The College Football season is underway. Week 0 is already over. It feels weird to still be talking about “preseason.”
Oregon State Beavers @ #23 Houston Cougars
September 5, 2026
11:00 AM CDT
Spread: Houston -20.5
Over/Under: 51.5
10 Likes
Good call, and yes.
20.5, wow
1 Like
Most of us are over preseason and can’t wait to get the season started.
Lace em up and let’s go.
1 Like
Oregon State Beavers 2026 Football Preview: A Rebuilding Year Under New Leadership
Oregon State enters the 2026 season with significant roster turnover after a 2-10 campaign. The Beavers lost substantial 2025 production across the offense, particularly at running back, wide receiver, tight end, and along the offensive line (where only 21 total starts return). Compounding the challenge is a complete coaching change: first-year head coach JaMarcus Shephard, previously the wide receivers coach at Alabama and making his head-coaching debut.
The defense returns more continuity than the offense but still faces key absences and a new scheme under the staff. Last season the unit allowed 29 points per game, ranked 81st in FBS run defense and 73rd against the pass, while limiting opponents to a 57% completion rate. It generated only 15 sacks. The group returns five starters and several productive pieces from a struggling team; motivation under new leadership could prove a factor.
Eligibility uncertainties surrounding the NCAA’s “5-for-5” rules (affecting players such as former center Van Wells, running back Anthony Hankerson and defensive back Jaheim Patterson) and other roster questions add further variables heading into the season opener at Houston.
Offense
Quarterback
Sophomore transfer Braden Atkinson (Mercer) has been named the starter. The 2025 Jerry Rice Award winner and SoCon Freshman of the Year completed 268 of 406 passes (66%) for 3,596 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He eclipsed 300 yards eight times, including a school-record 538 against VMI. In a limited sample against higher competition (Auburn), he went 20-of-33 for 210 yards with 1 TD and 2 INT. Backup Maalik Murphy (former Texas and Duke) started eight games for Oregon State in 2025 after a solid prior season elsewhere but was benched and returns to a reserve role.
Running Back
No clear bell-cow emerges among the returners. Vanderbilt transfer AJ Newberry (one start in three seasons; 6-1, 200 lbs from Grand Prairie, Texas; solid high-school speed but not a burner with 11.18 100m and 21.68 200m times) has drawn praise from coaches as an athletic prospect. Freshman Tre Garrison (New Orleans) has generated limited preseason buzz for a meaningful role. BeaverBlitz and other projections lean toward Cornell Hatcher as the primary option. Questions linger around potential returns such as Anthony Hankerson amid eligibility/portal dynamics.
RB1: AJ Newberry or Cornell Hatcher
Wide Receiver
Only one player with starting experience (Eddie Freauff: 12 catches, 144 yards, 1 TD in four starts) returns; he is dealing with an injury that may sideline him against Houston. Oregon State added five portal transfers and highly regarded true freshman Cynai Thomas (6-3, 180). Notable newcomers include Adonis McDaniel (Mercer: 52-671-6 TD) and Ross Nickson (JUCO: 10 TDs in 2025). Two SEC transfers have combined for one career reception. Projected early contributors (absent Freauff) include Thomas, Texas transfer Aaron Butler, and Alabama transfer Aeryn Hampton. High recruiting pedigree exists across the group, but on-field production remains largely unproven at the FBS level.
WR1: Cynai Thomas WR1: Aaron Butler WR1: Aeryn Hampton
Tight End
Senior Gabe Milbourn returns (17 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD; six starts) and profiles more as a blocker. Coaches have emphasized a prominent role for tight ends in the new scheme. Portal additions include pass-catching threat Eric Olsen (Utah Tech/FCS: 52-583-2 TD) and blocker DeCorion Temple (Central Michigan, 6-6, 247). BYU transfer Jackson Bowers also factors into depth discussions. Olsen appears positioned as a primary offensive weapon, with Milbourn potentially sliding down the depth chart.
TE1: Eric Olsen TE2: DeCorion Temple or Jackson Bowers
Offensive Line
Three linemen with triple-digit snaps return:
Nathan Elu (seven starts across RG/LG/RT, 382 snaps)
Tyler Voltin (seven starts at RG, 435 snaps)
Josiah Timoteo (six starts at LT/RT, 356 snaps)
Starters with the most experience at LT, LG, C, and RT departed. Portal additions include a limited JUCO contributor, an Auburn preferred walk-on without playing time, FCS options (highlighted by Kwan Johnson from Eastern Illinois), a Louisville transfer with minimal snaps, and a large Arizona transfer (6-4, 428 lbs) whose impact may be delayed by conditioning. Eligibility questions around former center Van Wells could shift alignments (e.g., Guillaume to LG).
Defense (4-2-5 base)
The unit is in relatively better shape than the offense but still rebuilding after key losses including DB Patterson (12 starts, 66 tackles), DT Collins (12 starts, 30 tackles), and DB Tucker (10 starts, 25 tackles). Run defense fluctuated significantly in 2025. Note: Sixth-year senior Tygee Hill is no longer on the roster.
Defensive Line / Nose Tackle & Defensive Tackle
Seven-game starter Jacob Schuster returns (limited production overall but two sacks vs. Houston). Tevita Pome’e anchors the nose. Portal help includes FCS Daniel Matagi and productive JUCO Tyler Bailey.
Projected (BeaverBlitz-aligned):
NT1: Tevita Pome’e | NT2: Jacob Schuster
DT1: Daniel Matagi | DT2: Jaylen Hill (or Lolani Finau)
Defensive End / Edge
Takari Hickle (nine starts: 37 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, 5 hurries) is the top returner. Three portal/JUCO edges arrive, including Jarrel Comer (first-team all-conference at JUCO).
