NCAAF · 8 days ago

How Oregon State Can Upset Oregon: 5 Keys To Victory

TJ Inman

5. Play the Smarter Game
The annual rivalry game is always packed with emotions and this year's edition is the last scheduled meeting between the two schools. Oregon State is being left behind and there is undoubtedly a chip on the OSU players' shoulders in this matchup. Oregon is penalized 8.1 times per game, 130th in the country. Oregon State will need to control emotions and play the smarter game to win.
1. Control the Clock
The game plan for the Oregon State Beavers was made clear in last Saturday's clash with Washington. It was predictable but here's the thing: it almost worked. Oregon State had the ball for more than 38 minutes of the game against Washington and dominated the second half by going on long drives that were grinded out on the ground. Damien Martinez is a terrific power back but Oregon is surrendering only 3.3 yards per carry (18th in the country). This plan will be tougher to execute against Oregon than it was vs. Washington but it is the Beavers best chance to pull off the upset.
2. Find Big Plays in the Passing Game
Oregon State needs more from quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. The transfer from Clemson has been solid, but he'll need to be great on Friday night in Eugene. Oregon State will need to protect him and give him time and the Beavers receivers have to make some big plays. Silas Bolden and Anthony Gould need to be more explosive than they have been thus far and they'll need to do it against a good Oregon secondary.
3. Make Oregon One-Dimensional
The Oregon State Beavers will have a very difficult job stopping Bo Nix and the passing game but the job becomes impossible if Oregon is also able to run the ball well. Oregon State is 26th in the country with only 3.5 yards per attempt allowed on the ground.
4. Get to Bo Nix
Oregon State has a very strong pass rush but it failed to show up against the Washington Huskies. The Beavers are averaging 3.2 sacks per game but Oregon is only surrendering .5 sacks per game, the best mark in the country. Nix has not faced much pressure and rarely makes mistakes. Oregon State will need to change that to pull off the upset.
5. Play the Smarter Game
The annual rivalry game is always packed with emotions and this year's edition is the last scheduled meeting between the two schools. Oregon State is being left behind and there is undoubtedly a chip on the OSU players' shoulders in this matchup. Oregon is penalized 8.1 times per game, 130th in the country. Oregon State will need to control emotions and play the smarter game to win.
1. Control the Clock
The game plan for the Oregon State Beavers was made clear in last Saturday's clash with Washington. It was predictable but here's the thing: it almost worked. Oregon State had the ball for more than 38 minutes of the game against Washington and dominated the second half by going on long drives that were grinded out on the ground. Damien Martinez is a terrific power back but Oregon is surrendering only 3.3 yards per carry (18th in the country). This plan will be tougher to execute against Oregon than it was vs. Washington but it is the Beavers best chance to pull off the upset.