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Oregon State Opponent Preview: Colorado State

BeaversEdge.com is introducing all 12 of Oregon State's 2017 opponents this summer. Today, we take a look at Oregon State's season opening matchup in a couple of months.

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The Game

Date: August 26

Time: 11:30 AM PT

Location: Fort Collins, Colo.

TV: CBS Sports Network

Betting Line: -2.5 Colorado State

Oddshark prediction: Oregon State 19, Colorado State 30

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Oregon State 2016 record: 4-8

Colorado State 2016 record: 7-6 (61-50 loss to Idaho in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)

Colorado State 2016 Recap

Colorado State was thrashed on ESPN to start the 2016 season by the hands of in-state rival Colorado, 44-7. The Rams rebounded with two wins against UTSA and Northern Colorado.

With a 2-1 record, Colorado State traveled to Minnesota, a familiar opponent for Oregon State, and lost 31-24. Colorado State entered Mountain West Conference play and finished 5-3. They were narrowly defeated by MWC conference powerhouse Boise State, 28-23.

Colorado State averaged 35 points per game and return their star running backs Izzy Matthews, who powered in 13 rushing touchdowns, and Dalyn Dawkins, who led the team with 952 yards.

Quarterback Nick Stevens, who was banged up with injury last season, has total control of the Rams' high powered offense. He completed 64% of his passes in 2016 and threw for 1,936 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Defensively, Colorado State wasn't great. Three teams scored over 40 points on them and allowed an average of 30 points per game.

Best win: vs New Mexico, 49-31

Worst loss: vs Colorado, 44-7

2017 Outlook

The offensive firepower is back and should be a lot for the Mountain West conference to handle. Their defense should be a problem once again, so expect a lot of shootouts from this squad.

Colorado State's non-conference schedule is brutal as they face off with Oregon State, Colorado, get a break with Abilene Christian, and then play Alabama in Tuscaloosa. They do get Boise State and Air Force at home, so that will help them in key conference games.

Season prediction for Colorado State: 6-7

Game Prediction

The early line favors Colorado State, who is primed for another big season on the offensive side of the ball. Oregon State lost Treston Decoud, their top cornerback, to the NFL Draft, but OSU still has a talented secondary with Xavier Crawford, Shawn Wilson, Christian Wallace, Brandon Arnold, and Jalen Moore. Oregon State will be healthy on the front seven and can get a lot of pressure on Stevens.

Offensively, there might be some issues with chemistry as this will be the season opener, but we like Oregon State to pull out the slight upset. Oregon State's defense will control the game early, and new starting quarterback Jake Luton will lead the team to a late score and a victory.

Oregon State 24, Colorado State 21

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