Minnesota (1-0 overall, 0-0 B1G) at Oregon State (1-1 overall, 0-0 Pac-10)
When: Saturday, 9:00 p.m. CT – Corvallis, Ore.
Stadium: Reser Stadium (45,674)
TV/Radio: FS1, KFAN 100.3 FM
Coach: Gary Andersen (3rd season)
Spread: Oregon State -2, o/u: 51
INSIDE THE GAME
Beavers at a Glance
The Oregon State defense has been very vulnerable against the run. The Beavers have given up 482 yards rushing, while surrendering 5 yards per carry. Despite a lackluster performance from Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks to open the season, expect a bounce-back game from the talented tailbacks against the porous OSU defense.
Running back Ryan Nall is averaging 5.6 yards per carry and 119 total yards per game. The 6-foot-2, 237-pounder is Oregon State’s most consistent offensive playmaker.
OSU’s offensive line has been stout in pass protection. They’ve allowed just one sack over the first two games; a feat that hasn’t been replicated since 1998.
Oregon State is 1-3 all-time against Minnesota, including a 30-23 loss at TCF Bank Stadium in 2016. Saturday’s contest between the two teams will be the first held in Corvallis, Ore.
Coach Speak
“When you make the West Coast trip, the ability to get in and get out, that’s key. There is an elevation change, there’s the three-and-a half-hour difference, there’s all these, quote, unquote, excuses, circumstances, different things that you have that we want to prepare them for.” – P.J. Fleck
“Minnesota, year four. Tough, tough bunch of kids. No doubt about it. A very well-established program for many years. These kids are highly competitive. They excel in tough-minded physical football games. They’ve gained my respect for a number of years.” – Gary Andersen
STORYLINE CENTRAL
Kevin Hampton with the Corvallis Gazette-Times takes a look at the Beavers’ defense. After two rough performances to start the year, d-coordinator Kevin Clune thinks his group is starting to figure things out in time for Saturday’s game.
On the other side of the ball Danny Moran of The Oregonian writes about what needs to improve on OSU’s offensive line. Despite a talented backfield, the Beavers haven’t been moving the ball as well as they’d like.
The Gophers ended their first game with a disappointing even turnover margin against Buffalo. Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press writes how P.J. Fleck saw a couple of missed opportunities where the Minnesota could have recorded another takeaway.
The Beavers are putting their trust in a number of youngsters on defense. Brendan Slaughter of BeaversEdge writes about some of the new faces making an impact for OSU.
WHO WINS?
The Gophers Win If…
If they can convert in the red zone. Minnesota’s opening game looks a lot different if they convert on their red zone chances. The Conor Rhoda interception at the five-yard line and a rare miss by Emmit Carpenter squandered drivers that saw the Gophers rolling. Minnesota should have a chance to move the ball against an OSU team that’s a Pac-12 worst 29.5 first downs per game. Now, especially on the road, they’ll have to finish.
The Beavers Win If…
If they can put pressure on Minnesota’s inexperienced quarterbacks. That’s certainly easier said than done. Again Buffalo, the duo of Conor Rhoda and Demry Croft looked relatively calm under pressure, and managed to avoid getting sacked in the game. The Beavers will have to improve on their first two performances of the year if they want to get in the backfield. OSU is the only team in the Pac-12 to play two games and also are the only team in the conference that hasn’t recorded a single sack.