Game 7: Oregon State

Game 7 Preview: The Oregon State Beavers (4-3, 2-2) come in to Saturday's game riding a two-game winning streak, with victories on the road against Washington State and Arizona. The offensive leaders for the Beavers include junior tailback Yvenson Bernard and the dangerous connection between senior quarterback Matt Moore and junior wideout Sammie Stroughter. The most dangerous defensive player for the Beavers is probably junior linebacker Derrick Doggett, who leads the team in tackles and tackles for loss, and is second on the team with two interceptions.


Oregon State Beavers: By The Numbers
Offense: (National Ranking, Pac-10 Ranking)
Rushing: 127.4 yds/gm (76, 7)
Passing: 234.4 yds/gm (33, 4)
Total: 361.9 yds/gm (48, 7)
Scoring: 24.4 pts/gm (55, 5)

Defense: (National Ranking, Pac-10 Ranking)
Rushing: 96.86 yds/gm (19, 2)
Passing: 188.1 yds/gm (47, 6)
Passing Efficiency: 113 (38, 4)
Total: 285 yds/gm (26, 3)
Scoring: 20 pts/gm (47, 5)

Miscellaneous: (National Ranking, Pac-10 Ranking)
Turnovers: -1
Sacks: +9



USC Trojans: By The Numbers
Offense: (National Ranking, Pac-10 Ranking)
Rushing: 163 yds/gm (37, 4)
Passing: 232.7 yds/gm (34, 5)
Total: 395.7 yds/gm (24, 4)
Scoring: 30 pts/gm (22, 3)

Defense: (National Ranking, Pac-10 Ranking)
Rushing: 100.2 yds/gm (25, 3)
Passing: 182.2 yds/gm (44, 4)
Passing Efficiency: 136 (41, 3)
Total: 282.3 yds/gm (22, 2)
Scoring: 15 pts/gm (19, 1)

Miscellaneous: (National Ranking, Pac-10 Ranking)
Turnovers: +3
Sacks: +1

Analysis: This is an Oregon State team that has the potential to play with anybody in the Pac-10, proving that with a close loss to Washington State, and their last two wins against Washington and Arizona. However, so far this season, the Beavers have failed to show up against their better opponents (California and Boise State). The Trojans are coming off of a bye, giving the players and extra week to rest, and Pete Carroll and extra week to prepare. Unless the Trojans are looking past the Beavers, which will not happen because the team on the horizon is Stanford, this one should not be a contest (unless the Fog rolls in to Reser, again). Trojans should win this one big - but then again, I have been saying that for weeks and we all know the results of the last few games.
Prediction:
USC: 34
Oregon State: 10