Oregon State @ Brigham Young preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 15, 2011 ) Brigham Young 38, Oregon State 28

Coming off a three-win season, No. 14 Oregon State has been a pleasant surprise in 2012. Earlier this week, however, it got dealt a not-so-pleasant surprise when starting quarterback Sean Mannion discovered he will likely miss 2-to-4 weeks with torn cartilage in his knee despite not missing a snap in last Saturday’s 19-6 home victory over Washington State. As a result, junior Cody Vaz will get his first start since high school Saturday at Brigham Young, which hasn’t surrendered an offensive touchdown in 13 consecutive quarters. However, the Cougars have their own quarterback concerns as freshman Taysom Hill was lost for the season after injuring his left knee in last Friday’s 6-3 victory over Utah State. Hill was filling in for senior Riley Nelson, who is expected back this week after missing the last two games with a back injury.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC, ESPN3.com. LINE: BYU –6

ABOUT OREGON STATE (4-0): One of the main reasons the Beavers are undefeated through four games for the first time since 2002 is their defense’s ability to hold opponents to a 20.4 percent success rate on third down, the best mark in the country. Cornerback Jordan Poyer intercepted three passes against Washington State as the Beavers overcame a lackluster rushing attack and three interceptions from Mannion. Vaz will have his hands full against a BYU defense allowing only 229.3 yards per game – the fifth-lowest mark in the country – as the Beavers attempt to go 5-0 for the first time since 1939.

ABOUT BYU (4-2): Yards figure to be hard to come by in this contest – especially on the ground – as the Cougars own the nation’s best rush defense (59.5 yards per game) and the Beavers rank fourth (67.25), making Nelson’s healthy return that much more important. BYU is one of among the most penalized teams in FBS with eight per game, resulting in an average of 73.3 yards. The Cougars have made up for those mistakes in part with their defense inside the red zone, where opponents have managed to score only four out of 10 times this season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The all-time series is 5-5, with BYU winning the last two meetings.

2. Oregon State will attempt to win three straight road games for the first time since 2008.

3. The Cougars’ last victory over a ranked opponent was against the Beavers in the 2009 Las Vegas Bowl.

PREDICTION: BYU 14, Oregon State 10