Oregon State, bidding for its first Prime 25 ballot look since 2014, appears to make a powerful case Saturday when the Beavers tackle Fresno State at 7:30 p.m. in Valley Kids’s Stadium.
It’s the first time the Beavers have visited Fresno State since 2003.
Here’s a preview:
Fresno State at Oregon State
Time: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
The place: Valley Kids’s Stadium
Coaches: OSU’s Jonathan Smith (fifth yr, 17-28), Boise State’s Jeff Tedford (first yr 1-0, profession 109-71)
Newest line: Beavers by 1
TV channel: CBS Sports activities Community (Xfinity Comcast 725, Dish 158, Constitution Spectrum 410, DirecTV 221)
How one can watch dwell stream on-line: You’ll be able to watch the sport dwell for FREE with fuboTV (free trial) or with DirecTV Stream (free trial). You too can get this sport on Hulu + Stay (free trial) in case you are out of fuboTV trials, or just desire that platform and their pricing plans.
Extra methods to look at: Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Comcast / Xfinity, Spectrum/Constitution, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish.
On the air: Radio on KEX (1190), KPOJ (620), Sirius 137, Sirius XM 203, Sirius XM App 966
Oregon State offense vs. Fresno State protection
Regardless of the turnovers and penalties, Oregon State carried out fairly nicely within the season opener in opposition to Boise State. It was ok to assist win a sport, however troubling sufficient that coaches had no drawback getting the participant’s consideration in apply this week. Likelihood Nolan had a terrific sport throwing play motion and deep balls, however don’t anticipate that to be OSU’s bread-and-butter in opposition to Fresno State. The Beavers will attempt to set up the run until the Bulldogs overdo it in attempting to cease the frenzy, as Boise State did. OSU will attempt to get both Deshaun Fenwick or Damien Martinez going, with assist from others. Nolan was sharp at occasions final week, and it solely is sensible that he’ll enhance with a sport beneath his belt. OSU had some success getting previous Boise State’s advantageous secondary. Count on the Beavers to check Fresno State in an identical method, in addition to unleash tight finish Luke Musgrave, who had six receptions vs. the Broncos.
Evan Williams is the important thing determine for FSU’s protection. The senior free security is usually the Bulldogs’ main tackler. Williams led the way in which in opposition to Cal Poly with eight stops, together with 1½ for loss. Up entrance, the Beavers should deal with defensive finish David Perales, who led Fresno State in sacks final season. The Bulldogs have good expertise at linebacker, the place seniors Raymond Scott and Levelle Bailey and junior Malachi Langley are competent tacklers. How good is Fresno State’s protection? After dealing with an FCS workforce within the opener, Oregon State supplies some actual solutions. A yr in the past, the Bulldogs had been third within the MWC in complete and rush protection, and seventh in cross protection.
Oregon State protection vs. Fresno State offense
For the a part of the sport they’d deliberate, the Beavers protection was terrific in opposition to Boise State. With fourth-year beginning quarterback Hank Bachmeier within the sport, the Broncos did nothing however commit turnovers and produce three-and-outs. It’s when Bachmeier left the sport the Beavers had just a few issues. That’s to be understood, as Boise State’s backup quarterback has a far totally different taking part in fashion and wasn’t somebody the Beavers anticipated to play. The primary-half Beavers usually tend to be the protection Fresno State faces than the second half model. Three of OSU’s 4 common defensive again starters had an interception final week. The performs had been arrange due to good strain from the Beavers’ defensive entrance, led by Simon Sandberg, James Rawls and a corps of outdoor linebackers. Exterior of permitting backup QB Taylen Inexperienced to run an excessive amount of at occasions, Oregon State did a terrific job of stopping Boise State’s run.
Oregon State’s protection has a harder problem this week, because the Bulldogs have a productive offense led by senior quarterback Jake Haener. The Mountain West Convention preseason offensive participant of the yr decide, Haener handed for 4,096 yards and 33 touchdowns final season. Haener has weapons, too. Jalen Cropper and Josh Kelly mixed for 137 receptions and 1,677 yards and 14 touchdowns throughout the 2021 season. The Bulldogs even have Cal switch Nikko Remigio, who led FSU with 168 all-purpose yards in opposition to Cal Poly. Fresno State’s prime threats from the backfield are Jordan Mims, who had 15 carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns in opposition to Cal Poly, and Malik Sherrod. Mims ran for 710 yards final season. The offensive line should enhance after giving up three sacks by Cal Poly final week.
Matchup of be aware
Does Oregon State have the Pac-12′s finest secondary? We’re not going to need to guess for lengthy. The Beavers face three of the West’s prime quarterbacks – if not the nation – throughout the subsequent 4 video games in Haener, USC’s Caleb Williams and Utah’s Cam Rising. The Beavers may have their palms full in opposition to Fresno State, as a result of Haener is a standout, and, and he has a pleasant receiving corps to assist him out. The Beavers handed the check in opposition to a four-year beginning quarterback final week in Bachmeier, however Haener is no less than a notch higher.
Fast notables
- Oregon State produced 5 defensive takeaways in opposition to Boise State, for the second time of Smith’s five-year tenure.
- The Bulldogs are 6-0 in opposition to Oregon State all-time in Fresno.
- Oregon State is 13-1 when taking a lead into the fourth quarter beneath Smith.
- Musgrave’s 89 yards in receptions in opposition to Boise State was a profession excessive.
- Oregon State is the primary Pac-12 workforce to play at Fresno State since Utah in 2015.
- That is Tedford’s second stint as Fresno State’s coach. He was head coach from 2017-19.
- Fresno State’s 44-24 win over No. 10 Oregon State in 2001 marks a victory over the highest-ranked opponent in Bulldogs historical past.
- Former Beavers Evan Bennett and Isaac Garcia transferred to Fresno State final yr, however they’re now not with this system.
- Fresno State offensive coordinator Kirby Moore and Smith have labored collectively on the identical workers, as soon as at Boise State, then later at Washington.
Prediction
Oregon State 31, Fresno State 28
–Nick Daschel | [email protected] | @nickdaschel