The Beavers ranked last nationally among the 117 Division I teams by averaging just 70.7 yards per game.

And, oh, by the way, Oregon State needs to find a new quarterback to replace record setter Derek Anderson.

Besides that the Beavers are in great shape offensively.

Not many believe answers will be found any time soon as the Pac-10 media voted Oregon State to finish in seventh place.

Receiver Mike Hass says things are not as bad as it looks.

"Of course I think we are a lot better," Hass said. " We can't dwell on that. Seventh is pretty low. I think we are better than that."

There is a three way battle for the starting tailback position with Yvenson Bernard just ahead of Jimtavis Walker and Patrick Fuller.

Who gets the job will be determined. Quarterback Matt Moore, formerly of UCLA, has the starting position under center.

"We looked back at Matt in high school and at UCLA, we felt he could be a top competitor at that position," Oregon State coach Mike Riley said. "That is why we went forward. He has the ability to throw the ball, and he has the ability to move around and make plays that don't always look so good. He has the talent and that is why I chose him to be No. 1."

THE BEAVERS WILL GO 7-4 IF: Oregon State had the league's best defense two years ago, and the second best unit in 2004. Seven starters still return from a unit that has the bodies up front to still create some havoc.

THE BEAVERS WILL GO 4-7 IF: Oregon State needs to run the ball better, especially until quarterback Matt Moore gains confidence and cohesiveness with his talented receivers. It would also help if the team could find three starters in the secondary, a major concern with teams in the Pac-10 chomping at the bit to throw the ball.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have a transfer at quarterback and this is a major factor. We have a very productive receiving group, but we need to have a good fall with the quarterback. We will continue to play good defense. We are linebacking U at Oregon State, with a lot of good athletes coming out of this position." -- Oregon State coach Mike Riley summing up the 2005 Beavers.

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: WR Mike Hass -- The Beavers need somebody they can rely on with a bunch of changes going on offensively. The senior wide out was an All-Pac-10 player after catching 86 passes for 1,379 yards and seven touchdowns last year.

BREAKOUT STAR: LB Trent Bray -- The Beavers pride themselves on being Linebacker U. Why not? Keep bragging. The senior middle linebacker continues the tradition after making 122 stops in '04.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH: TB Patrick Fuller -- The only way the Beavers can go is up in terms of running the ball. It is usually difficult for a freshman to make an impact, but that is what the graduate from Charter Oak High School in Covina, Calif. could do after being recently admitted to school. He was the Miramonte League Offensive Player of the Year in 2003 after rushing for 2,409 yards and scoring 23 times.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP: Offense -- QB Matt Moore, TB Yvenson Bernard, WR Anthony Wheat-Brown, WR Mike Hass, WR Marcel Love, TE Joe Newton, LT Adam Koets, LG Roy Schuening, C Kyle DeVan, RG Jeremy Perry, RT Josh Linehan.

Defense -- DE Joe Lemma, DT Ben Siegert, DT Alvin Smith, DE Jeff Van Orsow, LB Keith Ellison, LB Trent Bray, LB Chaz Scott, CB Gerard Lawson, CB Keenan Lewis, SS Sabby Piscitelli, FS Lamar Herron.

ROSTER REPORT: The Beavers need help at cornerback. There may be two less options as corners Edorian McCullough and Aaron Miller, a pair of junior college transfers, won't know if they will be eligible until the middle of camp. "I don't know about them, but if they can't make it I feel good about what we have," Riley said, trying to stay upbeat. OSU returns 16 starters, including punter Sam Paulescu, who Riley said is "the best punter in the country."