Oregon State vs. San Jose State Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, and Latest Odds
The Oregon State Beavers are in San Jose, taking on the Spartans on Sunday afternoon. How will this game play out? Matt McCuen provides his Oregon State vs. San Jose State prediction, pick against the spread, and the latest odds.
Matt McCuen - September 3, 2023, 9:28 AM EDT
7 minOregon State vs. San Jose State Prediction, Pick Against the Spread, and Latest Odds
The Oregon State Beavers and the San Jose State Spartans will clash from San Jose, California, on Sunday afternoon.
Oregon State vs. San Jose State Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: September 3, 2023
- Game Time: 3:30 pm ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
Oregon State vs. San Jose State Prediction
The Beavers enter the season ranked 18th in the nation. The Beavers pieced together their first ten-win season since 2006 in 2022. Oregon State blew out Florida (30-3), winning the Las Vegas Bowl. The Bowl win was the program's first since 2013.
Head Coach Johnathan Smith will begin his sixth year at the helm for the Beavers. Smith took over a 1-11 program and has slowly improved yearly. Oregon State will aim to get their third consecutive winning season under the direction of Smith. This is the seventh time in program history that Oregon State is ranked in the pre-season.
The strength of this offense a season ago was their offensive line, which boosted their rushing game. It will likely be the strength of this team again as four of their five starters return to their offensive line. One of the best running backs in the nation will return for the Beavers in the form of Damien Martinez. As a freshman, Martinez rushed for 982 yards on 161 carries and seven touchdowns in 2022.
The starting quarterback for the Beavers will be DJ Uiagalelei. Uiagalelei, who is a former five-star recruit, transferred to Oregon State after two years at Clemson. Uiagalelei was disappointing for the Tigers in 2022, but the team is optimistic that he will thrive in this run-first offense.
The Beavers will return the Pac-12's best defense from 2022. Oregon State ranked first in the Conference in yards allowed per game (332.8). It is worth noting that Oregon State will have to replace both of their starting cornerbacks.
17th-year head coach Brent Brennan will lead San Jose State. Brennan has a coaching record of 27-42 during his time at the helm for the Spartans.
San Jose State played in week zero in a game where they lost 56-28 to one of the nation's best teams in USC. The Spartans have had a tough schedule to begin their year, as things will get no easier for them in Week 1.
Chevan Cordeiro will lead the Spartans at the quarterback spot this year. Cordeiro will start his sixth season of college football, bringing loads of experience to this Spartans roster. Cordeiro threw for 3,251 yards in 2022, paired with 32 total touchdowns. This pass-first offense will have to establish a rushing game if they want to compete in the Mountain West this season.
Justin Lockhart is listed as the team's number-one wide receiver. Lockhart had thirty-six receptions in 2022 and will have the opportunity to improve on that this season.
The biggest question mark for the Spartans is their defense. This was the top pass-rushing defense in the Mountain West in 2022, but there is a lot of turnover on this roster on the defensive side of the football. The entire starting defensive line will be different for San Jose State this year. The secondary is undoubtedly the strength of this defense as they return one of their best defensive players in the form of safety Tre Jenkins.
Oregon State vs. San Jose State Pick
Oregon State is a run-first offense, which will play in our favor in this case. The Beavers will run the ball early and often. While Oregon State may successfully move the ball on the ground, the clock will be ticking in the process.
Oregon State can be a top-twenty defense in college football this year. Facing an offense that lacks elite skill position players, the Spartans will struggle to move the football and piece together multiple possessions.
San Jose State remains strong at the linebacker position and the secondary. The Spartans should be able to limit Oregon State as the Beavers will take some time to mesh together with a new signal caller under center.
Pick: Oregon State/San Jose State 1H Under 28 -120 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
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