Despite standing at 5-0 this season, Oregon State continues to be one of the most undervalued team in college football, especially after the injury to starting quarterback Sean Mannion. The Beavers own impressive wins over Wisconsin (10-7; 6-point underdogs), UCLA (27-20; 8-point underdogs), Arizona (38-35; 2.5-point underdogs and BYU (42-24; 5.5-point underdogs), with three of those upset wins coming on the road.
Oregon State Defense:
- The Beavers are allowing just 18.4 points per game this season, including 70 rushing yards (2.9 yards per rush attempt), 6.6 yards per pass attempt, 5.3 yards per play and 19.7 yards per point to teams that combine to average 4.3 yards per rush play, 7.0 yards per pass play and 5.7 yards per play.
- Moreover, Oregon State is limiting opponents to a mere 6.5 points per game at home, including 27 rushing yards (1.5 yards per carry), 189 passing yards (5.1 yards per pass play) and 217 total yards (3.9 yards per play; 33.4 yards per point.
- Overall, the Beavers are 1.4 yards per rush attempt, 0.4 yards per pass play and 0.4 yards per play better than average defensively in 2012, although those numbers are significantly better when Oregon State lines up in front of the home faithful. The Beavers also rank fourth nationally against the run, while registering nine sacks and nine interceptions in the last three weeks.
Oregon State Offense:
- The eighth-ranked Beavers also possess a very good offense that is averaging 27.2 points per game, including 8.4 yards per pass play and 458 total yards (6.0 yards per play) against teams that combine to yield 6.7 yards per pass play and 5.3 yards per play to mediocre offensive squads.
- Overall, Oregon State is 1.7 yards per pass attempt and 0.7 yards per play better than average offensively this season, and those numbers look to be safe despite the injury to starting quarterback Sean Mannion.
- In fact, backup quarterback Cody Vaz made his first start in two years last week against BYU and looked very sharp wherein he completed 20-of-32 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns. Vaz was named Pac-12 offensive player of the week for his efforts against the Cougars, and his teammates have the utmost faith in his abilities. “I don’t think anybody in our locker room was particularly surprised Cody played well,” head coach Mike Riley said. “I think they have had faith in him as a teammate for a long time.”
With Oregon State standing at 4-1 ATS this season, look for the Beavers to continue their strong record against the Vegas number as they continue to be undervalued by both the oddsmakers and betting public.
