Oregon State Football: Will the Beavers reach bowl game in 2021?

How will Oregon State football fare in 2021?

The Oregon State Beavers getting to the postseason hinges on the improvement of the defense. There are three games (Hawai’i, Idaho, and Washington State) the Beavers should win. Every other game is a toss-up.

If the defense finds a pass rush and turnovers, Oregon State could go bowling.

• Game 1: at Purdue (W) — Toss-up game. This should be a shoot. If Purdue’s defense gets to the quarterback, Oregon State could very well lose this game.
• Game 2: Hawai’i (W) — The Warriors won this game in Honolulu in 2019. The game is in Corvallis this season; Beavers get their win back.
• Game 3: Idaho (W) — Idaho is a solid program but not good enough to beat the Beavers.
• Game 4: at USC (L) — Oregon State keeps this one close for a half, but USC is likely the second-best team in the Pac-12 and should pull away in the third quarter.
• Game 5: Washington (L) — Despite a questionable offense, the Huskies’ defense is no joke. Washington wins an ugly game in Corvallis.
• Game 6: at Washington State (W) — The Cougars are a bit of a mess, and Oregon State should be able to take advantage of that.
• Game 7: Utah (W) — It was between this game and the California game for the Beavers upset special. Oregon State needs one of these to get six wins, and this one is at home. Beavs find a way against a revamped Utes team.
• Game 8: at California (L) — This is a toss-up. If Chase Garbers gets injured (and he’s injury-prone), Oregon State wins this game. Cal is a matchup nightmare for Oregon State’s offense.
• Game 9: at Colorado (W) — Exactly who is QB1 for the Buffaloes? Miracle man Sam Noyer has transferred to, you guessed it, Oregon State. Colorado had a great run last season. Breaking in a new quarterback is never easy — Beavs win on the road.
• Game 10: Stanford (W) — This is another toss-up. The Cardinal are also staring fresh with a new quarterback. There are questions galore surrounding the direction of the program on both offense and defense. Beavers win a close game.
• Game 11: Arizona State (L) — Arizona State is a mess but still has a better roster than the Beavers. Sun Devils win on the road.
• Game 12: at Oregon (L) — The Ducks are marching toward the Pac-12 title and a possible College Football Playoff berth. And they are not happy they lost in Corvallis last season. Ducks big in the Civil War.

Prediction: 7-5, 4-5 Pac-12

There are several toss-ups on this schedule, and the Beavers could cycle up and win eight games. Then again, Oregon State could win four games. If the defense takes a big step forward, the Beavers get to the postseason.