Projected (BeaverBlitz-aligned):
DE1: Takari Hickle | DE2: Nik Fisher (or Nick Norris)
EDGE1: Ish Findlayter | EDGE2: Jarrel Comer (or Logan Knapp)
Linebacker
The deepest group on the roster. Standout returner Aiden Sullivan (576 snaps, 72 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 sack, 3 FF, 5 hurries; 13 tackles vs. Houston) leads the way. Others with starts include Tyree Blake, Raesjon Davis (USC transfer), and Kord Shaw. FCS transfer Dylan Layne (Idaho: 88 tackles, 5.5 TFL) adds immediate production.
Projected (BeaverBlitz-aligned):
MLB1: Dylan Layne | MLB2: Raesjon Davis (or Kord Shaw)
WLB1: Aiden Sullivan | WLB2: Jabari Odoemenem
Secondary (4-2-5 with multiple DBs)
Returners Sailasa Vadrawale and Trey Glasper (nine starts each) provide experience; Harlem Howard was nearly as productive in a rotational role. Beyond that, the unit relies on developmental pieces and hope: true freshman Kai Wheaton (from the state of Texas), converted WR-to-DB JUCO Kahanu Kalahiki, and All OVC-Big South honorable-mention Isaiah Houi.
Projected (BeaverBlitz-aligned examples):
Boundary CB1: Exodus Madison | Boundary CB2: TJ Crandall [Exodus has potential eligibility issues]
Field CB1: Trey Glasper | Field CB2: Kai Wheaton
Boundary S1: Xander Chisolm | Boundary S2: Drake Vickers
Free S1: Harlem Howard | Free S2: RJ Whitten
Nickel1: Sailasa Vadrawale | Nickel2: Noble Thomas (or Marquis Raspberry / Gyriece Goodman)
Outlook
The defense retains enough productive pieces to be competitive if the new staff can generate consistency and pressure. The offense, however, features extensive inexperience and portal integration at skill positions and along the line. With a first-year head coach, tight-end emphasis in the scheme, and numerous unproven contributors, Saturday’s results against Houston will offer the first real indicators of how quickly the pieces fit. Motivation and scheme familiarity could produce surprises, but expectations should remain tempered for a transitional roster.
4 Likes
Hmm, so maybe that spread is accounting for a potentially terrible osu offense?
Houston wins: yeah, probably
Houston wins by 1-13: plausible
Houston wins by 14-20: very plausible
Houston wins by 21+: certainly plausible, but you’re asking Coach to keep pressing. If CWF controls the game, Oregon State struggles to score, and Houston is content to grind clock, I can see something like 31-10. Maybe with some defensive points thrown in there?
Go Coogs
2 Likes
+20.5 with an O/U of 51.5 would imply something like 36-15.5. I don’t think finishing with a score of, like, 38-17 or 35-14 would feel like a game where the team necessarily has to keep pressing to get there. Last year’s Colorado game was 36-20, and I don’t remember that as a huge blowout.
Reading the tea leaves, the prognostication seems to be “comfortable win, but your backups aren’t seeing significant time.”
1 Like
We’re 3 TD favorites? Woah. Not used to that lol.
3 Likes
I know. Seems like too many points.
3 Likes
I’m not sure it’s safe for that dude to be on the sidelines this Saturday, much less on the field.
Might be wise to leave him in the air conditioned locker room.
OSU’s defense gave up points last year but they weren’t bad. Where they got in trouble was not having an offense that could sustain drives, which left their D on the field for too long. They’re not without talent, though.
Against Houston OSU held us in check until the 4th quarter. After numerous failed drives we eventually found success with up tempo. Let’s hope it doesn’t take that long to get it going with our newly revamped o-line. I’m really hoping out o-line gets in a groove early with a good push up front to open up holes for the running backs. If this happens I’m confident we’ll come out on top. This is not only the key to controlling the clock but also keeping their offense off the field.
Offensively, OSU has a lot of newcomers, but so do we. Their new QB was good enough to beat out last years starting QB, so I expect him to test our secondary early and often. If they connect on some big plays we could be in for another tight game.
Given the coaching tree of the new OSU coach, I fully expect them to throw the ball more than last year. Obviously getting pressure on the QB is another key. Last year against Auburn their new QB threw two INT‘s, but then again he was playing behind a much less talented o-line at Mercer.
With time to throw, OSU’s new WB had proven to be a pretty accurate passer. Getting some pressure on the QB can be the difference between big minimizing big plays, quick 3 and outs, and drives that sputter out in the red zone.
Given the turnover with staff and personnel at OSU there is really no way to really know what to expect. Their new coach certainly has the pedigree to be successful, but then again so does our, and this is year 3 for CWF.
Ultimately, I think this game is decided in the trenches, like most games. For OSU, if they can hold their blocks long enough to give the QB time to throw, they have a chance to put a lot of points on the board.
On the flip-side, if our o-line is getting a good push upfront, CWF will use that advantage to pound the ball mixed with some QB draws and TE usage to chew up the clock while keeping their passing offense off the field. Let’s hope our o-line proves worthy from the get go and takes control of the game early. No last minute comebacks in the one, please!
oregon state may do well early but that heat and humidity will wear them down, going to be a cougar win; no doubt about it.
The playing surface at TDECU looked good recently at the UH football scrimmage.
Over/Under on number of OSU player who go down with heat exhaustion/cramps in the 3rd qtr???