The last two survivors of the Pac-12 face off twice this year, and the first round lands Saturday at Reser Stadium. Oregon State, now 1-7 after firing head coach Trent Bray, rides a bye week and a blowout win over Lafayette into a matchup with 4-4 Washington State. Kickoff is 4:30 PM on CBS. The series stands at 57-48-3 in favor of the Cougars, but Oregon State took last year’s thriller, 41-38, at home.
Interim coach Robb Akey, who spent eight years on Washington’s staff from 1999 to 2006, won his Beaver debut two weeks ago. Oregon State erupted for 35 second-half points and 365 rushing yards, the program’s most since 2016. Running back Anthony Hankerson stole the show with 204 yards and four touchdowns, tying a school record. He has 671 yards and six scores on the season. Freshman Cornell Hatcher Jr. adds 240 yards and two touchdowns. The Beavers own the clock at home, averaging 33 minutes and 38 seconds of possession.
Quarterback remains a question. Maalik Murphy, a high-dollar transfer from Duke, has thrown for 1,722 yards but only nine touchdowns against eight picks. He was pulled for Gabarri Johnson against Lafayette. Johnson went 7 of 9 for 79 yards and a score while rushing for 82 yards, including a 52-yard dash. Wide receiver Trent Walker continues to produce, with 609 yards this year and 136 against Washington State last fall.
Defensively, Oregon State struggles. The Beavers rank 119th nationally in scoring defense at nearly 33 points allowed per game and 119th against the pass at 260 yards. Linebacker Aiden Sullivan has 32 tackles in the last four games. Special teams have been a disaster, ranking 104th in efficiency with blocked kicks and fumbles.
Washington State arrives on a high after a 28-7 win over Toledo, its first home game in over a month. The Cougars have beaten Idaho, San Diego State, Colorado State, and Toledo, while dropping close games to ranked Ole Miss and Virginia. First-year coach Jimmy Rogers has the program bowl-eligible with two more wins.
Quarterback Zevi Eckhaus has started the last five games and eclipsed 10,000 career passing yards. He threw for 159 yards and two scores against Toledo while rushing for 74 yards and another touchdown. Running back Kirby Vorhees leads with 351 yards. Receiver Joshua Meredith has 472 yards and 10 catches of 20-plus yards. The ground game has topped 100 yards in four straight games.
The defense stands out. Washington State ranks 37th against the pass, allowing 196 yards per game, and held Toledo to 61 rushing yards. Edge rusher Isaac Terrell has 4.5 sacks but missed the last game; his status is unclear. Safety Tucker Large recorded 13 tackles last week.
Home teams have won the last four meetings. The Cougars travel well, with a win at Colorado State and near-misses on the road against top teams.
Lines opened with Washington State favored by 2.5 to 3.5 points and totals from 47.5 to 50.5. ESPN gives Washington State a 64 percent chance to win.
The matchup hinges on Oregon State’s run game against Washington’s front seven. If the Beavers control the clock and avoid turnovers, they stay close. But the Cougars can exploit the weak secondary with Eckhaus and limit big plays on the ground if Terrell returns.
Light rain and 59 degrees could make it sloppy, favoring physical play. Oregon State shows fight under Akey, but Washington State’s balance and defense prove too much.
Prediction: Washington State 30, Oregon State 20. The Cougars cover and move one step closer to a bowl while the Beavers head to Pullman for round two on November 29.
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