Oregon State isn't very good

Oregon State isn't a very good team, and they are rapidly losing the support of the local populace who attend games in the house Potato Salad built. The Beavers just don't lose, they aren't very entertaining, think the Huskies of two years ago when you could barely even watch them under Gilby because they were so badly coached. That of course brings up Riley in his second tenure at OSU, will he be able to survive the year? My guess is yes, no matter what happens, because what any program needs more than anything is continuity. Surprise, Oregon State isn't going to win every year, live with it, but if they keep changing coaches they aren't going to win any year. Perhaps being the second best team in Idaho is the Beavers true fate this season.

On offense the Beavers are led by Sr. Matt Moore a transfer from UCLA. The fans have been on him all year so maybe playing on the road in a less hostile environment will be good for him. Maybe his mom will come see him play after being driven from the stands of Reser by all the insults hurled at her son. The Beavers offensive line has been attrocious, WSU was able to rush at will last Saturday, and UW coaches are going to pin their ears back against the Beavers and go after the quarterback. Moore was 18-for-34 for 223 yards, no touchdowns, and one (end zone) interception in Saturday's 13-6 loss. He has thrown for just FOUR touchdown passes and ranks No. 9 in the conference in passing yards per game and passing efficiency. ... it was the first time in 50 games, or since the 1997 season that Oregon State had failed to score a TD in a home game.

Defensively the Beavers did a good job in holding WSU to only 13 points. "I mean, wow, those guys were all over the place. In the post-game it sounded like Mike Riley's voice was almost breaking up when he talked emotionally about how hard his team played, and how inspired the defense was. .. all for naught, as it turned out." The Beavers truth be told have a mediocre defense, and WSU inefficiencies had as much to do with the low score as did the attitude of the Beaver D. Sure they showed up, but they don't scare Washington. First of all the Huskies should be able to run the ball well on the Beav's, and that takes pressure off of IS. Stanback should also have enough mobility, and protection to make things happen with his arm. Look for Wood, and Reese to get more touches this week. Ellis didn't have a real good game, and Ty usually gives someone else a chance when that happens.

On special teams the Beavers still have Serna kicking field goals which gives them an edge. Braunstein recovered this week and hit a couple of chippies. Washington hasn't exactly won the special teams battle lately, Saturday would be a good start. Former UW verbal Coye Francies is returning kicks for the Beavers, I wonder how many regrets he currently has....he will have more on Saturday night.

Pac Ten Power Ratings

1. USC....We can't move the Trojans off the top till they lose, but that day may come in November as they run a four game gauntlet against Oregon, Cal, UCLA, and Notre Dame.

1. California....The Golden Bears are better than SC at this point, but come Novemeber the Trojans may make up quite a bit of ground.

3. Washington....Not often do you see a team coming off a loss move up in the power ratings, but that is what happens when Oregon gets obliterated by Cal. Washington is a team to reckon with as they have shown all season. They keep getting better.

3. Oregon....How do the Ducks bounce back from disasterous loss on the road at Cal where they weren't even in the game? That is the question because a decent 4-1 UCLA team is coming to town. The Duck's do own the Bruins in Eugene, but the Bruin defense can stop their running game.

5. UCLA....The Bruins have bounced back a bit with a couple wins since the debacle in Seattle. Beating the Ducks on the road would take a lot of heat off Dorrell. The Bruins match up well on paper with the Ducks. A team that was fighting with itself after the UW loss may have matured.

5. WSU....It is always good to get a win on the road, but when the host cough's up the ball four times you should score more than 13 points.

7. Arizona St....The Devils try to find some redemption against USC, while SC is waiting to explode on offense. What gives here? I think ASU is in big trouble.

8. Oregon St....The Beaver suck, and division among team members has Coach Riley in danger of losing his team.

9. Stanford....Walt Harris teams improve each week.

10. Arizona....Mike Stoops teams get worse each week.