NCAA Regular Season YTD: 55-49 (+3.58*)
NCAA Bowls YTD 1-3 (-3.42*)
Oregon State(-3')(-108) over Notre Dame (1.50*)
- - Notre Dame's motivation to "Win One for Coach Ty", finally win any Bowl game, and prove a point to those badmouthing the entire University, is certainly all there, but so is the upheaval and distraction, like assistant coaches and even the interim head coach missing practices while interviewing for jobs, and preparing for those interviews. . . . Teams are usually motivated when the opponent is Notre Dame; Oregon State has won 5 of 6, and while the 5 losses on the season (LSU, Boise, ASU, Cal and USC) were brutal, they came against teams with a combined W-L record of 50-6. The rebound from a devestating start by their extra point kicker Alexis Serna somewhat mirrors the character and development of the whole team ( http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=uwire-oregonstatehappytobeinanyb&prov=uwire&type=lgns ) . . . The breakdown on matchups is a bit harder to gauge: OSU has a sophisticated and talented passing attack of a type that has exposed ND, but hasn't shown any rushing ability to balance their attack or control matters at the end of the game; ND is unlike Pac 10 teams in relying on power up front as the strength of their offense and defense; OSU has suspended players, while ND defensive end and defensive MVP Justin Tuck is battling a knee injury and might not even play, and two in the receiving corps might be out . . . On the whole, I think OSU is a better team, has better coaching, has a better identity and better circumstances, and offers value enough to warrant a solid play against a surly Notre Dame team.
Corvallis Gazette-Times (12/27/04): Beavers Know Irish are ready to go
GL
NCAA Bowls YTD 1-3 (-3.42*)
Oregon State(-3')(-108) over Notre Dame (1.50*)
- - Notre Dame's motivation to "Win One for Coach Ty", finally win any Bowl game, and prove a point to those badmouthing the entire University, is certainly all there, but so is the upheaval and distraction, like assistant coaches and even the interim head coach missing practices while interviewing for jobs, and preparing for those interviews. . . . Teams are usually motivated when the opponent is Notre Dame; Oregon State has won 5 of 6, and while the 5 losses on the season (LSU, Boise, ASU, Cal and USC) were brutal, they came against teams with a combined W-L record of 50-6. The rebound from a devestating start by their extra point kicker Alexis Serna somewhat mirrors the character and development of the whole team ( http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=uwire-oregonstatehappytobeinanyb&prov=uwire&type=lgns ) . . . The breakdown on matchups is a bit harder to gauge: OSU has a sophisticated and talented passing attack of a type that has exposed ND, but hasn't shown any rushing ability to balance their attack or control matters at the end of the game; ND is unlike Pac 10 teams in relying on power up front as the strength of their offense and defense; OSU has suspended players, while ND defensive end and defensive MVP Justin Tuck is battling a knee injury and might not even play, and two in the receiving corps might be out . . . On the whole, I think OSU is a better team, has better coaching, has a better identity and better circumstances, and offers value enough to warrant a solid play against a surly Notre Dame team.
Corvallis Gazette-Times (12/27/04): Beavers Know Irish are ready to go
GL
