We've had a few days to digest Oregon State's 23-21 victory over UNLV. The film has been watched in the Valley Football Center, adjustments are being made, and the Beavers are getting ready to face Cincinatti at Reser Stadium this coming Saturday.
The matchup has quickly become one of the biggest games on Oregon State's schedule. It's a game that could really prove the identity of this team.
Cincinnati is a team who hasn't been fully tested yet, but you can tell that they're a darn good team just by what they've done to Rutgers and Southern Mississippi State so far this season. Sure, they have a completely rebuilt defense (only one starter returned from last year's squad), but their offense is almost entirely intact from a year ago.
Many are saying that this year's Bearcat offense could be one of the best of the modern era for Cincinnati. Tony Pike returns at quarterback, marking one of the first times in Brian Kelly's coaching career that he's returned a starter under center. Pretty incredible, huh? Not only is Pike back, but so are virtually the entire offensive line, as well as a host of talented running backs and receivers. The headliner in that group is WR Mardy Gilyard, who had this to say about this year's Cincy team:
"This 2009 team, in my opinion, we're special," Gilyard said. "No disrespect to the last two teams, especially no disrespect to last year. We won the Big East. But this team is a special team."
Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly on the game:
"It's nice to win against Southeast Missouri," Kelly said. "But the challenge wasn't there for us after the second quarter. This is going to be a great challenge for for quarters in a great stadium, with a great atmosphere, the things that make college football special."
Here's the place to share your thoughts on Cincinnati as you begin your Monday evening. What worries you the most? What gives you the biggest sense of assurance heading into Saturday? Here is your forum to share.
--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)