Basketball season is in full swing, Baseball practice starts in a week, but I'm actually most excited about...FOOTBALL! I can't wait for National Signing Day, Spring Practice, Fall Camp, and finally, the kickoff of the Pac-12.
Here's an optimistic look at the 2011 schedule, but keep in mind that all of this will be subject to change once Spring Practice begins.
Sept. 3 --- Sacramento State...(W)...Should be a relatively easy victory to open up the season, and will be nice to see the running backs compete against someone in a different uniform.
Sept. 10 --- at Wisconsin...(L)...This will be a tough one, but it's not like we are bringing a brand new quarterback into Camp Randall. Katz will be used to the big lights, but Wisconsin should prevail in the end.
Sept. 17 --- BYE
Sept. 24 --- UCLA...(W)...The Bruins look like a mediocre team once again in 2011, and if this one was in Los Angeles I would be a little worried. But it's at Reser, and this should be a relatively easy victory for the Beavers.
Oct. 1 --- at Arizona State...(L)...This one is a toss up. Arizona State will be much improved and will most likely win the Pac-12 South, so I think they hang on in a tight game against the Beavers.
Oct. 8 --- Arizona...(W)...It's beginning to look like Nick Foles will be the Wildcats only bright spot in 2011. Almost everyone on both lines are gone, the coaching staff has been torn apart, and Arizona lost five in a row to end 2010. Once again, if this one was in Tucson, I'd be a little worried, but the Beavers should handle them in Corvallis.
Oct. 15 --- BYU...(W)...After a rough start to the 2010 season, BYU finished strong and looked great in the New Mexico Bowl against UTEP. They should return to the national scene in 2011, and might even be favored when they come into Reser, but I think the Beavers pull this one out.
Oct. 22 --- vs Washington State...(W)...The Cougars might actually be alright this year, with a very real chance of going to a bowl game. But even though it will help revenue, the change from Martin Stadium to Quest Field might cost the Cougars a much-needed win against the Beavers.
Oct. 29 --- at Utah...(W)...The Beavers will be rolling into Salt Lake, winners of four of their last five and ranked in the Top 20. The Utes are full of unknowns going into 2011, and I think this is the year that Oregon State finally gets them in Rice-Eccles.
Nov. 5 --- Stanford...(L)...Who knows how the Cardinal will react after losing 15 starters and head coach Jim Harbaugh, but as of right now, you have to give Andrew Luck the nod in this one.
Nov. 12 --- at California...(W)...We will have to take our Berkeley magic across the Bay Area to AT&T Park, but I think we should be able to sneak out of San Fran with a W.
Nov. 19 --- Washington...(W)...I don't get all of the hype about Washington this year. Congrats on your strong finish and all, but you lose your all-everything Quarterback and this one is in Reser. I love the Beavers in this one.
Nov. 26 --- at Oregon...(L)...Oregon will still be great this season, but they are not going to be invincible. I see the Ducks finsihing 10-2, but with a few close calls along the way. Unfortunately, this one is in Autzen, and I don't see the Beavers getting out with a win.
Missing --- USC and Colorado
Too bad, I think we beat both of these teams wherever it's played.
Final Record, 8-4 (6-3)
Bowl-Holiday
Thoughts? Share them in the comments section, along with your predictions.
Go Beavers!