Best home stadiums according to Rivals.com

OK everyone, how can we get on this list? A certain school from south of Corvallis is on it. Bleh.

Anyways, Rivals has published their list of the top ten best home fields. Essentially who has the best home field advantage when taking everything into account.

Rivals.com - No place like home

A summary of the top-10:

1. Lane Stadium (Virginia Tech)
2. Tiger Stadium (LSU)
3. Ohio Stadium (Ohio State)
4. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Florida)
5. Beaver Stadium (Penn State)
6. Autzen Stadium (Oregon)
7. Kyle Field (Texas A&M)
8. Camp Randall Stadium (Wisconsin)
9. Doak Campbell Stadium (Florida State)
10. Jordan-Hare Stadium (Auburn)

We need to make the new Reser a place where people fear to play!

Check out this story at FanBlogs...Four voters quit, others question the Harris Poll

Things are getting more interesting with the BCS. Apparently, some of the college football "experts"...weren't very expert. And they got exposed. One has quit the poll already, as did a few others who work for ESPN.

Check out this article:

Four voters quit, others question the Harris Poll : Fanblogs College Football Blog

A roundup of articles about two potential walk-on OSU receivers

This article talks about a potential local walk-on from Lincoln High who may join the Beavs next spring. He really wants a shot with the Beavs and is putting in the time to get there:

Making his case at OSU
Taylor Kavanaugh, former Lincoln High School star, dreams of playing for the Beavers one day


This is a bit of an older article I meant to post that is from the Santa Cruz Sentinel on Brian Davilla. I've seen him do some good things with the 3rd stringers in the scrimmages and could be a good "hands" receiver here. In the first scrimmage he caught a TD. Kinda sounds like another Mike Hass type guy. If he gets any significant playing time he can't help be compared to Hass because he is also a walk-on. However, he is a junior and is planning to redshirt this season.

Good article on Brian:

Davilla hopes Beavers will be believers

Chaz Scott saga may be coming to an end

It looks like Chaz Scott won't be playing for the Beavers this fall. The chances are getting less and less as fall camp continues.

The G-T has an article today on the subject.

.: Corvallis Gazette-Times :. Sports

It's definitely a blow for the Beavs. It's not Joe Newton big, but he was not only a great OLB but also a great special teams guy. I was thinking that he was the next Beaver linebacker who would be drafted. It could still happen, but the "not retaining eligibility in senior season" line on his resume won't look too good. Character and other intangibles rate pretty heavily in the NFL these days. Hopefully Chaz can complete school and get a degree anyways. He may transfer to a D1-AA school to play his senior season out. Maybe he should just go up to Linfield and help them win another championship.

As far as his replacement, it's looking like Derrick Doggett is the starter. However, I'm guessing Andy Darkins and Andy Darlin will get some time because the Beavs need to get some LBs with experience for next season when Bray and Ellison graduate.

I think this actually could end up being a good thing. It will allow some young guys to get some experience for next year. That way we won't be going into next season with three brand new linebackers. We are so deep at linebacker that we should be able to absorb a loss like this.

More Reser Photos. These ones are pretty amazing

OK, so my attempt at some Reser Stadium construction pictures pales in comparison to this guy. I found a gallery from a structural engineer, Aaron Burkhardt, and he's got pictures from just about everywhere in the stadium, including the top of the roof!



Cool Reser Stadium Pictures

Scrimmage and Reser pictures taken today

I've got some new pictures I took today and one from last week. A couple are of the scrimmages but mostly I got some pictures of the front of the stadium with the new Reser Stadium sign on the front. Not many pictures have been taken of that side, so I thought I'd do it and throw them up here.




Pictures of Reser and the scrimmages




Also, it looks like the Beavs are going to be doing some major adjusting after losing Joe Newton for possibly the whole year. The Portland Tribune goes into it in more detail, but basically it looks like you'll be seeing more 3 and 4 receiver sets and the fullback in the mix. Plus, Anthony Wheat-Brown is looking really good to the coaches in practice. That's a great sign. We'll see how this turns out, but I think it puts even more pressure on the running game. I sure hope that our new line creates some huge holes this season!

Oregon State Soccer anyone? Great preview on OSU Beavers.com. Plus the National champions are coming to Corvallis

If anyone has an interest in soccer it looks like the Beavers are poised to make it back to the NCAA tournament this year. They are really ramping up recruiting and appear to have a very good team.

According to the articles linked below:

* 4 straight recruiting classes in the top 20 in the country
* 2 out of 3 years in the NCAA tournament
* The all-time assist leader in school history, Ryan Johnson, is a senior
* OSU lead the Pac-10 in goals in 2004 with 41 and ranked second in points with 109
* 17th in the nation in scoring offense last year with 2.16 goals per game

They play last year's national champion in Corvallis on Saturday, Sept. 17 in the Diadora Classic. That would be a game to try to watch if you only go to one game.

