Oregon State Beavers
Overall Rank: #83
#12 Pac-12
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It was no surprise that Oregon State struggled during Coach Gary Andersen’s first year at the helm. There was a lot of rebuilding to do. And after wins over Weber State and San Jose State in September, the Beavers failed to win another game, including a 0-9 mark in Pac-12 play. This year will not be much better with quite a few players to replace, but there should be some improvement as the new staff continues to develop their players. That will not be enough to get OSU out of the Pac-12 basement though.
2015 Record: 2-10, 0-9
2015 Bowl: None
Coach: Gary Andersen (2-10 at Oregon State, 51-48 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Kevin McGiven, T.J. Woods
Defensive Coordinator: Kevin Clune
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Seth Collins, QB, 580 yards
Passing: Seth Collins, QB, 936 yards
Receiving: Jordan Villamin, WR, 660 yards
Tackles: Caleb Saulo, CB, 69
Sacks: Jonathan Willis, LB, 2.0
Interceptions: 6 tied with 1
Other Key Returnees: RB Ryan Nall, QB Marcus McMaryion, WR Victor Bolden, P Nick Porebski
Key Losses: RB Storm Woods, QB Nick Mitchell, OL Josh Mitchell, OL Isaac Seumalo, LB Rommel Mageo, DT Kyle Peko
Strengths:
The offense has potential at least. Last year the quarterback situation was a mess with Seth Collins, Nick Mitchell and Marcus McMaryion all playing ineffectively. Mitchell is gone and Collins, eventually, moved to a slash position that should involve the explosive athlete lining up just about anywhere. McMaryion started just one game under center last year and threw for just one touchdown with three interceptions. He will get pushed by the much more experienced Darell Garretson. Garretson spent two seasons at Utah State and proved to be a solid signal caller. With Garretson at quarterback, Oregon State should get more out of a couple talented receivers. Victor Bolden and Jordan Villamin did not really get to show their best stuff in 2015, but still combined to catch 89 passes for 1,121 yards and eight touchdowns. They both could be in for big seasons if the passing game improves as much as it should under Garretson. Yet, with Collins and the bruising Ryan Nall in the backfield, the Beavers should have some success establishing the ground game. Nall, a 6-2, 235 pound sophomore, rushed for 466 yards and three touchdowns on 73 carries as a freshman.
Weaknesses:
The defense was bad across the board last year and there is a long way to go before this group is competitive in the Pac-12. The transition to a 3-4 scheme proved difficult, but the hope is having seven returning starters with a year in the system will improve the situation. The front three has potential and some experience. Baker Pritchard started six games as a sophomore and totaled 30 tackles, while Sumner Houston and Kalani Vakameilalo both earned at least one start as freshmen. The linebackers need to find a way to get to the quarterback. Nobody on the team tallied more than two sacks last year and Jonathan Willis is the only one of them who returns. The coaching staff went out and got quite a few players who fit into their rush linebacker position, most notably Shemar Smith, so there is at least some potential. The secondary also has a lot of new faces who will compete for playing time. Treston Decoud and Kendall Hill are both experienced senior cornerbacks, but they will be pushed for playing time. So will safeties Devin Chappell and Brandon Arnold.
The Bottom Line:
There should be plenty of improvement across the board in 2016, but that may not lead to many more wins. There are home games against California and Arizona and those are likely Coach Andersen’s best shot to pick up a Pac-12 victory. With non-conference games against Minnesota, Boise State and Idaho State, do not expect the Beavers to get more than two wins this season, but they should be more competitive across the board and that is what Oregon State fans should be looking for in 2016 with, hopefully, better results to come in the years to follow.
Projected Bowl: None
2015 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 177.3 (60th in nation, 7th in conference)
Passing Offense: 159.1 (115, 12)
Total Offense: 336.4 (110, 12)
Scoring Offense: 19.0 (115, 12)
Rushing Defense: 225.5 (114, 12)
Pass Defense: 256.0 (98, 8)
Total Defense: 481.5 (115, 11)
Scoring Defense: 37.0 (113, 11)
Turnover Margin: -0.33 (97, 12)
Sacks: 1.42 (106, 12)
Sacks Allowed: 1.58 (41, 3)
Madness 2016 Recruit Rankings:
#197 Christian Wallace
#226 Shurod Thompson
