4. College Football News Preview 2020: Oregon State Beavers Defense 3 Things To Know
– There defense made a massive improvement from a bad few years, allowing 390 points after giving up well over 500 in 2017 and 2018. And now all the growing pains through a youth movement should pay off with nine starters and seven of the top eight tacklers returning.
The linebacking corps should be fantastic with top two tacklers Avery Roberts and Omar Speights returning on the inside, and All-America pass rusher Hamlicar Rashed about to become a college football household name at one of the outside spots. This group has to be stronger and more consistent against the run, but getting behind the line won’t be a problem.
– 377-pound Elu Aydon is done on the nose, but there’s size at the two end spots. Isaac Hodgins and Simon Sandberg are defensive tackles playing on the end, but the massive bulk isn’t there for the middle.
– The Oregon State secondary got roasted last year for 28 touchdowns, and five of the mere eight interceptions on the year came against both the Pac-12’s Washington schools. Safety Jalen Moore is done, but all of the other parts are back in a good-sized secondary – the corners are built like safeties.