2 weeks Ago By DYLAN JACOBS [email protected]
This Saturday's game is one that on paper may not seem that interesting. But digging deeper, there's plenty of intrigue. Oregon State (4-1) heads to Reno to take on Nevada (2-4), kicking off at 4:30 p.
m. on CBS Sports Network. Both teams are coming off of dramatic games.
The Beavers had their huge 2OT win over Colorado State, while the Wolf Pack fell to San Jose State on a last-minute trick-play touchdown. This may be classified as a textbook trap game, with Oregon State coming off a dramatic win, facing a somewhat weaker Nevada team, then returning home with a primetime showdown against a strong UNLV squad. But it's a game the Beavers can't take lightly.
For starters, there's uncertainty regarding the status of running back Jam Griffin, who left early in last week's contest with a leg injury. Anthony Hankerson is more than capable of stepping up like he did against the Rams, but having both guys, especially with the game at high elevation in Nevada, would help a lot. Then comes the fact that Nevada's strength is Oregon State's weakness.
The Wolf Pack have a solid running game, led by running back Savion Red and quarterback Brandon Lewis, who is a true dual-threat. OSU coach Trent Bray has coached against Lewis when the quarterback was at Colorado, so there's some familiarity there. But Oregon State is 130th in the country in yards per rush allowed, and given the different ways the Wolfpack can come at you, it might be tough to stop.
"There's nothing physically that's happening to us as far as the opponent outscheming us or dominating us physically," Bray said. "It's just a lack of fundamental techniques that would put (defenders) in the right position or be sound against what they're doing. It's just inconsistent.
" Nevada has had successful moments this season. But there have been moments that have kept them from getting over the hump. The Wolf Pack battled and came close to beating now-ranked SMU in the opener.
Close losses to San Jose State and Georgia Southern could have gone either way. Penalties have been a problem, with Nevada averaging 8.8 penalties a game, eighth most in the country.
Discipline will be a major focus in this one. "(Penalties) are the things that are costing us games," Nevada coach Jeff Choate said. "We're not turning the ball over willy nilly.
We're not in a situation where we can't move the ball on offense, or we can't stop anybody on defense. We're not screwing things up on special teams. We're not mismanaging games.
We're beating ourselves with dumb penalties for the most part." Prediction (season record 5-0): The spread on this game is really interesting. As of Tuesday, Oregon State was a -4 favorite.
Yes, the Beavers are going on the road, but at first glance the number may seem low. Nevada only has wins against Troy and Eastern Washington this season. But with the dual-threat running ability of Lewis and the injuries to guys like Griffin, there are plenty of questions that may lead to a closer game.
It might be a trap game, but the key to this one might be that even if it's just Hankerson, the Beavers should be able to run the ball, and Gevani McCoy should be able to move it through the air. The Wolf Pack's defensive metrics are comparable to previous opponents, giving up 4.3 yards per rush, 74th in the country, and 254 passing yards per game, 96th in the country.
If Oregon State can play its brand of football and control time of possession, that will help the run defense, keep them rested, and force Nevada into passing situations. It's a potential trap game, but one the Beavers should handle. Oregon State wins 30-20 Dylan Jacobs covers Oregon state men's basketball, baseball and high school sports.
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