Statesman Journal previews Oregon State's season

Look like the Salem Statesman Journal put out their college football preview today. They have a nice collection of articles including spotlights on Sabby Piscitelli and Yvenson Bernard, a look at the preseason predictions and the team reaction, and a short overview of the Beavers. If you're a die hard Beaver, stick to the player spotlights.

Safety on the lookout for enemy passes

Whether OSU improves enough to get back in the bowl picture remains to be seen, but Piscitelli will have no regrets regarding his own preparation for the season.

That's why he is so diligent about working out and watching game film.

For Piscitelli, there is nothing more important than football and the season that is approaching.

"I want to go into the season with a full head of steam knowing I did everything possible in the off-season to become the best safety I can become this year," he said.

Undersized and underrated

"He's one of the most fun guys that I've coached because Ev is a guy you can talk to and he can hear something and take it right to the field," coach Mike Riley said.

[...]

The statistics are nice, and if Bernard achieves all-Pac-10 or all-American status it would be something to be proud of. But the numbers that mean most to Bernard are OSU's win-loss record.

Another losing season would be unacceptable to Bernard. He has loftier goals in mind.

"A big bowl game, not just a little bowl game," Bernard said. "Not a 6-5, 7-5 record. We're better than that. If we don't win games, it (individual accomplishments) doesn't matter. It's about winning and playing good football for me."

I really hope those Florida kids do well this season. Yvenson might be might favorite player on the team this year. He seems like such a great guy, and I think that the way he has looked in practice that he will take a leap forward to be the best RB in the Pac-10. Sabby is fun to listen to and exciting to watch. He really is taking it on himself to improve our secondary. That can only mean good things.

Beavers look to rebound

Beavers at a glance

This last one has something in it that kind of bugs me. Here it is:

Coach: Mike Riley: sixth season, 28-30 overall, 14-26 Pac-10.

I really think the media should split Mike's record into years before and after or just omit the before numbers. It's really a separate thing and doesn't reflect the success we've had in the second Riley era. Just a pet peev.