12/4/2020 football Edit

Staff Predictions: Oregon State vs Utah

Brenden Slaughter & Jared Halus

BeaversEdge.com Staff

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BeaversEdge.com has its predictions for Oregon State vs No. 9 Oregon!

With the Beavers (2-2) looking to extend their two-game win streak and the Utah Utes (0-2) on deck, Managing Editor Brenden Slaughter and Recruiting Analyst Jared Halus give their two cents on the matchup and who's going to come out on top.

MORE: Thursday Report | Smith says Gebbia out for Utah, perhaps season | Hamilcar Rashed: 'It's been a grind this season |

BRENDEN SLAUGHTER'S PICK

Following what many are calling a program-defining win over No. 15 Oregon this past weekend, how will the suddenly-surging Beavers avoid the let-down game against a hungry Utes squad?

There's no doubt that the team is riding high and feeling quite good about themselves after knocking off the Ducks, but unlike seasons past, there's still a lot left on the line post-Oregon and the Beavers need to stay focused if they want to be in a position to secure one of the potential bowl spots.

The biggest hurdle for the Beavers to overcome will be winning on the road without starting quarterback Tristan Gebbia, who's out for at least this weekend and potentially the season after suffering a hamstring injury against Oregon.

So the Beavers will turn to four-star recruit and backup Chance Nolan to lead the offense against one of the Pac-12's most dominant front lines as the Utes once again boast a solid defensive unit. It's not quite the level of last season where the Utes were loaded with NFL talent, but still, a tall task for Nolan in his first career start.

Utah has had a topsy-turvy season, having three games cancelled due to COVID-19 and only having played two games, losses to USC & Washington. Kyle Whittingham's group doesn't typically play poorly, so I'd be wary of them potentially putting it all together.

If the Beavers are able to control the clock, establish the run with Jermar Jefferson, give Nolan enough time to get creative and make plays and attempt to wear out the Utah defense, I like their chances in this contest. By comparison, the Utes and Beavers have had very different seasons and I would argue OSU has more of the momentum right now.

I like Oregon State to cover the 11.5 point spread and grind out a tough victory where Jefferson shines, Nolan does just enough to show why we're all so high on him, and the defense continues to move in the right direction.

Prediction: Oregon State 31, Utah 27

Brenden on the year: (2-2)

JARED HALUS' PICK

I feel like I'm starting to get kind of good at these predictions, so I have to pick Oregon State here.

The team has continued to improve every week, and although there will be a major shift in the lineup with QB Chance Nolan filling in for the injured Tristan Gebbia, I like the steps that the team has taken in all aspects of the game enough to think it won't define the performance.

Not only am I confident in Oregon State, but I also question Utah's confidence and motivation levels coming into this game. The Utes have had nearly half of their season cancelled, and are coming off of a highly disappointing loss to Washington last week. In terms of confidence, these teams are on two completely different sides of the scale.

But that's where also where this could get scary.

Oregon State will undoubtedly be riding a high into this game, so it is important for the staff to bring them down to earth and remind them that there are still some good teams left on the schedule and football still to be played.

I think the Beavs jump on them early and survive a late comeback effort from Utah.