Arizona vs. Oregon State Prediction, Game Preview

The Arizona Wildcats (3-2) will be looking for their footing when the Oregon State Beavers (2-2) invade Tucson this Saturday afternoon. Check out the Arizona vs. Oregon State prediction and game preview.

Arizona vs. Oregon State Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, October 10
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Network: Fox Sports 1

Why You Need To Care

Forget Pac-12 divisional races for a moment. Oregon State and Arizona will simply be looking to improve their cases for bowl eligibility this week. The Wildcats have been significantly downgraded the past two weeks, the result of injuries and back-to-back demoralizing losses to UCLA and Stanford. Now, the Cats just want to stop the bleeding during this upcoming stretch against Oregon State, Colorado, Wazzu and Washington. The Beavers come off their bye with an even record, falling to the Cardinal two weeks ago. New head coach Gary Andersen is rebuilding this year with a team that should be better in November than it was in September.

Why Oregon State Will Win

In terms of common opponents, the Beavers were more competitive against Stanford than Arizona was last weekend. The Wildcats are in full-fledged crisis mode, particularly on defense, where they’ve allowed 111 points over the past two games. And they’ll have to contain athletic rookie QB Seth Collins and 6-5 WR Jordan Villamin, who has scored in three of his four games.

Why Arizona Will Win

The Wildcats are hoping to get back QB Anu Solomon, who’s day-to-day following a concussion. Even if Jerrard Randall earns his second start, Arizona should be able to run the ball on an Oregon State defense yielding 4.8 yards per carry. Randall is akin to a glorified option quarterback, averaging 13 yards a carry, while RB Nick Wilson is more than halfway to another 1,000-yard season.

Player Who Matters

If Arizona does plan to run the ball, it better be prepared to get a hat on Oregon State linebackers Rommel Mageo and Caleb Saulo. The juniors have emerged as cornerstones of the Beaver defense going forward, consistently filling gaps and wrapping up in space. The Cats’ recent O-line issues will be challenged by a quick OSU front seven.

What’s Going To Happen?

Arizona isn’t distinctly better than anyone in the Pac-12 right now, including Oregon State. But the Wildcats are home, and their quarterback situation will be improved, whether it’s because Solomon is back or Randall has more reps. They’ll snap the skid, but not before getting everything that the Beavers can possibly dish out.