Oregon State vs TCU Preview and Free Pick September 4th, 2010

Recent Meetings
1st meeting

Cowboys Stadium is the backdrop for the season opener for both the Oregon State Beavers and TCU Horned Frogs. TCU comes into the season with a little bitter taste in their mouths after going the 2009 season undefeated only to lose the Fiesta Bowl to Boise State 17-10. The Frogs are primed for another run at perfection this year as 16 starters return including 9 on offense led by Senior QB Andy Dalton. He passed for 2,756 yards and 23 TD’s last year and the schedule sets up for another similar year in Fort Worth. Dalton has his top 3 WR’s returning from last year also, and 3 of his top 4 running backs. Everyone knows they can score, but TCU also boasts a very strong defense, allowing only 12.8 points per game last year and holding high-powered Boise to 17 in the Fiesta Bowl last year.

Oregon State is 1 of about 7 teams in the wide-open PAC 10 who could be smelling roses this year. The Beavers return their 2 big playmakers in Quizz and James Rodgers. Both of them averaged over 5 yards a carry last year and had a combined 169 receptions and accounted for 32 touchdowns. They will have to do it with a new quarterback under center. Sophomore Ryan Katz takes over for Sean Canfield. They do have 9 of their 10 offensive linemen returning from last year which will help. On defense, 7 starters return, but the Beavers lose their top 2 tacklers in Keaton Kristick and David Pa’aluhi.

This is a tough game to call. I know TCU will win, but can the defense shut down the Rodgers brothers? I think they will and the Horned Frogs win by at least 17.

Pick: TCU -13.5