Jacquizz Rodgers torched USC for 186 yards last season. Only three starters return on that defense... will the eight new guys be able to stop Quizz? (via www.seattlepi.com)

View full size photo uploaded July 1, 2009

They're still a lock to win the Pac-10 in nearly everybody's mind, but if there's a year for USC to be unseated as conference champions for the first time in seven years, this could be it. 

The unknowns include a new quarterback, two new coordinators, and only three returning starters from 2008's stingy defense. The Trojans will now have to rely more on their offense to control games, whereas they could rely on their defense to get stops in recent years. 

The knowns, however, include a brand of toughness and competitiveness that head coach Pete Carroll always brings to the table. We also know that USC will have eleven outstanding athletes on the field at all times-- it's just a matter of if they can perform to the level that we've come to expect from the Trojans. 

Something we've also come to expect in recent years is that Oregon State will have a decent showing against the Trojans-- unless the game is played in Los Angeles. The Beavers have won only nine of seventy-one games all-time against USC, but they've won two of the last three-- both in Corvallis. Prior to the victory in 2006, the Beavers last defeated USC in 2000 in Corvallis. Oregon State has only won three games in Los Angles, the site of this year's game, and all of them came in 1960 or before. 

So how will the Beavers fare this year, against what could be a sub-par team? It's been 49 years since the Beavers have won at the Coliseum-- it's just not one of those places that Mike Riley's team can walk into with confidence. That being said, big wins over Arizona, Arizona State, and Stanford could set the stage for an early Pac-10 run prior to the trip to LA. 

Only two teams in the conference have a guaranteed retuning starter at quarterback, and USC isn't one of them. Aaron Corp will be the likely successor to Mark Sanchez, and is already being heralded as one of the best drop-back quarterbacks in the conference. If he indeed gets the job, he'll be backed up by freshman Matt Barkley and Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain. 

Corp will have a talented bunch of receivers to throw to, including another Arkansas transfer, Damian Williams. Patrick Turner departs from last year's squad, but Williams reeled in nearly 67 receiving yards per game last season. 

USC's Offensive line is being heraleded as one of the best in the country, so whomever the quarterback may be come September, they will have good protection. Kristopher O'Dowd at center is the big name, as is sixth-year senior Jeff Byers at guard. 

"The offensive line is a deep, experienced unit for us, and it will be highly-competitive all season long for playing time," said Carroll. "It's great to have Jeff Byers back for another season and we'll count on his senior leadership."

The defense, however, is not as experienced. Only three players return (Taylor Mays, Josh Pinkard, Christian Topou), although there are many with game experience from last year. This year's group has a high standard to live up to, as the 2008 Trojans led the nation in scoring defense (9.0, USC's best mark since 1967), pass efficiency defense (85.8) and pass defense (134.4, USC's best since 1977) and were second in total defense (221.8, USC's best since 1967) and fifth in rushing defense (87.4).

"Yes, we lost a lot of outstanding defensive players, but I'm confident we'll have another strong defense, led by the secondary. We'll be very fast up front, where we have a chance to field one of our best pass rushing units in years. Obviously, the key area is the new linebacking group, but don't underestimate them."

The secondary is the strong suit of the defense, led by two of the three returning starters-- safties Taylor Mays and Josh Pinkard. Pinkard is moving over from the cornerback position, which will likely be filled by senior Kevin Thomas and junior Shareece Wright. Mays gives the team a strong, physical presence, and Pinkard gives them a lot of versatility. 

USC's three standout linebackers from last season-- Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, and Kaluka Maiava-- are all gone, so first year coordinator Rocky Seto must start from scratch there. The athletes are there, however.

Three players, including Clay Matthews, are gone on the defensive line as well, and that unit needs to be overhauled. Christian Toupou does return, along with several veterans looking for more playing time and young, athletic players as well. 

Said Carroll on his team: "Every season presents new and different challenges, as is certainly the case this year, but we do have the ingredients to have another very good team."

The Trojans open the season September 5 at San Jose State before traveling to Ohio State on September 12. 

The Beavers will travel to Los Angeles to play the Trojans on October 24. Last year, when the two teams met at Reser Stadium, Oregon State shocked the Trojans with a 27-21 victory that is now nominated for an ESPY as "Upset of the Year". 

--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)

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Tortuga12 from Addicted to Quack and I will be doing a 11 part College Football Preview throughout the Summer. Today we will be doing Conference Championship and Bowl Game Predictions. Mine will be in BOLD and Tortuga's will be in regular font.

