on both sides of the ball, which is a rarity in the football coaching profession. The former USC assistant has troubled the Trojans in recent years, winning the last two match-ups in Corvallis.
Players to Watch: Jacquizz Rodgers (Junior, Richmond, TX); Stephen Paea (Senior, Los Altos, CA)
The Quizz stumped the Trojans back in 2008 and kept them from an undefeated season en route to being named the first ever freshman Pac-10 offensive player of the year. He backed it up with nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage as a sophomore. However, in their upset wins the last two weeks, UCLA and Wazzu kept Rodgers out of the end zone for the first and second times this season. Here's the greatest stat: He has NEVER fumbled in a regular season college football game!Paea did not play football until he was 16, but apparently, he is a fast learner. The senior is projected as a first round pick by most draft experts and he will likely be the best defensive tackle the Trojans run across this season.
Strength: Turnover Margin
With Quizz leading the way, the Beavers dominate this stat. They have turned the ball over a mere seven times, which is tied for best in the nation. In the upset wins over USC in Corvallis in '06 and '08, Oregon State did not give the ball away in either game. They took it from the Trojans four times in '06 and twice in '08.
Weakness: One-Dimensional
The Beavs are just 1-3 since losing WR James Rodgers for the season. Without him, defenses are loading up against Quizz and forcing Ryan Katz to beat them. OSU's first-year starter has not passed for more than 206 yards in a game since losing the elder Rodgers and he was benched for a series last week.
Oregon State Verdict
Forget the last two ugly losses, the Beavers will be desperate to salvage their season this weekend against USC and keep their faint bowl hopes alive. With ugly weather predicted, they'll ride Quizz and hope to pluck turnovers from Matt Barkley and Marc Tyler. Until USC beats them in Corvallis, they will play with a swagger against the Trojans that belies their 4-5 record.
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