No. 25 Oregon State Beavers

Editor’s Note: Beginning May 1, we count the days until the 2009 College Football Annuals hit newsstands by releasing one spot in our Top 25. Check AthlonSports.com every weekday to see who’s next in the countdown.

When talk turns to the Beavers, somebody inevitably brings up the stunning upset win over USC last season that triggered a run to the Sun Bowl. Oregon State folks cherish that victory, but they would rather talk about the program’s three straight top 25 appearances. And even if the 3–0 bowl win over Pitt may have been the most boring postseason game ever, it propelled OSU into ’09 with high hopes. Turning those expectations into reality will require some work.

A good start will help, but OSU needs to rebuild its defense for that to be a possibility. Only three starters return, and the D-line and corner spots are particularly shaky. The offense should be fine, thanks to the expected healthy returns of running back Jacquizz Rodgers and quarterback Lyle Moevao. Those two key an attack that needs some help at the wideout spots but should be productive enough.

Yep, there is more to this program than last year’s triumph over the Trojans — or the one in 2006. USC is on the schedule again this season, and the college football community would be wise to look in on the Beavers a couple other times during the season to see one of the nation’s more underappreciated programs.

This and That

Road Warriors The Beavers won three Pac-10 road games for the fourth time in the past five years in 2008 and now have four consecutive wins at Washington, Arizona and California.

Fast Finishers The Beavers won seven of their final eight games in 2008, continuing a trend under Mike Riley. They are 22–5 in October, November and December in 2006-08. Only USC (21–4) has a better record over that period.

Bowl Perfection Oregon State’s 3–0 victory over Pittsburgh in the Sun Bowl improved the Beavers’ postseason record under Riley to 5–0. He also won the 2003 Las Vegas (New Mexico), 2004 Insight (Notre Dame), 2006 Sun (Missouri) and 2007 Emerald (Maryland) bowls. It’s the second-longest bowl winning streak in the country, behind Utah’s eight.

Oregon State Superlatives

RB Jacquizz Rodgers is named Second-Team All-America and First-Team All-Pac-10.

LB Keaton Kristick (pictured) is named First-Team All-Pac-10.

WR James Rodgers and C Alex Linnenkohl are named Second-Team All-Pac-10.

DL Stephen Paea, K Justin Kahut and KR James Rodgers join the All-Pac-10 Third Team.

Your Turn

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