The pick: Why Washington State will beat Oregon State on Saturday

How long has it been since Oregon State won a football game outside of Corvallis city limits? Well, here’s a hint: Mike Riley was still calling the shots and Sean Mannion was still throwing the passes. Riley now enters his third year at the University of Nebraska and Mannion embarks on a third season in the National Football League.

Mhmm, it’s been THAT long.

On Oct. 4, 2014, the Mannion-led Beavers went into Boulder, Colorado, to knock off the Buffaloes. It’s been a dry spell ever since. Oregon State, on a 13-game road losing streak, has won just one of its last 15 games against teams in the AP Top 25 and also comes to Pullman with a three-game slump against the Cougars. ESPN gives OSU a 6 percent chance to win and I say they’re giving the Beavers too much credit. Gary Andersen’s defense – the one that’s already ceding 46 points per game – is missing two of its starting corners, so there’s no better game for Luke Falk and the Air Raid to get back on track.

And there may not be an easier Pac-12 game to pick all season.

The line: Washington State by 21

The pick: Washington State, 48-21