Offenses Ready to Light up Las Vegas

So it is that we find the Las Vegas tourism folks smacking themselves in the head once again for linking with a conference that includes member institution BYU. Fear not, as the fine Oregon folk are also set to invade town representing their Oregon State Beavers. Neither fan base is likely to set the bars and casino floors afire in the great American Gomorrah, but they should be witness to a compelling football game.

The nation should rejoice that unlike in 2008, we will actually be witness to the Rodgers brothers, James and Jacquizz in a bowl game. Both members of Oregon's Electric Mighty-Mite Orchestra missed last year's Sun Bowl, a rancid affair claimed by Oregon State 3-0 over Pitt.

With them, Oregon State should move the dials a bit and they will get strong backing from surging All-Pac-10 quarterback Sean Canfield. The lefty shredded Oregon (and USC, and seemingly everyone else) in nearly leading the Beavers into the Rose Bowl.

The Beavers' defense isn't bad but did hemorrhage points to Cincinnati (28), Arizona (37), Stanford (28), USC (42) and Oregon (37). Those are all bowl teams, so do the math as BYU and its offense prep for this Western tussle.

Arizona State transfer Max Hall has done well in the legacy of Cougar passers, racking up over 10,000 yards in the air and 91 touchdowns in just over three seasons of work. His 300-yard effort in a week one victory over Oklahoma changed college football's championship race from the start, although he couldn't overcome Florida State's unexpected offensive explosion a few weeks later and was later handcuffed by TCU's great defense. Everywhere else he's been mostly brilliant and should find healthy opportunities against the Beavers' 87th ranked pass defense.

With two qualified offenses that's where to look first, especially with a pair of established senior quarterbacks on the field. Both coaches should know well enough to ride their star passers. Oregon State will have a slight talent edge, but nothing too significant especially as one of the perennially least talented Pac-10 teams going up against a Mountain West power.

One deciding factor in bowl games is often motivation, and its dubious for both teams. BYU bombed in last year's Las Vegas bowl against a fired up Arizona program, thanks in part to it being their fourth consecutive appearance there. It was a classic been-there-done-that showing and we could see more of the same here. That said, the Beavers saw their shot at a Rose Bowl disappear in the waning minutes against rival Oregon and they fell from perhaps the Holiday Bowl to the less prestigious Las Vegas Bowl. Neither side is likely thrilled with the matchup and we could see this decided by whoever comes out of the fog of disappointment first and puts up a fight.

In a close one we'll take a flier on Mike Riley getting his team a little more up for this one and playing well behind three really solid offensive pieces in Canfield and the Rodgers brothers.