They also host UCLA who is always great on Sunday, Oct. 9.

Oregon State Athletics - Men's Soccer Preview

This Week in Pac-10 Men's Soccer
2005 season to kick off Thurs., Sept. 1.

Great article on Lamar Herron new OSU Safety

Wow, I had no idea about Lamar Herron's past. This is a great article by Paul Buker that really lets us learn who Herron is and all of the hardships he's been through. Even if you aren't a Beaver fan it's worth a read. It's a long one so set aside some time or print it out for later. I'm a big fan of Lamar Herron now.

OSU free safety keeps going amid loss, pain

Beaver Football Preview show on Fox Sports, plus the 2004 Civil War Replay!

Just got done watching the Beavers season preview on FSN. Not really anything we hadn't heard before but there were some nice interviews, a little recap from last year, and shots of the new stadium. It's definitely a bit old because Joe Newton and Chaz Scott are mentioned as key players for the upcoming season. Say it ain't so Joe...say it ain't so...

Anyways, the Fox color guy, Petros Papadakis, did predict a 4th or 5th finish for the Beavs and a bowl game. Nice.

One last thing, did anyone else think that Lindsay Soto's interview with Mike Hass was kinda weird? She seemed too happy or something.

For those who missed it you can watch it on a replay on these days:

Sun 8/28 11:30 AM (FSN)

Thu 9/1 1:30 PM (FSN)


Also, for those of you who get the Fox Sports Regional channels on digital cable the Civil War from last year is being replayed on Fox Sports Pacific. Set that TiVo and replay it at all your tailgaters in 2005! Dates and Times:

Tue 8/23 1:00 PM (FCSP - channel 415)

Wed 8/24 12:00 PM (FCSP - channel 415)

OSU Scrimmage Tomorrow!

The Beavers final fall scrimmage is tomorrow! Should be around 4pm, but I'd get there early just in case. Hopefully the first team gets some more work in this time.

Go Beavs!

Cole Clasen may be starting for Boise St. against OSU on Sept. 10th

Cole Clasen may be competing against the team that gave him a shot as a walk-on receiver just a few short years ago. It appears that Boise State has a few projected starting receivers suspended or ineligible for the start of the season. Three receivers will not be available for the Broncos Sept. 3rd game against the Georgia Bulldogs and Cole Clasen is one of four remaining receivers who will benefit with increased playing time. One of those receivers won't play for BSU at all this year.

Perhaps if Cole plays well he could play a significant factor on Sept. 10th against OSU. Maybe even start. Cole played a lot at Reser Stadium his first couple of years, but transferred last year due to a lack of playing time in the foreseeable future. Of course, with the new turf and the new half of a stadium Cole may not recognize Reser.

Here's the article from the Boise State student newspaper:

Arbiter Online - Position battles and roster changes forming for season opener

Information on the new Harris Poll for the BCS

FanBlogs have come through again and posted a list of the Harris Poll voters. The Harris Poll will replace the coaches poll which decided to not contribute to the BCS formula. It's essentially a group of ex-football players and ex-coaches who will help to balance out the AP.

Some local names you might recognize:

Terry Bradshaw
Boomer Esiason
Lou Holtz
Rocket Ismail
Steve Largent
John Mackovic (for real?!)
Anthony Munoz
Bob Grim (Go Beavs!)
Steve Preece (Go Beavs!)

Check out the full list as well as answers to your burning questions about the poll here:
Who votes in the new Harris Poll for the BCS? : Fanblogs College Football Blog

AP College Football Voters

You ever wonder who the AP voters are that decide the Beavers fate? Fanblogs posted a list of the voters as reported by the AP.

We only have one voter in Oregon:

Aaron Fentress, The Oregonian, Portland

The beat writer for the Ducks. That's just great.

Fanblogs College Football Blog

2005 TV College Football Schedule

Nice. Check this out, the full college football season schedule at SI.com:

SI.com - NCAA Football - 2005 TV Schedule

Fox Sports has a nice TV schedule that isn't filled out yet, but it might be good to bookmark for later in the season.

ESPN/ABC schedule is filled out nicely ABC/ESPN Networks 2005 College Football Schedule.

Some of the upcoming Pac-10 games and Beaver related games to look out for in September:

(Pacific Time)

Thursday, Sept. 1
Oregon at Houston, ESPN2, 4 p.m.
How will the Ducks new offense gel?