ACC Championship                                             C-USA Championship                                    MAC Championship

Florida State vs Virginia Tech                           East Carolina vs Tulsa                                  Buffalo vs Ball State

Big 12 Championship                                          SEC Championship                                        New Mexico Bowl

Missouri vs Oklahoma                                        Georgia vs Alabama                                      Colorado State vs La. Tech

St. Petersburg Bowl                                             New Orleans Bowl                                         Las Vegas Bowl

Rutgers vs Rice                                                     Troy vs UCF                                                      Kansas vs Utah

Poinsettia Bowl                                                      Hawaii Bowl                                                    Motor City Bowl

Arizona vs TCU                                                       UTEP vs Hawaii                                              Buffalo vs Iowa

Meineke Car Care Bowl                                       Emerald Bowl                                                  Music City Bowl

Wake Forest vs Cincinnati                                  Maryland vs Oregon State                           Virginia vs South Carolina

Independence Bowl                                              Eagle Bank Bowl                                            Champs Sports Bowl

Minnesota vs Vanderbilt                                     Army vs North Carolina                                 BC vs Michigan State

Humanitarian Bowl                                               Holiday Bowl                                                    Texas Bowl

Air Force vs Nevada                                             Arizona State vs Tennessee                        Kansas vs Navy

Armed Forces Bowl                                              Sun Bowl                                                           Insight Bowl

BYU vs Rice                                                             California vs West Virginia                          NW vs Texas Tech

Chick-fil-A Bowl                                                      Outback Bowl                                                 Gator Bowl

Florida State vs LSU                                              Penn State vs Mississippi                           Georgia Tech vs Okla State

Capital One Bowl                                                    Rose Bowl                                                        Sugar Bowl

Wisconsin vs Florida                                             Ohio State vs USC                                          Alabama vs Boise State

International Bowl                                                  Papajohns.com Bowl                                     Cotton Bowl

Connecticut vs Western Michigan                    South Florida vs Kentucky                             Neb. vs South Carolina

Liberty Bowl                                                            Alamo Bowl                                                       Fiesta Bowl

Tulsa vs Auburn                                                     Ilinois vs Texas                                                 Missouri vs Utah

Orange Bowl                                                           GMAC Bowl                                                        BCS National Title

Virginia Tech vs Oregon                                      East Carolina vs Ball State                             Georgia vs Oklahoma

Tortuga12's Picks after the jump

Continue reading this post »

The nomination has been announced, the plane tickets have been booked, and now all that's left to do is ensure that Mike Riley, James Rodgers, and Jacquizz Rodgers will come home from July 15th's taping of the ESPY awards holding some hardware. 

The Beavers will be competing with Mine that Bird, Team USA (soccer), and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. 

Click the following link to vote:

http://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/home/

You can encourage your friends to do the same by sending them an e-mail to this post... just click the "e-mail" button below.

--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)

--On Monday it was announced that former linebackers coach Robin Ross is returning from a stint at Western Washington as a graduate assistant. Since WWU cut their football program, he's still being paid, which is why he's chosen the non-paid, academic scholarship position.

--James Day of the Statesman Journal reports that Oregon is now a step closer to passing the 'Rooney Rule', a bill that would require Oregon's state universities to interview a minority candidate when hiring head coaches or athletic directors. The Senate made some amendments to the bill recently before it passed 52-0 in the House on Tuesday. It's now on it's way to Governor Ted Kulongoski, who is expected to sign the bill. Oregon would be the first state to enact such a law. 

Ted Miller's take:

Only seven of the 119 FBS programs have black head coaches even though roughly 50 percent of the players are black. Four of those black coaches -- Miami of Ohio's Mike Haywood, New Mexico State's DeWayne Walker, New Mexico's Mike Locksley and Eastern Michigan's Ron English -- were hired last year. So obviously none were added at BCS schools.

The NFL has a "Rooney Rule," upon which the Oregon bill was based. Six of the 32 NFL head coaches are black.

The idea isn't to force an institution to hire anybody. It's not affirmative action.

It simply requires closed networks to at least pretend to open up. It says, "You want to hire this guy. Fine. But at least talk to this guy."

The idea is that a forced, even perfunctory, interview might open some eyes and, in the long term, increase diversity.

It seems to me that Oregon State is open to minority coaches-- Bob De Carolis didn't hesitate to hire Craig Robinson based on race... and Reggie Davis and Keith Heyward are both position coaches on the football team. 

--Sean Mannion gave a verbal commitment to Oregon State this week after attending an OSU football camp over the weekend. He's a 6-5, 205 pro-style passser out of Pleasanton, California. 

--Riley has picked five grayshirts for the upcoming season--Reggie Dunn is one of them. 

