text: Cougars Vs. Beavers - Who Has The Edge? - NBC Right Now/KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA |Member Center:Create Account|Log InManage Account|Log Out
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  Posted: Friday, October 11, 2013 12:21 AM EDT
  Updated: Friday, October 11, 2013 3:03 PM EDT
  Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion is only a junior, but why does it feel like he's a 6th year
  senior? The numbers are probably part of the reason. He's caught fire in his first five games of the season, throwing for a Pac-12 leading 403.6 yards per game and a remarkable 21 touchdown passes. The junior is
  completing two-thirds of his passes, and in a total of 238 attempts he's only thrown two interceptions.
  Halliday is at the top of the Pac-12 for interceptions, throwing ten picks in six games. Connor
  can throw with the best of them, but an ill-advised throw has become too common when watching the Cougars. A decision like that versus the Beavers could make the difference. It certainly did last year, when OSU picked off Halliday three times, leading to a Jeff Tuel appearance, and an eventual WSU loss.
  hard to look past Oregon State here mostly because of Brandin Cooks. The junior leads the Pac-12 in receiving touchdowns with nine, receptions per game with 10.4, and receiving yards per game with 161.4. Compare that to the top Cougar wide receiver Gabe Marks. The sophomore averages 6.8 receptions and 79.7 yards per game. Cooks nearly doubles that.
  Beavers might have the top two, but anyone on the receiving end of a Connor Halliday pass can be a threat. A prime example is WSU's Vince Mayle. The freshman only has 11 receptions this season, but four of those have gone for touchdowns, including a 72 yard touchdown pass last Saturday against Cal.
  biggest thing when you compares these numbers is that OSU has only played in five games, while WSU has played in six. The Cougars lead the Pac-12 in interceptions with nine on the year. The Cougar defense has also forced five fumbles, 11 sacks, and 40 tackles for loss.
  game less, Oregon State ranks second in the Pac-12 with eight interceptions, along with a fumble, 12 sacks, and 36 tackles for loss.
  terms of leaders, safety Deone Bucannon anchors the Cougar defense, while the Beavers also have a safety leading their charge with junior Tyrequek Zimmerman. Both players lead their team in tackles, with Bucannon tied atop the Pac-12 with four interceptions.
  OSU's Zimmerman though, his teammate Steven Nelson has also picked off four balls in just five games and lineman Scott Krichton averages about two tackles for loss per game.
  paper this game looks like it will be a high-scoring affair with little
  things making the difference. Special teams could be that difference with a return for a touchdown or field goals.
  In terms of kickers, it's WSU's Andrew Furney versus OSU's Trevor Romain. Furney has made 8-10 for FG's,
  including 5-6 from 40 yards plus. While for the Beavers, Romain is 6-8 for FG's, going just 1-3 from kicks 40 yards or longer. Furney also struck a perfect 23-23 on PAT's, compared to Romain's 22-23.
  returns, neither team has a return for a touchdown this season, but as a
  team WSU holds a slight yards advantage in kickoff returns and punt returns.
  have to factor in the home field at Martin Stadium, and as of Thursday Washington State was favored by a point over Oregon State. Overall, I think the edge goes slightly to the Beavers though, mostly because of Mannion. Expect a big specials teams play from WSU, possibly coming from