The Beavers head to Provo, Utah to face a stingy BYU Cougar defense without their conference leading QB, Sean Mannion. Cody Vaz will get his first career start in a nationally televised affair at 12:30 on ABC. The Beavers aren't the only team without their starting quarterback, BYU's Riley Nelson is back from a back injury and steps into the starting role vacated by Taysom Hill who is out the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Here is who BeaverBlitz feels holds the positional advantages in Saturday's match up, set to be broadcast on ABC regional with kick off at 12:30 pm.
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BYU COUGARS	EDGE	OREGON STATE BEAVERS
SECONDARY		PASSING ATTACK
If you're looking for a weakness in the Cougar defense, it's hard to find. The Cougar secondary is allowing just 169.83 yards per game and has recorded four interceptions on the season. The 9.1 yards per completion is impressive as well but the Cougar secondary has allowed opponents to complete 112 passes, far more than any top 30 ranked passing defense. BYU has allowed only two passing touchdowns. Preston Hadley leads the unit with 33 tackles and one sack. Three of the four INT's have come from the secondary.		The biggest question heading into Saturday's game will be: How does Cody Vaz respond? Vaz is a veteran with little game time experience, but has the arm and know-how to be successful. What will help him are the two stars on the outside, Markus Wheaton and Brandin Cooks who are both top-10 nationally in receiving yards per game and have the ability to get deep on any secondary. Ball security and playing fast will be key for Vaz in order to keep the passing game clicking at the impressive 339.5 yards per game - 8th nationally.
LINEBACKERS		GROUND ATTACK
OSU gets yet another set of athletically gifted and incredibly aggressive linebackers. Texas native Brandon Ogletree (Sr.) leads the unit with 49 takles (best on the team) and has six tackles for loss. Junior 'backers Spencer Hadley and Kyle VanNoy are extremely disruptive and can run down any QB in the open field. The two have combined for 10 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss. This trio, along with USC transfer Uona Kaveinga is the best unit that OSU has seen thus far this season. Oh yeah, and a familiar face wears #41, Uani Unga, former Beaver and brother of OSU starting MLB Feti Taumoepeau.		...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial

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