Preview 2019: Previewing and looking ahead to the Oregon State Beavers season with what you need to know.
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– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Recruiting Class Analysis | Schedule Analysis
– Oregon State Previews 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015
2018 Record: 2-10 overall, 1-8 in Pac-12
Head Coach: Jonathan Smith, 2nd year, 2-10
– CFN Preview 2019: All The Team Previews
5. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE OREGON STATE OFFENSE
– There were plenty of issues in 2018, but the offense wasn’t all that bad. It didn’t score enough – averaging 26 points per game – but it ran well at times and average over 400 total yards per game. There’s enough talent returning for more production and be more explosive, because …
– The receiving corps is dangerous. The combination of Isaiah Hodgins and Trevon Bradford is good, and there’s depth in the group. In all, 11 of the top 12 wide receivers are back – including tight ends Isaiah Smalls and Noah Togiai – and transferring in from Nebraska is Tyjon Lindsey, which means …
– The quarterback play should be better and more consistent. 6-7 Jake Luton got another year of eligibility, and he’s got the big arm and experience push the ball down the field more after throwing ten touchdown passes and just four picks in his eight games of work.
Stepping into the fight for the starting job is Nebraska transfer Tristan Gebbia, whose only flaw is not being Adrian Martinez. Both will see time, and both will battle through fall camp for the top spot.
– The 1-2 rushing punch of Jermar Jefferson and Artavis Pierce is among the Pac-12’s best and most versatile. Jefferson is the 1,380-yard workhorse, and Pierce is the good veteran who dangerous quick receiver with the burst to crank up the big play on the ground. The skill positions are in place, but …
– And here’s the problem … the O line needs some reworking. Next-level awful last year, the line allowed a nation-high 48 sacks and 99 tackles for loss. Only two starters return – guard Gus Lavaka and tackle Blake Brandel, likely for the left side – and the depth is lacking.