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FACTS & STATS: Site: Reser Stadium (43,000) -- Corvallis, Oregon. Television: Versus. Home Record: Arizona 2-0, Oregon St. 1-1. Away Record: Arizona 0-1, Oregon St. 1-0. Neutral Record: Arizona 0-0, Oregon St. 0-0. Conference Record: Arizona 0-0, Oregon St. 0-0. Series Record: Arizona leads, 20-10-1.

GAME NOTES: Pac-10 foes collide in Corvallis on Saturday, as the Oregon State Beavers host the Arizona Wildcats.

Arizona opened the season with an impressive victory over a strong Central Michigan squad, and improved to 2-0 the following week. Unfortunately, the Wildcats couldn't continue their winning ways this past weekend, as they fell to Iowa on the road by a 27-17 final. This Saturday's game marks the Pac-10 opener for both Arizona and Oregon State, so the intensity will be at a peak. The Wildcats are led by Mike Stoops, who has shown obvious signs of turning around a program that was in horrendous shape when he took over six years ago.

Like Arizona, Oregon State won its first two games before falling last weekend by 10 points. The Beavers, unlike the Wildcats, lost at home, as Cincinnati got the job done in Corvallis by a 28-18 final. The non-league schedule is finished for OSU, which will strictly play Pac-10 foes from this point on. Mike Riley's group is considered a threat, especially after a surprising win over USC last year.

Arizona owns a 20-10-1 series advantage over Oregon State, but the Beavers won the most recent meeting, 19-17, in Tucson last season.

Arizona is averaging 23.3 ppg and 420.0 total ypg through the first three outings of this season. The Wildcats have done most of their damage with the ground attack, which accounts for 253.0 ypg on a staggering average of 6.4 yards per attempt. Nic Grigsby has carried the ball 49 times for 400 yards and three touchdowns, and he has a 94-yard touchdown run to his credit. Matt Scott has started all three games at quarterback and has taken the majority of snaps for 'Zona. He has completed 57.8 percent of his passes for 402 yards with three interceptions and one touchdown. Nick Foles has been much more efficient in limited duty, tossing two scores against no picks. It will be interesting to see how Stoops uses his quarterbacks this weekend. Terrell Turner leads the 'Cats with 12 catches, but he is more of a possession receiver than a vertical threat. Unfortunately, Arizona managed only eight first downs and 253 total yards en route to 17 points against Iowa. The Wildcats got shaky play from Scott, and Grigsby simply didn't touch the ball enough.

The fact that Arizona is only allowing only 16.7 ppg and 248.7 total ypg speaks to the solid play of the defense thus far. The Wildcats are yielding a mere 91.3 rushing yards per contest on an average of 3.4 yards per attempt by foes. The pass defense has been equally impressive, as 'Zona is surrendering 8.1 yards per completion. Vuna Tuihalamaka and Devin Ross are tied for the team lead with 19 tackles apiece, while Cam Nelson and Xavier Kelley have posted 17 stops each. As for Trevin Wade, he has recorded three of the teams four interceptions. All three touchdowns scored by Iowa against Arizona came on drives of at least 70 yards, so the defense certainly did not put forth its best effort. The Hawkeyes had possession of the ball for over 37 minutes, as the 'Cats simply couldn't get off the field.

Oregon State is averaging 25.0 ppg and 386.3 total ypg this season, and the most feared player on offense for the Beavers is definitely Jacquizz Rodgers. In the victory over USC last season, Rodgers showed the college football world that he is capable of dominating a game despite his slight 5-7, 191-pound frame. Through three games this season, Rodgers has rushed for 342 yards and five touchdowns while also catching 19 passes. James Rodgers is tops with 233 receiving yards and two scores, and quarterback Sean Canfield has three passing scores to his credit. Opponents have logged 10 sacks against Oregon State, so the offensive line has room for improvement in regard to pass protection. The fact that OSU scored only 18 points against Cincinnati last weekend suggests that the offense didn't get the job done. Jacquizz Rodgers was held to 73 rushing yards and 19 yards on five catches. James Rodgers caught the ball 11 times, but those connections resulted in just 90 yards. Clearly, the Bearcats prevented the Beavers from getting into the open field.

Defensively, Oregon State is allowing 18.7 ppg and 356.3 total ypg, respectable numbers by most standards. The Beavers have been outstanding against the run, as foes are gaining a mere 78.3 ypg on the ground on an average of 3.2 ypc. The pass defense hasn't been nearly as good, however, as teams are throwing for 278.0 ypg against Oregon State. With just two sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries, there have not been a wealth of big plays made by the defense. Keaton Kristick has made 22 tackles for OSU to lead the club, and he has an interception to his credit as well as a fumble recovery. The Beavers allowed 408 total yards to an explosive Cincinnati team last week, including some lengthy drives that resulted in touchdowns. Oregon State only came up with one takeaway and simply couldn't do enough to hold the Bearcats in check.

Expect a close game from start to finish on Saturday, and give a narrow edge to Oregon State. Jacquizz Rodgers will be the best player on the field for either team.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Oregon State 28, Arizona 20