It was a season of highs and lows in the PAC-12 in 2016. The Washington Huskies turned a major corner, making it to the national semifinal before getting smothered by Alabama. The Huskies were one of four teams that won 10 games or more. On the flip side, half of the teams in the conference finished under .500, including two major surprise teams in Oregon and UCLA. The conference's prize QB, Josh Rosen, was injured for most of the season, and under performed when he was available, and Jake Browning became the new star QB of the conference until being upstaged by Sam Darnold at USC. The biggest story was the emergence of the Colorado Buffaloes, who shocked everyone by winning the South. Here is our farewell to the 2016 season, team by team, in the PAC-12...
Oregon State Beavers
4-8 (3-6)
2016 Schedule
Lost to Minnesota 30-23
Beat Idaho State 37-7
Lost to Boise State 38-24
Lost to Colorado 47-6
Beat California 47-44
Lost to Utah 19-14
Lost to Washington 41-17
Lost to Washington State 35-31
Lost to Stanford 26-15
Lost to UCLA 38-24
Beat Arizona 42-17
Beat Oregon 34-24
MVP Offense: RB Ryan Nall
Oregon State has always been a passing team, at least since the 1980's, so to see them resort to the run for offensive support was a little surprising. Nall was the best of a weaker bunch that got stronger as the season seemed to progress. Despite only carrying the ball 13.36 times per game, he managed to rush for 951 yards and 13 scores, while averaging 6.47 yards per carry as a sophomore. He added another 214 yard and 2 scores as a receiver.
MVP Defense: LB Caleb Saulo
Saulo, a senior, wrapped his career with the Beavers by leading the team in tackles with 95 (7.92 per game). He finished with 7.5 TFLs, 4 sacks, 3 PBUs, 5 QB hurries, and 2 forced fumbles, meaning that he was all over the field in several capacities. He finished with 13 tackles in back to back games against Cal and Utah.
Others of Note
Marcus McMaryion showed some promise in 2016, as he passed for 10 scores against just 5 picks in 8 games as a sophomore. He did not play in the first 5 games of the season, and played his first full game in a loss to Washington.
Oregon State rushed for 191 yards per game for the season. The Beavers rushed for 24 TDs, but allowed 25 rushing scores on defense.
Not one WR scored more than 2 times in 2016.
Seven Beaver defenders recorded 50 or more tackles.After Bright Ugwoegbu with 54, the number dropped into the 20s.
Ugwoegbu led the team with 11 TFLs and 5.5 sacks.
Xavier Crawford and Treston Decoud both finished with 10 PBUs.
Devin Chappell finished with 4 forced fumbles.
Best Win: Oregon 34-24
The Beavers did not beat a single team with a winning record in 2016, but beating Oregon is always as sweet as it gets, no matter the records.
Worst Loss: UCLA 38-24
The Bruins were a fellow 4 game winner, and had zero running game to speak of. Make no mistake, this was a terrible loss for OSU.
2017 Non Conference Schedule: 9/2 Portland State, 9/9 Minnesota, 9/23 at Colorado State
The Beavers should handle Portland State, but games against the Gophers and Rams could be tougher draws by far. CSU is improving quickly, and the Row the Boat era with PJ Fleck begins in Minnesota.
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