College Football News Preview 2020: Oregon State Beavers Keys To The Season
Biggest Key To The Oregon State Beavers Offense
Keep pushing the passing game deep. It didn’t always equate to wins, but at the very least, the Beaver offense started to come up with a whole lot more big plays than it had in several years.
The O bombed away for more than ten yards per pass four times. The OSU passing game came up with more than ten yards per pass three times in the previous six seasons.
The air show also came up with four touchdown passes or more five times. The program came up with five games with four scoring passes or more in the previous seven years.
There are plenty of new parts – and it starts at quarterback – but the offense has to keep on pressing and testing defenses.
Biggest Key To The Oregon State Beavers Defense
The D has to be far, far, far better on the money downs. It was miserable at coming up with stops on fourth downs, allowing teams to convert a whopping 21-of-27 times.
Offenses didn’t have any fear. Hawaii hit all three of its conversions in the three point win, Washington State hit its two tries in a 54-53 victory, and Oregon was able to keep things going in a 24-10 win with three fourth down conversions.
The third down defense wasn’t all that great, either. The Beavers allowed teams to convert over 44% of their tries, and allowed five teams to connect on 50% or more of their attempts.
Key Oregon State Beavers Player To A Successful Season
WR Champ Flemings, Jr.
And if it’s not Flemings, it has to be one of the other receiver options to help replace Isaiah Hodgins. He came up with 13 of the team’s 30 touchdown catches and 86 of the 260 grabs.
The No. 1 guy and All-Pac-12 star will be missed, but the 5-5, 142-pound Flemings isn’t going to be a volume-catcher, but he’s extremely quick – he’s a great kickoff returner – and has to bring a veteran presence as a top big play target.
Key Game To The Oregon State Beavers Season
Washington State, Sept. 26
It’s not just that Oregon State needs to win the Pac-12 opener. It’s not just that it needs to win the Pac-12 opener at home. It’s not just that it needs to win the Pac-12 opener at home against new Washington State head coach Nick Rolovoch, whose Hawaii team beat the Beavers last year.
It’s that Oregon State hasn’t beaten Washington State since 2013, losing six in a row including a wild 54-53 shootout last season.
– Oregon State Beavers Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
2019 Oregon State Fun Stats
– Field Goals: Opponents 11-of-23 – Oregon State 4-of-9
– 4th Down Conversions: Opponents 21-of-27 (78%) – Opponents 13-of-24 (54%)
– Turnovers: Opponents 16 – Oregon State 6