How The Beavers Can Break The 50 Year Streak Against USC

I hope someday that the Beavs are in a place where we are favored in every game we play in regardless of whether its at home or on the road. That's the place the Trojans are at. But sometimes the thrill of victory is just way sweeter when you beat someone you're not supposed to beat. That can make a season. So far we haven't had a win like that this year (although ASU was a nice win).

Can Oregon State break the 50 year streak and finally beat USC at the LA Coliseum? Hey, if Stanford can, we not the Beavs?

Here's why it could happen:

1. Like last year, the Trojans are coming off of a high emotion, non-conference road game in which they won.

2. USC could be looking ahead to the Oregon game a Autzen next week which right now looks like the tougher game.

3. Even though Matt Barkley has been stellar at QB so far, he is still a true freshman. All young QBs have a couple forgettable games. USC is starting to open up their passing game. Maybe Barkley is due for a 4 INT wake up call.

4. The Beavers are starting to gel and hit their stride. The young secondary, WRs, and O-Line is improving and given the added incentive of upsetting USC could play the best game of their season.

5. JaQuizz Rodgers.

6. James Rodgers.

7. Mike Riley and staff always seems to game plan well against the Trojans.

8. USC plays a Pro-style offense that the Beavers defense is well suited to defend as opposed to some version of the spread.

9. The Beavers have been playing good football on the road and have confidence playing on the road and in tough games.


Clearly, both lines need to play very well. Its going to be about taking control of the time of possession on offense and limiting the chances that USC gets to score. An no FGs. The Beavs have to score a TD every time they are close. And they need to win the turnover battle.

Impossible? no. But, yes, they probably need to play a perfect game and hope the Trojans are just a little off of their game.


Man, I hope for a nice surprise at the end of the day today :)

Go Beavs!

USC Game - Not A Sell-Out?!

This is hard for me to fathom:

Beavers fans ready for big-game atmosphere - Gazette-Times

There are still about 4,000 general admission tickets left to purchase for the game. They are the $75 variety. All the club seats are sold out.

So the students line up around the block to pick up tickets, but Beaver Nation has left 4000 gen admin tickets on the table? For USC? The #1 team in the nation?

I guess there are more pessimists in Beaver Nation than I thought. Who cares if we lose big. We're expected to as evidenced by the 25 point spread. But would you want to miss beating a #1 for the second time ever? Or how about having a home winning streak against SC?

Come on people. Get your butts in the stands and watch this game!


Go Beavs!

We are OS(U)

Everyone in Beaver Nation seems to feel good about this game. It's easy to see why. We have a nice 3 game winning streak going, USC has already been beaten at home this year by a team we beat, and USC has some injury issues going into this game. I like the fact that USC is very run heavy and that's what we defend the best. Plus, Booty may have problems throwing the ball and isn't nearly as mobile as Sanchez. So I feel good about this game too.

Here's what concerns me:

No revenge here for USC - Orange County Register
Game preview: The Trojans have too many other things to worry about against Oregon State.

DEFENSE: Edge: Oregon State
SPECIAL TEAMS: Edge: Oregon State
COACHING: Edge: Oregon State
OUTCOME: Oregon State, 23-21

You had to give them locker room material, huh? Sure, we might have the better defense, but don't tell them that! :)

Some interesting comments from the article:

Oregon State has gotten better results than the Trojans because the Beavers play a more aggressive style. They trust their players to make big plays, while USC plays soft, conservative schemes. As a result, the Beavers lead the nation in rushing defense and lead the Pac-10 in sacks by a wide margin. USC ranks last in the conference in sacks.

Ooo. I like the sound of that. After last week's barrage of blitzes and pressure, if we can give Canfield some time to throw, watch out. I don't know how the running game will play out, but I do know this: if we have less turnovers than USC we will have a great chance to win. Less pressure = less turnovers. Excellent.

So, yea, I feel great about this game too. Let's do this Beavers!