Oregon State vs Tulsa Prediction and Pick, Week 12

The Week 12 matchup between Oregon State and Tulsa features two struggling programs desperate for a late-season win. Both teams have battled inconsistency all year, and their statistical profiles paint a picture of two offenses still searching for rhythm. Oregon State enters this contest on a disappointing run, losing 14 of its last 17 games overall and failing to cover the spread in 13 of its last 18 outings. The Beavers’ offensive woes have been front and center — they’re averaging just 19.6 points per game, which ranks among the worst in the nation. Their inefficiency on the road has been particularly glaring, with an 0-7 record in their last seven road contests. On the other side, Tulsa hasn’t fared much better. The Golden Hurricane have dropped five straight road games and six of their last seven at home, struggling to find any consistency on either side of the ball. Despite these struggles, Tulsa has shown flashes of competitiveness in certain matchups, especially when their offense finds balance between the air and ground attack. This game sets up as a potential grind-it-out contest between two teams trying to salvage something positive before the season ends, with turnovers and time of possession likely being the deciding factors.

For Oregon State, their offensive identity has been difficult to pinpoint this season. The Beavers average 222 passing yards per game and 140 rushing yards, but neither phase has been efficient or explosive. Quarterback play has been inconsistent, and while they run an average of nearly 70 plays per game, the execution has lagged behind. Oregon State’s offense struggles particularly early in games, ranking near the bottom nationally in first-half scoring. Their inability to finish drives has also cost them opportunities — they often control time of possession but fail to turn that into points. On the defensive side, Oregon State gives up 29 points per game, which puts added pressure on an offense that’s already struggling to score. One bright spot is their ability to limit explosive plays and stay disciplined in penalty situations, ranking in the top 20 in penalty yards allowed. However, their road issues remain a major concern, as the Beavers have repeatedly failed to deliver away from home, and November has historically been unkind to them, with seven of their last eight November games going under the total. Expect Oregon State to focus on ball control and short passing to compensate for a weak rushing attack, but their margin for error is razor-thin.

Tulsa, meanwhile, has had its own share of growing pains this season. The Golden Hurricane average just under 22 points per game while allowing nearly 31, which highlights their defensive struggles. Their offense moves the ball better than their scoring output suggests, putting up over 230 passing yards and 155 rushing yards per game, but turnovers and inefficiency in the red zone have killed momentum. The Tulsa defense has been leaky against the run, allowing over 180 rushing yards per contest, which could be an opportunity for Oregon State to find some offensive rhythm. However, Tulsa’s up-tempo offense — running more than 77 plays per game — could test Oregon State’s depth and stamina. Their best chance will come if they can establish early drives and avoid turnovers, which have been a persistent problem all year. The home field gives Tulsa a slight edge, though even that hasn’t been a safe haven given their 1-5 record at home in recent games. Ultimately, this matchup feels like a battle between two teams more likely to beat themselves than dominate their opponent. With both squads trending under the total and showing limited offensive upside, points should be at a premium.