There’s only one place for new Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith to go and that’s up. The Beavers are coming off a one-win season with that lone win coming against FCS team Portland State. Miracles aren’t expected just yet, but Smith, a former OSU quarterback, brings over a solid pedigree as the co-offensive coordinator at Washington. As expected, the Beavers are projected to finish last in the Pac-12 with an over/under of 2.5 wins at 5Dimes Sportsbook.
Quarterback was still undetermined in the spring even with Jake LUton back in the mix after an injury derailed his 2017 campaign. He’s battling with a few others that have limited experience, but will be the favorite for the starting gig. The best news for the offense is that Four starters return along the line, which is at least a starting point for a group that barely moved the ball last year en route to 20.7 points per Game. However, the other spots are less certain with Artavis Pierce (323 yards), Calvin Tyler Jr. (three carries) and a couple freshmen fighting for carries. It’s a better situation at receiver led by tight end Noah Togiai (34 receptions, 461 yards), Timmy Hernandez (30 rec.) and Isaiah Hodgins (31 rec.), but it’s not like this offense had success passing the ball last year.
There are similar problems on the defensive side where the Beavers gave up 43 points per Game. That clearly has to change if any improvement is going to be made. The line has some experience to work with so that should help with Kalani Vakameilalo and Elu Aydon expected to improve a wretched run defense. Linebacker is a bit unknown after one of their better players was suspended in the spring, but Jonathan Willis and Andrzej Hughes-Murray at least provide experience. There is more experience in the secondary, but that can only get you so far when every offense had success facing them in 2017.
Unfortunately, Oregon State has to open the season at Ohio State, which won’t end well. Beating Southern Utah in the second Game isn’t a freebie, either. To better last year’s record, the Beavers have a couple chances to win a Pac-12 Game, namely the home contests against Arizona and Cal. Even a road trip to Colorado is for the taking as long as they have some kind of confidence in late October. After that, it’ll be a rough stretch to close the season. There’s a chance for Four wins if LUton or any of the quarterbacks can win the position and do something positive. The problem remains on the defensive side and it’s going to take a couple years for that to change. It’ll be more than possible to win two Pac-12 Games, but betting on the Beavers requires a lot of faith in a team that has Four FBS wins over the last three seasons.
2018 Oregon State Beavers Football Schedule
Sept. 1 at Ohio State
Sept. 8 vs. Southern Utah
Sept. 15 at Nevada
Sept. 22 vs. Arizona
Sept. 29 at Arizona State
Oct. 6 vs. Washington state
Oct. 20 vs. California
Oct. 27 at Colorado
Nov. 3 vs. USC
Nov. 10 at Stanford
Nov. 17 at Washington
Nov. 23 vs. Oregon