No. 10 Oregon State vs. BYU: Complete Game Preview

BYU (4-2) is riding a two-game win streak by a total score of 53-3, and will need to sustain that momentum as they welcome the Oregon State Beavers (4-0) to town on Saturday.

OSU is undefeated so far this season, but recently took a blow when their starting quarterback Sean Mannion sustained an injury. Without him and a difficult schedule remaining, the Beavers may have a tough time.

However, we will see if the Beavers can withstand BYU's powerful defense and Provo's first ever "blackout" game this weekend. Here is a complete preview for the matchup.

Game-Day Information

Who: #10 Oregon State at BYU

When: Saturday, October 13th, 1:30 PM MDT

Where: Provo, UT

Stadium: LaVell Edwards Stadium (63,470)

TV: ABC

Radio: KSL Radio 1160 AM, 102.7 FM and ksl.com

All-time Series Record: Series tied, 5-5 (BYU won last year's meeting in Corvallis, Oregon, 38-28)

Injury Updates

BYU

Taysom Hill (QB)—will not play, knee

Famika Anae (OL)—will not play, multiple injuries

Michael Alisa (RB)—will not play, arm

OSU

Sean Mannion (QB)—will not play, knee

Depth Chart for BYU

Offense (Starters in bold)

QB: Riley Nelson, James Lark

RB: Jamaal Williams, David Foote, Iona Pritchard

WR: Cody Hoffman, Ross Apo, JD Falslev;  Skyler Ridley, Dallin Cutler, David Foote

TE: Kaneakua Friel, Austin Holt

LT: Ryker Mathews, Michael Yeck

LG: Solomone Kafu

C: Braden Hansen, Blair Tushaus

RG: Manaaki Vaitai, Brock Stringham 

RT: Braden Brown, Manaaki Vaitai

Special Teams

K: Justin Sorensen

P: Riley Stephenson

LS: Reed Hornung

H: JD Falslev

Defense

LE: Ezekiel Ansah, Mike Muehlmann

DT: Romney Fuga, Simote Vea

RE: Russell Tialavea, Ezekiel Ansah

LB: Spencer Hadley, Alani Fua

MLB: Uona Kaveinga, Zac Stout

LB: Brandon Ogletree, Manoa Pikula

OLB: Kyle Van Noy, Jherremya Leuta-Douyere

CB: Jordan Johnson, Micah Hannemann, Robbie Buckner

CB: Preston Hadley, Skye PoVey

SS: Daniel Sorensen, Craig Bills

FS: Joe Sampson, Mike Hague

Special Teams

PR: JD Falslev

KR: Cody Hoffman, Mike Hague

Depth Chart for OSU

Offense

QB: Cody Vaz

RB: Terron Ward, Jovan Stevenson, Clayton York

WR: Markus Wheaton, Jordan Bishop, Brandin Cooks; Obum Gwacham, Micah Hatfield

TE: Colby Prince, Connor Hamlett

LT: Michael Philipp, Derek Nielsen

LG: Josh Andrews, Justin Addie

C: Roman Sapolu, Jake Welch

RG: Grant Enger, Michael Beaton

RT: Colin Kelly, Derek Nielsen

Defense

DE: Scott Crichton, John Braun

DT: Castro Masaniai, Mana Rosa

DT: Andrew Seumalo, Mana Tuivailala

DE: Dylan Wynn, Rudolph Fifita

SSLB: D.J. Welch, Jabral Johnson

MLB: Feti ‘Unga, Reuben Robinson

WSLB: Michael Doctor, Cade Cowdin

CB: Jordan Poyer, Ryan Handford

SS: Anthony Watkins, Tyrequek Zimmerman

FS: Ryan Murphy, Micah Audiss

CB: Rashaad Reynolds, Sean Martin

Special Teams

PK: Trevor Romaine

P: Tim McMullen

Recap of the Cougs' Last Game

As mentioned earlier, BYU has scored 53 points in the last two games.

Unfortunately, only six of those came last week against in-state foe Utah State. But what matters is that they left with a win, no matter the sloppiness.

Freshman quarterback Taysom Hill threw for 235 yards and BYU's lone touchdown, and ran for 80. Jamaal Williams once again had a good game, with 71 rushing yards. Receiver Cody Hoffman finished with 114 yards off of only eight receptions.

USU's Chuckie Keeton completed 22-of-38 passes for over 200 yards, but BYU's stellar defense held running back Kerwynn Williams to only 18 yards, his lowest number of the year.

Recap of the Beavers' Last Game

Oregon State was able to handle Washington State at home on Saturday, as the Beaver defense picked off Jeff Tuel and Connor Halliday four times. OSU's quarterback Sean Mannion threw for 270 yards and a touchdown, but included three interceptions.

Oregon State's win total (four) is higher than last year's total for the entire year (three). After the game, their passing game moved up to ninth in the nation. Their defense is 24th.

What This Game Means to Both Teams

BYU needs to use this game to get Riley Nelson back in the system. After a two-game break, Nelson hasn't taken a snap since the third quarter up in Boise (he had four turnovers).

Because of Taysom Hill's injury, he will be the man for the rest of the year. Also, with two road games at Notre Dame and Georgia Tech coming up, BYU needs to gain momentum and confidence.

Oregon State is in a tough situation. After their greatest start in a long time, they lost their starting quarterback and are facing the fifth-best defense in the nation. If the Beaver rushing game doesn't get rolling, they will be in a tough situation.

Starting QB Cody Vaz has never started a college game before, and that could be hard to do, as BYU's rushing defense leads the country.

Key Player for BYU

BYU's defense is great. There is no need to worry. Their offense is questionable, but should be fine. No need to worry. But the other unit, special teams, should have every Cougar fan scared to death.

Sure, the punting game and kickoffs have been great, but the place kicking aspect has been hideous. Kicker Justin Sorensen hasn't made a field goal since December in the bowl game, and has made only one extra point this season. Although he's been battling injury, BYU needs a reliable kicking game in order to put up more than six points against good defenses.

Key Player for OSU

Cody Vaz will have his first career start against BYU, and will take his first snaps since 2010. He has completed six-of-17 passes in his career at OSU, and will need to play well in order to leave LaVell Edwards Stadium with a win.

BYU's defense averages 3.3 sacks per game, and hasn't allowed a touchdown in over 13 quarters of play. Vaz is in a tough spot, and will need to overcome that to chalk a W.

Final Prediction

I don't think Riley Nelson and the Cougar offense will score more than one touchdown, but the defense will pitch in another. BYU's defense will hold strong and not give up a touchdown, but maybe a few field goals.

In the end, the Cougs will come out victorious.

My Prediction: BYU wins 13-6