Bryan Leonard's
PAC 10 GOY - Oregon State +21
Both teams enter here off a bye, but the edge should go to the Beavers. While Oregon State knows a win here will bring national publicity, USC comes into this game tight. They have been reading their press clippings for two straight weeks that they are the only team in the country that can compete with Oklahoma. Now they know they must win convincingly to stay ahead of the on rushing LSU Tigers. Oregon State is a solid 7-4 on the season, outscoring the opposition by 70 points. They are only permitting 15.6 points per game defensively. They won at California by 14, the same place where the Trojans suffered their lone defeat. The Beavers have a terrific stop unit, ranking 3rd in the country in defensive pass efficiency. Oregon State has cashed 3 of the last 4 meetings, permitting just 22, 16 and 21 points the last three clashes. USC stands at 10-1 on the season, but really who have they beaten? The best teams they defeated were a very overrated Auburn squad, and a fading Washington State team. The Trojans will likely get the win, but Oregon State has enough talent to keep this much closer than everyone expects.
PAC 10 GOY - Oregon State +21
Both teams enter here off a bye, but the edge should go to the Beavers. While Oregon State knows a win here will bring national publicity, USC comes into this game tight. They have been reading their press clippings for two straight weeks that they are the only team in the country that can compete with Oklahoma. Now they know they must win convincingly to stay ahead of the on rushing LSU Tigers. Oregon State is a solid 7-4 on the season, outscoring the opposition by 70 points. They are only permitting 15.6 points per game defensively. They won at California by 14, the same place where the Trojans suffered their lone defeat. The Beavers have a terrific stop unit, ranking 3rd in the country in defensive pass efficiency. Oregon State has cashed 3 of the last 4 meetings, permitting just 22, 16 and 21 points the last three clashes. USC stands at 10-1 on the season, but really who have they beaten? The best teams they defeated were a very overrated Auburn squad, and a fading Washington State team. The Trojans will likely get the win, but Oregon State has enough talent to keep this much closer than everyone expects.
