I wonder whose bright idea was it to schedule this game.  I don't think anybody is happy about having a conference game in the season opener.  Especially the teams that have to travel.  This is one of the games that Oregon State needs to win, and it's also one, with respect to Stanford, that they have no business losing.  Oregon State won 7 of their final 8 games last season and the under-appreciated Beavers have won 19 games the last two seasons.  Reports coming out of camp is that Stanford is going to have many growing pains this year.  The Stanford defense will keep them in games, their DE's are animals, but the offense will not be able to produce enough to get early season wins.  The Cardinals return with both safeties (although SS Austin Yancy is doubtful for this game) and look for there pass defense to be much better this season.  There are opportunities for Stanford to win this game, they need to run the ball against that rebuilt Beaver front seven, and they could steal a win.  The Oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com currently have Oregon State -3 favorites to Stanford with the total at 45.5

The problem with the Oregon State, is that they always start out slow at the beginning of the season and finish hard at the end.  OSU is the more complete team at this point, even though they lose their RB and front seven on defense.  Oregon State should fly under the radar again this season, but I think they’ll be better than expected.  The backfield will be explosive and very fun to watch.  Quizz Rogers (Brother of James Rogers) has been impossible to tackle in fall camp and is the quickest player side to side.  The major concern is a defense that returns just three starters from the nation’s best in 2007.  Sammie Stroughter returns for an All American run in his senior season and bolsters an experienced WR core with Catchings and James Rogers.  The linebackers were outstanding last season, as all three of them were named 2nd Team All-Pac 10 last season, but this year’s three starters are going to be solid contributors.  The O-line is the biggest question of the season, the return of once All American candidate Jeremy Perry will greatly influence the teams success.  I see Stanford staying in the game through the first half but OSU runs away with it in the second half.  I'm calling for an Oregon State win in this spot.

Trends For This Matchup-
Oregon State: 8-2 UNDER in the first two weeks of the season
Stanford: 2-9 ATS as a home underdog
Oregon State is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Stanford
Oregon State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Stanford
Stanford is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Stanford is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

CFB Football at Sportsbook.com

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