CFB Northwest 2012-2013 Season Predictions: OSU Beavers

After a 3-9 season, the Oregon State Beavers will be looking to recover and return to the bowl season. Unfortunately, it may be a struggle to get there to that 6-win mark. The Pac-12 is not filled with many cupcakes or easy wins. However, I see the Beavers making it back to a bowl game.

Oregon State Beavers vs Nicholls State Colonels
I would normally say that a game against a FCS team would be a easy win. However, one year ago, Oregon State lost to Sacramento State 29-28 on opening week. I do believe the Beavers will come ready to go with urgency and the "appropriate fear" for their opponent. I'm expecting a big day for WR Markus Wheaton and QB Sean Mannion.
Result: Beavers win 41-13

Oregon State Beavers (1-0) vs Wisconsin Badgers
This matchup sucks for Beavers. It's hard competing against the 2011-2012 Big Ten Champion, let alone a team that squashed them 35-0 the year before. I don't know if he Beavers are going to be able to defend against the Badgers RB combo of Monte Ball and James White. If they can generate pressure and penetration, they will have a chance defending but I think their offense will struggle against a stout Badger defense.
Result: Badgers win 38-17

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Oregon State Beavers (1-1) @ UCLA Bruins
It's the first road game for the Beavers and it's against a UCLA Bruins team run by new head coach Jim Mora. Luckily, they will be coming off of a Bye week. I think this is very winnable. It's not an "easy win" because UCLA can have one of those nights when they look like one of the better teams in the Pac-12. I do think though OSU will pull out a victory behind the efforts of their RBs Malcolm Agnew, Jovan Stevenson and Jordan Jenkins.
Result: Beavers win 28-20

Oregon State Beavers (2-1) @ Arizona Wildcats
I think this is an interesting matchup again because Arizona is in rebuilding mode with Rich Rodriguez taking over at Arizona. There's not a lot of leadership on Arizona at the moment but after 3 games into the season, teams usually begin to get their feet under them. I still think the Beavers take advantage of the inexperience and are led by receivers Markus Wheaton and Brandon Cooks.
Result: Beavers win 31-24

Oregon State Beavers (3-1) vs Washington State Cougars
The Beavers stomped the Cougars 44-21 last year at CenturyLink Field. Now, WSU has a new head coach in Mike Leach and expect the offense to be explosive with WR Marquise Wilson and Bobby Ratliff leading the way. It's a virtual toss-up. However, I think the Cougars make just enough plays to beat the Beavers on their home turf.
Result: Cougars win 35-31

Oregon State Beavers (3-2) @ Brigham Young Cougars
From facing the Cougars to visiting Provo, Idaho to take on the BYU Cougars. The Cougars don't have much explosive plays to go off of. They leaned hard on QB Riley Nelson last year and will probably do the same this year. I think the Beavers will be underdogs in this game but I think they can sneak out of Provo with a win if they generate enough pressure on Nelson.
Result: Beavers win 28-24

Oregon State Beavers (4-2) vs Utah Utes
The Utes are a difficult matchup. They will have to defend against John White IV, who is on the Walter Camp Award watch list this year. I think Utah will run through the Beavers and clearly make it obvious OSU is no match for them. Upset is possible but not likely.
Result: Utes win 45-17

Oregon State Beavers (4-3) @ Washington Huskies
The Washington Huskies are probably the second best team in the Pac-12 North behind the Oregon Ducks. They will tough to beat and I don't believe the Beavers have enough fire power to match Keith Price and Kasen Williams' talent. I think the Beavers make it interesting but the Huskies pull away late.
Result: Huskies win 35-21

Oregon State Beavers (4-4) vs Arizona State Sun Devils
ASU is in complete rebuilding mode. Brock Osweiler is gone so the main leader is gone. It will be mid-season so there should be some stability for ASU but Oregon State should be able to take advantage of the Sun Devils' lack of experience on offense and defense.
Result: Beavers win 31-14

Oregon State Beavers (5-4) vs Stanford Cardinal
No Andrew Luck for the Cardinal, still no problem. Even with Luck, the Cardinal was a run-first team. They are loaded at runningback with Stepfan Taylor, Tyler Gaffney, and Anthony Wilkerson (We will see if Barry Sanders Jr. makes a make as a freshman). I think they are more talented on defense than the Beavers and will win. Not a blow out, but not a game where one would feel the Beavers even threatened.
Result: Cardinal win 38-21


Oregon State Beavers (5-5) vs California Golden Bears
I think the Golden Bears are a dangerous team. They have a young up-and-coming QB in Zach Maynard and a very talented RB in Isi Sofele. I think the Bears will provide a tough challenge and I don't see this game being  blowout either way. However, I think the Beavers will squeak out the victory and reach the 6-win mark; making them bowl eligible.
Result: Beavers win 21-17

Oregon State Beavers (6-5) vs Oregon Ducks  
It's the Civil War. It's 7th oldest rivalry in the NCAA. There is always a chance for upsets but this would not be one of those years. I think the Ducks are a possible National Title team if they can get past USC. They will be trying to get to the Pac-12 Championship game. I think Kenjon Barner and DeAnthony Thomas will make life difficult for the Beavers and I expect the Beavers to compete for a half before getting blow away.
Result: Ducks win 52-21

I do believe the Beavers will finish with a 6-6 record. I think the talent they have on the offensive side of the ball with Mannion, Agnew, Stevenson, Wheaton and Cooks will get them those wins. Making a bowl will be a step in the right direction for OSU and help them build into the offseason.

Note: The results may be too high-scoring. I naturally like like seeing high scores. However, I do believe the outcomes will be the way I expect them to happen.