05:12 PM PDT on Friday, August 13, 2004

By ANNE M. PETERSON, AP Sports Writer

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- With an eye on developing a new team identity after losing tailback Steven Jackson and other key players from last year's team, Oregon State opened practice Wednesday for what promises to be one of their toughest seasons ever.

AP OSU starting quarterback Derek Anderson is expected to play a key role for what is considered the school's toughest schedule ever.

The Beavers open Sept. 4 on the road against LSU, which went 13-1 and beat Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl for the BCS title last season.

On Nov. 6, the Beavers host Southern California, which won the top spot in the final Associated Press poll to split the national championship.

Oregon State is the only team in the nation that will face both teams this season.

"Hopefully we can put on a good show against both of them," defensive end Bill Swancutt said.

Along with the daunting schedule, the Beavers have some unanswered questions surrounding their team -- especially on offense.

Oregon State lost Jackson -- a vocal team leader -- a year early to the NFL. Jackson was a first-round pick by the St. Louis Rams. Tight End Tim Euhus graduated and was fourth-round pick by Buffalo Bills, while wide receiver James Newson signed as a free agent with Dallas.

"I think this camp probably will have more things coming in where we have some great competition, than if you compared it to a year ago coming in," coach Mike Riley said. "Our flanker position, our slot receiver position, the offensive line a little bit, those will be very interesting places to watch. We've got a lot of good players there, but we'll have to do a lot of coaching and evaluating."

Senior Dwight Wright, who played behind Jackson and Ken Simonton, tops the depth chart at tailback, but it's likely the Beavers will rotate backs situationally.

A key loss from the defensive side was linebacker Richard Seigler, who went as a fourth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers.

Overall, the Beavers return four starters on offense and seven on defense.

"We literally have to live in the moment this year. We have to take advantage of each day now that we're going through. This is a major time for us," Riley said.

"As we look at our fall camp, we look at it in the way that we form the identity of our team now. What we do and can do well coming out of camp is who we will be."

The Beavers' strength is in their speedy defense, led by Swancutt and free safety Mitch Meeuwsen. Cornerback Brandon Browner was the Pac-10 freshman of the year last season.

They also have senior quarterback Derek Anderson. Though he doesn't have the offensive weapons he had last season, Anderson does have an extra year of maturity to help with the ups and downs.

Anderson threw for 4,058 yards and 24 touchdowns last season.

"It seems like I just got here not too long ago. I don't really feel any older -- a little wiser maybe," he said.

The Beavers went 8-5 last year and finished tied for fifth in the Pac-10.

USC was the unanimous choice to repeat as Pac-10 champions in preseason media balloting this year. California, the only team to beat the Trojans last year, finished second.

Oregon was picked to finish third, followed by the Beavers. Washington State, Arizona State, Washington, UCLA, Stanford and Arizona rounded out the poll.

After the opener against LSU, the Beavers have a quick turnaround of six days before visiting Boise State -- also 13-1 last season -- in a nationally televised Friday night game. The home opener isn't' until Sept. 18 against New Mexico.

"I think it's more of a motivation factor. The defending national champion is LSU, and then at Boise State. Boise State might be as tough a place to play as LSU," Swancutt said. "Both games are going to be tough ones. Starting today at practice, we're going to have to focus up and get ready to go."