Week 1: Hornets @ Beavers
The Hornets kickoff the 2011 season with their annual body bag/money game which involves a trip to Corvallis to play a Pac 12 team that has been competitive in their conference the past few seasons.
Offense
From OSU’s media guide, they return 4 of 5 starting offensive linemen, their starting QB Katz, as well as 2 of 3 WR’s. Both of their listed returning WR’s were reported to have injuries so they might not see action during the game. OSU returns one starting RB however it was also reported that he was banged up as well. Their OL isn’t huge; their starting OL averages 298.2 lbs.
Defense
Defensively OSU returns 1 of 4 starting defensive linemen, 1 of 3 starting LB’s, 1 of 2 starting CB’s, and 1 of 2 safeties. This defense lacks experience but being as it is a Pac 12 program I doubt it lacks talent. Their DL has great size. One DT is 334 lbs and both DE’s are about 180 lbs. Something to watch will be their returning starter at RE against a new Hornet LT. 2 of their LB’s have experience although only one is a returning starter so I don’t think there will be much of a drop off for them there. Their secondary could be suspect as they will be breaking in a new LCB and a safety.
Special Teams
On special teams they return their punter and long snapper. They do not have a kicker named in the media guide so that could be an issue for OSU.
The Beavers have quite a bit of questions marks on both sides of the ball and given the injuries that are being reported; this game could be a lot closer than people may think. Ultimately this is still a Pac 12 program with Pac 12 talent, speed, and depth and I think OSU will prevail because of those advantages. Here is what I am hoping to see from the Hornets this weekend:
Go Hornets!
The Hornets kickoff the 2011 season with their annual body bag/money game which involves a trip to Corvallis to play a Pac 12 team that has been competitive in their conference the past few seasons.
Offense
From OSU’s media guide, they return 4 of 5 starting offensive linemen, their starting QB Katz, as well as 2 of 3 WR’s. Both of their listed returning WR’s were reported to have injuries so they might not see action during the game. OSU returns one starting RB however it was also reported that he was banged up as well. Their OL isn’t huge; their starting OL averages 298.2 lbs.
Defense
Defensively OSU returns 1 of 4 starting defensive linemen, 1 of 3 starting LB’s, 1 of 2 starting CB’s, and 1 of 2 safeties. This defense lacks experience but being as it is a Pac 12 program I doubt it lacks talent. Their DL has great size. One DT is 334 lbs and both DE’s are about 180 lbs. Something to watch will be their returning starter at RE against a new Hornet LT. 2 of their LB’s have experience although only one is a returning starter so I don’t think there will be much of a drop off for them there. Their secondary could be suspect as they will be breaking in a new LCB and a safety.
Special Teams
On special teams they return their punter and long snapper. They do not have a kicker named in the media guide so that could be an issue for OSU.
The Beavers have quite a bit of questions marks on both sides of the ball and given the injuries that are being reported; this game could be a lot closer than people may think. Ultimately this is still a Pac 12 program with Pac 12 talent, speed, and depth and I think OSU will prevail because of those advantages. Here is what I am hoping to see from the Hornets this weekend:
- • No injuries to key players
• An offense that can avoid turnovers, show some life and move the ball against an inexperience defense
• No injuries to key players
• A defense that can make some stops and force some punts, maybe even create a few turnovers
• No injuries to key players
• Punt and kick coverage that will not allow a big return
• No injuries to key players
• Punt and kick return teams that can generate good field position
• And finally and most importantly no injuries to key players :dead:
Go Hornets!
