Boise State @ Oregon State preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 24, 2013 ) Boise State 23, Oregon State 38

Even on the heels of its first victory in nearly a year, Oregon State knows it faces a long road to respectability. Coach Gary Andersen and the Beavers can take another step forward Saturday as they host a Boise State team off to its first 2-0 start in five years.

Oregon State looked mostly composed on both sides of the ball in last week's 37-7 drubbing of Idaho State, its first win since defeating San Jose State on Sept. 19, 2015. Darell Garretson threw for 172 yards and a touchdown while Victor Bolden Jr. added 111 rushing yards, the majority of which came on a 92-yard scoring scamper early in the third quarter that effectively put away the game. The Beavers have one more non-conference game to help build confidence heading into Pac-12 play, in which it went 0-9 last season. But posting a victory on Saturday will be no easy task, as the Beavers entertain a Broncos unit that upended Washington State 31-28 on Sept. 10 for its 15th straight win in a home opener.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, FS1. LINE: Boise State -13

ABOUT BOISE STATE (2-0): A look at Washington State's raw numbers - 520 total yards, 71 pass attempts and 55 completions - might suggest the Broncos were on the wrong end of the score, but they rode six tackles for losses, three fourth-down stands and a long interception TD from cornerback Tyler Horton to victory. Brett Rypien has had an up-and-down start to the season, passing for 646 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Jeremy McNichols has been the offensive catalyst with 164 rushing yards, a 5.3 yards-per-carry average and four touchdowns, while Thomas Sperbeck (13 receptions, 263 yards, two TDs) and Cedrick Wilson (10, 198, one) have accounted for the majority of the receiving yardage.

ABOUT OREGON STATE (1-1): Beavers fans still are waiting for Garretson to prove he belongs in the conversation with the other Pac-12 signal-callers, having completed just 40-of-70 passes for 400 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. The team is averaging 4.5 yards per carry through two games, but that rate plummets to 3.3 when you remove Bolden's lengthy touchdown run from the equation. One thing working in Garretson's favor: a diverse receiving corps, with six different players hauling in at least three passes as Bolden leads the way with 88 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions, while Seth Collins (79 receiving yards) and Ryan Nall (76) also are popular targets.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Beavers have allowed touchdowns on all four of their opponents' trips to the red zone.

2. Boise State enters the week ranked fifth in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (60.5).

3. Oregon State owns a 6-5 edge in the series, with Boise State looking for its first-ever win in Corvallis.

PREDICTION: Oregon State 30, Boise State 23