TUCSON, Ariz.: No. 11 Oregon State has overwhelmed two AP Top 25 groups this season and is already bowl eligible for the third straight season, persevering with the Beavers’ upward trajectory beneath coach Jonathan Smith.
A win Saturday at Arizona will give Oregon State its greatest begin since 2012, when the Beavers reached No. 7 in the ballot.
The previous few years, a visit to Tucson typically meant a win.
That’s not the case this season. The Wildcats have made big strides in their third season beneath coach Jedd Fisch and are coming off a street win over a ranked opponent.
“We want some energy and excitement about what we’re doing, but ultimately, each week, you never know how these games are going to go,” Smith stated. “The only thing we can control is how we prepare. We want to play in meaningful games at the end of the year, and the only way to do that is to take care of business right now.”
Oregon State (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12) has adopted a ten-win 2022 season with a stellar begin this 12 months.
Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has given the Beavers an enormous increase in their passing recreation, throwing for 1,573 yards and 15 touchdowns. Oregon State has the floor recreation to steadiness out its offense, averaging 5.46 yards per carry, thirteenth nationally.
The Beavers’ protection has been strong, holding groups to twenty factors per recreation, together with three to single digits. Oregon State beat No. 13 Utah earlier in the season and took down No. 23 UCLA earlier than its bye final week.
Arizona (4-3, 2-2) seems to be on the identical path Oregon State began on just a few years in the past.
The Wildcats had a one-win season in Fisch’s first season, improved to five-7 final season and have continued their upward swing this 12 months.
Arizona nonetheless has a potent offense, however now has a a lot better protection to go together with it. The Wildcats are coming off a 44-6 win over then-No. 19 Washington State, took No. 24 Southern California to triple additional time and misplaced to Mississippi State in additional time.
“If you look at just the way his team has developed, the type of football they play, the brand of football they play, I think we have similarities in that regard,” Fisch stated. “We believe in a lot of the same things, a lot of the same principles.”
FIFITA’S TURN
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita has been excellent since Jayden de Laura suffered an ankle harm against Stanford on Sept. 23.
Fifita has throw for 946 yards and eight touchdowns with two interceptions in three begins, all against ranked opponents. Fisch has but to announce a starter now that de Laura seems to be wholesome, so the Beavers must put together to face each.
“I think they’ve got similar skillsets, both are accurate and know that scheme inside and out,” Smith stated. “Both are really competitive and you can see that not just in the pocket but when they leave the pocket. They have a really good offense in general. There’s no question they’ve got a couple of quarterbacks they can win games with and Noah, the last few they’ve shown that.”
RED ZONE EXCELLENCE
Oregon State has been excellent in the crimson zone, getting into Saturday’ recreation as one among three groups to attain on each possession inside the opponent’s 20.
The Beavers are 25 for 25 in the crimson zone and lead the nation with an 84% landing conversion price with 23. South Alabama and Western Kentucky are the solely different groups nonetheless good in the crimson zone.
Oregon State’s crimson zone perfection shall be put to the test against Arizona.
After years of struggling on protection, the Wildcats are thirty sixth nationally defending the crimson zone, permitting groups to transform 76% of the time.
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AP Sports Writer Anne Peterson contributed to this story.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
