Staff Predictions: Oregon State vs Arizona State
Every Friday during game week, the BeaversEdge.com staff will give its predictions for Oregon State's matchup. The Beavers look to get its first Pac-12 road win in a long, long time.
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BRENDEN SLAUGHTER'S PICK
After a disappointing showing in their Pac-12 opener against Arizona, Oregon State shows life against Herm Edwards’ Arizona State Sun Devils. I expect the Oregon State offense to get back on track and put the ball on the ground early and often against a suspect Arizona State rush defense to open up the passing game for Conor Blount.
The big key for the Beavers in this game is going to be whether or not they establish a running game. Without having Jake Luton available to open up the vertical passing game, offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren will have to establish the Beavers’ ground attack to stymie the ASU front seven and give Blount time to throw.
Defensively, we’ll see what tricks defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar and Co. have up their sleeve as the Beavers were manhandled by the Wildcats last weekend. While I expect the Beavers to come out with much more fire and play more competitively this weekend, winning on the road against one of the most well-coached teams in the Pac-12 is a tall task, and the Beavers will come up just a little short.
Oregon State 28, Arizona State 41
MIKE SINGER'S PICK
It's been almost four years since Oregon State won a game on the road. I don't see them pulling out a win in Tempe against an Arizona State team that is very physical. This may be Oregon State's best chance at a road win this season as Colorado looks really tough, and we all know how good Washington and Stanford are.
This is a very important game for Oregon State. If they get blown out, I worry what the team morale will be, especially for the players that were on the 1-11 team last season. The Beavers will have a couple of winnable home games vs Washington State and Cal the on October 6 and October 20, respectively. OSU needs to stay together as a team.
With Jake Luton likely out, I don't see the Beavers' offense having a lot of success, and Arizona State offense should move the ball at will.
Oregon State 17, Arizona State 38