Eastern Washington Eagles: The Preview

Up first for the Beavers is Eastern Washington.

The Beavers are going to be matched up with a team that is used to having success at their level. Eastern Washington got to the NCAA Divison I-AA playoffs last year, losing by 3 to Northern Iowa in the first round. The Eagles were Big Sky Co-Champions, going 5-2 in conference play and 7-5 overall.

When EWU has the ball: The EWU Offense

Eastern Washington runs a quick, simple offense. They tend to throw more short passes and air out the ball less. This could give our cornerbacks some time to get back into their comfort zones, and settle in for this season. They also take pride in their running game, and will start former OSU Beaver Ryan Cole at running back.

The Eagles will attack the Beavers with a temporary 2- QB look, featuring junior Chris Peerboom and freshman redshirt Matt Nichols. The coaching staff will try to get an idea of what player performs best to make a decision on the permanent starter. Erik Meyer was the starter, and he earned Big Sky Offensive MVP honors as a senior. They also lose Joey Cwik, who was Big Sky Defensive MVP last year. On top of those two, four wide receivers and two cornerbacks were lost.

Look for EWU to control the ball effectively and do their best to keep Matt Moore and the Beaver offense off the field. With Eastern Washington's style of offense, it will be a challenge to stop them from making short gains that add up to first downs time and time again. The new trio of linebackers will need to step up, as well as the safeties.

When Oregon State has the ball: The EWU Defense Eh... they've got a couple returning safeties that could do some damage, but their line is iffy, and their corners are new. They allowed 363 yards and 23.4 points per game last year, thanks to some especially bad games. EWU needs to improve on their tackling as well.

Will the OSU offense vs. the EWU defense match up be anything like the David vs. Goliath battles that Texas frequently has?

Prediction: 41-24, Beavers. The offense has a great game, powered by Yvenson Bernard at running back. Big Joe at Tight End will do some damage to please Beaver Nation, as well as our receiving corps of Strougher, Wheat-Brown, and Jackson. Matt Moore throws for 3 touchdowns, and Alexis adds two field goals. I'm going out on a limb and saying that Moore throws one interception. But something tells me it won't be his fault. Maybe a batted ball. Nothing atrocious.

Was that my prediction or what I want to happen?

Let's not worry about it.

As they say in the golfing world: It's the short putts that you get the most nervous about, but in the end, most of them go in.

Go Beavers!