Beavs vs. Cougs: A Battle of the Besties Game Preview
Photo courtesy of USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire // accessed Nov. 18, 2024
This is it, Beaver Fam. Senior Day at Reser Stadium is here, marking the final home game of the 2024 season. It’s always an emotional affair, but this year’s contest carries far more weight than the usual goodbyes. With a 4-6 record, the Beavers face a must-win scenario to keep their dreams of bowl eligibility alive. A loss would mean the season’s hopes end here, leaving fans and players to reflect on what might have been after a campaign that began with high promise.
Standing in the Beavers’ way are the No. 25 Washington State Cougars. With an impressive 8-2 record, the Cougars come into this game with their own chip on their shoulder after a stunning upset loss to New Mexico last week. For both teams, this game is about much more than pride—it’s about survival, redemption, and rewriting their seasons’ narratives.
Besties or foes?
The relationship between OSU and Washington State has evolved quite unusually throughout this realignment hellhole we live in. A stark contrast to Terry’s “Battle of the Besties” moniker for the upcoming game, Wazzu head coach Jake Dickert dismissed any notion of camaraderie in blunt fashion earlier this week:
“I’ve never gotten into ‘they’re our buddy.’ Oregon State is not our buddy. They would have left us as fast as we would have left them... It’s one of our biggest rivals now.”
A stark contrast to Terry’s “Battle of the Besties” moniker for the game. A jab at the Belligerent Beavs Podcast, perhaps? We see you tuning in, Jake, thanks for your support.
The Cougars have certainly owned the rivalry recently, winning 9 of the last 10 matchups, though the Beavers claimed the lone victory in 2022, right here at Reser Stadium. For Oregon State, this isn’t just another conference game—it’s a chance to turn the tide in what has been a frustrating season.
Honoring 19 Seniors
Before kickoff, the Beavers will recognize 19 senior players who have been pivotal to the program’s efforts on offense, defense, and special teams. Among the honorees are standout contributors like Joshua Gray (offensive line), Jaden Robinson (defensive back), Everett Hayes (kicker), Jam Griffin (running back), and Alton Julian (defensive back).
These seniors have been instrumental to Oregon State football, and Saturday offers an opportunity to celebrate their achievements in front of a home crowd while also fighting to extend their college football careers with a potential bowl game. It’s a bittersweet moment that combines reflection with the urgency of a must-win situation.
Quarterback Carousel: McCoy or Johnson?
Oregon State’s quarterback situation remains a major question mark. With Ben Gulbranson likely sidelined again this week, the Beavers must choose between Gevani McCoy and Gabarri Johnson. Neither has been able to provide the stability the offense needs, and both face pressure to perform under the lights of Senior Day.
McCoy: Over the last six games, he has completed just 47.8% of his passes for 576 yards, with only 2 touchdowns and a worrying 6 interceptions. McCoy has been under siege behind a struggling offensive line, taking 11 sacks during this stretch.
Johnson: The dual-threat quarterback offers athleticism and potential, but his inexperience has shown. He’s completed only 51.9% of his passes this season for a mere 154 yards, with 59 rushing yards to his name.
Whoever takes the snaps on Saturday will need to minimize mistakes and make smart decisions against a Washington State defense that thrives on creating turnovers.
Anthony Hankerson: From Red-Hot Start to Cool Finish
For much of the season, running back Anthony Hankerson was the engine driving Oregon State’s offense. In his first seven games, Hankerson racked up an impressive 889 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, keeping the Beavers’ attack balanced and productive. However, the last three weeks have been a far cry from that early-season success.
Last three games: Hankerson has scored just one touchdown, and hit a season-low 19 rushing yards on only 6 carries during last week’s loss to Air Force.
Opposing defenses have keyed in on Hankerson, daring Oregon State to win through the air. Combine that with early deficits forcing the Beavers into a pass-heavy game plan, and it’s clear why Hankerson’s production has dipped. Against a vulnerable Washington State run defense that allows 178 yards per game, Hankerson must rediscover his form if the Beavers hope to stay competitive.
Washington State’s Explosive Offense
Washington State’s offense has been one of the most potent in the nation this season, averaging 38.9 points per game, good for 9th nationally. Quarterback John Mateer has orchestrated a balanced attack with both his arm and his legs:
Passing: 2,707 yards, 26 touchdowns
Rushing: 695 yards, 12 touchdowns
Mateer’s top targets include standout wide receiver Kyle Williams, who has 872 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, and freshman running back Wayshawn Parker, who has contributed 642 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Slowing this multifaceted offense will be a tall task for an Oregon State defense that has struggled to generate consistent stops, particularly against the run, allowing 182.6 rushing yards per game.
Betting Insights and Key Matchups
Odds (via FanDuel Sportsbook):
Moneyline: Washington State -550 | Oregon State +400
Spread: Washington State -13.5
Over/Under: 56.5
Key Matchups:
Hankerson vs. WSU’s Run Defense: Can Hankerson exploit Washington State’s porous front seven?
Mateer and Williams vs. OSU’s Secondary: Oregon State must limit big plays to avoid being buried early.
Turnovers: Oregon State has committed 14 turnovers this season. Ball security is critical against a Cougars team that thrives on takeaways.
Podcast Predictions
Here’s how we see it playing out, as discussed on Episode 166:
Terry: Washington State bounces back decisively, winning 38-10, as Oregon State struggles to generate offense.
JP: A Senior Day miracle! JP predicts a 3-0 Beavers win with kicker Everett Hayes playing the hero.
Benny: Washington State controls the game from start to finish. 34-7 Cougars.
Final Thoughts
Saturday’s game isn’t just about stats or bowl math. It’s about saving a season for 19 seniors who stuck it out. Washington State comes in as the favorite, but Reser Stadium has seen its share of surprises. The Beavs will need to channel every ounce of home-field magic to upset the heavily favored Cougars.
Will the Beavers rise to the occasion? Or will the Cougs spoil the Senior Day celebration?
We’ll see you at Reser on Saturday.