Oregon State Beavers: Showing the BCS World Why Games Are Played

The University of Southern California was the undisputed best team in the nation. They received virtually every No. 1 vote in the AP poll last week. But Mike Reilly, coach of the Oregon State Beavers, must have thought his team had a chance, creating the perfect game-plan as a supposedly inferior opponent. After all, Penn State had just defeated the Beavers by 31 points. How could an upset ever be possible? At a different venue, in Corvallis, Ore., it all became possible. The legs of freshman running back Jacquizz Rodgers shredded through the USC defensive line, perhaps the most physical defense in all of college football. But it was possible. USC's defense broke down and is in shambles, especially with the injury of star linebacker Ray Maualuga. His injury came late in the game, but it will be the most haunting loss for the Trojans as they go on. Eight teams in the Top Five lost last year and this is the first casualty for the 2008 season. But it wasn't possible, right? Down 21-0 at ... (link)