Tough Stretch for Oregon State Continues Against Arizona State

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Jeffrey Martin, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Sean Mannion of the Beavers

Let’s keep it positive.

Why can’t Oregon State upset Arizona State, a legitimate College Football Playoff wannabe fresh off a 55-31 beatdown of vaunted Notre Dame, at home Saturday?

At some point, the Beavers’ luck has to turn, right? Why not against the Sun Devils, who score 36.7 points per game, good for 20th in the country, but also allow 24.9 points, which ranks 51st?

Sure, they chuck it around the yard, going for 283.7 per game in the air, but the Sun Devils can also run it a little, rumbling for 192 yards per contest, which is 44th-best in the country.

So, aside from ASU being a handful, why not?

Truth be told, there are a few things working in Oregon State’s favor.

Timing, for instance.

The Sun Devils are coming off back-to-back victories at home against ranked opponents - there is a chance they could be due for a letdown on the road. Or, with the Duel in the Desert against rival Arizona looming on Nov. 28, there’s a chance the visitors might overlook the Beavers.

Otherwise, it doesn’t look very promising. But we’re supposed to be focusing on the positives, right?

As the statistics listed earlier suggest, Arizona State will allow points. And even though the end results have been lacking, the Beavers have moved the ball in recent weeks. Failing to find the end zone and settling for field goals won’t get it done, however, against the Sun Devils.

Can Oregon State, losers of four straight games, get a stop against ASU?

Better yet, can the Beavers eliminate the costly penalties and blown coverages and tackles?

Anything is possible.