Oregon St (+8) over Boise
Interesting that Boise on the smurf turf is worth a full TD to a team that returns 16 starters. The beavers have a VERY good offensive line all 5 players return and have done well in the offseason to get better. Bernard and JUCO transfer Polk offer a rushing combination that is extremely talented. Moore returns at QB but he has talent and pressure behind him so he has to play well or he will be pulled for Canfield ( a very strong armed QB that has done nothing but gain confidence and playing ability over the past years. Wheat-Brown and Sammie Strougher are solid options at Wr and can stretch the field. They need to stay healthy and the Oregon state offense can be very effective running and passing this season. One of the best players for the beavers is TE Newton, he is a good blocker and can take over the middle of the field making it impossible for a team to try and take away the run. His ability to get open on play action and be a big down chain mover is very important in this offense. Orsow and Smith need to play better on the defensive line but they have the ability to get a solid pass rush if they play to ability. This is very important with cornerbacks that were burned on a regular basis last season. Hughes and Lewis were freshman last year and should get better with a year of experience under their belt but still not typical shut down corners. Piscitelli at Safety is a good player and should only get better not having to cover the freshman corners mistakes this season. The good news is this LB corp is surprisingly tough considering they do not have a stand out player. Doggett, Darlin and LaRocque had a very good spring and should continue to be the heart of this defense. Hawkins is gone from the sideline of Boise but the offensive power still remains. This team has a good line and overall experience but Zabransky has been known to make mistakes all too often. This is still a very good offense and the Beavers will have their hands full trying to limit the big plays. The defense also has a lot of talent returning. They have a talented group of linebackers and some returning players in the secondary that may be capable of making big plays. Still the Boise defense gave up a lot of passing yards last year and considering the balance of the beavers offense Boise will be guessing a lot in this game. Oregon St can move the ball and so can Boise it will come down to mistakes and misplays. Still this is a lot of chalk considering the returning talent for both teams and how effective the beavers can be. Boise is always tough at home but the Beavers will stay with them using the playaction pass and Benson keeping the Linebackers honest. Boise did surprising well against the run last year but that is due to WAC teams leaning more on passing than running and Oregon St will look to establish run then pass. Should be a good game with a lot of scoring but the beavers should stay with Boise and IMO might even put out the victory. Don't forget that Oregon st has an All American kicker and will be dangerous from inside the 40.In a game with such taent special teams should play a big part and I have to give the edge to Oregon St. Taking the points and will put a small play on them to win.
Cheers
Irish
Interesting that Boise on the smurf turf is worth a full TD to a team that returns 16 starters. The beavers have a VERY good offensive line all 5 players return and have done well in the offseason to get better. Bernard and JUCO transfer Polk offer a rushing combination that is extremely talented. Moore returns at QB but he has talent and pressure behind him so he has to play well or he will be pulled for Canfield ( a very strong armed QB that has done nothing but gain confidence and playing ability over the past years. Wheat-Brown and Sammie Strougher are solid options at Wr and can stretch the field. They need to stay healthy and the Oregon state offense can be very effective running and passing this season. One of the best players for the beavers is TE Newton, he is a good blocker and can take over the middle of the field making it impossible for a team to try and take away the run. His ability to get open on play action and be a big down chain mover is very important in this offense. Orsow and Smith need to play better on the defensive line but they have the ability to get a solid pass rush if they play to ability. This is very important with cornerbacks that were burned on a regular basis last season. Hughes and Lewis were freshman last year and should get better with a year of experience under their belt but still not typical shut down corners. Piscitelli at Safety is a good player and should only get better not having to cover the freshman corners mistakes this season. The good news is this LB corp is surprisingly tough considering they do not have a stand out player. Doggett, Darlin and LaRocque had a very good spring and should continue to be the heart of this defense. Hawkins is gone from the sideline of Boise but the offensive power still remains. This team has a good line and overall experience but Zabransky has been known to make mistakes all too often. This is still a very good offense and the Beavers will have their hands full trying to limit the big plays. The defense also has a lot of talent returning. They have a talented group of linebackers and some returning players in the secondary that may be capable of making big plays. Still the Boise defense gave up a lot of passing yards last year and considering the balance of the beavers offense Boise will be guessing a lot in this game. Oregon St can move the ball and so can Boise it will come down to mistakes and misplays. Still this is a lot of chalk considering the returning talent for both teams and how effective the beavers can be. Boise is always tough at home but the Beavers will stay with them using the playaction pass and Benson keeping the Linebackers honest. Boise did surprising well against the run last year but that is due to WAC teams leaning more on passing than running and Oregon St will look to establish run then pass. Should be a good game with a lot of scoring but the beavers should stay with Boise and IMO might even put out the victory. Don't forget that Oregon st has an All American kicker and will be dangerous from inside the 40.In a game with such taent special teams should play a big part and I have to give the edge to Oregon St. Taking the points and will put a small play on them to win.
Cheers
Irish