Friday, Sept. 2
Arizona at Utah, ESPN, 5 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 3
Washington vs. Air Force, ABC , 12:30 p.m.
Boise St. at Georgia, ESPN, 2:30 p.m.
Hmm, this looks like last seasons OSU schedule
USC at Hawaii, ESPN2, 4 p.m.
UCLA at San Diego St., ESPN2, 7:15 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 4
Louisville at Kentucky, ESPN, 12:30 p.m.
UK sucks, but maybe we'll see something hopeful in this game

Friday, Sept. 9
Washington State at Nevada, ESPN, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 10
Washington at California, ABC, 12:30 p.m.
First Pac-10 game televised
Stanford at Navy, CSTV, 3 p.m.
Not sure if anyone actually gets CSTV...
Boise St. at Oregon, FSN, 3:30 p.m. (Oregon State, actually)
What the?!?! Stupid SI...It's OSU you *#&#$!
Arizona St. at LSU, ESPN, 5:45 p.m.
Good one to watch in the bar after the OSU game

Saturday, Sept. 17
Oregon State vs. Louisville, ESPN, 9 a.m.
Hmm the OSU / Louisville game is missing on the SI.com schedule...
Oklahoma at UCLA, ABC, 12:30 p.m.
Fresno State at Oregon, TBS, 4 p.m.
Arkansas at USC, FSN, 7:15 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 23
California at New Mexico St., ESPN, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 24
Notre Dame at Washington, ABC, 9:30 p.m.
USC at Oregon, ABC, 1 p.m.
Arizona State at Oregon State, TBS, 7 p.m.

New Raising Reser pics and story

The Salem StatesmanJournal has an awesome "Raising Reser" only area with all of their stories to date and a great picture gallery. Gotta check it out:

Raising Reser Page

Photo Gallery link:

The Reser Stadium Photo Gallery

And finally the latest story on the expansion. A good comprehensive article.

Reser is reborn

Will Joe Lemma have a breakout year?

I love articles like this because they get me pumped about a guy that may be flying under the radar. Joe Lemma was the starting defensive end opposite Bill Swancutt, but he wasn't very impressive. However, they first step to improvement is admitting the problem. He's done that. Now if he can improve like he wants to our Defennsive End problem may become a strength

.: Corvallis Gazette-Times :. Focused on success


I'll be rooting for a breakout year cause we need one.

No Need to Click Here - I'm just claiming my feed at Feedster

No Need to Click Here - I'm just claiming my feed at Feedster

Kenny Hooks joins the University of South Alabama

Looks like Kenny Hooks has found a spot on the University of South Alabama roster. Not sure if he'll have to sit out a year, but the article doesn't say anything about that. Best of luck to you Kenny!

USA Vanguard - Men's hoops squad restocks roster

Bowl Projections for this season

College Football News has published some bowl projections for this season and OSU isn't in any of them! However, they are in the "other teams considered" category. Suppose that's like winning honorable mention.

Pac-10 Bowls

ROSE BOWL
Pasadena, California
January 4, 2006, at 8 p.m. ET ABC
Rose Bowl: 89,063
BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2
CFN Projection: USC vs. LSU
also considered: California, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia Tech

PACIFIC LIFE HOLIDAY BOWL
San Diego, California
December 29, 2005, at 8 p.m. ET ESPN
Qualcomm Stadium : 70,000
Pac-10 No. 2 vs. Big 12 No. 3
CFN Projection: Arizona State vs. Nebraska
also considered: California, Oregon, Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas State, Missouri, Texas A&M, Texas Tech

VITALIS SUN BOWL
El Paso, Texas
December 30, 2005, at Noon ET CBS
Sun Bowl Stadium 50,426
Big Ten No. 5 vs. Pac-10 No. 3
CFN Projection: Minnesota vs. California
also considered: Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Arizona State, Oregon, UCLA

INSIGHT BOWL
Phoenix, Arizona
December 27, 2005, ESPN
Bank One Ballpark: 42,915
Pac-10 No. 4 vs. Big East No. 2 or 3
CFN Projection: Oregon vs. West Virginia
also considered: California, Oregon State, UCLA, Washington State, Connecticut, Louisville, Pittsburgh

PIONEER PURE VISION LAS VEGAS BOWL
Las Vegas, Nevada
December 22, 2005, at 8 p.m. ET : ESPN
Sam Boyd Stadium: 40,000
MWC No. 1 or 2 vs. Pac-10 No. 5
CFN Projection: Utah vs. UCLA
also considered: TCU, BYU, Oregon, Washington State, Oregon State

EMERALD BOWL
San Francisco, California
December 29, 2005, at 4:30 p.m. ET ESPN
SBC Park: 38,084
MWC No. 2 vs. No. 3 vs. Pac-10 No. 6
CFN Projection: TCU vs. Washington State
also considered: Air Force, BYU, New Mexico, Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA

COLLEGE FOOTBALL- 2005-06 Bowl Projections

Cool Helmet Map of Div I College Football

This is pretty cool. Paul (or someone else maybe) put all of the D1 helmets on a map of the USA.



Paulwesterdawg's Georgia Sports Blog: Helmet Map of Div I College Football