Oregon State College Football Predictions 2010

August 7, 2010

BetOnline

The Oregon State Beavers have become one of the strongest college football programs in the Pac 10 behind the direction of Mike Riley.  Expectations are at an all time high with 15 returning starters back for the 2010 campaign.  The Beavers have saw their Rose Bowl chances dashed by rival Oregon the past two seasons.  With star RB Jacquizz Rodgers leading the way, it is Rose Bowl or bust in 2010.  Oregon State is a co-favorite with Oregon at +250 to win the Pac 10.  View the full conference breakdown in our 2010 Pac 10 college football predictions article.

OSU utilized used their effective running game to setup huge plays throwing the ball in 2009.  QB Sean Canfield broke the school record for completion percentage, hitting on an amazing 68% of his passes.  He also threw for 3200 yards and 21 scores showing enough to pro scouts to be drafted.  Ryan Katz was leading the race to replace Canfield after spring practice, but Virginia transfer Peter Lalich will offer competition at the position. Whoever wins the start job will have the luxury of handing the ball to one of the best running backs in the nation.  Jacquizz Rodgers burst onto the college football scene as a freshman with a 186 yard performance against USC.  He has not slowed down since, rushing for 1440 yards and 21 touchdowns (school record) last season.  The Heisman contender is not the only Rodgers’ making noise for the Oregon State program.  Brother James is a very good player in his own right, leading the Beavers in receptions last year with 91 for over 1000 yards and nine touchdowns.  Both are used in the passing and running game as this offense is creative enough to find multiple ways to get them the ball.  TE Joe Halahuni is a name to watch during Pac 10 play.  The 6’2 junior caught 35 passes and is a viable threat down the middle of the field.  With a new quarterback in play, the 271 passing yards/game a season ago could dwindle but this will still be a tough offense to contain.

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Defensive coordinator Mark Banker heads up a unit that was respectable against the run last season, but gave up too many big plays through the air.  Seven starters return and will try to improve on the 25 points/game they allowed in 2009.  The most talent on this side of the ball is in the secondary and also at defensive tackle.  Safeties Cameron Collins and Lance Mitchell are two of the finest the conference has to offer.  Mitchell is the leading returning tackler with 72 stops and a team leading three interceptions.  DT Stephen Paea is the main reason Oregon State is so solid against the run.  He will be playing on Sundays next year and has already received many accolades for his play last season.  The linebackers might be the largest concern for coaches.  Keith Pankey is recovering from a torn Achilles and his status is uncertain for the upcoming season.  They do have two young guys that could step into starting roles as Michael Doctor and Shaydon Akuna have a lot of upside.  This unit should be much stronger this season and will need to increase the amount of sacks they collect (only 17 in 09) by dialing up the pressure.

Mike Riley turned down an offer to coach USC during the off-season and this team might be the reason why.  The schedule is brutal though as two of the non conference games include a neutral site contest with TCU and a road trip to Boise State.  USC and Oregon have to come to Corvallis late in the year with likely conference title implications on the line.  The Pac 10 is wide open this year with sanctions brought down on USC and Oregon losing their top quarterback.  I am a little wary of the quarterback situation, but I still believe this team is good enough for 9 wins.

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Posted by Jimmy Boyd · Filed Under Football Picks, Football Predictions 

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