The Oregon State Beavers will travel south down to Tempe to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils on ESPN2 Saturday afternoon. These two schools have faced over over 45 times since 1966, with the Arizona State holding a 30-15-1 series lead.
Oregon State improved to 7-3 after defeating Cal at home Week 11. The Beavers wasted no time with Golden Bears, outscoring them in each period, en route to a four-score win. Oregon State is scoring 32.1 points per game, while passing for 212.4 yards per game (177th), and rushing for 190.1 ypg (64th). The OSU defense allows 21.6 points per game.
Ben Gulbranson led the Beavers to their fourth win in their last fifth game. The true freshman was solid in another winning effort, tossing a pair of touchdowns and playing turnover-free football for the third time during this stretch. Gulbranson has passed for 1,042 yards with seven touchdowns to three interceptions through his first seven college appearances.
Fellow true freshman Damien Martinez leads the backfield alongside him. Martinez has surpassed the 110-yard mark in each of the past four games, and he’s up to 729 rushing yards and five touchdowns for the season. Senior wideout Tre’shaun Harrison leads the team in receptions (47) and receiving yards (571) and touchdown catches (4).
Arizona State improved to 3-7 after losing to Washington State in Pullman in Week 11. The Sun Devils went into the locker room down 28, and nearly fought back well enough to cover the 9-point spread, but fell 28-18. Arizona State scores 30.8 points per game, while passing for 252.5 yards per game (83rd), and rushing for 130.8 ypg (182nd). The ASU defense allows 27.1 points per game.
Emory Jones returned to the lineup after an injury to Trenton Bourguet last weekend. The former Florida quarterback tossed a pair of touchdowns in the loss to Wazzu, and he passed for 1,533 yards with seven touchdowns to four interceptions.
Xazavian Valladay has panned out after coming over Wyoming. The senior back is set to achieve the rare feat of surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for a third season. Valladay has gained 130 yards or more in six of ten games this season, and he’s totaled 986 rushing yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns. Elijhah Badger has been ASU’s best receiver this year, leading the team in receptions (58) and receiving yards (758) after scoring in back-to-back games.
Oregon State is 8-2 against the spread this season, with a 1-2 record on the road. Arizona State is 5-5 against the spread this season, with a 3-2 record at home. OSU is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall. The Over is 13-3 in OSU's last 16 vs. a team with a losing record. ASU are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in November.
Arizona State with Emory Jones kind of makes them a bit more competent at the position and competitive on the field. Oregon State has been extremely disciplined this season, thriving through quarterback change, and producing against the spread. It’s hard not to ride their momentum against a disgruntled ASU team, and we shouldn’t fight it here.
Take Oregon State’s spread Saturday in Tempe for this Pac-12 clash.
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
