The 3-2-1: Homecoming Game

1. Conor Blount is available

The Oregon State football program does not give details about player injuries unless the player is out for the season. Darell Garretson and Conor Blount both went down with injuries against Utah a couple of weeks ago, and head coach Gary Andersen announced two days later that Garretson would be out for the season. Blount's status was unknown, so it was great to see him listed as "probable" in the injury report released by OSU on Tuesday. Running back Artavis Pierce was listed as probable last week, but he did not play, so Blount might not end up being available. We think he will play in the case that McMaryion goes down. Blount practiced this week with the second team offense.

2. Ryan Nall is close to returning

The star running back did not practice a lot during the week. He was in a boot on Tuesday, was out of the boot on Wednesday but did not practice, and on Thursday, he was taking reps with the first teams. He was listed as questionable on Tuesday's injury report. It would be a huge boost if Nall is able to play, but it would not surprise us if he's held out of this game.

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3. OSU is putting a big emphasis on stopping the pass

This was obvious during the media availability portion of practice. We'd imagine that the Beavers are implementing a similar gameplan that they had in place to shut down Cal's air raid attack. The Cougars have a more potent offense all-around than Cal, so the Beavs have a tough task on their hands. The health of Treston Decoud, who is listed as questionable, will be key. If they are without their top cornerback, then they'll have a hard time stopping Luke Falk's passing attack since they are already so thin at the position.

1. Will the OSU passing game be productive?

This is a question we have every week in the 3-2-1 column, and we just ask in different words. Wazzu has an improved defense from last year, but their secondary isn't scary. Just about every week we think that "this will be the week that the passing game gets going" but we're let down every week. Outside of Victor Bolden, there has not been a consistent target in the passing game, so guys Seth Collins and Jordan Villamin will need to get more targets as well. Villamin hauled in a beautiful reception on a fly route down the right sideline against Washington, and that might give him more confidence to return to his 2015 form.

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2. How will OSU's defense hold up against Falk?

Once again, we look at Treston Decoud's health as a big concern. The play of safeties Brandon Arnold, Devin Chappell, and Jalen Moore, who actually started over Arnold against Washington, will be important as well. It is very important that they keep everything in front of them and don't give up the big play. Against Cal, the Beavers' defense sold out to stop the pass, allowing Cal to gash them in the running game If OSU does the same thing against Wazzu but can't stop the deep ball, then it will be a long night.

Oregon State will have more passing yards than rushing yards

Bold prediction, right? This is the week for the passing offense not to be awful and actually play pretty well. McMaryion did some good things last week against a playoff contender in Washington, and in the comfort of Reser Stadium, we believe that he will be solid against the Cougars.