OSU and WSU: 2025 Soccer Previews and Predictions

Oregon State

Common Outlook

Oregon State is hoping to reinvigorate its program after a disappointing 2024 season.

Essentially the most notable transfer the Beavers made is bringing in Maalik Murphy, a switch from Duke, who led the Blue Devils to a 9-3 mark in 2024.

He ought to present a spark for OSU’s passing assault, which completed 94th a 12 months in the past. The Beavs can even want to enhance their move rush this season to be extra aggressive.

Even when Oregon State underperforms this 12 months, they’ll be significantly better than they had been final season.

Offense

One of the most important pitfalls for the Beavers in 2024 was its passing assault. Their lack of aerodynamics was an enormous purpose why OSU was 5-7 final 12 months.

If Murphy is nearly as good as anticipated, the Beavs ought to discover themselves with at the very least a .500 mark in 2024. He threw for two,933 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions his ultimate season at Duke.

However, frankly, he doesn’t even should be that good; he simply needs to be higher than Gevani McCoy. McCoy solely threw three touchdowns final 12 months.

One other factor working in OSU’s favor is the return an honest quantity of manufacturing on the offensive facet of the ball.

Essentially the most notable returner is Trent Walker who had 81 catches, 901 yards, and two touchdowns a season in the past. One other wideout to know is Darrius Clemons. The duo of seniors ought to present stability on the receiver place.

The man to look out for although is Anthony Hankerson, who the Beavers final 12 months with 1,082 speeding yards and fifteen touchdowns. He additionally added 27 catches for 151 yards.

So long as OSU’s offensive line is respectable, the offense ought to enhance from 2024. They’ve a strong middle to construct round in Van Wells.

Protection

Oregon State should discover a strategy to stress opposing quarterbacks this season; they completed final within the nation with solely seven sacks in 2024.

The Beavers are hoping for Takari Hickle to step up this 12 months. Hickle missed all the 2024 season, however they’ll want him to make performs if their line goes to enhance.

He’s enjoying reverse Nikko Taylor, who led the staff with 2.5 sacks final 12 months. Tevita Pome’e enhances this duo of defensive ends within the center.

The dearth of move rush is a key purpose why OSU ranked a hundredth within the nation in factors allowed per recreation.

The remainder of the protection continues to be unknown, however the Beavs return one standout in security Skyler Thomas. Thomas had 81 tackles, 9 deflected passes, and one interception final season.

He’s most likely probably the most proficient participant Oregon State has on both facet of the ball. He’ll want some assist from Exodus Ayers on the cornerback place.

The linebacker unit is hoping Raesjon Davis, a switch from USC, will fill the void left by the departure of Isaiah Chisholm.

Particular Groups

Caleb Ojeda is projected to be the Beavers kicker this 12 months, however it’s an open competitors.

The punter continues to be in an ongoing battle between Max Walker and AJ Winsor.

The returners ought to be some mixture of Zachary Card, Salahadin Allah, and possibly Trent Walker.

Projected Sport-by-Sport Outcomes (9-3)

vs. Cal: Win
vs. Fresno State: Win
at Texas Tech: Loss
at Oregon: Loss
vs. Houston: Win
at Appalachian State: Win
vs. Wake Forest: Win
vs. Lafayette: Win
vs. Washington State: Win
vs. Sam Houston State: Win
at Tulsa: Win
at Washington State: Loss

Bowl Prediction: Vacation Bowl

Washington State

Common Outlook

As an alumni of Washington State, I don’t know what to anticipate out of my Cougars this 12 months—nobody does.

WSU received a brand new Head Coach in Jimmy Rogers, who gained a Nationwide Championship on the FCS Degree with South Dakota State.

Rogers introduced in a slew of Jackrabbits with him to Pullman however it stays to be seen if they are often efficient on the FBS degree. It labored for Curt Cignetti at Indiana final 12 months popping out of James Madison, so who is aware of?

WSU misplaced all of their notable names within the low season with the most important being quarterback John Mateer to Oklahoma.

That is probably the most transitional of transition years within the historical past of transition.

Offense

The largest factor Coug followers will discover is that Rogers will run the ball. Washington State had been reliant on some type of the air-raid offense for fairly awhile, and this could show to be a stark change on the Palouse.

When it comes to personnel, the whole lot is new on the ability positions. Not solely did WSU lose Mateer, however additionally they misplaced beginning working again Wayshawn Parker to Utah.

The Cougars can even be with out their prime two receivers from final season in Kyle Williams and Kris Hutson.

The one distinguished returner within the receiving core is Josh Meredith. Meredith completed with 39 catches, 472 yards, and two touchdowns in 2024. He additionally carried out effectively within the Apple Cup.

On the offense line, the Cougs return two starters in Brock Dieu and Christian Hilborn. This could present a little bit of stability for an offense that will likely be far more reliant on the run recreation.

The brand new Wazzu coaches are hoping to create area for SDSU switch working again Angel Johnson as effectively. Johnson averaged 7.0  per carry on the FCS degree. In addition they introduced in Kirby Vorhees at halfback so as to add depth.

Zevi Eckhaus would be the beginning quarterback for Washington State. Eckhaus carried out effectively within the Vacation Bowl in opposition to Syracuse final 12 months however that’s just one recreation.

Previous to becoming a member of WSU, Eckhaus performed for Bryant, the place he threw for two,907 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions in his final season with the Bulldogs.

Protection

The protection can even make a stylistic change this 12 months, however it would most likely be much less apparent to the informal fan. Washington State will swap from a 4-2-5 base to a 4-3 base, which is a extra conventional scheme.

When it comes to the gamers, Rogers introduced over a bunch of South Dakota State guys on this facet of the ball. The Cougars additionally return a small quantity of manufacturing on protection, so it may show a pleasant combine.

Essentially the most notable returners are linebackers Parker McKenna and Keith Brown, and nook Jamorri Colson.

Exterior of Colson, the remainder of the secondary is a bunch of Jackrabbits who’re hoping to make an impression on the FBS degree.

The road additionally has some returners in Raam Stevenson, Isaac Terrell and Bryson Lamb. They are going to be joined by one other SDSU switch Max Baloun at defensive sort out.

The final notable participant is Caleb Francl who proved a formidable linebacker for South Dakota State.

Particular Groups

Even the Cougs’ kicker is a switch from SDSU in Jack Stevens, who has solely tried one subject objective on the collegiate degree.

Ryan Harris ought to be the Cougars punter this season.

Tony Freeman and Tucker Massive will probably be the returners.

Projected Sport-by-Sport Outcomes (7-5)

vs. Idaho: Win
vs. San Diego State: Win
at North Texas: Win
vs. Washington: Loss
at Colorado State: Win
at Mississippi: Loss
at Virginia: Loss
vs. Toledo: Win
at Oregon State: Loss
vs. Louisiana Tech: Win
at James Madison: Loss
vs. Oregon State: Win

Bowl Projection: Solar Bowl