The Dam Links 11/1/2013: Men of Troy

Between a very busy week at work, general malaise at OSU losing last weekend, and the Seahawks-Rams going down to the last minute Monday night, I didn't get the normal The Dam Links out earlier this week. So you'll see some of the earlier week links today, as well as the weekend previews.

On the plus side, I got called to a meeting on campus at 1pm tomorrow. That's about an hour from my office; there's no way I'm going back to the office between the two. Suffice it to say I'll be tailgating early.

Going to the game Friday night? Parking will be a charlie foxtrot. OSU has issued a memo as to what lots will be open when, since it's the normal business day for a college campus. Also, keep in mind that if you're coming to the game, Highways 99W, 34, and 20 are going to be packed with people all trying to get in just before game time. So leave early.

ESPN Pac-12 blog reactions to last week: In their Power Rankings, the Beavers hold serve at #5. Bowl Projections: Beavs are still slotted in the Sun Bowl, right where they were last week. Wins the next two weeks would certainly move them up a slot or two. Weekend Rewind: the most important Pac-12 play of the week was 4th and Goal from the Stanford 7. A Halloween themed season review to date; Oregon State is well represented here.

ESPN's previews of this week: predictions (they split on the outcome of Friday's game). They call the OSU-USC game the Pac-12 Game of the Week. What to watch this week in the Pac-12.

Ted Miller reports that USC shouldn't be sleeping on Oregon State. I'd say there's a fat chance of that happening anytime soon, for a couple of reasons.

The watch lists are starting to narrow down. The Maxwell Award, given to the nation's best offensive player, has been narrowed down to 16 semifinalists; Mannion and Cooks both make the cut. Oregon State is one of three schools with two players on the list.

Now out for the year, Kevin Cummings talks about a variety of subjects including Halloween.

Connor Letourneau has a preview of Friday night's game. Lindsday Schnell says the Trojans' offense is better than you think. A Trojan beat writer answers five questions about USC. Notable amongst these: USC was down to 43 scholarship players at one point last weekend. Ed Orgeron is doing good things, but he's going to take the beach of Troy with 50 men? Hmm.

The Pac-12 stays second in the conference power rankings, just ahead of the Big 12.

CNNSI's bowl projections puts Oregon State in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl against BYU.

Things OSU Players Lead the Country In:

Sean Mannion: Passing TD's. Passing Yards. Passing Yards Per Game. Points Responsible For. Points Responsible for Per Game.

Brandin Cooks: Receiving TD's (tied). Receiving Yards. Receiving Yards Per Game. Receptions Per Game.

Steven Nelson: Interceptions (tied).

Building the Dam's Connor Pelton previews OSU Mens' Basketball for RushTheCourt.Net. Grantland's Mark Titus provides a Pac-12 basketball preview, but it literally doesn't mention Oregon State at all, which seems odd, considering its length.

This week's post-Stanford episode of the Illegal Participation podcast is out.

Baseball America goes back four years and reviews the 2009 college baseball recruiting class, ranking Oregon State's class 11th best in the country.

Mens' soccer is still winless in conference, losing to San Diego State 2-0. OSU womens' team, who is 1-6-1 in conference, travels to southern California this weekend to take on #2 UCLA and USC. The second half of the volleyball season begins this weekend when the Arizona schools come to town.

I missed this when it was released a couple of weeks ago, but it's well worth a watch.

In case you hadn't heard, Oregon State is breaking out the orange uniforms for this Friday's tilt against USC. Rashaad Reynolds wants you to match the team:

Finally, Oregon State football isn't the only team having fun at practice.

As always, vote in the poll below. Hope to see you all decked out in bright orange tomorrow for the game.

Go Beavs!