Oregon

Well my picks are posted for tomorrow but I just wanted to explain the Oregon play and why I will be dropping at least a couple units on it. On the surface Oregon State looks like a great bet; a solid team catching 9.5 against one of their biggest rivals. But I actually think Oregon kicks them in the mouth in this one. The Masoli/James combo is a two-headed monster averaging 5.9 and 6.9 yards per carry respectively, and there is talk of Blount playing tomorrow, and frankly if he does (and really even if he doesn't) this Oregon running attack will overwhelm the Beavers. Not to mention the fact that Masoli's passing is much improved and they have a couple good receivers who should help spread the field and open up the running game even more. Jacquizz Rodgers (I call him Queezy) is a good player but he averages less than James AND Masoli at 5.5 ypc. I'm sure the Beavers will generate some offense but I don't see it being anywhere near enough. Oregon won this game 65-38 last year at OSU, and with this game being played in Eugene (a VERY tough place to play) I would expect a similar result. Last year Oregon had some incentive to knock out Oregon State, and that was to prevent them from playing in the Rose Bowl. However, it was only to secure a ticket to the Holiday Bowl. This year Oregon can not only crush State's Rose Bowl hopes once again, but they can win a ticket to the Rose Bowl themselves. I'm sure the added incentive won't hurt. Just too many factors working against Oregon State here and I see this game getting ugly. Oregon in a rout.