Editor’s Note: This is a column and does not reflect the views or opinions of the Daily Barometer.
Nik: The wait is over, the never-ending offseason is coming to a close, and that means only one thing: our beloved game of college football is back.
So, how will the Beavers fare?
The 2025 season will definitely be “one of the seasons of all time” for the Beavs.
Last year, their 5-7 record was capstoned with a double overtime win against future Pac-12 member Colorado State and a shootout with Washington State that commenced with a walkoff field goal victory.
Other highlights, albeit for the wrong reasons, included a beatdown at the hands of rival Oregon and a five game losing streak with the Beavs being outscored 82 to 171.
But now, it’s time to look ahead.
Major additions to the offense have been made, with former four-star tight end Riley Williams transferring in.
Most notably, former Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy will be the team’s signal caller for the upcoming season with high expectations. Murphy is a game changer for the Beavs, being the best quarterback
talent they have had in years.
So, with all the new additions, how will the orange and black perform?
Josh: It’s that time of the year again, where the summer sun blazes overhead, shorts are in fashion and football is nearly upon us.
For the Superstitious Statistician, this means football predictions. For this year’s column, I’ll be responding to OMN columnist Nik Munoz’s predictions.
To recap last year’s football predictions and provide context for this year’s, I started hot, culminating in a 5-0 record for my predictions after the win against Colorado State.
I was atop the world.
But those words don’t ever seem to last long. So, as fate would have it for the Superstitious Statistician, starting running back Jam Griffin was lost for the remainder of the season in that game. The Beavers imploded.
My predictions went 2-5 from there and I finished the season 7-6. While the Beavers never made the bowl game I predicted them to, I think it should count as a loss. Actually, I’ll count it as a tie because they neither won nor lost. We’ll say the record was 7-5-1.
Munoz has the Beavers finishing 9-3, maybe 8-4. I admire optimism, and I reason that the Beavers’ manageable schedule and roster additions such as Duke transfer quarterback Maalik Murphy will help them get back to bowling.
Week one, vs. California
Nik: The Golden Bears had a similar year last season to OSU. With a younger, less experienced quarterback situation, this year’s matchup shouldn’t go like the last. Beavers win, 27-10.
Josh: Nik calls this one for OSU, citing Cal’s quarterback inexperience. I agree, and combined with the Beavers’ statistically significant homefield advantage, I foretell a big Beaver win, 31-20.
Week two, vs. Fresno State
Nik: The Bulldogs also had a similar last season to OSU, but once again, their quarterback situation is unfavorable – no matter how talented the team may be overall. E.J. Warner has the experience but lacks consistency and has a nasty turnover problem. Beavers win, 28-13.
Josh: The Bulldogs will again have their running back duo of Elijah Gilliam and Bryson Donelson, who last year gobbled up 466 and 462 yards, respectively. However, the loss of leading receiver Mac Dalena’s 1,065 yards will put the passing game at a disadvantage. Maalik Murphy will do well. Beavers win, 27-23.
Week three, at Texas Tech
Nik: The Red Raiders’ eight-win season and bowl appearance is going to be hard to replicate, especially with their star running back not returning. However, with a good amount of their offensive talent remaining, it’s still their game to win. Beavers lose, 27-20.
Josh: The Beavers’ first road test will be at Texas Tech, who finished 2024 with a loss in the Liberty Bowl and an 8-5 record. With senior quarterback Behren Morton coming off of a 27 touchdown and 8 interception season, I’ll give the win to the Red Raiders and say that their passing game returns to something like Mike Leach form for a night. Texas Tech wins, 41-22.
Week four, at Oregon
Nik: The Civil War. Two words: Dante Moore. The Ducks losing 14 starters and bringing out a starting quarterback with little play under his belt on paper will be hard to come back from. Yes, this could obviously go the other way, but for now, Beavers win in an upset, 31-28.
Josh: Nik’s upset pick is bold, but the Ducks were the top-ranked team in the country for much of 2024. With Dan Lanning hungry to avenge the Duck’s playoff loss, it seems like the Ducks have much to prove. However, the historical struggles of Dante Moore suggest a closer game, so I’ll predict that the Ducks win in a thriller, 37-18.
Week five, vs. Houston
Nik: Houston is coming off of rough back to back 4-8 seasons and another offseason where the program did not improve significantly. Houston is well removed from playing their best ball, which makes this the easiest prediction to make so far. Beavers win, 34-14.
Josh: The Beavers should be glad to play Houston at home, because the Cougars went 1-5 on the road last year while the Beavs were 4-3 at home. With a revolving door at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver last year, Houston, you have a problem. Beavers win, 34-20.
