Every college football season is full of “big games”. From decade old state rivalries to playing in primetime, a key matchup can determine the fate of any team’s season.
And today in the age of the BCS, bowl games and teams striving for perfect seasons focus must be maintained week to week.
For the OSU Beavers they hoped to open the season against an unranked Nichols St. team to get a little momentum going into their “big game” against the #12 Wisconsin Badgers.
Instead due to Hurricane Isaac the beaver’s first game against Nichols St. was canceled. This meant that the first matchup of the 2012 season for OSU would be, “the biggest non-conference game in Reser stadium” according to Coach Riley.
OSU rose to the occasion and thanks to a dominating performance by the defense, along with solid play from quarterback Sean Mannion the Beavs were able to upset Wisconsin 10-7.
Unfortunately for the Beavs a bye week was next up on their schedule, which was just another obstacle in the way of OSU gathering momentum early in the season.
“I suppose there’s an advantage, getting some guys healthy and maybe a little extra time to prepare. The disadvantage for us right now is that we have no rhythm of the season, so we’re looking to find that rhythm of game prep and being game ready.”
These were Coach Mike Riley’s thoughts earlier this week on how the bye week affected the Beavs.
However extra preparation may be what OSU needs going into their matchup Saturday verses yet another ranked opponent , as they take on the number 19 UCLA Bruins (3-0).
This season the Bruins are off to a fast start thanks to new coach Jim Mora and a fast paced offense with an aggressive running game. After the Beavers last practice on Thursday before heading down to Los Angeles, Riley addressed the new offense of the Bruins.
“I think their offense is very good, very athletic, and very talented. They’ve installed a nice scheme and utilized their talent very well. They’re a good team obviously, they have looked very good in their first few games. “
If the Beavs hope to slow down this high powered offense they will have to start with the running game. After holding the Badgers to only 35 yards rushing OSU hopes to repeat that kind of defensive performance as they go up against another Heisman hopeful Jonathan Franklin.
So far this season, Franklin has lead the country in rushing with his astounding 180.3 yards per game.
Along with a strong running game from Franklin the Bruins also have a quarterback who can hurt a defense with his feet as well. So far on the year freshman quarterback Brett Hundley is averaging 4.2 yards a carry in UCLA’s first 3 games.
“Its diverse, the quarterback can run, the running back is a great runner, they really spread you out and force you to do a lot of 1-1 tackles. They’re operating with a lot of productivity right now.”
Riley and the rest of the Beavs know that to stop the Bruins offense, containing this impressive running game is the first priority. However the ground attack isn’t the only way the Bruins can beat a defense.
Hundley is coming off an impressive game last week against Houston in which he threw for a UCLA freshman record 320 yards. He is also leading the nation’s freshmen in touchdowns thrown with 8 on the year.
With stats like these Hundley hasn’t been playing like the freshman he is and coaches, including Riley are noticing.
“I was very impressed (in watching Hundley), you know he’s a young QB in a new system.”
This week will be another test for the not only the Beavers defense, but the offense as well.
The Bruins defense has already racked up seven interceptions on the year. OSU quarterback Sean Mannion will have to try and mirror his turnover free performance that he had against Wisconsin in which he made few mistakes.
Mannion went 29-47 for 276 yards against the Badgers and was in control of the Beavs offense in several key drives.
OSU will look to their running game in the battle of time of possession, in order to keep the ball out of the Bruins hands.
Against Wisconsin the majority of the running came from backs Storm Woods and Malcolm Agnew who both averaged 4 yards a carry.
After putting together nice drives against the Badgers, but failing to reach the end zone except for the lone touchdown in the 2nd half the OSU offense will look to capitalize on scoring opportunities this week.
For the Beavers every game this season will be a big matchup. After a disappointing year in 2011 a win this Saturday against yet another ranked opponent would prove that the Beavers are a force in the Pac-12 and the nation this season.
The Beavers will take on UCLA at 12:30 pm this Saturday, September 22 on ABC. You can hear the pregame Show beginning at 10:30am in Bend on ESPN Radio 940-AM, followed by USC hosting Cal in LA at 7p.
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