2014
Oregon State
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
Oregon State may have had one of the best passing Games in the nation in 2013, but that didn’t stop them from losing to Eastern Washington in week one and then in their final five Games of the season. In addition to the Beavers closing with a difficult stretch of opponents, teams started to learn that they had no running Game and focused on stopping quarterback Sean Mannion.
That will be the new offensive coordinator John Garrett’s task this season, figuring out the OSU run Game. Terron Ward and Storm Woods aren’t bad running backs, they could just never get anything going as the team totaled only 1,227 yards on the ground. That’s something that will have to change or the Beavers will be looking at a similar season.
5 Dimes Sportsbook lists the over/under win total for Oregon State at 7 wins. 5 Dimes also has lines on several Oregon State Games posted. For example, they are +16.5 point underdogs in their Game at USC on September 27th.
Mannion had incredible numbers (4,662 yards, 66.3%, 37 TDs, 15 INTs) last season, but he will be losing one of the best receivers in the nation in Brandin Cooks. Someone will have to step into that spot, or this offense won’t be as strong. Richard Mullaney (788 yards) is a solid option, with unknown guys like Victor Bolden and Malik Gilmore hoping for action. Tight end Connor Hamlett (40 receptions, 5 TDs) could also have a bigger role.
The offensive line may be a problem on this team and that’s not what you want when your goal is to improve the rushing Game. They lost three starters from last year and battled injuries all spring. If this line doesn’t get going, neither does the offense.
The defense is another story for the Beavers with a decent amount of talent returning, although from a group that gave up at least 30 points in their last Four regular season Games. The unit is filled with upperclassmen with experience and that includes the linebackers with all three being returning seniors. Michael Doctor is back from an ankle injury early last year that cost him much of the season. That should boost this team along with a couple transfers brought in along the line. Cornerback Steven Nelson (6 INTs) and a couple returning senior safeties round out the secondary.
The Beavers shouldn’t have any problems in non-Conference play, but unfortunately they open the Pac-12 with a road Game at USC. Even with a loss there, a 5-1 start seems likely until a road Game at Stanford comes in. But then Oregon State gets three home Games all against winnable teams.
Having an 8-2 record through 10 Games is attainable for this squad, but it may be asking for too much with a depleted offensive line and minimal running Game. Although if they figure those things out, Mannion has shown he has the ability to put points on the board.
Their final two Games come at Washington and against Oregon, which are more than likely losses. At this point, the Beavers don’t have an all-around team that will be able to handle the top schools in the conference, who are solid on both ends of the ball. But if the defense improves and they can get some kind of running Game, this is a team that should be in the level right below the giants.
2014 Oregon State Football Schedule
Aug. 30 vs. Portland State
Sept. 6 at Hawaii
Sept. 20 vs. San Diego State
Sept. 27 at USC
Oct. 4 at Colorado
Oct. 16 vs. Utah
Oct. 25 at Stanford
Nov. 1 vs. California
Nov. 8 vs. Washington State
Nov. 15 vs. Arizona State
Nov. 22 at Washington
Nov. 29 vs. Oregon