Colorado State (2-2) at Oregon State (3-1)
When/where: 4:30 p.m. Saturday/Reser Stadium
TV/Radio: CW/Rams Radio Network
BetMGM Line: CSU +11.5, 47.5 over/under
Weather: 72 degrees, mostly sunny at kickoff
Three storylines
Beavers’ run game: Oregon State ranks seventh in the country at 267.8 rushing yards per game. That’s historically good in Corvallis, and the Beavers’ best per-game mark since 1996. The one-two punch of Jam Griffin (67 carries for 413 yards) and ex-Buff Anthony Hankerson (75 for 372) lead the way, while QB Gevani McCoy also has legs at 6.4 yards per scamper. Considering how CU ran at will on the Rams in their Rocky Mountain Showdown blowout, the CSU defensive front needs to be much improved in order to have a chance.
Stars’ health: Head coach Jay Norvell says Tory Horton, who played hurt against CU and then missed the UTEP game, is “making some progress” in his return from a groin injury, as is Nuer Gatkuoth, who has yet to play this season due to a severe case of turf toe. Norvell says both players should be ready to play against OSU. And safety Jack Howell, who left the UTEP game early due to injury, is cleared and will play on Saturday. Having both Horton and Howell in the lineup is critical for the Rams to have a chance at the upset.
Yellow flags: Both teams have been subpar in the penalty department so far. Oregon State has been flagged 23 times for 236 yards, while CSU has been flagged 17 times for 151 yards. Several of the Rams’ penalties in the Rocky Mountain Showdown loss were mental mistakes that fueled the rout to the Buffs. CSU will need to play disciplined in all aspects, especially on defense, where the Rams can’t afford to give an already strong rushing attack free yards and downs for an OSU offense that’s dominated time of possession this season (37:56 average).
Predictions
Kyle Newman, sportswriter: Oregon State 31, CSU 17
A stiff road test before the start of conference play reveals the Rams have more work to do to make noise in the Mountain West and eventually make a bowl game. OSU gashes the Rams for 275 rushing yards, enabling the Beavers to pull away in the second half after the score is close at the break. And Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi still can’t get the passing game fully in sync, with a TD and two picks.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Oregon State 30, CSU 15
Having Jack Howell will help, and at least Tory Horton is a hope. Yet over the last calendar year, Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi is 0-5 as a starting QB on the road with five TDs and seven picks — and CSU’s averaging just 17 points in those games. The Rams, paradoxically, seem to prefer a rock fight to a shootout, but the Beavers are going to be rolling boulders at them.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Oregon State 34, CSU 21
Until quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi turns a corner, this Rams offense will be stuck in neutral. If Tory Horton can return, that’s a good start. The run game has looked good with Justin Marshall and Avery Morrow, but the Rams need more than that to beat balanced teams like Oregon State. Soon enough, this will be a conference game and the standard that CSU must meet in order to be competitive in the new Pac-12. Right now, the Rams just aren’t there. Luckily, they still have two years to reach it.
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