| 02 September 2010
It's getting closer and closer to kickoff.
The college football season is just two days away now. In Corvallis, Jacquizz and James Rodgers are simply ready to get this season started at last, growing understandably weary of all the media attention and Heisman Trophy talk. The ultimate goal for the Beavers this season is the Rose Bowl, according to Quizz, and his coaches believe he has the work ethic to take this Beavers squad to the next level.
The OSU offense looks ready.New quarterback Ryan Katz has a knack for coming out swinging. But the defense is, well, a bit of a mess right now. Cameron Collins is moving from safety to outside linebacker this season, partiality in an attempt to ward off a nagging groin injury. The thinking here is that Collins won't be asked to make cuts at high speeds and open up his stride to keep up with faster players, a requirement for defensive backs. This move to linebacker won't exactly be a move that allows for a groin to heal, and we shouldn't be too surprised if Collins needs to miss a game or two after the opener against TCU on Saturday.
The buzz around the Ducks' opener has been comparatively quiet, as they prepare to face New Mexico on Saturday in Autzen Stadium. The Ducks should win this one going away. The quarterback position as been talk of the town in Eugene, where Darron Thomas has been named the starter and Nate Costa the backup. With this powerful team, though, whoever's under center just needs to be steady. That might be easier said than done, because expectations are high in Eugene, and some are calling this the most hyped season since the days of Joey Harrington. New Mexico should be a nice warmup for Thomas and the Ducks.
Former Beaver Derek Anderson may have taken Matt Leinart's job down in Arizona. Anderson, whose most productive year in four NFL seasons came in 2007-2008 for the Cleveland Browns, has been inconsistent in training camp and preseason, but the Cardinals organization appears ready to cut ties with former USC star Leinart. Arizona has a potent wide receiver duo in Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston, and two solid running backs to share the load in the backfield, Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells. This could be a big break in Anderson's career if he plays it right.
The other Beavers football -- soccer -- is underway this week, too, and OSU defeated Missouri-Kansas City 2-0 yesterday in its season opener.
Ducks volleyball coach Jim Moore picked up his 100th victory yesterday at McArthur Court, and he provided us with one of the most humble quotes probably heard from a coach in a long time: "All it means is that I've had good players". The 18th-ranked Ducks beat Florida Gulf Coast to improve to 4-0 this season.
Speaking of coaches, OSU men's basketball coach Craig Robinson has a lot of young talent in his gym this fall. The Oregonian's Paul Buker took a look at a light workout in Gill yesterday, and he's one of many people impressed with the talent on Robinson's team. Buker's absolutely correct about Joe "Big Baby" Burton. The sophomore power forward is going to turn some heads this season and looks like he's slimmed down. The man to watch in Corvallis could be Calvin Haynes, who sat down with Beyond the Beat recently to discuss his offseason workouts and the upcoming season.
The Blazers' Rudy Fernandez led Spain to an 89-67 victory over Canada earlier today. Be sure to check out Ben Golliver's analysis of Rudy's game against Lithuania. Nic Batum continues to look fantastic for the French team. But, that doesn't surprise anyone.
The Portland Timbers officially welcomed their first sponser today, when it was announced Alaska Airlines will be the title sponser for their new MLS kits next season. With a kit sponser in place, the team still awaits their new stadium.
photo: ap
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