2017
Oregon State
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule
Oregon State had a respectable three wins in Pac-12 play last season, yet still finished 4-8 overall after an unsuccessful start to the campaign. With quarterback still a question, it’ll be difficult for the Beavers to reach a bowl Game yet again in 2017, Gary Andersen’s third year at the helm.
Quarterback didn’t sort itself out last season, nor did it in the spring. Marcus McMaryion (10 TDs, 5 INTs) and Darell Garretson (3 TDs, 4 INTs) have the experience in this system, but Juco transfer Jake LUton seems to be who the fans want to take over, mainly because he’s someone new. Either way, from an offense that scored 26.2 points per Game, there may not be any improvement. The offensive line has to replace three starters with the two returnees being sophomores. Running back Ryan Nall is a known commodity after gaining 6.5 yards per carry for 951 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, but he can’t do it all himself. Receiver has quality with Seth Collins (418 yards) and Jordan Villamin (253 yards), but without consistency at quarterback, that may not matter as seen in Villamin’s dip in numbers last year.
The reason Oregon State can’t get to six wins is because the defense also has its issues with six starters back from a group that allowed 30.5 points per Game and well over 200 rushing yards. The Beavers have a few playmakers, but that doesn’t matter if they can’t put it all together. The secondary lost two of its top guys with corner and Freshman All-American Xavier Crawford having a big target on his back. Linebacker has plenty of experience with Bright Ugwoegbu and Manase Hungalu the stat-stuffers from a year ago. The line needs some work, but does have some talent with sophomore Elu Aydon anchoring the group. While these players return, it can’t be overlooked some of the struggles they had a year ago and it’s possible they appear again.
Nothing will be easy for the Beavers, from a trip to Colorado State in the opener to hosting Minnesota. It doesn’t get easier in Pac-12 play with all of their favorable opponents and teams they beat last year coming on the road (California, Arizona, Oregon). Reaching a bowl would require them to win one of those road Games, or steal one at home against Colorado with the Arizona State Game being marked as a win.
Unexpectedly, the Beavers have some of the worst odds (+8500 at 5Dimes Sportsbook) to win the Pac-12, tied with California. They battled last year, but without a quarterback yet again, it’s going to take some work to reach six wins and get more than three in Conference play. Considering how last year went, five wins would probably be a good goal for Oregon State this season.
2017 Oregon State Beavers Football Schedule
Aug. 26 at Colorado State
Sept. 2 vs. Portland State
Sept. 9 vs. Minnesota
Sept. 16 at Washington State
Sept. 30 vs. Washington
Oct. 7 at USC
Oct. 14 vs. Colorado
Oct. 26 vs. Stanford
Nov. 4 at California
Nov. 11 at Arizona
Nov. 18 vs. Arizona State
Nov. 25 at Oregon