Oregon State drove 75, 80 and 72 yards for touchdowns before San Diego State handed them a short field. Quarterback Braden Atkinson can dismantle a defense a possession at a time. After an 0–2 start under new coach JaMarcus Shephard, the Beavers have won four straight heading into Saturday’s homecoming at Reser Stadium. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s college football game between the Oregon State Beavers and the Washington State Cougars.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
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Oregon State vs. Washington State prediction, preview
Freshman receiver Jesse Legree’s 28-yard touchdown at Colorado State began with a catch two yards behind the line. Last week, Atkinson found him 33 yards downfield for a 71-yard score. Washington State’s corners have to honor that speed without conceding easy catches and room to accelerate. Tight end Eric Olsen complicates the assignment underneath. He caught nine passes for 65 yards at Colorado State, twice catching the ball behind the line before scoring. Oregon State can finish with the field squeezed tight, too. At Colorado State, running back AJ Newberry’s eight-yard gain set up second-and-two on the opening drive. Atkinson moved the chains with a short completion before throwing deep.
The Cougars have defended their goal line stubbornly. Fresno State attempted five field goals on seven red-zone trips; Utah State scored both touchdowns after recovering fumbles inside Washington State’s 40. I expect Washington State to force enough kicks and punts to hold Oregon State in the high thirties.
Washington State coach Kirby Moore now replaces Caden Pinnick with redshirt freshman Owen Eshelman. Moore praises Eshelman’s accuracy. Running back Leo Pulalasi had open grass ahead of him at Utah State, only for Pinnick to miss the throw. Moore can ease Eshelman into his first start with throws to his backs and tight ends, provided the freshman supplies the accuracy Pinnick lacked. Tight end Trey Leckner caught all four targets for 34 yards last week, turning one short reception into an 18-yard gain. Moore should involve him early and let Eshelman find some yards after the catch.
Washington State vs. Oregon State pick, best bet
The freshman has taken only two collegiate snaps and may need replacement left tackle Maximus McCree if starting tackle Ashton Tripp’s injured ankle sidelines him. McCree false-started twice last week; the sellout crowd at this 3 p.m. Pacific kickoff could complicate their timing further. Beyond Pulalasi’s 54-yard touchdown, the Cougar backs managed just 23 yards on 18 carries. After holding San Diego State to 56 rushing yards, the Beavers should smother those handoffs again. I expect stalled runs and penalties to leave Eshelman attempting too many long conversions, with kicker Jack Stevens salvaging points.
Shephard was still calling passes with a 45-point lead last week. Backup quarterback Maalik Murphy converted fourth-and-four during a 75-yard touchdown drive. I’ll lay 18.5.
Best bet: Oregon State -18.5 (-105).
Projected score: Oregon State 38, Washington State 13.
Best Bet: Oregon State -18.5 (-105) vs. Washington State
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