LA Bowl Utah State vs Oregon State Predictions, Betting Odds, Picks

• When Utah State has the ball – Explosive offense leans on the pass
• When Oregon State has the ball —  First team All-Conference running back is key
• X-factors to watch

Utah State vs Oregon State Odds

Odds presented by: DraftKings Sportsbook

Utah State vs. Oregon State Prediction and Picks

There’s no doubt first year coach Blake Anderson had a huge impact on the Aggies. They won their first league title since 2012 and their offense went from pedestrian to one of the best in the nation.

Don’t forget that a team in Corvallis – Oregon State made strides as well. Both teams were almost even statistically. They both scored 33 points per game, gave up between 25-26 points per game and were exactly even on turnover margin. That’s why we think this game will be close, so a touchdown is just too much. We like Utah State to cover the spread and the over.

• Aggies are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games overall
• Aggies are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following an ATS win
• Aggies are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a straight up win
• Aggies are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games as an underdog
• Aggies are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 non-conference games
• Under is 7-1 in Aggies last eight bowl games
• Under is 10-2-1 in Aggies last 13 games in December
• Over is 4-1 in Aggies last five games following a straight up win
• Beavers are 6-1 ATS in their last seven vs. MWC
• Beavers are 8-2 ATS in their last ten games following an ATS loss
• Beavers are 6-1 ATS against a team with a winning record
• Beavers are 4-1 ATS in their last five non-conference games
• Beavers are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games following a straight up loss
• Beavers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven neutral site games
• Over is 5-1 in Beavers last six games vs. MWC
• Over is 4-1 in Beavers last five games against a team with a winning record

Aggies Offense Finds Success Every Which Way

Utah State already beat one Pac-12 team this season; now the Mountain West champion wants to prove it can beat a decent bowl team from a Power 5 conference. If the Aggies can do so, there is no doubt a large part of it will come on the back of quarterback Logan Bonner.

The junior was one of the best quarterbacks in the nation statistically, finishing 6th in the country in touchdowns (36) and 12th in the country in passing yards (3,560).

He was able to have so much success, in large part, because of his No. 1 passing threat Deven Thompkins. The senior exploded onto the scene in what might be his final collegiate year, catching 96 balls for 1,589 yards and nine touchdowns.

Utah State had more than 300 passing yards in eight of the final nine games of the season, and even more than that, the Aggies are good when it counts – nobody in the Mountain West converted third downs more frequently.

Don’t Forget about the Beavers Attack

Oregon State has not been a power in the Pac-12 consistently for quite some time, but by almost all standards, the Beavers exceeded expectations this season. They were in contention for a PAC-12 South title until a loss in the final week of the season to rival Oregon, and they were still able to finish 7-5 and earn a bowl berth.

Chance Nolan, the sophomore quarterback for the Beavers, gets to return near his home in the LA area to play in front of family and friends. He finished his first non-Covid season with 2,414 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.

While Nolan has a good storyline, it is more likely than not that the Beavers will try to use the rushing attack to control the tempo in this game. For one reason, it is because it’s what they like to do; for another, it is because there are yards to be had on the ground against the Aggies.

X-factors to watch

You may have noticed the Utah State rushing attack went unnoticed. That’s because this is the x-factor if ever we’ve seen one. Calvin Tyler Jr. led the Aggies in rushing this season – carrying the ball 170 times for 764 yards and six touchdowns.

He also happened to have transferred from Oregon State, so you know there are plenty of familiar faces on the other sideline for the junior from Texas.

As for the Beavers, running back B.J. Baylor isn’t just the x-factor – he’s the man who stirs the drink for the offense. Baylor broke out in 2021, rushing 209 times for 1,251 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning first-team Pac-12 honors in the process.

That said, he has been bottled up lately, rushing for fewer than 100 yards in four of his last five games. In order to win, the Beavers need to see him finish the season on a high note.

How to watch Utah State vs. Oregon State