Game Day Central: Notre Dame football vs. Oregon State Beavers
No. 16 Notre Dame (9-3) ends an up and down season with a matchup against the No. 19 Oregon State Beavers (8-4, 5-4 Pac-12). Blue & Gold gets you ready with what you need to know before today’s tilt.
Join us live on YouTube after the game as we break down ND vs. Oregon State
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Date: Friday, Dec. 29, 2023
Site: Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas
Kickoff: 2 p.m. EST
Television: CBS/Paramount+
Radio: This game can be heard on Notre Dame IMG affiliates.
Series facts: Notre Dame is 0-2 against Oregon State, with both matchups taking place in a bowl game. The Beavers beat the Irish 41-9 in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1, 2001, and notched a 38-21 win in the Insight Bowl on Dec. 28, 2004.
Head coaches: Oregon State — Kefense Hynson (0-0, interim); Marcus Freeman (18-8, second season).
Noting Oregon State: Hynson has never been a head coach; he has been an offensive coordinator at Western Washington, Yale and Montana … Oregon State started 6-1 but finished 2-3 with losses to then unranked Arizona, No. 5 Washington and No. 6 Oregon … The Beavers posted ranked wins over No. 10 Utah and No. 18 UCLA … The Beavers average 33.8 points per game, good for 27th in FBS heading into bowl season … Oregon State is also No. 32 in the country with 426.9 yards per game and tied for 21st in the nation in turnover margin at +0.58 per game … Only two players drafted in 2023: tight end Luke Musgrave (No. 42 overall to Green Bay) and defensive back Alex Austin (No. 252 overall to Buffalo) … Junior left tackle Taliese Fuaga is a big loss; he ranks second to Notre Dame’s Joe Alt in Pro Football Focus’ offense grade among qualified offensive tackles at 86.8.
Blue & Gold subscribers: Click here for the full game day package with depth charts, rosters, stats and more.
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FIVE OREGON STATE PLAYERS TO KNOW
QB Ben Gulbranson (#17): He was OSU’s third-string passer all season long, but with the Beavs’ top two passers transferring out after the regular season concluded, Gulbranson, who attempted just one pass this season, is getting the start. In 2022, he attempted 121 of 195 passes for 1,455 yards with 9 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
WR Silas Bolden (#7): Oregon State’s best receiver will be playing in the game. He led the team with 51 receptions and was tied for most on the team in receiving yards with 718. His five touchdown receptions was most among wide receivers. He’s also added a couple touchdown rushes.
WR Jesiah Irish (#13): With the Beavs second-leading receiver (Anthony Gould) opting out, Irish is expected to play a bigger role in Oregon State’s offense. On the season, he hauled in 15 passes for 246 yards with one score.
DB Kitan Oladapo (#28): He was tied for second on the team in tackles with 62 this season and posted 6 pass break ups and 2 interceptions from his safety position.
LB Melvin Jordan (#44): He’s one of two new inside linebackers starting in the contest. The true freshman only has 16 tackles on the season.
GAME PREDICTIONS
Vegas line: Notre Dame -6 …. Over/under 41
Oddshark prediction: ND 41, Oregon State 32
Tyler Horka: Notre Dame 34, Oregon State 27
Jack Soble: Notre Dame 20, Oregon State 10
Todd D. Burlage: Notre Dame 27, Oregon State 21
Steve Downey: Notre Dame 24, Oregon State 9
Kyle Kelly: Notre Dame 23, Oregon State 13