I like Oregon St.
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i do as well, but not enough to put money on them.
O. State 9-2 ATS past 11 vs. Stanford
Stanford 3-10 ATS last 13 at homeComment -
Oregon State Beavers
2007 SEASON IN REVIEW:
The Beavers stumbled out of the gates in 2007, losing three of their first five games, including an embarrassing, 40-14 setback to UCLA at home. Despite the slow start, the Beavers turned things around and went on a three-game winning streak. During that run the team went on the road and defeated California (31-28), which was ranked second in the nation at the time. Oregon State was knocked back down to Earth in its following matchup, as the team fell to USC, 24-3. Once again though, coach Mike Riley rallied his troops and the Beavers responded with three consecutive victories to close out the regular season with an 8-4 record, which included a 6-3 mark in Pac-10 action.
It was the first time since 1969 that Oregon State posted back-to-back winning records in Pac-10 play. The Beavers' strong season earned the team a spot in the Emerald Bowl where it squared off against the Maryland Terrapins. It was a back and forth battle, but Oregon State was able to hold on for a slim 21-14 victory, moving coach Riley's bowl record to a perfect 4-0.
2008 ANALYSIS
OFFENSE:
The Beavers return seven starters this season on offense, but one of the guys not back is tailback Yvenson Bernard, leaving coach Riley with a big hole to fill in the backfield.
"The running back situation will be entering new territory without Yvenson Bernard, one of the finest players I've ever coached, but we have good candidates there."
As of now, it looks as if Jacquizz Rodgers could be the starting back, but expect to see Ryan McCants get plenty of touches during the year.
Entering this season the quarterback position also looks to be up for grabs and although Sean Canfield was under center for most of last year, Lyle Moevao could overtake the junior for the 2008 campaign.
"Lyle Moevao will take the first snaps, he is basically the starter going in." coach Riley said, "There will be competition there. A year ago we sat here and we told you we were breaking new quarterbacks in and my goal was to have two quarterbacks who could play."
Regardless of who is under center, that player will have the luxury of throwing to a healthy Sammie Stroughter, who missed most of last season with an injury. Stroughter had 15 catches last season, but in 2006 the dangerous receiver finished with 1,293 yards.
DEFENSE:
Last year the Oregon State defense was one of the toughest in the conference, but with only three starters returning, there is a strong chance that this year's squad will likely take a step backwards. In 2007 the front line for OSU held opponents to just 2.1 ypc and only 71 rushing yards per game, but the team will have four new starters up front and will need to gel quickly. The most important part to the front four is Victor Butler, who did not start last season, but did record a whopping 10.5 sacks.
The linebacking corps will also been filled with inexperienced players, as Keaton Kristick, Byrant Cornell, and Dwight Roberson will take over. However, the three players only combined for 28 tackles a year ago.
The deepest part of coach Riley's defense is in the secondary, as the team has three starters back. Cornerback Brandon Hughes led the squad with 12 pass breakups, while safety Al Afalave collected 64 tackles.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Much like the defense, the special teams for OSU will have to be completely rebuilt, beginning at kicker where the team lost Alexis Serna. Justin Kahut will likely take over the kicking duties for Oregon State, as the sophomore got some action last year, going a perfect 3-for-3 on extra points, while also connecting on a 38-yard field goal.
As for the return game the team will look to Stroughter to improve the team's 6.9 punt return average from a year ago. In 2006, Stroughter averaged a solid 15.7 yards per return, and should be able to post similar numbers if he can stay healthy.
OUTLOOK:
Oregon State's season does not open with easy matchups, as the team will have to hit the road against Stanford and Penn State. However, the team was fortunate to land home games against USC, Washington State, Arizona State, California and Oregon. However, it will not matter where the Beavers play their games unless the team can come together quickly as a unit defensively. Obviously as the season progresses, Oregon State will improve in that area, but overall the team will struggle to come close to last year's win total.
By John Agovino, Associate College Football EditorComment -
Stanford Cardinal
2007 SEASON IN REVIEW:
It is hard to say a four-win season is an improvement from the previous year, but in the case of Stanford that is exactly what 2007 was.
The Cardinal opened their campaign with three losses in their first four games, and the lone win came against San Jose State, 37-0. However, at 1-3 the Cardinal went into the Coliseum to face the powerhouse Trojans and pulled off possibly the biggest upset in school history, defeating second-ranked USC, 24-23.
"It was a great thrill winning down at the Coliseum." head coach Jim Harbaugh remarked. "That being said, that is water under the bridge. 2008 is a whole new dynamic, new culture, new team of guys."
