Enough already with one-sided games that feature lesser teams nipping at the heels of bigger schools.
Oregon State University beat Utah and Idaho State. ASU did the same to San Jose State, Colorado, and San Diego State.
With the start of Pacific-10 Conference play Saturday, that should be over with and the more competitive games should begin.
OSU's football team (2-1) represents the challenger Saturday night in Tempe, giving itself and ASU the 2007 season's first exam.
With the result in hand, one team will be pushed to the back of the conference line and one will move ahead.
If the teams' most recent meeting is any indication, it'll be easier to predict who moves up and down the Pac-10 pecking order.
Last season in Corvallis, OSU defeated the visiting Sun Devils without difficulty, 44-10.
Coming off an upset victory over the University of Southern California, the Beavers were led by then-junior running back Yvenson Bernard, who scored two touchdowns.
This season, Oregon State returns seven offensive and eight defensive starters from a year ago.
With a core of experienced players back, senior safety Daniel Drayton sees no reason why the outcome of Saturday's game should be any different than the schools' previous meeting.
"As far as last year, nothing is different, nothing has changed," Drayton said. "We expect to win this game like we expect to win every [game] we play."
This season, the two teams face off in the warm weather of Tempe, not the damp winds at Corvallis.
At Sun Devil Stadium, ASU is 17-3 all-time against the Beavers.
So far this season, OSU hasn't been as consistent as it would have liked. Similarly to last year, though, the Beavers will test their strength against the Sun Devils following a win.
On Sept. 15, OSU routed Idaho State, 61-10.
Coach Riley said his team finally exhibited some consistency on offense.
Though the Beavers return many starters on both sides of the ball, the most integral offensive position doesn't exude the same certainty.
The team will likely give sophomore Sean Canfield the bulk of the playing time at the quarterback position. During the first three weeks, redshirt sophomore Lyle Moevao also took snaps under center.
Neither figure to be immediate upgrades over graduated senior Matt Moore, as each threw three interceptions during the team's second-week loss to Cincinnati, 34-3.
The passing game should get a pick-me-up with the full-time return of standout senior wide receiver Sammie Stroughter, who is an immediate game-breaker, ASU coach Dennis Erickson said.
"He's been a big-play guy for them, not just catching the football in the passing game, [but] also as a [punt] returner," he said.
Riley said he's just happy for Stroughter as a person.
"He felt better about being able to play and go to school this year," Riley said. "I didn't think either one of those things were going to happen a few weeks ago."
Stroughter, a Biletnikoff award candidate, sat out of the season's start for personal reasons.
While he's glad to have him back, Riley said the delay cost the team some opportunities to build greater chemistry within the offense.
In his second game back, Stroughter did his best to make up for his absence, grabbing nine balls out of the air for 160 yards and two touchdowns.
Even so, Riley said it will be a chore for his team to move the ball against the Sun Devils, making the Beaver's defense take on a larger role.
That shouldn't be a problem for the team, Erickson said.
"If you look at them overall defensively," he said, "I don't know that there is a weak link."
Drayton, who is second on the team with 18 tackles thus far, said his defense prides itself on speed.
Brute strength may be a more significant ingredient for victory as the experienced Beaver defense tries to fend off ASU's running attack, comprised of senior Ryan Torain and junior Keegan Herring.
If OSU struggles stopping the run, it won't be because it's not fresh or experienced.
The team rotates eight players at the four defensive line positions, and six of those eight are seniors.
Drayton said opening up conference play against the Sun Devils is something Riley has prepared the team for.
"He's a player's coach, and he knows how to get the job done," Drayton said. "This is why we practice so hard for so long, for these tough games."
Reach the reporter at: andrew.pentis@asu.edu.
