Predicting The 2024 Season For The Oregon State Beavers

By STEVEN VAUGHAN, 750 THE GAME

The Oregon State Beavers are in for one of the most intriguing seasons in their history. Not knowing the future conference of the program shouldn’t play into the on-the-field play for the Beavers. But after losing a ton in the transfer portal and their head coach. The outcome of the season is a huge question.

According to multiple sportsbooks, the Oregon State Beavers win total is set at 7.5 wins. 

Game 1 – Idaho State @ Oregon State

The Beavers open their season at home against Idaho State in what should be an easy win. Even with the unknown at quarterback, I think Oregon State should dominate the Bengals up front. Expect Jam Griffin to have a huge game for Oregon State in this one.

Game 2 – Oregon State @ San Diego State

This is a sneaky tough game for Oregon State. San Diego State made a great hire as head coach in Sean Lewis. Lewis was last the offensive coordinator for Colorado. Lewis had success at Kent State before that. The Aztecs bring in AJ Duffey as the quarterback. A transfer from Florida State. However, Oregon State may be catching San Diego State at the right time. The talent isn’t all there and they are transitioning from a tough ground game to more of an open passing game under Lewis. In a couple of years, San Diego State will be really good under Lewis. In year one I expect Oregon State to get the win, but closer than most may think.

Game 3 – Oregon @ Oregon State

I expect Oregon State to be 2-0 heading into the Civil War at home. The crowd will be electric. But I expect Oregon to dominate this game. They are too talented across the board and with the unknown at quarterback, I can’t see Oregon State hanging close in this one.  I am also interested to see how the Beavers defense plays now that Trent Bray isn’t in charge of just the defense. I think Keith Hayward is a great defensive coordinator, but this game could be a blowout.

Game 4 – Purdue @ Oregon State

This is the game I think could turn the Beavers season for the positive or negative. A home game against the team projected to be last in the Big 10. Purdue is in a transition under second-year head coach Ryan Walters. Hopefully, Oregon State will have figured out their quarterback position by this point of the season and it’s a positive. The Boilermakers return quarterback Hudson Card and leading rusher Devin Mockobee. Walters is known for being a genius on the defensive side of the ball which is another big reason the quarterback situation for Oregon State needs to be resolved. I think this will be a very close low-scoring game. Purdue is going to be able to move the ball just enough and win this game in a thriller. A big loss for the Beavers but a big win for Purdue. Oregon State falls to 2-2

Game 5 – Colorado State @ Oregon State

There is a lot of hype around Colorado State this season. Some even believe they are a contender for the Mountain West championship. I am not one of those people. Troy Holton at receiver and quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi return for the Rams on offense, but Nicolosi is turnover prone and in front of the Oregon State faithful he will make some mistakes. The Beavers coming off back-to-back losses will be hungry in this one, and get back to a strong running game. This is a game where the Beavers look like they are playing a lesser competition. Oregon State wins big.

Game 6 – Oregon State @ Nevada

Nevada has been in turmoil since Mike Norvell left as their head coach. They hired former Texas defensive coordinator Jeff Choate to be the new head man, but this is going to be a year-zero situation in the rebuild for the Wolfpack. Nevada returns their top quarterbacks and running backs, but that’s not necessarily a good thing. I expect Oregon State to easily put away the Wolfpack without much of an effort. 

Game 7 – UNLV @ Oregon State

UNLV is a fun team. One of the best offenses a season ago, and they bring back All-American receiver Ricky White. Quarterback Matthew Sluka is a transfer from Holy Cross, but he is run first quarterback who gets tough yards. One of the best quarterbacks in the FCS level last season. Barry Odom is a really good coach and runs a great program. The Rebels have a great offense and an opportunistic defense. They made the Mountain West championship game last season, but their lack of depth showed up at the end of the season. This year they added depth in the portal and are expected to be good. Unless the quarterback situation for Oregon State is under control I don’t see the Beavers keeping up with the Rebels. UNLV wins this game and the Beavers fall to 4-3.

Game 8 – Oregon State @ Cal

A Pac-12 battle down in Berkeley where things always seem to get weird. Jayden Ott is the man for Cal. Rushing for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Justin Wilcox always has a solid team that plays tough. Last season we saw Freshman quarterback Fernando Mendoza have a coming-out party against the Beavers defense. Oregon State won the game 52-40, but Mendoza was the star for the Golden Bears. Mendoza is in a quarterback competition with incoming transfer Chandler Rogers from North Texas. Cal is a tough team that is expecting to make a bowl game this season. For that to happen they need to win games like this, and I think they do. Cal wins and Oregon State falls to 4-4.

Game 9 – San Jose State @ Oregon State

Oregon State will get back to their winning ways against San Jose State. The Spartans lost their coach Brent Brennan to Arizona and brought in Ken Niumatalolo. There may be more unknowns with the San Jose State roster than the Oregon State roster. The Beavers are much more talented than the Spartans. I expect Oregon State to win this game easily and get to 5-4.

Game 10 – Oregon State @ Air Force

Oregon State may need this game badly. They will be 5-4 heading into this game, and Air Force wants to run the football every play. Even though the Falcons don’t bring back a lot of production from last season. They are a program that finds new players that they developed. The Oregon State defense is going to have to show out in this one and prove that even though Trent Bray isn’t calling plays. That the defense can be disciplined and stop the run. Keith Hayward is an excellent defensive coordinator who will have his players ready for all the options Air Force will throw at them. Oregon State wins the game and gets to bowl eligibility at 6-4.

Game 11 – Washington State @ Oregon State

The Pac-12 championship is on the line in this one. Oregon State has been excellent at home the past three seasons. That’s what’s going to lead the Beavers to the win over the Cougars. I like Jake Dickert and what he represents at Washington State. The Cougars should be a good test. The fans are going to show up and be loud in this one. It will feel like a big-time game for both the Cougars and Beavers. With Oregon State having the home-field advantage. I expect the Beavers to win.

Game 12 – Oregon @ Boise State

I expect Boise State to be competing for a CFP spot in this game. A group of five team will make the CFP, and Boise State is at the top of the list in my mind. Transfer quarterback, Malachi Nelson is going to have a good season for the Broncos. Better Oregon State teams have gone into Boise and come out with a loss. This is one of Boise State’s best teams since the Kellen Moore days. Ashton Jeanty ran for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. The blue turf will be a problem. Boise State gets the win and Oregon State finishes the season 7-5.

I believe Oregon State will finish the season 7-5. Is that good enough to get the attention of one of the big conferences to want to add them? Only time will tell, but I got Oregon State going under their win total of 7.5.