Week six, at Appalachian State
Nik: Yet another team with a similar last season to OSU. However, much like the former two teams with similar seasons, they did not add as much talent as the Beavs did this offseason to “move the needle.” This should be fairly open and shut: Beavers win, 31-17.
Josh: As far as road games go, this is one that OSU should be favored in based on recruiting rankings. While road games can be tricky, an App. State win would be an upset. With the loss of starting quarterback Joey Aguilar and starting running back Ahmani Marshall, returning wide receiver Kaedin Robinson will have his work cut out for him. If the Beavers don’t win, you can expect upset coverage on ESPN. Beavers win, 33-19.
Week eight, vs. Wake Forest
Nik: With great talent in the trenches on both sides, this game could easily be a “trap game” for OSU. However, with a similar situation to Houston, Wake Forest is removed by at least two years from their best play. Beavers win off the bye, 24-21.
Josh: Wake Forest won only four games in 2024, but three of them were on the road. Senior running back and 1,000 yard rusher Demond Claiborn will lead the offense, but the lack of a developed passing game will not get the Demon Deacons far in Corvallis against the hostile crowd. Beavers win, 28-21.
Week nine, vs. Lafayette
Nik: On a weak schedule, the Leopards played to the mean. Most of their best talent will return, but it seems that said talent will not match up well to OSU. So this matchup should be another safe call: Beavers win, 28-6.
Josh: Junior running back Jamar Curtis will be the biggest problem for the Beavers, but the Leopards lack a consistent passing game or threat at wide receiver one to challenge the Beavers in Corvallis for four quarters. There is a small chance of an upset, but Maalik Murphy will perform well against the Lafayette defense. Beavers win, 31-13.
Week 10, vs. Washington State
Nik: This bout could go either way. The Cougars lost a star quarterback in John Mateer to the portal, and the luck of going from one great quarterback to another seems like it has run out. This makes the Cougs vulnerable. Beavers win, 38-31.
Josh: : In the first of two meetings this season, the Cougars return to Corvallis after a heartbreaking loss to the Beavers in 2024 and the loss of star quarterback John Mateer. With no established quarterback here in August, I reason the Cougs don’t have a clear standout. While Mateer was the team’s rushing leader, they also lost running back Wayshawn Parker to Utah, leaving the Wazzu offense unproven. However, given the Beaver struggles on the road in recent years, I’ll split the series. Beavers win, 29-28.
Week 11, vs. Sam Houston
Nik: The Bearkats had an outstanding performance last season. Coming off of 10 wins, a New Orleans Bowl win, and having a scrappy defense keeping most of their best talent, this matchup has “trap game” written all over it. Therefore, from a close-up perspective, this game looks hard to gauge. So for now, Beavers lose to an upset, 27-23.
Josh: Nik says this here is a trap game and I am inclined to agree. SHU finished 2024 with a 10-3 record and bowl win. With the loss of starting quarterback Hunter Watson, I’m not totally sure that the Bearkats can regain their form, but I think this is the game that the OSU defense finds its misstep in. Beavers lose, 33-25.
Week 12, at Tulsa
Nik: Even with a relatively weak schedule, the Golden Hurricanes still bottomed out at three wins, and did not add much talent in this recent offseason. This is another matchup on paper where even with an in-depth look, it still seems open and shut. Beavers win, 35-20.
Josh: Tulsa is simply outmatched in this game, and in a manner quite similar to App. State. I think that this will be a game in which Maalik Murphy shines and the Beaver ground game supports his decision making with chunk gains all day. Beavers win, 28-17.
Week 14, at Washington State
Nik: A game on the road in a harsh, bitter rival’s environment, where the outcome has bowl game implications. Starters could be rested, or the Cougs could look to sour a great year and play their best ball. So to be fair, Beavers lose round two off of their second bye, 37-24.
Josh: While OSU takes the game in Corvallis, I think the WSU coaching staff is primed to develop their talent enough to win this home game with an inspired defensive performance and good-enough offense on the Palouse. Beavers lose, 32-18.
Final predictions
Nik: The Oregon game seems favorable on paper, but going off of recent matchups it could still easily go against OSU. Also, the Wake Forest and Houston games show signs of being possible upsets. However, I still have the Beavers reaching their ceiling of 9-3, with a floor of 7-5, and a mean of 8-4.
Josh: 8-4. Last year my predictions were 5-0 until a devastating injury to star player Jam Griffin. This year, I don’t anticipate bad luck for the Beavers. The Superstitious Statistician gives the Beavers an 80% of making a bowl game, with the Alamo Bowl the most likely destination. But, as per superstition, we never know which predictions will come true. We’ll just have to watch.
