Oregon State Football: How Will the Beavers Matchup With the Bruins?

UCLA Bruins vs. Oregon State Beavers

Kickoff time: 12:30 PM PST

Corvallis, OR

Kickoff between the Beavers and Bruins is only hours away as these two teams prepare for Pac-12 conference play to finally begin.

The Beavers are a disappointing 0-2 on the season with loses to FCS Sacramento State (29-28 OT) and the Wisconsin Badgers (35-0).

UCLA comes into the game a measly 1-2 with an opening week loss on the road versus Houston, then a win at home against the San Jose State Spartans, capped off with a loss at home against the No. 23 visiting Texas Longhorns.

Both teams have underachieved thus far, and greatly need a win to help bring their coaches off of the hot seat for a week.

This matchup will undoubtedly be the most pitiful to watch. The Beavers are absolutely horrible on offense (largely due to injuries) and they have not been able to do anything productive.

The offensive line is inconsistent, the quarterback is inexperienced, and the running back and wide receiver positions are completely depleted because injuries. I dare you to find a bright-spot on the offense for the Beavers.

The Beavers are 110^th in the country in points-per-game at a measly average of just 14 points. Mind you, one of their two games was against FCS Sacramento State.

The one thing that will help the Beaver on Saturday is that UCLA is equally as bad, if not worse, on defense. The Bruins are 111^th in run defense (645 yards), 73^rd in pass defense (629 yards), and 103^rd in points allowed per game (34.7).

It’s really toss up of which unit is worse though. The slight advantage goes to the Beaver, but I don’t expect either unit to shine this Saturday.

Advantage: Oregon State

UCLA’s offense is much better than it’s defense. That is when they aren’t beating themselves.

The Bruins stand at 38^th in the country in yardage-per-game (429.3), but they are much farther back in points per game at 72^nd with 27.0 points on average. Turnovers and costly penalties in the red zone have led to numerous missed opportunities.

The Beavers have not been so great defensively. In two games this season (Sacramento State, Wisconsin) the Beavers have allowed an average of 32 points-per-game. Giving up 35 points to Wisconsin is understandable, but the 29 points relinquished to FCS Sac State is unacceptable.

The edge does go to UCLA because of Oregon State’s inability to show signs of progress.

Advantage: UCLA

Even though this game will feature two of the worst teams in the Pac-12, this should be one of the better conference games this weekend. Neither team will blow you away with their talent, but it will be a close game between two great coaches.

Both Mike Riley (OSU) and Rick Neuheisel (UCLA) have come under fire for such disappointing seasons, so both coaches would like a win to silence the critics for at least a week. With the home field advantage and an extra week to prepare, I see the Beavers being the slight-favorite to win.

OSU 23

UCLA 20