No. 24 Oregon State (1-1) at No. 3 Boise State (2-0), 8 p.m. (ABC)
Line: Boise State by 17 1/2.
Series Record: Oregon State leads 4-2.
Last Meeting: 2006, Boise State won 42-14.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
This could be the most talented team left on Boise State’s schedule. After hosting Oregon State, the Broncos enter a lull in their schedule with their next major test likely to come at the end of November with games against Fresno State and at Nevada. Oregon State would love to make up for their opening loss against TCU by taking out the other non-automatic qualifier threatening to bust the BCS. The Broncos have won 56 straight regular-season games at home.
KEY MATCHUP
RB Jacquizz Rodgers vs. Boise State front seven. Boise State’s underrated defense held Virginia Tech running back Ryan Williams to 44 yards rushing in the opener, then stymied Wyoming into minus-21 yards on the ground last week. But the Broncos have yet to face someone with the shiftiness or versatility of Rodgers. As a freshman, he had 213 combined yards and two touchdowns in an upset of then-No. 1 USC.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Oregon State: WR James Rodgers. The pass catching Rodgers’ brother was relatively quiet in the Beavers first two games. Against TCU, James had four catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. Louisville did an even better job, holding Rodgers to three catches for 27 yards. Last year Rodgers had 11 catches in his third game. Seems like Rodgers is due for another breakout game.
Boise State: WR Austin Pettis. He was benched last week against Wyoming after somersaulting into the end zone on a 58-yard touchdown reception. Coach Chris Petersen didn’t take too kindly to Pettis’ display, sitting the lanky senior who caught the game-winning score against Virginia Tech.
FACTS & FIGURES
Oregon State painted one of its practice fields blue this week in preparation for blue turf in Boise. … Beavers have won three of last four games against teams ranked in the top five in AP Top 25 – all Pac-10 foes. … ESPN’s College GameDay will broadcast from Boise on Saturday morning, on the blue field at Bronco Stadium. First time popular telecast has visited. … Latest home opener for Boise State since 1969 when Broncos hosted Whitworth College on Sept. 27. Boise State was in second year of being a four-year school.
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