Boise State vs Oregon State Prediction, Preview, Betting Lines: CFP Push Continues

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Nov 25, 2024 3:15 PM ET

Few games this weekend have more on the line.

Oregon State busted through a bad five-game losing streak with a stunning win over Washington State to stay alive for a bowl game. Win this, and it not only screws up Boise State, but it means bowl eligibility.

Boise State is pushing for a spot in the College Football Playoff, and that’s almost certainly not happening without winning this, even if it rocks UNLV for the Mountain West title next week.

There’s the CFP, Ashton Jeanty’s Heisman campaign, and the momentum of the season all on this, but the Broncos have to play a whole lot better than they have over the last few weeks.

Boise State vs Oregon State: How to Watch and Game Preview

Date: Friday, November 29, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
How To Watch: FOX
Venue: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID
Teams: Boise State (10-1), Oregon State (5-6)
CFN Bluesky | CFN X | CFN FB
- Week 14 Schedule, Predictions

Why Oregon State Will Win

The Beavers have to take over the narrative with their running game.

The Boise State run defense might be great, but few have tried hammering away on it over the last several weeks - no one has hit the 40-carry mark on the Broncos all year. When Oregon State is cranking up the carries, it wins.

The Beavers won all four games when it ran for more than 45 times and 215 yards. It would have to take something special to do that on this D, but it’s possible to hammer away - UNLV ran for over five yards per pop. But …

Why Boise State Will Win

The Oregon State run defense isn’t anything to get into a twist over.

It’s active, and it’ll have its moments, but it’s giving up over five yards per carry and getting pounded on a bit too much. The teams that didn’t run all that great - like Cal - threw at will.

As always, everyone will swarm around Ashton Jeanty, but it’s not just him. The Broncos have other options to keep the ground game rolling, QB Maddux Madsen has been terrific at keeping the chains moving, and …

Boise State vs Oregon State: Who Will Win?

Oregon State will be thorny.

It’ll hang around into the second half with its offense doing a surprisingly good job of controlling the narrative, but then the defense will start to falter.

Boise State will start owning third downs, the long scoring drives will start coming, and then it’s on to UNLV with the CFP dream still alive.