Oregon State Opponent Preview: Portland 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 matchup with Portland State.
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The Game
Date: September 2
Time: 11:00 AM PT
Location: Corvallis, Ore.
TV: Pac-12 Network
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Oregon State 2016 record: 4-8 (3-6 Pac-12)
Portland State 2016 record: 3-8 (2-6 Big Sky)
2016 Common Opponents
Washington
OSU result: 41-17 loss
PSU result: 41-3 loss
Idaho State
OSU result: 37-7 win
PSU result: 45-20 win
Portland State 2016 Recap
After a 9-3 season in 2015 that included a 24-17 win over Washington State in Pullman and an appearance in the FCS playoffs, the Vikings took a turn for the worse in 2016.
PSU finished the season 3-8 but did show that they could score at a high level. They averaged 33 points per game and racked up 454 yards per game.
Starting quarterback Alex Kuresa totaled 22 touchdowns (12 passing, 10 rushing) and was the team's leading rusher with 858 yards. Kuresa has graduated, and the Vikings have six quarterbacks on roster to compete for the starting job in 2017. The team's second and third leading rushers have also graduated.
Best win: W 51-29 @ UC Davis
Worst loss: L 35-42 @ Sacramento State
Portland State Outlook
PSU opens the season playing on the road against BYU and then travel to Corvallis, so it's highly likely that the Vikings start the season 0-2. With PSU losing Kuresa, it's likely that the offense will struggle, and the defense allowed 39 points per game in 2016. That side of the ball will need to improve a great deal for this team to have success.
Season prediction for PSU: 3-8
Game Prediction
Oregon State's "cupcake" opponent in 2016 was Idaho State, and Portland State, who defeated ISU by 20 points last season, is a more difficult opponent. However, there is no reason that the Beavers shouldn't roll in this game. Colorado State will provide a tough matchup week one as the Rams are opening their new stadium and have a high flying offense, and the Beavs will be warmed up after the CSU game. They'll crush Portland State.
Oregon State 38, Portland State 10
Season Prediction
Oregon State 24, Colorado State 21
Oregon State 38, Portland State 10
Stay tuned to our preview of the OSU-Minnesota matchup and for the rest of our opponent previews.