Opponent Breakdown: Colorado
At a Glance
Oregon State at Colorado
When: TBA Saturday, Oct. 1
Where: Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado
TV/Radio: TBD/Beaver Sports Radio Network
Series history: Oregon State leads 5-3
Last meeting: 2015. Despite outgaining Colorado on offense (401 yards to 328), the Beavers fell, 17-13, at Reser Stadium, spoiling a 122-yard, 1 TD performance by Ryan Nall.
2015 in Review
Record: 4-9 overall, 1-8 Pac-12 (2-5 home, 1-5 away, 1-0 neutral)
Bowl game: None.
Quick numbers: Points per game — 24.6., Opponents — 27.5; Rushing yards per game — 156.2., Opponents — 198.7; Passing yards per game — 240.6, Opponents — 218.2; Time of possession — 30:56, Opponents’ — 29:04.
Top performers: Passing: Sefo Liufau — 2,418 yards, 9 TDs, 6 INT, 62.2 percent completion rate; Rushing: Phillip Lindsay — 653 yards, 6 TDs, 4.6 YPC; Receiving: Nelson Spruce — 89 catches, 1,053 yards, 4 TDs; Tackles — Rick Gamboa — 96 tackles and 1 sack.
Notable games: Beat Colorado State, 27-14, on Sept. 19 in Denver; Lost 35-31 to UCLA in Pasadena on Oct. 31; lost to USC, 27-24 on Nov. 13.
Oct. 1 Outlook
Key returners: Liufau (SR.); Lindsay (JR.); Shay Fields (JR.): 42 catches, 598 yards, 4 TDs; Gamboa (Soph.); Chidobe Awuzie (SR.): 90 tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 INT; Tedric Thompson (SR.): 80 tackles and 3 INT.
Key losses: Spruce, Christian Powell: 339 yards rushing, 4 TDs
Key strength: The Buffaloes return a lot of experience and talent on defense, including their top five tacklers, all of whom had 70+ tackles. That group also includes their team leaders in sacks and interceptions last season.
Key question: Can Shay Fields and Devin Ross step up to fill the enormous void left by Nelson Spruce at wide receiver? Of course, Sefo Liufao has to be able to stay healthy for them to get the ball.
Raju’s Take
The Beavers probably couldn’t have asked for a better matchup to open Pac-12 play, as Colorado figures to be one of their more promising opportunities for a win this season. However, it won’t be easy on the road, especially if Liufau is healthy. He’s got a strong arm and can do damage with his feet. Lindsay, Fields, and Ross will command the Beavers’ attention on defense, but they can’t sleep on TE Sean Irwin, who can make you pay if you leave him open.
It will be interesting to see how the Beavers fare against a Buffalo defense, which honestly, could surprise this season. This is an experienced, productive group that held OSU to 13 points last season. OSU must be able to establish the run and sustain drives this time around, or they could face defeat again. The Beavers can’t give Colorado momentum with short field position or turnovers. They have to move the ball and put points on the board.
With the second half of the Beavers’ schedule being absolutely brutal, this game is pretty much a must-win for them. If they can sneak out with a win, coming home to California and Utah with momentum could set the Beavers up for another win or two. But if Colorado is at full health, this game won’t be easy at all. Depending on which Beavers’ squad shows up, this will be a close one or a Buffalo blowout.