After falling to TCU (38-36) in their next matchup, the Cardinal went to Tucson and defeated the Arizona Wildcats, 21-20. Unfortunately for coach Harbaugh and his Stanford squad the team could not ride that momentum, and instead, dropped its next four contests. Although the Cardinal had no chance for a bowl bid, the team came into its season finale with California, and provided the home crowd with a thrilling, 20-13 win over the Golden Bears.
If anything, the Cardinal prove that they will no longer be pushed around by their conference foes and will try to build on the 2007 campaign as they enter the new year.
2008 ANALYSIS
OFFENSE:
Last season Tavita Pritchard took over for an injured T.J. Ostrander, and led the Cardinal in the wins over USC and Arizona. This year with Ostrander gone, Pritchard will be the signal-caller in the season opener and if the junior can stay healthy he could have a surprisingly solid season.
Coach Harbaugh has a great problem in the backfield, as all four of the top rushers are returning, including Anthony Kimble, who rushed for 509 yards and eight touchdowns. However, as of now the lead candidate to start in the opener is Toby Gerhart, who rushed for only 140 yards on 12 carries.
Richard Sherman is back at his wide receiver position and should build off his 651 yards and four touchdowns from a year ago. However, and maybe more importantly, the Cardinal will have Jim Dray healthy and ready to go at the tight end position.
"Jim hurt his knee last year in the TCU game about as bad as you can hurt it. coach Harbaugh said, "He had two-to-three different surgeries and they thought about a year of recovery at the time. But as a testament to our trainers, doctors and the heart of Jim Dray, he was ahead of schedule and expected to return to action Sept. 1, and now he is ahead of that schedule. It is a real testament to his heart."
Another plus for Stanford offense could be the front line, which returns seniors Alex Fletcher and Allen Smith. Fletcher, who played right guard and center last year, will open this season as the team's center and looks forward to the success of the squad's front five.
"In terms of the offensive line, when I came in we were the weakness of the team and now we are finally the strength."
DEFENSE:
On the defensive side of the ball the Cardinal are returning nine players and will definitely look to improve on the 28.3 ppg the team surrendered a year ago. The deepest part for the Stanford defense is at linebacker, as the team is returning all three starters. Clinton Snyder posted 96 tackles and eight sacks last year, and Patrick Maynor finished with six sacks and 10.5 TFLs. Both players should be able to duplicate those numbers, or even increase their productivity.
The defensive backfield is nearly as strong as the linebacking corps, thanks in large part to the return of safety Bo McNally, who led the squad in '07 with 114 tackles.
The front line was disastrous last year, allowing 169 rushing ypg and 4.2 ypc, but with three starters back this group should be much more prepared for a tough run in the Pac-10. Pannel Egboh was by far the best player on the defensive line for Stanford, as the senior collected 49 tackles, and six sacks.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
The return game from a year ago comes back for the new campaign intact and ready to roll. Doug Baldwin and Anthony Kimble both did a solid job returning kicks, averaging 24.1 and 21.4 yards per return. Chris Hobbs struggled with returning punts, averaging just 6.8 ypr, but the wideout will likely have a chance to improve on those numbers.
As for the kicking game, the Cardinal will have to replace both kicker and punter. Redshirt freshman Daniel Green will likely take over the kicking duties, while fellow freshman Daniel Zychlinski will have a chance to handle the punting job.
OUTLOOK:
The Cardinal pulled off some impressive victories last season, but this year with 16 starters returning, the team must avoid a step back. The offense should be stronger, thanks to a solid offensive line, and the defense should make drastic improvements with all the experience in the starting lineup. The schedule-makers did not do Stanford any favors, as the team will have a daunting road slate, which includes games at Arizona State, Oregon, Notre Dame and California. If everything goes right for coach Harbaugh and his crew the Cardinal could reach the .500 plateau, but anything above that would really be surprising.
By John Agovino, Associate College Football Editor
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Thanks nys, I will be on Stanford tonight myself.Comment -
i think there a really good chance that stanford starts turning things around this year and it starts with a home win tonight vs oregon stComment -
wont touch this 1Comment -
Man that USC win is just makin people, do the this is the year. Im telling you right now Stanford will be 500 team at best. There offense will sux. I take that back, there offense does sux. Just watch boys quote me here this Standford team might win tonight, but will not be good this year or next year.Comment -
I'm on Oregon St. myself. Stanford need's to devlop an offense before they even merit a point spread such as this one. All though it looks like alot of money is going toward StanfordComment -
I got UNDER 46 this morning.Comment -
Im on the under also LTComment
