Oregon State cannot crack prime 25, Beavers remarkably wholesome, 10 wins potential: 8 takeaways from 42-9 win over Colorado

The State of Oregon The Beavers defeated the Colorado Buffaloes 42-9 on Saturday night time at Reeser Stadium. Listed below are eight methods to win, making the Beavers bowl eligible with 4 video games to go:

1. The large image is coming in November

Solely 2013 (Oct. 19) and 2012 (Oct. 20) have the Beavers been bowl eligible earlier than in program historical past. With 4 common season video games remaining, a long-shot probability on the Pac-12 Championship Sport (extra on that beneath) and a bowl recreation, OSU should surpass its 7-6 file from 2013 and there is a probability it’ll surpass its 9-4 file. In 2012. Oregon State has two seasons of 10 or extra wins in class historical past: 2000 and 2006.

Will this be the third? You possibly can’t say it is unattainable. California and Arizona State are winnable video games. Washington is difficult, however the Huskies are hardly unbeatable. Oregon is at present the perfect group within the Pac-12, however the Beavers play the Geese at Reeser Stadium, the place OSU is hard. Then there’s a bowl recreation. A file of 8-5 appears to be the bottom bar. At this stage, this ending could be referred to as a disappointment. With a break and higher play at quarterback, Oregon State may get to 10 wins.

2. Path to the Pac-12 Championship Sport

This is not a prediction, however the one means OSU will get to Las Vegas is to win out. The Beavers nonetheless want loads of assist, as their two losses got here to rivals USC and Utah. Because the standings are at present made up, Oregon State is fifth, behind first-place Oregon (4-0), plus USC (4-1), UCLA (3-1) and Utah (3-1).

How will a 7-2 Oregon State play within the championship recreation? For starters, the Beavers want an upset or two, as a result of it is not sufficient for the groups in entrance of them to knock one another off. OSU will not win many tiebreakers. Sadly, the checklist of potential pitfalls will not be lengthy. USC has a cakewalk left (Arizona, California, Colorado, UCLA). Utah may mess up, because it has Washington State and Oregon on the street, but in addition performs Arizona at house and Stanford and Colorado in Boulder. Stanford or Arizona State over UCLA? Most likely. Oregon has maybe the hardest remaining schedule, ending with Washington, Utah and OSU. However two of these three will likely be performed at Autzen Stadium, the place the Geese are using a 23-game profitable streak.

Backside line: Oregon State is in good condition for one of many convention’s prime bowl video games. The Beavers are possible watching the Pac-12 championship recreation.

Why Go: After Oregon State crushes Colorado, pause to admire what Jonathan Smith has created

Bowl eligibility is just the beginning for the hungry Oregon State Beavers, who are eyeing a ‘Big November’ after crushing Colorado.

3. Ought to OSU be within the prime 25?

Reply: Possibly. Nevertheless it’s not the slam dunk some followers assume it needs to be. The Beavers are in some unlucky circumstances. Boise State and Fresno State wins ought to resonate. OSU performed each when these groups had been intact, particularly Fresno State with Jake Hener. Boise State has revived itself, however maybe to not a stage that can appeal to discover from nationwide voters. Fresno State is not the identical group with out Hanner. Oregon State’s efficiency towards USC was admirable, however the loss was. Voters solely care about outcomes. The place is the signature efficiency for the Beavers? Washington State? It is necessary, however the Cougars are 4-3 with a win towards a Wisconsin group that fired its coach. Stanford’s win seems to be somewhat higher at the moment than it did two weeks in the past, however the Cardinals stay sub-500. Colorado? Yeh.

There was no credibility with Oregon State voters heading into the season. Constructing a base of assist takes time. It’s rising. On this week’s ballot, the Beavers obtained 25 votes within the AP Ballot, 22 within the Coaches Ballot. If there’s some carnage subsequent Saturday, OSU may discover themselves within the prime 25 subsequent week for the primary time since 2013. That should occur subsequent week if the Beavers beat Washington on Nov. 4.

4. What ought to the quarterback do?

Till Likelihood Nolan is cleared from the concussion protocol, no choice has been made. Ben Gulbranson at quarterback. When Nolan clears for observe, who will play quarterback is anybody’s guess. Gulbranson is ok. He accomplished 61 of 99 passes for 818 yards and 5 touchdowns. Most significantly, Gulbranson is 3-0.

However Nolan additionally was 3-0 in his first three begins this season. He had a tough patch after that, however it’s not like Gulbranson did not have just a few questionable moments. What we all know is we will begin. While you’re attempting to win 10 or 11 video games, it is not sufficient. Who’s finest geared up to do it? Whereas we might like to have a solution, it is a robust name that solely coach Jonathan Smith and offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren could make.

5. Now it is time for Damien Martinez

This one is simple. It is clear that Martinez ought to step again right into a management function. The freshman has been sensational of late, capped by Saturday’s 178-yard, three-touchdown efficiency. Oregon State carries a three-man rotation of Deshaun Fenwick, Jame Griffin and Martinez this season. Whereas altering this rotation, Martinez carries extra. Smith has stated on a number of events that Martinez is “particular.” Martinez is OSU’s finest house run menace, and he is discovered learn how to get the robust yards. Feed Martinez, and feed him by stretch usually.

6. The long run seems to be good

A few of the massive performs Saturday got here from Oregon State’s freshmen. Martinez was there, operating for touchdowns of three, 4 and 4 yards. Tight finish Jake Welling, a real freshman who did not see his first motion till mid-September, scored on a 60-yard go play. Martinez and Veling mixed to attain 4 of OSU’s 5 offensive touchdowns. Defensively, second-year sophomore Easton Mascarenas-Easton sacked Colorado quarterback JT Schrute to sluggish a promising drive within the second quarter.

7. 4 weeks to hum the crime

Oregon State is a defense-led group. Can we agree? The offense has been good at occasions, above common, in some circumstances subpar. The Beavers have been adequate to get six wins by means of eight video games. That is adequate to get by means of the California and Arizona State video games. It in all probability wants some enchancment to beat Washington. However Oregon State has no probability of beating Oregon except the Beavers discover one other gear on offense. OSU’s protection can play in addition to it may possibly towards the Geese, and it may possibly nonetheless take 35 to 40 factors for the Beavers to win. Oregon State will not be profitable towards Oregon. The Beavers will want some electrical energy and big-play potential to beat the Geese. OSU has 4 weeks to seek out these components.

8. Bodily, OSU is in good condition

It turned cringeworthy throughout a late Oregon State information convention when reporters requested concerning the Beavers’ capability to beat damage adversity. In the event that they perform a little homework they are going to be taught that this isn’t true. There are seasons the place accidents are a legitimate issue, however not 2022 These beavers are remarkably wholesome It is soccer, and there are going to be accidents. There isn’t any getting round that. However, headlined by Oregon State’s top-22 season, the Beavers had been with out Luke Musgrave and quarterback Likelihood Nolan for prolonged intervals. That is it. Musgrave’s loss was crippling, to make certain. However Ben Gulbranson has seamlessly taken over for Nolan. Oregon State does not have a big damage on protection. Certain, the Beavers may use security Alton Julian, however we knew it was an uphill battle to get him again from his 2021 ACL surgical procedure. Oregon State’s continued good well being is No. 1 because the Beavers are 6-2 and in effective form heading into November.

Nick Dashell studies from Corvallis

[email protected] | @nickdashell