Oregon State Preview

This week, Cal visits the 3-3 (2-1 in Pac 10) Oregon State Beavers (OSU). OSU is coming off of a thrilling 2OT 35-34 loss to the Washington Huskies. The week before that, Oregon State beat #15 Arizona, 29-27. OSU features a balanced run/pass attack. QB Ryan Katz has 1,319 passing yards, and a 9-4 touchdown interception ratio. OSU also has RB Jacquizz Rodgers, who has 621 rushing yards and 10 TD’s. Orgeon State has very good receivers, with 5 of them being over 185 yards. Oregon State is ranked #40 according to cbssports.com. OSU’s defense is not very good. They give up 30.8 points per game, which is 93rd in the country. Cal looks to try and get their 1st road win of the season, and they have a good chance to do it. Cal is 4-3 (2-2 in Pac 10). Look for Cal to use Shane Vereen against a weak Oregon State rush defense, and look for Oregon State to come out passing the ball against Cal. Kevin Riley is coming off of an impressive performance (240 yards, 2 TD’s), as is Shane Vereen (91 yards, 2 TD’s).

Things to Watch For: OSU averages 224 yards passing the ball, and 121 running it, OSU averages more points against (31) than for (29), Star OSU wideout James Rodgers is out of the game for injury, Kevin Riley is projected to have 24 TD’s this season (which is a career high), Shane Vereen averages 5.5 yards per carry, Cal is ranked 36th according to cbssports.com

My Predictions:

Cal wins 24-17

Kevin Riley struggles, only throwing for 150 yards or less, and he will have a pick.

Shane Vereen will have 2 TD’s (again).

The Cal D will have a good game, with at least an interception.