The Oregon State Beavers and San Jose State Spartans meet for the first time since 1997. Which team will inch back above .500? We take a look below in the Oregon State vs. San Jose State prediction and game preview.

Oregon State vs. San Jose State Prediction & Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 19
Game Time: 8:00 ET
Network: Pac-12 Network

Why You Need To Care

Oregon State and San Jose State are a pair of rebuilding programs eyeing progress on the non-conference portion of the schedule. The Beavers under first-year coach Gary Andersen were humbled by Michigan in Ann Arbor last Saturday, 35-7. Andersen is using a handful of young kids, so there’s hope that the program will improve over time. The Spartans stayed with Air Force for three quarters in Week 2, but eventually faded in a 37-16 defeat.

Why San Jose State Will Win

Oregon State is having an awful time scoring points, so it won’t take a flurry of points to deliver a road upset in Pac-12 country. Plus, the Spartans are terrific in pass defense, headlined by talented cornerbacks Cleveland Wallace and Jimmy Pruitt. The Beavers’ rookie passers plus the San Jose State DBs is an equation for turnovers.

Why Oregon State Will Win

In Corvallis, the defense is ahead of the offense. The Beavers didn’t play poorly against the Wolverines, but eventually got worn down. The linebackers are very active, and Kyle Peko is a hidden gem at the nose. San Jose State will arrive at Reser Stadium with uncertainty behind center, because neither Joe Gray nor Kenny Potter has flourished this month.

Player Who Matters

In Rommel Mageo, a junior from American Samoa, Oregon State has an emerging star. He’s a typical Beaver linebacker, in that he flies to the ball with reckless abandon. And he was one of the only bright spots Saturday, notching eight tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception. Mageo will be spying Spartan RB Tyler Ervin all evening long.

What’s Going To Happen?

In a game that’s bound to be light on offensive fireworks, this could be a tricky spot for Oregon State. The Beavers will get nothing from the passing game, so they’ll have to lean on the legs of RB Storm Barrs-Woods, provided his knee is 100%. The defense will also step up to preserve the win in a competitive game.

Oregon State vs. San Jose State Score Prediction

Final: Oregon State 28, San Jose State 17, Line: Oregon State -7.5, o/u: 52.5

Must See Rating: 5: Republican Debate, Second Round – 1: Republican Debate, First Round … 1.5

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