The following is an inside look at Oregon State, U of L’s upcoming opponent Saturday at Corvallis, Ore., provided to Card Game by Dan Norz of BeaverFootball.com.

With a big game on the road against No. 3 Boise State next week, Oregon State coaches are hoping to use the Louisville football game as a tune up.  But the staff doesn’t want anyone looking ahead.

“We consider this our Super Bowl,” coach Mike Riley said Tuesday.

None of the players on the roster were at Louisville for the 63-27 demolishing in 2005, and Riley isn’t one to run up the score, but he recently said in his weekly press conference that “coaches don’t forget.”

Here’s a quick look at what Louisville will be facing Saturday in Reser Stadium:

  • The passing game is Oregon State’s strength. The offensive line gave quarterback Ryan Katz ample time to throw almost every passing play in an opening loss to TCU, and receivers had no problems getting open. The team has a host of talented receivers.
  • Running back Jacquizz Rodgers is considered of the top running backs in the nation. But the junior had just 75 yards and a touchdown against TCU. He had no room to run the entire game, and made three and four-yard runs instead of the spectacular 10-yard runs expected of him.
  • Keep your eye on the team’s go-to receiver James Rodgers, the older brother of Jacquizz. He is small, but runs disciplined routes, is physical and catches most everything thrown his way. Sophomore Markus Wheaton is a burner, but still learning his position.
  • The weakness is run blocking. Quizz rarely had any type of hole to run through versus TCU, but is it also worth noting the Beavers were going up what could be one of the top defensive lines in the nation so we don’t know yet know where the OSU offensive line stands.
  • Defensive tackle Stephen Paea is a sure-fire NFL draft pick, commanding at least a double, and sometimes a triple team. With incredible strength in both his upper and lower body, the 6-foot-1, 311-pound player leads a strong interior defensive line. He also has the speed to track down the quarterback.
  • Safety Lance Mitchell, a 6-foot-2, 211-pound athlete is perhaps the team’s biggest playmaker, with a knack for being around the ball, with 18 tackles versus TCU.
  • The secondary and in particular, the pass defense, is definitely the strength of the Beaver defense. Cornerbacks James Dockery, a fiery, rangy player, and Brandon Hardin, a huge, physical DB that checks in at 6-foot-2, 215-pounds – can handle almost any receiver one-on-one.
  • The biggest weakness on the defense is the pass rush, specifically the defensive ends. Senior Gabe Miller and sophomore Taylor Henry are the starters, but hardly touched the TCU quarterback. The players behind them lack experience.
  • Regardless of what the game is like at halftime, expect the Beaver starters to play well through the third quarter before being pulled — if it is a blowout. Everyone in the Mid Valley expects a win and a convincing one at that.

The pick here is Beavers, 42-17.


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