Beavers & Broncos: What's There To Lose?

With Oregon State's impending trip to Boise this Saturday, most of the talk is centered around the Broncos making a run for their third straight undefeated regular season... if they can knock off the Beavers. Do it in style, and maybe a win can propel them to the National Championship game. Talk about pressure.

Over in Corvallis, the only national publicity has been towards the painting of the practice field in "preparation" for the blue turf in Bronco Stadium. Contrary to what Boise State coach Chris Peterson said, it looks like the Beavers have them right where they want them.

By clearing the hurdle against Virginia Tech, Boise knew in the back of their minds that their last real test would be at home against the Beavers. Now the pressure is on to come through, not only with a win, but a big win. A touchdown win won't cut it. Hell, not even a three touchdown win would satisfy the voters. An absolute blowout is the only way the Broncos could even fathom making a case for a finish in the top two in the polls if they were to end the season unbeaten. As well as pasting everyone in their path as well.

Oregon State, on the other hand, has everything to gain and nothing to lose. Sure, the program has suffered some devastating and humiliating losses away from home on national television in the last five years or so. But a loss in Boise doesn't knock the Beavers out of the Rose Bowl hunt. It doesn't crush their National Title dreams (which were never there in the first place). A loss only manufactures another "slow" start to a Mike Riley coached Beaver squad, and being overlooked when Pac-10 play gets fully under way. Of course there will be slightly higher concerns if the Beavs are indeed blown out, but all in all the consequences are not nearly as dire as they would be in Boise.

While most college football fans around the nation outside of Boise (and potentially Eugene) will be pulling for the Beavers to end the talks of a WAC team going to Glendale for the whole ball of wax, only one team's season can truly be ruined with a loss. And it isn't the team that painted their practice field blue.