Oregon State Mike Riley is concerned about how things will shake out in the new-look Pac-10, though.

“In the end I was disappointed,” Riley said. “As the thing was taking place, the more I started thinking about it, the more excited I got. We were entering into a new era that would bring new teams to Corvallis. Now I’m back looking at what might happen.”The Beavers will likely find themselves in the same divisions as newcomers Colorado and Utah. The Utes have enjoyed considerable success over the past few years, winning two BCS bowl games. But the Buffaloes have struggled mightily and should mean a likely win for the football team for at least the next season or two.

Riley has been working with Pac-10 officials to help craft the makeup of the conference. He’d do well to make sure Colorado and Oregon State end up in the same division.

There is plenty of attention surrounding the Pac 10 these days, from the NCAA cracking down on Southern Cal to the arrival of Colorado.

But the rest of the conference is locked squarely on the upcoming season. For the Oregon State Beavers, it’s an opportunity to move toward the top of the conference in 2010.

The Beavers finished in a three-way tie for second place in the conference last season, going 6-3 in league play to finish tied with Arizona and Stanford, two games behind Pac-10 champion Oregon.

There are plenty of reasons for the Beavers to be excited looking ahead to the upcoming season. Junior running back Jacquizz Rodgers, a semifinalist for several national awards last season, has been named a first-team preseason All-American by Athlon Sports. Senior defensive tackle Stephen Paea also earned first-team preseason All-American honors.

Oregon State kicks off its 2010 season on Sept. 4 against Texas Christian at Cowboys Stadium, then returns home for its home opener Sept. 18 against Louisville.

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