Hell of a train ride last week for those that were aboard! This week we leave the station a little early as we have a matchup in Corvallis that requires our attention.
USC at Oregon State
After going nose to nose with Stanford last week, the Beavers welcome another strong defensive team into Corvallis this week as the USC Trojans come marching into town. After dropping their opener to Eastern Washington the Beavers reeled off 6 straight before tangling with the Cardinal of Stanford. Dropping a 20-12 decision, the Beavers did have an opportunity to tie things up on the final play of the game, but they fell short. While the Beaver offense did have a rough go of it against Stanford, the numbers they generate are impressive. QB Sean Mannion has been nothing short of amazing as he has completed 69% of his throws for 3,263 yards. He has 30 TD's against only 3 interceptions. The Beavers rank #1 nationally in passing yardage at 420 yards per game. On the other side of the ball the Beavers are not nearly as impressive as they are allowing opposing offenses to generate 381 yards per game and post 27 points per game. But, they do excel in one area and that is creating turnovers, they have 21 so far this year.
USC finally did what they should have done long ago and fired Kiffin. In my opinion they should have never hired him in the first place, but that is naother story for another day. Interim Coach Ed Orgeron has things headed in the right direction as he is 2-1 since taking over. Offensively the Trojans are an average at best team as they generate 379 yards per game and post 24.6 points per game. Injuries have certainly played a part, but it is moreso a lack of consistent play under center, in my opinion, that has hampered the Trojan offense. QB Cody Kessler has an an average completion percenatge at 61%, but he has only 1,560 yards to show for it. More concerning is the fact that he has only TDs passing to go against 5 interceptions thrown. When you throw a pick for every 2 TDs you got some issues. Another major reason for this offense's lack of production has been the absences of WR Marqise Lee and TB Silas redd. Lee has only 32 receptions for 403 yards and a single TD. The USC defense on the other hand is one of the est defenses statistically in the PAC 12 this year. As a matter of fact they rank #2 in scoring defense allowing only 19 points per game, and #1 in total defense allowing only 371 yards per game. They are #2 in rushing defense at 317 yards per game and #3 in pass defense at 212 yards per game.
So, what we have again tonight in Corvallis is a prolific offense averaging 421 yards per game throwing the ball against a tight, stingy defense that allows only half of that per game. The question is who will impose their will on the other? For my money it will be the Beaver Offense that wins this battle against the Trojan Defense, and suprisingly I strongly feel that it will be the Beaver Defense that seals the deal. I think that their ability to create turnovers is a huge key in this one tonight and I see them adding to their season total of 21.
Oregon State has won 3 straight against USC in Corvallis and I beleive tonight makes 4.
Oregon State -3 (buy 1/2) -140 50 Units
But, what the hell do I know? 
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