After what should be an easy first two weeks of the 2025 season, things kick up a few a notches for the Texas Tech football team in Week 3.
The Red Raiders open the season with three straight home games and close non-conference play against Oregon State. Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Kent State shouldn’t be much of a problem for Tech, but the Beavers have some talented offensive weapons that could be a shock to Joey McGuire’s team on Sept. 13.
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Here’s what to know about the Oregon State Beavers as we continue to take an early look at Texas Tech’s 2025 schedule:
Sep 21, 2024; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers running back Anthony Hankerson (0) scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images
Get to know Texas Tech football opponent: Oregon State Beavers
The 2024 season was a wild ride for Oregon State. The Beavers started well, winning four of their first five games, but then lost six of their final seven contests, including a five-game losing streak that included a 28-0 loss to Air Force.
Oregon State should be better equipped to compete in 2025. Returning are the team’s top rusher, Anthony Hankenson (232 attempts, 1,082 yards, 15 touchdowns), top receiver Trent Walker (81 catches, 901 yards) and tackler DB Skyler Thomas (81 tackles, nine pass breakups).
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The headliner here, though, is the quarterback head coach Trent Bray brought in from the transfer portal. Former Texas Longhorn Maalik Murphy put up solid numbers for Duke last season, completing 60% of his passes and totaling 2,933 yards and 26 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He’ll be the guy for Oregon State this season, adding a more proven gunslinger to an offense that had just seven passing touchdowns in 2024.
One Oregon State stat for Texas Tech football fans to know
Oregon State’s defense took a major step back in 2024. After allowing 22.9 points per game in 2023, the Beavers surrendered 29.9 per game last season.
This can be attributed to the lack of pressure generated up front. OSU had 38 total sacks in Bray’s first year as head coach. That number dropped to seven, the only FBS team that failed to reach double-digits in this category in the country. And two of those came in the Week 1 win over Idaho State.
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Final score prediction for Texas Tech football vs. Oregon State
Texas Tech 38, Oregon State 16: A bit more of a push from the Beavers, but the Texas Tech offense should be able to handle things against the OSU front seven. Look for Texas Tech to pound the rock with Quinten Joyner and J’Koby Williams and ease off the gas late.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: What to know about Texas Tech football opponent Oregon State