--Kevin O'Neill has been introduced to the USC community-- and seems optimistic.

--ATQ brings us the news that the Ducks have new uniforms.  

--Ken Kutson will not be returning as head coach of the UW baseball program next season.

Include any relevant links in the comments. 

--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)

Toby Gerhart returns as Stanford's leading rusher from 2008. (via Lance Iversen/ The Chronicle)

View full size photo uploaded June 23, 2009

(Note: Many of the links below go to SB Nation Player Pages)

Oregon State will host Stanford at Reser Stadium on October 10th. Last year, the Beavers opened their season with Stanford and lost 28-36. 

Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh seemingly summed up Stanford's offensive scheme when he sat down with a local talk show a few weeks ago.

"Number-7 is our signature guy. We are going to get him the ball!"

Toby Gerhart, who wasn't selected in this month's MLB draft, will return to Stanford for his senior year. The two sport star, who made a trip to Omaha with the baseball team last year, is enjoying an extended summer which is allowing him to prepare more for football season. Last year, Gerhart rushed for 1,136 yards and 15 touchdowns. When asked by the Examiner how many yards he would rush for this year, Gerhart did not pause. "2,000 yards."

"I love talking about Toby Gerhart" Harbaugh told a Comcast SportsNet crew. "He has great balance, vision and you have to tackle him down around the legs because if you go high, he'll bounce off of you and he has the speed to break away."

Gerhart will have a good chance to reach his goal behind an experienced line that includes senior tackles Matt Kopa and Chris Marinelli. 

Said Harbaugh: "We will have a very physical offensive line, much improved wide receivers and tight ends and fullback Owen Marecic is a special, special player"

Marecic, the former Jesuit  High star, has been a key piece of Stanford's blocking schemes over the last two years, but figures to increase his carries this year to take some of the load off of Gerhart. 

As for other comments from the coach, he again named Andrew Luck the starting quarterback for Stanford although the competition with Tavita Pritchard will go on. "It is a fluid situation. Andrew Luck is our starter out of spring ball, but Pritchard has 19 career starts and some big wins like against USC. He will compete."

More on Luck: "He had a very good spring game, but it was not just the practice game, he did that well all spring."

Luck completed 18 of 25 passes for 352 yards and five touchdowns to lead the White team to a 42-17 victory over the Cardinal in the annual Cardinal and White Spring Game. He tossed touchdown passes of 41, 16, 20, 4 and 32 yards. Two of the touchdown passes went to Richard Sherman, who also shined on defense for the White team, finishing with eight tackles

More from the Examiner:

Harbaugh is very optimistic about the upcoming season. He pointed to the "consistent, methodical improvement" the team has made in his first two years and is looking to reap big rewards in this third year. "The seniors coming in this year are poised for a really good year and also some younger players are poised to crack the lineup. I feel like the team has gotten better and better and better."

While the offense seems to be shaping up, there are many questions on the defense. Former running back Delano Howell is expected to switch to strong safety this year along side proven free safety Bo McNally. The Cardinal also needs to find a pair of cornerbacks-- following sprig practice, the guys on top of the battle were junior Corey Gatewood and sophomore Michael Thomas. 

The defensive line is shaping up to be the most dangerous part of the defesnse, with ends Erik Lorig, Tom Keiser, and Tom McAndrew all back. Tackles Ekom Udofia, Matthew Masifilio, and Sione Fua round out the line. Middle linebacker Clinton Synder returns, but Pat Maynor needs to be replaced on the weak side. Will Powers is expected to start on the strong side, and Chike Amajoyi is the leading candidate to replace Maynor on the weak side. 

All-in-all, the Cardinal have the potential to string together a six win season and become bowl eligible for the first time since 2001. To do it, they'll need Gerhart to stay healthy, the secondary to pan out, and a little bit of Luck at quarterback. 

--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)

Previous Post-Spring Profiles: Arizona, Arizona State

Final Score: North 32, South 14

HILLSBORO - Several thousand rabid fans braved a chilly evening on Saturday to watch the top graduating high school football players battle for bragging rights in the 62nd annual Les Schwab Bowl on Saturday night at Hillsboro Stadium. The game separates the athletes and coaches into two teams-- the North and South-- and operates with high school rules, except for quarter length. 

The game started with the North team taking an early 12-0 lead behind the legs and arm of Jack Lomax, before the North got on the board with a touchdown run from West Albany's Matt McHenry. Lomax led the North on another touchdown drive later in the quarter to take a 18-7 lead into halftime. 

