Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Last season, the Oregon State Beavers finished the year 9-4 and became one of the surprise teams in the nation after starting out 6-0. However, they went 3-4 in their final seven games and lost the Alamo Bowl. For a team returning 15 starters, they could be even better. It will be interesting to see how Mike Riley‘s squad stacks up against the rest of the competition in 2013, but they will need to take care of the Eastern Washington Eagles in game one.
It should be no problem as the Eagles aren’t an FBS school and they don’t have the most impressive squad returning from a season ago. However, with impressive quarterback Vernon Adams returning from a two-quarterback system in 2012. He finished the season with 1,961 yards passing, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions to go along with over 300 yards rushing.
The Eagles also return their top two running backs from last season who combined for 1,069 yards and 13 touchdowns. The offense might be okay this year, but not good enough to slow down the Oregon State’s solid offensive attack.
Eastern Washington is also returning it’s top tackler and defensive monster, Ronnie Hamlin, who accounted for 136 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and two interceptions last season. The guy is an absolute beast.
However, the Oregon State offense will have no problem against the Eagles. Sean Mannion has been named the team’s starting quarterback and had a bit of an accuracy issue last season, passing for 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Eastern Washington will be taking the short trip to Oregon State to take on the Beavers at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday, Aug. 31. The game will be aired on the Pac-12 Network.
PREDICTION: Eastern Washington 10, Oregon State 45
Related: Oregon State Preview
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at .
