Regarding refs and petitions: for those who think it's stupid to write petitions, yet didn't like the calls, take a look in the mirror and ask what you're doing about it. For those who had no issues with the calls, you're the reason Oregon State had a "third tier" ranking until this most recent year. For those who confused our "bitching" of senseless and dangerous plays with judgment calls such as pass interference or holding…all I can say is the world needs ditch diggers. The petition is justified, even if nothing comes of it. There will likely be more of them in the future, too, so get used to it. We take action around here when there's injustice to our team or danger to our players.

Okay, off the soap box. Moving on…

Fans are complaining that the Beavers are ranked #24. Some are even calling it an anti-Boise State conspiracy.

I'm going to throw some numbers at you. Keep in mind there are 120 FBS teams when reading over them.

1. The Beavers have scored 140 points this year and given up 150.

2. The Beavers are 82nd in total offense and 94th in rushing offense.

3. The Beavers are 113th in total defense and 90th in scoring defense.

4. The Beavers are 102nd in defensive passing efficiency. Opposing QBs have a 145 rating versus OSU.

5. The Beavers are 118th in defensive third down conversion percentage. Opponents convert 55% of third downs. Just for a reference, TCU is #1 and allows 22%.

If you look at the stats, no other teams in the top 25 are ranked so poorly in key indicators (of great teams). So, factor in that the Beavs have played a tougher schedule than anyone else, and what you have is a fair rating. I'm not convinced the Beavers would beat the #22 team in the country (Florida). Are you? Only one other team in the top 25 has two losses, and none have given up more points than they've scored. In other words, after considering SOS, anywhere from #21 to #24 would be about right. The Beavers excellent return game has masked defensive problems. The pollsters were astute to note this and got it right.

Okay, on to the win over Arizona…

What can I say without beating a dead horse? The offense was genuinely fun to watch. The defense gave up 550 yards and missed a lot of tackles. Brandin Hardin likes to flex and do the "incomplete pass" motion when he's within five yards of a WR who drops an easy pass. Awkward.

Do you guys want to say anything else about it? I don't. Oh wait, yeah I do: Keith Pankey is a WAC linebacker.

ACL tear. It's official.

The good news: OSU received word that he does qualify for a medical hardship and will be back next season. I'm not much for the sentimental stuff, but it will be nice to see James and Quizz end their careers together.

Until then, there's a season to finish. How do you guys see it affecting the Beavers?

My opinion:

1. The depth chart takes the biggest hit. Can’t afford to lose another receive now or Catchings moves to full duty, and that is frightening. Wheaton has come into his own and should play at the level of Rodgers.

2. Having two vertical WRs puts a ton of pressures on a secondary and opens up everything from the run to the TE over the middle. That's a luxury the Beavs lost moments after they found it.

Overall it's a wash since Wheaton is playing as well as James. The loss is in what could have been had both been on the field together.

As of yesterday, Wheaton is indispensable.

Use this post for your in-game comments, frustrations, ecstasy, etc.

Regarding the game, anyone else getting the feeling the Beavers are on the cusp of actually being good? I almost want to go against my prediction, and I would were it not for the coaching staff. Meaning, I don't trust the coaches will have the right players on the field at the start of the game, which will cost them points. One other thing: Arizona hasn't yet earned my respect. They have a lofty rating, but do any of us who follow the PAC-10 truely believe Arizona is the 9th best team in the country? Eh. I think they're more in the 25 range.

I've got some gin ready just in-case. Warren, you drink a Shirley Temple.

Go Beavs.

Usually I like to wait until Wednesday to do an analysis. It gives me time to read about the teams, players, etc and watch film. Lucky for me, when I came home for lunch today the Arizona/Cal game was on replay, and I pretty much saw all I need to know.

What surprised me is how much trouble Nick Foles has throwing deep passes. For some reason, I thought he could sling it, but most of his passes go to wide receivers in the flat. Arizona loves the yards after catch. Their formula seems to be throw a pass in the flat on 1st down and hope for at least 5 yards. It seems like they did that every play. And thinking back to last year when Foles torched the Beavs, I seem to remember a lot of horizontal passing. They have a lot of "2nd and short" because of it. I'm not sure how I feel about the Beavs defending that type of pass. One thing I know: Foles doesn't take many seven step drops, and that's going to negate the Beavs' new-found pass rush.

The game will be decided by the Beavers defense, and it will come down to making sound, fundamental, one on one tackles in open space, in the flat. Now that Collins is manning half that area, I can feel comfortable if Arizona decides to go there. Starting Doctor as the other OLB would be a wise move. Paea & Co are going to have to do their damage in defending the run game. There won't be any sacks to be had with Arizona's 3 step drops. What you want to see from the front four is penetration and tackles for a loss on run plays. Grigsby is a solid runner, but injuries seemed to have left him less explosive.

On the offensive side of the ball, I'm concerned. Arizona's stats are inflated due to their first two opponents, but watching them versus Cal they can get after a DI offensive line, and Golden is a good corner. It's a precarious combination–Katz probably throws his first career interception this weekend.

Some key points:

• The Wildcats aren't an offensive juggernaut; the Beavers have a leaky defense.

Advantage: Wildcats

• The Beavers can score; Arizona can play defense.

Advantage: None/Stalemate.

• The Beavs return game (i.e. special teams) is playing out of their minds' right now.

Advantage: Beavers

So, to me this game comes down to (a) the Beavers' defense, specifically in the flat and (b) whether or not the return men can create good field position for the offense. The offense needs a short field.

Oregon State's confidence is riding high right now, which can tilt the scale. However, the Wildcats can match that confidence, and have other intangibles in their favor, such as two weeks preparation and a 4pm kickoff, the hottest part of the day.

I see this contest coming down to the wire. Do not be surprised to see the game go to overtime, or won/lost on a last second field goal or missed extra point. It's a pick 'em game, in my opinion, and I'm begrudgingly giving the edge to the home team.

24-23, Arizona