CFB Northwest 2013-14 Predictions: OSU Beavers

The Beavers come into the 2013-14 season with confidence but also with something to prove. After a 9-4 season last year and a disappointing loss to Texas in the Valero Alamo Bowl, the Beavers will look to challenge the Stanford and Oregon for the Pac-12 North Division. The Beavers currently have an ongoing starting quarterback battle between junior Sean Mannion (who was 6-1 as the starter last year) and senior Cody Vaz (who was 3-3 as the starter last year). I believe Mannion is the better quarterback and should be the starter Week One.


Oregon State Beavers vs Eastern Washington Eagles
FCS opponents are supposed to be challenging but never supposed to be threatening. Well, the Eagles are not the typical FCS team. Eastern Washington lost to the Washington Huskies 30-27 two years ago and to the Washington State Cougars 24-20 last year. This is not your ordinary "cupcake" team at the beginning of the season. However, Beavers should meet the challenge and get by without much difficulty. Look for head coach Mike Riley to feature his redshirt sophomore runningback Storm Woods.
Result: Beavers win 52-7


Oregon State Beavers (1-0) vs Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
This is another fun game for the Beavers. The Hawaii Warriors are one of the best teams passing the football. The Warriors always come with a lot of spirit and expectations to pull off the upset. However, the Beavers will be ready for the challenge. I expect to see more Storm Woods on the ground and a good showing by the Oregon State defense.
Result: Beaver win 42-21

Oregon State Beavers (2-0) vs Utah Utes

From Sportlogos.net

This is a challenge but not too much of a challenge for a Pac-12 opener for the Beavers. The Utes struggled last year because of a lack of consistency at quarterback play. I expect the Utes to fair much better this season but Oregon State should be able to attack the Utes on the ground after the Utes lost first round pick Star Lotulelui to the NFL Draft. I expect the Utes to put up a fight but I think quarterback Sean Mannion, Storm Woods and receiver Brandin Cooks will deliver a win.
Result: Beavers win 31-17




Oregon State Beavers (3-0) @ San Diego State Aztecs

San Diego State is an underrated program from the non-automatic qualifier conferences. The Aztecs are a strong team and should prove difficult to play. They will rely heavily on their Doak Walker (Nation's Top RB) candidate Adam Muema. However, the Beavers should be able to make the necessary plays to win by a few possessions.
Result: Beavers win 34-17

Oregon State Beavers (4-0) @ Colorado Buffaloes   
The Buffaloes are still reeling ever since entering the Pac-12 Conference. They only have won 4 games since joining the conference in 2011 and were 1-11 last year (The one win was at Washington State University). I expect the Buffaloes to put up a good fight for the first half, then the Beavers' talented skill position players, Cooks and Woods, will dominate later.
Result: Beavers win 38-14

Oregon State Beavers (5-0) @ Washington State Cougars
The Beavers will be in for a tough one. The Cougars are in the second year of the Mike Leach era. The will be more consistent than last year and the Cougars always play better at home. I expect a close game. Brandon Cooks should be able to terrorize the Cougars' secondary. Rushing yards will be tough to come by as the Cougars have most of their defensive linemen and linebackers returning. The Beavers will also have to be on guard at all times to defend Mike Leach's pass-happy offense. It should be a close game.
Result: Beavers win 31-28

Oregon State Beavers (6-0) @ California Golden Bears
The Golden Bears are a very interesting matchup. Jeff Tedford is out and Sonny Dykes is in. Dykes brings an explosive offensive play strategy and an aggressive defensive style of play. I think the Golden Bears may be one year away from topping Oregon State. The main reason is the Golden Bears lost their explosive and main wide receiver Keenan Allen to the NFL Draft. However, the Golden Bears will still put on a good show.
Result: Beavers win 28-24

Oregon State Beavers (7-0) vs Stanford Cardinal
This matchup is very intriguing because both teams play similar styles. While the Beavers are more balanced, Stanford likes to pound opponents every play with their run game. The Cardinal have to make up for losing Stepfan Taylor. They will have a runningback by committee in Anthony Wilkerson, Tyler Gaffney, Kelsey Young, and Barry Sanders Jr. The Beavers will also have to contend with the best linebackers in the country including Shane Skov. This was a great game to watch last year and should be another good one this year.
Result: Cardinal win 34-31

Oregon State Beavers (7-1) vs USC Trojans
I don't know what it is about Corvallis but the Trojans have not won at Reser Stadium since the 1996-97 season. The Beavers are going to be tough on their hated rivals from the south once again this year. The Beavers will need to deal with standout receiver Marquise Lee and whoever the Trojans decide to play at quarterback. I think the Oregon State running game dominates USC like it usually does at Reser Stadium.
Result: Beavers win 28-21

Oregon State Beavers (8-1) @ Arizona State Sun Devils
The Sun Devils were a pleasant surprise for the Pac-12 as coach Ray Graham got the program over .500 with a 8-5 record. Redshirt sophomore Taylor Kelly will be more than poised to build off his freshman campaign. I think the Sun Devils can be a sleeper team in the Pac-12 South. This will be a close game. Storm Woods and Brandin Cooks will do what they can to keep Beavers in it but overall, the Sun Devils will pull out the victory at home.
Result: Sun Devils win 37-28

Oregon State Beavers (8-2) vs Washington Huskies
The Huskies caused havoc and nightmares for quarterback Sean Mannion in last years matchup at CenturyLink Field. Mannion threw 4 interceptions and the Beavers still only lost 20-17. With that said and both teams being better, I expect Mannion to play much better in front of the home crowd for the final home game of the season. The Beavers will do everything they can to pound Washington to the ground. 
Result: Beavers win 28-20

Oregon State Beavers (9-2) @ Oregon Ducks
It's Civil War time. The Beavers will be trying to win the rivalry for the first time since the 2007-08 season. The Ducks will be most likely needing the rivalry win to have a chance at the Pac-12 North title or to win it. The Ducks' Marcus Mariota will be the main highlight. His combination of running speed and throwing efficiency will spell problems for the Beavers. I expect this Civil War to be closer than the past few but the result will still be the same.
Result: Ducks win 38-28

I do believe the Beavers will finish the year with a 9-3 record in the regular season. The result for their bowl game depends on their opponent. I expect the defense to be relatively good and the offense will have many bright sports with a few dominate performances