Oregon State Beavers vs (20)Pittsburgh U Panthers
2:00 PM ET, December 31, 2008
Sun Bowl , El Paso , TX
CBS
Spread:  Oregon State -2.5
Total:  53

My Pick:  Both teams are run heavy, the Beavers’ Jacquizz Rodgers with 1250 yds and 11 TD’s and the Panthers’ LeSean McCoy with 1400 yds and 21 TD’s will be the headliners.  Each team could have had a shot at a BCS bowl, but in the end it was their defenses that failed them.  Oregon State’s D in particular will have to show up and force Pitt to pass, if they cannot shut down McCoy its going to be a long day for them.  While the Beavers like to run, they can also air it out and I doubt QB Lyle Moevao will hold back when looking for his main target WR Sammie Stroughter who is averaging 14.9 yards a catch.  Again it all comes down to defense and Pitt’s has just been giving up less points.  I think the Panthers have turned it around enough that they could control the tempo of the game by running and let their defense do their job.  Oregon State is favored because of the pass threat, but their defense is lacking.  I say take the points, take the Panthers.

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