Gameday Preview: Oregon State

Week 1: Oregon State Preview

Where: Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)

When: 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1

Weather: 86 degrees - 40% chance of rain later in the afternoon

TV: ABC

Line: Ohio State -38.5

History: Ohio State 2-0 (Ohio State won the last meeting in 1984, 22-14)

2017 Oregon State Record: 1-11

Oregon State's Record: 0-0

Who is Oregon State's head Coach?

Jonathan Smith.

He will be making his head-coaching debut against Ohio State. Smith spent the last four seasons calling plays at Washington. In his first two years, Washington went 8-6 and 7-6, but the last two years Washington has moved to the top of the Pac 12. In 2016, Washington went 12-2 and went to the playoffs. The Huskies had another great year in 2017 going 10-3 which helped Smith secure a head coaching.

Although Oregon State may have had a rough year last year, I expect them to be a lot better this year with a big culture change.

                                                 Who are Oregon State's Impact Players?

Quarterback:

Jake Luton (lue-ton)

Luton is a big 6-foot-6 QB. He initially committed to Idaho out of high school but transferred to Oregon State after his freshman year. Luton started the first four games last year before suffering a season ending injury (thoracic spine fracture) against Washington State. In the fourth quarter he scrambled on 3rd and 10, was hit very hard by the safety and was not moving for several minutes. He was eventually left on a stretcher and spent some time in the hospital.

Before his injury he threw for 853 yards, and completed 61.5 percent of his passes, while throwing four TDs, and four INTs.

Running Back:

Artavis Pierce was the backup last year and only ran for 323, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He was a three star RB out of Florida with scholarship offers to Oregon State, Arizona, Bowling Green, and Central Michigan.

Wide Recievers:

The Starters...

Timmy Hernandez #18 (6-0 - senior - 3 Star CB)
Isaiah Hodgins #17 (6-4 - sophomore - 4 Star WR)
Travon Bradford #8 (6-0 - junior - 3 Star WR)

Keep an eye on Hodgins as many Beaver fans expect him to step up and become the primary receiving threat this year. Hodgins and Hernandez were both top three for the Beavers last year in receptions. While Hodgins might not have burner speed, he is very big, and can go up and get balls over the DBs.


My Prediction...

Under a new coach, I expect Oregon State to come out with a lot of fight. That should die down pretty fast though when Ohio State gets the ball, and drives down the field to score at ease. The Buckeyes will cruise to victory, and we will get a heavy dose of backups in the fourth quarter.

Buckeyes - 51
Oregon State - 13