Honestly, looking at the beavers football schedule 2024, it’s kinda weird to see how much things changed in just twelve months. One minute you’re part of the "Conference of Champions," and the next, you’re basically an independent team wearing a Pac-12 patch like a ghost from a past life. Most fans I talk to still haven’t wrapped their heads around the fact that Oregon State and Washington State were the only ones left standing when the music stopped.
The 2024 season wasn't just about winning games. It was about survival.
🔗 Read more: ¿A qué hora juega el Barcelona? Guía para no perderte ni un minuto de Flick
The schedule itself was a jigsaw puzzle. Since the Pac-12 collapsed down to just two teams, the Beavers had to ink a weird scheduling agreement with the Mountain West. Basically, they played six games against MWC schools—three at home, three away—but they weren't technically in the conference. You’ve probably noticed the record reflects that. They finished 5-7. Not exactly the dream debut for Trent Bray as head coach, but when you lose your coach and half your roster to the portal, things get messy fast.
The Reality of the Beavers Football Schedule 2024
Let’s get into the actual games. The Beavers started off looking like they might actually cruise. They beat Idaho State 38-15 to open the year at Reser Stadium, which was great, but then reality hit like a freight train.
The early season "Rivalry Series" against Oregon was brutal. Seeing the Ducks come into Corvallis on September 14th and drop 49 points while the Beavers only managed 14 was a tough pill. Usually, this game is at the end of the year. Moving it to September felt wrong, sort of like eating Thanksgiving dinner in July.
Breakout Moments and Heartbreaks
If you followed the middle of the season, you know it was a roller coaster. The double-overtime win against Colorado State (39-31) was probably the peak of the "vibe" at Reser this year. The place was electric. But then the wheels kinda came off on the road.
Losses to Nevada and UNLV hurt. Especially that Nevada game—losing 37-42 in Reno after giving up way too many yards on the ground. It exposed some of the depth issues the team had after all those players followed Jonathan Smith to Michigan State.
The 2024 Game-by-Game Breakdown
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31 | Idaho State | W | 38-15 |
| Sep 7 | at San Diego State | W | 21-0 |
| Sep 14 | Oregon | L | 14-49 |
| Sep 21 | Purdue | W | 38-21 |
| Oct 5 | Colorado State | W | 39-31 (2OT) |
| Oct 12 | at Nevada | L | 37-42 |
| Oct 19 | UNLV | L | 25-33 |
| Oct 26 | at California | L | 7-44 |
| Nov 9 | San Jose State | L | 13-24 |
| Nov 16 | at Air Force | L | 0-28 |
| Nov 23 | Washington State | W | 41-38 |
| Nov 29 | at Boise State | L | 18-34 |
One thing that really stands out is the November 23rd game against Washington State. That was the "Pac-2 Championship" in everything but name. The Beavers pulled it out 41-38. It was high-scoring, chaotic, and felt like the old Pac-12 North battles. If you’re a Beaver fan, that win probably saved the season from feeling like a total disaster.
Why the Schedule Looked So Different
A lot of people asked why they were playing Air Force and San Jose State instead of USC or Washington. It’s the $14 million agreement. Oregon State and Wazzu basically paid the Mountain West to fill out their schedule.
This meant the Beavers weren't eligible for the Mountain West title, and they didn't have a conference championship to play for. They were essentially playing for an at-large bid in the expanded 12-team playoff, but that dream died once the losing streak hit in October.
The defense was a major talking point all year. Last year, the Beavers were pretty solid, but in 2024, they were giving up nearly 30 points a game. That’s hard to overcome when your offense is trying to find its identity with a new quarterback and a different system. Ben Gulbranson and Gevani McCoy both saw time, but finding that consistent rhythm was a struggle.
Looking Toward the Future
So, what do you do with this information? If you're looking at the beavers football schedule 2024 as a blueprint for the future, things are actually looking up.
The Pac-12 is rebuilding. They’ve already poached Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State for 2026. The 2024 season was the "bridge" year—the awkward gap between being a Power 5 powerhouse and whatever the new-look Pac-12 becomes.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the 2025 Schedule: The Beavers have already announced they’ll continue the partnership with the Mountain West for one more year before the "New Pac-12" officially launches in 2026.
- Track the Transfer Portal: With the season over, watch how Trent Bray uses the portal. The 5-7 record shows they need more depth on the defensive line and explosive playmakers at wideout.
- Support the Rebuild: Season ticket renewals for 2025 are going to be huge for the school’s athletic budget as they navigate the legal battles and conference expansion fees.
The 2024 season was a weird, sometimes painful chapter in Oregon State history. It was a year of "what ifs" and "what nows." But despite the 5-7 record, the win over Washington State proved that the heart of Beaver Nation is still beating, even if the conference around them looks a whole lot different than it used to.