Oregon State @ Boise State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2006 ) Oregon State 14, Boise State 42

Oregon State painted one of its green grass practice fields blue in hopes of simulating Boise State’s famous Blue Turf.

Meanwhile, Boise State is relishing the fact that ESPN’s popular College GameDay show will be on campus to preview the program’s first-ever Saturday regular-season game shown nationally on network television.

The tasty subplots are just an appetizer for the main entrée as the No. 3 Broncos meet the Beavers in a highly anticipated showdown at Bronco Stadium on Saturday night.

Boise State (2-0) is eyeing an undefeated season and a berth in the BCS National Championship Game and could use a resounding victory over the Pac-10 Beavers to strengthen those aspirations. Oregon State (1-1) is the toughest foe the Broncos will face the rest of the season.

The Broncos defeated Virginia Tech on Labor Day and walloped Wyoming last Saturday to increase their winning streak to 16 consecutive games. However, Boise State’s season-opening victory over the Hokies was diminished when Virginia Tech was upset by James Madison five days later.

Oregon State (1-1) lost its opener to Texas Christian before defeating Louisville last Saturday. The Beavers were predicted to finish third in the Pac-10 preseason poll.

Boise State has won 56 straight regular-season home games dating back to a 2001 loss to Washington State, hence Oregon State’s ploy of painting a practice field blue in hopes of helping acclimate its players to the famous surface.

Oregon State is winless in two previous visits (2004, 2006) to Boise. Overall, Oregon State leads the series 4-2.

Both teams have star power on offense. The Beavers are led by the Rodgers’ brothers and Boise State’s leader is quarterback Kellen Moore, the junior Heisman Trophy candidate.

Moore has passed for 585 yards and five touchdowns this season with two top targets in Austin Pettis (nine receptions for 161 yards and three TDs) and Titus Young (10-171-1). Pettis has 33 career touchdowns and Young has caught at least one pass in 32 straight games.

The Broncos average 515.5 yards per game. Boise State’s running game is also potent – the Broncos are averaging 221.5 yards per game with Doug Martin (188 yards) leading the way.

Oregon State’s defense has been shaky, giving up 453 yards per game. The Beavers are allowing 221.5 on the ground and 231.5 passing.

The Beavers’ offense is led by junior running back Jacquizz Rodgers, who needs just 100 yards to become the fourth Oregon State back with 3,000 career rushing yards. His older brother James, a senior, leads the nation in all-purpose yards (226.5).

Jacquizz is tied for third among active college players with 38 career touchdowns while James has at least one catch in 31 straight games.

Boise State is second nationally in defending the run, allowing just 53.5 yards per game.

Oregon State quarterback Ryan Katz is completing 47.1 percent of his passes with four touchdowns. He hasn’t been intercepted.

Boise State’s defense has seven sacks with defensive lineman Shea McClellin leading the way with 2.5 but McClellin is recovering from a concussion suffered against Wyoming. Oregon State defensive tackle Stephen Paea, forecast to be a high draft pick in April’s NFL Draft, has seven tackles and one of Oregon State’s two sacks.