2011-2012 Football Previews – Pac 12 – Oregon St. Beavers
The Beavers deserved a better record, but Mike Riley’s aggressive scheduling cost Oregon State a legitimate shot at a decent conference finish, and likely kept them out of a bowl game, finishing 5-7 overall in 2010.
2011-2012 PAC 12 | Oregon State Beavers Football Preview
Coach: Mike Riley
2010-11 Record: 5-7 (4-5)
Oregon State Beavers Gambling Odds from Bodog.eu to win BCS: 125-1
OSU Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>
While many called Riley’s decision to play his Beavs against the likes of TCU and Boise State to begin the season gutsy, some fans are left wondering if it hurt the team’s moral and chances at finishing ahead of both USC and Washington.
The Beavers beat the Trojans at home and narrowly lost to the Huskies, 35-24 in double overtime, after Riley made another plucky call, deciding to go for a two-point conversion to win the game instead of kicking the PAT that would have sent the game into triple overtime.
While this year’s roster will be missing a few names that have become synonymous to OS fans’ vocabulary, Riley will return 12 starters that appear to be capable of carrying the team to a winning record in 2011.
To get an inside peak at how the Beavers stack up, let’s look at who they will be sending onto the field to start the 2011 PAC-12 season.
Offense:
Sophomore quarterback Ryan Katz, assuming he returns from wrist surgery, is going to need to carry the Beavers offense, at least until they work out about their running game. Katz was hurled into the fire as freshman and with a season of experience, should be a much better quarterback in 2011.
He had a productive first outing as a starter, with a completion record of .599 for 2,386 yards and 18 touchdowns against 11 interceptions.
Most of those interceptions are a result of being hurried from the pocket behind a Beavers O-line that allowed Katz to be sacked 33 times in 2010. However, Oregon State should see some improvements up front, with four of five starters returning. This unit cannot afford to disappoint, as the Beavs offense could take a huge hit, especially with some new faces preparing to step in at the running back position.
The Beavers have lost perennial workhorse Jacquizz Rodgers who decided to skip his senior year after being drafted in the 5th round by Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. This will leave a huge hole in backfield that already lacked depth, with last year’s second leading rusher behind Rodgers being wide out Markus Wheaton with 220 yards. A lot of expectation will placed on sophomore Jovan Stevenson to take over the lead role, but Stevenson hasn’t seen action since 2009 when he appeared in 12 games, rushing from 137 yards and scoring his first career touchdown against Washington State.
If the Beavs are lucky, they won’t have to rely too much on Stevenson this season with three of their top receivers returning to the lineup. Wheaton who led the team with 54 catches for 660 yards and four scores, should improve as well as senior starting tight end Joe Halahuni who hauled in 30 receptions last season for a team-leading six touchdown catches. One key to the passing game will be the healthy return of receiver James Rodgers who was granted a fifth year of eligibility after suffering a knee injury in game five of last season.
Defense:
If the Beavers’ are going to have a comeback season, they will need it to start with a defensive line that will need to overcome the loss of Stephen Paea. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Senior Kevin Frahm who had 33 tackles in 2010, with 4.5 sacks will be his replacement. Lining up alongside Frahm, will be lone returning starter, senior defensive tackle Dominic Glover, who had 43 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss last season, while juniors Rusty Fernando and Taylor Henry take over at the defensive end spots.
The linebacker corps seems solid with junior Rueben Robinson retuning as well as2010 two-game starter Cameron Collins, and sophomore outside linebacker Michael Doctor. The trio will need to put in an all out effort to back up a wobbly front four.
One area with the least amount of concern, is an Oregon State secondary that brings back two quality starters in senior corner Brandon Harris and senior free safety Lance Mitchell. The duo will look to improve on the 228 yards per game the Beavers allowed through the air in 2010, but a lot of that will be a result of the front seven’s ability to stop the run.
2011 Oregon State Prediction: 3rd PAC-12 north
– In 2006 the Beavers responded to a 5-6 season in 2005, by finishing 10-4. However, another big turnaround doesn’t seem likely in 2011 with the lack of talent and depth they have on defense.
I expect the Beavers to finish in the top half of the PAC-12 north, but if the offense struggles at all, Oregon State could be in for another long season.
2011 Oregon State Beavers Schedule
9/10/11 12:00 PM ET @WISC
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET UCLA
10/1/11 12:00 PM ET @ARZST
10/8/11 12:00 PM ET ARZ
10/15/11 12:00 PM ET BYU
10/22/11 12:00 PM ET @WSHST
10/29/11 12:00 PM ET @UTAH
11/5/11 12:00 PM ET STAN
11/12/11 12:00 PM ET @CAL
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET WASH
11/26/11 12:00 PM ET @ORE
