Preseason College Football Top 25 Countdown - #15 Oregon State

The college football season is less than three weeks away and as I try to pass the time between watching baseball highlights and Brett Favre speculation, I can't wait for the gridiron action to get started. So, if we can't watch football, we're going to talk football. So let's continue the Preseason College Football Top 25 Countdown.

#15. Oregon State Beavers - While much of the 2010 preseason talk has been focused on the Beavers intrastate rivals, there is reason to be excited about what is going on in Corvallis and all things Rodgers. Brothers Jacquizz and James Rodgers return this season to give Oregon State the best pair of siblings and one of the best RB/WR combos in the nation. Jacquizz finished 2009 with 1,440 yards and 21 TDs on the ground after running for 1,253 yards and 11 TDs in his freshman season. Meanwhile, brother James had 1,034 yards receiving and 303 yards rushing. With several returning starters offensively, the race for playing time has come at the quarterback position. 2009 backup Ryan Katz is fighting in camp with Virginia transfer Peter Lalich.

Defensively, the Beavers return DT Stephen Paea, who was voted the top defensive lineman in the Pac 10 last year. With many other starters returning from last year's defense, including fellow DT Brennan Olander, the Beavers should be toward the top of Pac 10 defenses. But improving their pass rush will be a key as the Beavers were near the bottom of the country in getting after the passer.

Non conference games against TCU, Boise State and Louisville are going to be tough bumps in the road but the games should toughen the Beavers up for what should be a wide open Pac 10 Conference. Luckily for the Beavers, they get USC and Oregon at home.