Oregon State is coming to town next year replace Arkansas State. And no offense to the Indians but the Beavers are much more useful BCS computer stats wise, and competition wise for the Nittany Lions. Oregon State is (8-4), third in the Pac-10 behind only USC and Arizona State. The Indians are from the Sun Belt, is 5-7 and plays more directional schools than the SEC. So you can see how the Nittany faithful is overjoyed with the replacement even if its not a major opponent. Losing to Oregon State isn't exactly the same backbreaker as losing to a Sun Belt school. The Beavers did beat #2 Cal at Cal so they aren't exactly the pushovers people put them out to be.
Oregon State is 8-4 this season under Coach Mike Riley, finishing third in the Pac-10 standings with a 6-3 record. The Beavers won six of their final seven games, including a 38-31 overtime win over No. 17 Oregon in the Civil War, as well as a victory at then-No. 2 California. Oregon State is playing Maryland in the Emerald Bowl on Dec. 28. In 2006, Oregon State knocked off No. 3 Southern California en route to a 10-4 record, culminated by a 39-38 win over Missouri in the Sun Bowl.
 Now that would make 2 interesting opponents on the Lion's schedule next year. With the Beavers coming to town and the Syracuse Orange game scheduled, we just moved a few spots up the toughest schedule list. Don't feel too bad for Arkansas State. They replaced Penn State with Alabama which should be a much more even matchup.
Now how do we get Penn State to kick Coastal Carolina off our schedule next year? |