Beavers vs. Panthers Preview/Pick: Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl Oregon State Beavers vs. Pittsburgh Panthers
LeSean McCoy rushed for more yards this season than he did in his terrific freshman year. McCoy gained 1403 yards (scoring 21 TD’s) and really got going toward the middle of the season. He did cool down a bit toward the end, with 39 yards against Louisville, 82 against Cincinnati and 95 against Connecticut. He is, nonetheless, the foremost offensive weapon on this field.
BetUS NCAA Football Betting Odds: OREGON STATE -2.5, Total 52
Here are some of the NCAA college football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:
* PITT has covered four of its last five games
* PITT has won nine of its last 11 games SU
* PITT has played 12 of its last 18 games UNDER the total
* OSU has covered eight of its last ten games
* OSU has won six of its last seven games SU
It also would appear to offer an advantage for Pittsburgh because Oregon State comes into this game without both its leading rusher, freshman sensation Jacquizz Rodgers (an AP All-American with 1253 yards), who is out with a shoulder injury, and his brother James, who had over 1000 combined rushing/receiving yards and will miss this one with a broken collarbone. The Beavers will go with Ryan McCants, who gained 314 yards in limited action, but is said to be a good fit for this offense, and Jeremy Francis, who left school earlier this year to be with his ailing mother but is returning to help in this bowl effort.
Oregon State was nearly impregnable on its defensive front last season but was decidedly softer this year, yielding 3.9 yards a carry and giving up a whopping 385 yards to Oregon in the season’s final game. Pittsburgh unquestionably wants to work some play action, but we have doubts about Bill Stull (9 TD’s, 9 INT’s), of whom more was expected. Stull’s range is limited, and he had no 300-yard games. Oregon State actually has some variety under center, as Lyle Moevao and Sean Canfield, who both matured this season, combined for 25 TD passes while throwing just 13 interceptions.
OSU has faced some strong programs; in fact, three of its opponents will be in the BCS. The Beavers were blown out by Penn State, which created some anxiety on the part of Rose Bowl officials because there would have been a rematch had they beaten Oregon in the finale. They lost to Utah by just a field goal, and scored the big upset over USC. Along the way they also scored wins over California and Arizona. Oregon State coach Mike Riley has demonstrated an ability to make adjustments and capitalize on extra preparation time, winning his last four bowls with this program. That’s part of the difference that will help Oregon State overcome the loss of its big-time back. We’ll lay the points with the Beavers, the 2.5-point favorite in the BetUS NCAA betting odds.
Our PLAY: OREGON STATE -2.5 ***
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