Oregon State football carries national spotlight after 4-2 start

Oregon State football is starting to gain national attention.

The Beavers (4-2) have won four straight games and are one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Oregon State's two losses were against top 25-ranked opponents in Houston and Texas Tech.

But with Pac-12 Conference foe Boise State being a member of the most recent polls, the question of Oregon State's potential ranking is developing traction.

"It hard to really know for sure, especially in this day and age with all the transfers and things of that nature, where our team stacks up," coach JaMarcus Shephard said. "I'll be honest, I won't really know (if OSU should be ranked) for a couple more weeks, if I'm being honest with you. These last four games our guys have played really well and we have to continue to play that level, if not better.

"But I'm not certain where we fit in with that, that's not my decision to make,"

Oregon State's four straight dominant wins have featured over 50 points scored three times. Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson and receiver Jesse Legree are among the national statistical leaders in several offensive categories and the Beavers' air-it-out, fluid offense has so far been a class above the rest against their Group of 6 opponents.

Next on the docket is Washington State on Oct. 17 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis.

Oregon State's original Pac-12 compatriot is 1-5 overall with losses to Washington, Kansas State, Arizona, Fresno State and Utah State. It's been nothing short of a difficult schedule for the Pullman-based Cougars whose next two games, Oregon State and Boise State, don't let up.

"We're going to have to end up meeting them on the field with a little bit of intensity because they are going to bring a lot of instensity to the game," Shephard said. "Our players, we'll do our best to prepare them for that and ensure that we have the right type of intensity going into the game. That, to me, is how you demonstrate respect for your opponent."

Shephard recognized former OSU head coach Trent Bray, who serves as Washington State's defensive coordinator.

"There's a gentleman on the other side of the field in their defensive coordinator who's very important to this community, has spent a lot of time here and we have a ton of respect for him and what he's brought to this program in the past," Shephard said.

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Legree making Heisman noise

There's starting to be some real noise behind Jesse Legree's Heisman Trophy argument.

The true freshman receiver has set an Oregon State record with over 100 receiving yards in each of his six games. He leads the nation with 932 receiving yards to go with 12 touchdowns. Both of Legree's marks are teeter-tottering with Ohio State standout receiver, projected Heisman winner and 2027 NFL Draft first overall pick Jeremiah Smith.

The pair have been bouncing back and forth as the leaders in both statistical categories for a majority of the season.

Out of 25 ballots from The New York Times' most recent weekly Heisman poll, Legree was voted third. He received seven second-place votes and eight third-place votes, trailing only Smith and Miami's Darian Mensah.

From a USA Today Heisman momentum meter, Legree was put at 11th, just behind Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. Legree was asked about his Heisman case after his 191-yard, three-touchdown performance against San Diego State.

"Because I'm making history every week," Legree said. "You're not seeing no freshman do this no years. Just to have a quarterback that I have to put me in this position is great."

He's earned Pac-12 freshman of the week honors every week of the season thus far and perhaps his biggest contention for national recognition comes from Oregon State's first two games versus ranked opponents.

Against No. 9 Texas Tech, Legree posted 240 yards and two touchdowns. Against No. 18 Houston, Legree had 136 yards and a touchdown. The Big 12 heavyweights remain among the top in that conference and nation, but to Legree that made little difference.

Atkinson surging as top QB

One of the players that's helped make Legree's rise to stardom possible is sophomore quarterback Atkinson, who has not so quietly been simultaneously delivering one of the most efficient and effective offensive seasons in the country.

Atikinson leads the nation with 2,257 passing yards, over 200 yards more than the rest of the competition. Atkinson's 21 touchdown passes are also the nation's best through six weeks.

He completes passes at over 70% while throwing the NCAA's third-most passes (265) thus far.

Atkinson, like Legree, is starting to gain some national recognition. In CBS Sports' most recent quarterback power rankings, Atkinson was placed second behind Miami's Mensah. USA Today ranked him as the most impactful transfer in college football through six weeks and he was named a Manning star of the week for the second week in a row.

To Oregon State's staff, preparing for — and successfully handling — all the attention that comes with a flashy high-scoring offense and big wins is one of this team's biggest next steps.

"The noise outside this building will grow and it will continue to grow as we find success. Again, the voices that matter are the ones that are here and in the locker room," offensive coordinator Mitch Dahlen said. "What happens here is more important and lasting and that's the culture of our team, is moving on and keep getting better."

Dahlen said despite the huge numbers, huge wins and new-found attention, this team isn't where it wants to be.

"We're on the same page of where we want to go. It's not just a box score, we want more and more every single week," Dahlen said.

How to watch Oregon State vs. Washington State

Oregon State vs. Washington State will air on USA Sports from the USA Network from Reser Stadium in Corvallis.

Streaming options include Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV and DirectTV Stream, all of which carry the USA Network.