High praise for football’s next opponent

Oregon State University is gearing up to play the best team in the conference this Saturday.

According to Washington State University head coach Paul Wulff, at least.

After taking a 30-7 shellacking last Saturday at the hands of Cal, Wulff said this about the Golden Bears: "They are the best looking football team that I have seen in this conference, period."

A bold statement considering Cal is just 5-4, and the win over the Cougars was just their second in conference. Not to mention, Washington State has already faced both Stanford and Oregon this year, and lost to both. But nope, Cal is apparently the best Wulff's squad has played.

The Beavers do have a good recent history in games with the Golden Bears. OSU has won its last five meetings in Berkeley (although Saturday's game will be at AT&T Park in San Francisco), and also easily took care of business last year in Corvallis, winning 35-7.

"It always seems hard," said head coach Mike Riley. "They are always a good, well-coached team. It's going to be no different this time."

Looking back at their successful last couple of years against Cal isn't going to cut it for the Beavers right now, as their situation is much different, being 2-7.

"I think that every year is a new year," Riley said. "I don't think that you can put too much stock in the past."

Cal and Oregon State rank numbers one and  two, respectively, in pass defense in the conference. OSU's second-ranked unit will possibly have their biggest test this week with Cal wide receivers Keenan Allen and Marvin Jones. Both receivers are on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List.

"They're both quick," said junior cornerback Jordan Poyer. "They run really good routes."

Allen, still only a sophomore, has had a remarkable season so far. He has caught 75 passes (sixth nationally) for 1,074 yards (seventh) and five touchdowns.

"[Allen] is a fantastic athlete," Riley said. "Not only our defensive coaches are talking about him, so is our special teams coach. They have a lot of athletes, he's one of the best."

If Allen weren't across from him on the field, senior Marvin Jones would be a legitimate number one receiver at most schools. He has 43 receptions for 629 yards and three touchdowns.

Then on the other side of the ball, OSU's offense will need to step up their game against Cal's top-ranked pass defense.

For redshirt freshman quarterback Sean Mannion, playing on the road against this unit will be a challenge.

"I think it's a big test," Riley said. "I think that those pass defensive statistics have a lot to do with pressure. Therein lies the crucial part. Can we protect him long enough to throw the ball? And then can our receivers get open?"

Getting those opportunities to have longer protection in the pocket for Mannion and time for receivers to open will be null if the running game disappears like it has so many times.

"It's very frustrating," said freshman tailback Malcolm Agnew. "I feel like we always talk about being a balanced team, and if we can't get the run game going, it throws us off completely."

The game against Cal begins the run of OSU's last three games against the top three defenses in the conference.

This Saturday may be Oregon State's best chance to get another win this season, but it'll take an improved rushing attack, a superb performance by the secondary.

Warner Strausbaugh, sports writer

sports@dailybarometer.com