In the second half, the North struck first when Lomax found former and future teammate Micah Hatfield for a 24 yard toucdown, but the South would later counter with a 19 yard touchdown from Tym Pearson to Mitch Singler. The North would then seal the game when Malcolm Johnson rushed 52 yards over the left side for a touchdown. 

The game featured several players headed to Oregon State in the fall to play football. They included quarterback Jack Lomax and receiver Micah Hatfield out of Lake Oswego, linemen John Braun from West Albany and Michael Beatonfrom Dallas, and receiver Mitch Singler from South Medford. Levi Levasa of Tualatin, Laurence Calcagno of Canby, and Danny Urness of Thurston round out the players headed to Corvallis to play football in the fall. 

Jack Lomax, who was selected Oregon's 6A Offensive Player of the Year for his performance in leading Lake Oswego to the 6A State Championship game, led the North team in passing, completing 18 of 28 passes for 178 yards. He threw two touchdowns on the evening, one to Lincoln's Ryan Lacey, and the other to teammate Micah Hatfield. Lomax ran for another two touchdowns on the ground, and was selected the Most Valuable Player of the game. Hatfield finished the game with four receptions for 40 yards. 

The South, who was quarterbacked by Brian Widing of Canby and Tym Pearson of Thurston, struggled at times to move the ball against the North defense. Mitch Singler, who reeled in 2,700 yards during his career at South Albany, finished with a game-high 144 receiving yards.

Several other players headed to Division 1 colleges also had notable performances in the game. Malcolm Johnson, who is headed to Boise State in the fall, rushed the ball nine times for 121 yards for the North. His lone touchdown of the game was a 52-yarder, one that sealed the game for the North All-Stars. 

Tym Pearson, who is headed to Portland State in the fall, finished the game 7-of-14 passing for 68 yards but threw two interceptions. More impressively, he gained 83 yards on the ground on 12 rushes. 

Paul Tuma of Southridge and Tou Caspino of Corvallis were named Most Outstanding Linemen of the game, and Malcom Johnson of Barlow and Mich Singler of South Medford earned Most Outstanding Back of the game. 

--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)

The North team warms up for the 62nd Annual Les Schwab Bowl.

View full size photo uploaded June 20, 2009

I'm coming at you live from the Hillsboro Stadium Press Box, where the North will battle the South tonight in the 62nd Les Schwab Bowl. The game will feature the top graduating senior football players, split up into teams from the North and South of the state. Here's a look at some of the Oregon State-bound participants:

Jack Lomax - QB, North - Lake Oswego High School. Oregon's 6A Offensive Player of the Year threw for over 3,700 yards and 46 touchdowns in his senior year at Lake Oswego. He led his team to a state championship game appearance, and was named the MVP of the Tri-Valley Conference. 

Micah Hatfield - QB, North - Lake Oswego High School. 

John Braun - OL - West Albany High School

Michael Beaton - DL - Dallas High School

COMPLETE ROSTERS

GAME HISTORY

You can listen to the game on 95.5 The Game and chat here if you'd like...

--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)

Obviously, the second biggest day in the week of College Football is Thursday. Whether you like it or not, it is. Also, Thursday night games usually provide pretty good matchups. The September 3rd game between the Ducks and Broncos should be a great way to start the season. In the following article I will give you my thoughts on each side of the story and then give you a poll at the end.

Why Thursday games are bad

People don't like Thursday night games for a couple of reasons. The main one is that it's very hard to get off work or school, jump in the car, and get to the game in time. The games also can get pretty cold when you're playing at 7:00 PM in October, November, and December. Another thing is that you would probably want to get a hotel room so you aren't driving home in the late hours of the night. Then, you would have to wake up super early to get back to town in time for work on Friday.

Why Thursday games are good

Thursday games can be good for a few reasons. The first one is the money. Both teams receive a pretty good payout for playing on Thursday night. The second reason is exposure. Last year, when the Beavers defeated USC, there was only one other game that night, Tulane and SMU. The whole nation had their eyes on our game. Pretty cool. Also a Thursday night game in 2006 between #5 Louisville and #3 West Virginia was the second biggest household audience ever for a College Football game on ESPN. Also, who doesn't want to come home from work or school and watch College Football. And the best part of all, Erin Andrews is the sideline reporter for the ESPN game. Just saying.

I may be in the minority, but I actually like Thursday night games. I really like the fact that the whole nation is watching us.The only reason I don't like them is for this year's Civil War. First of all, I'm going to be freezing, and second, I just dont think the Civil War belongs on a Thursday. Anyways, that's just my opinion. Please vote in the poll below and then defend your choice in the comments section.