In honor of first-year Oregon State coach Trent Bray and his uniform number of 44, we take a look at the Beavers’ 2024 season with 44 predictions and facts:

1. Rising star on offense: Trent Walker. Anyone for Mike Hass Lite? Perhaps it’s a little premature to compare Walker, but there are parallels. Walker and Hass played in the Beaverton-area Metro League in high school, came to Oregon State as walk-ons, and in the case of Hass, became the country’s best receiver during his senior year. Walker doesn’t have much of a college resume to date, but that should change this season. He caught everything in sight during camp and has the look of a No. 1 receiver.

Oregon’s interim state economist announced his resignation Wednesday, the second person to leave the key post this year.

It’s a job that may be little known outside state government, but in some ways it’s among the most important in Oregon: The state economist issues the forecasts that help set the state budget. Those forecasts also determine whether taxpayers will receive a kicker rebate, and how much.