Cappers Buzz

Under 42.5 Ore/OSU

RB Stewart is the last remaining weapon on the Oregon Duck offense, and he will try to play through turf toe against the nation’s #1 rushing defense, OSU.  The Beavers allow a miniscule 1.9ypr, and rank #13 in the nation in total defense at 310 ypg and 4.5 ypplay.  Those numbers go up only slightly and are still a very good 4.7 ypplay and 332ypg in conference play against the excellent Pac 10 offenses.  The Ducks are without at least 3 and possibly 4 of their top 5 WR’s, and their 4th and 5th QB will share time here.  Daunting task against the OSU defense, which is also 3rd in the nation with 41 sacks.  Oregon gained only 160 yds las week against UCLA, and I expect more of the same here without Dennis Dixon and company.  Worth noting that Stewart’s backup RB, talented RB Jeremiah Johnson, is also out of the lineup.  Mike Belotti’s hands are simply tied here, but the Civil War still means everything to this team, so I expect him to play ultra conservative on offense, doing everything he can to win this game with field position.  His defense is not on the same level of OSU’s but is not chopped liver, and OSU has their own offensive issues as they average only 4.6 ypplay in conference play (second worst in the league only to Stanford), and is without their do it all RB, Benard.  Constant rain and wind in the forecast should help our cause as well.   OSU 17-16.