Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Oregon State vs Colorado State: 3 bold predictions

By Hunter Kinniburgh

FORT COLLINS, CO - OCTOBER 1: Linebacker Josh Watson #55 of the Colorado State Rams leads the team onto the field before taking on the Wyoming Cowboys at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Fort Collins, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
FORT COLLINS, CO - OCTOBER 1: Linebacker Josh Watson #55 of the Colorado State Rams leads the team onto the field before taking on the Wyoming Cowboys at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Fort Collins, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

In the first game of the 2017 season, Colorado State football opens their new stadium against Oregon State. Here are three bold predictions for the game.

Colorado State and Oregon State look to be trending up compared to their 2016 seasons. 2016 was a success for both schools in that CSU, continued their trend of staying power in the Mountain West. They proved that they should be a dangerous team for top Mountain West contenders Boise State and Wyoming. Oregon State doubled their win total in 2016, and should be able to find a way to keep that upward trend going in 2017.

With the aspirations of each team, this game would be an important win for both. For Colorado State, it signals the strength of the team. The ability to beat a power five opponent. The Rams also would like to open their new stadium in winning fashion. For Oregon State, they would beat a strong group of six team, in turn helping them to reach a bowl in 2017.

Whoever wins, this should be a strong opening game for both teams. One in which either team can find significance in. Here are our bold predictions for the game between the Rams and the Beavers.

(Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /

1. Nick Stevens establishes himself as a top quarterback

2016 was not a good start for Stevens. He started out rough and wasn’t able to move the offense or produce points. So Stevens was benched in favor of freshman Collin Hill. Hill was effective at the position until he suffered an ACL injury. The injury prompted the return of Stevens, and he never looked back. Stevens finished 2016 with 19 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Those numbers all came in the final seven games of the season (including bowl game).

Stevens will be set to deliver this season. He has a veteran offensive line, an effective running game and a stable of wide receivers. The Colorado State offense is clearly loaded and Stevens is the key to that offense. If he starts 2017 where he left off in 2016, then the Rams might just have the best offense in the Mountain West.

Proving his mettle against Oregon State will be a good challenge before facing other power five teams like Colorado and Alabama later on in the season. That is exactly what I expect Stevens to do.

Home/Oregon State Beavers