**Editor’s Note: Each week during football season, we feature an essay from the opponent’s student newspaper on why Oregon will lose. This week’s edition is from Steffen Stroup, a staff writer at the Daily Evergreen.**
Oregon (3-2 overall, 1-1 Pac-12) and Washington State (2-2 overall, 0-1 Pac-12) face each other this Saturday at Autzen Stadium. Both teams have dealt with major disappointment so far this season.
The Cougars started off the season with a demoralizing loss against Portland State, an FCS team. WSU outgained the Vikings 411 yards to 294, but were outscored 24-7 in the second half. The Cougars rebounded nicely in an exciting comeback win on the road against Rutgers, with redshirt sophomore quarterback Luke Falk throwing the game winning touchdown pass with 13 seconds left in regulation.
WSU returned to Pullman, Wash. the following week to face Wyoming. After the Cowboys posted two first quarter touchdowns, they were shutout in the final three frames, leading to the Cougars’ 31-14 win. Last weekend featured another disappointing second half collapse against No. 23 Cal, where WSU dropped their first Pac-12 contest by a score of 34-28. The Cougars led 21-13 in the first half but critical special teams mistakes ruined their chances of an upset.
WSU continues its road trip this weekend to take on the Ducks, a high-powered team that is coming off a 41-24 win against Colorado. The two teams played each other close in Pullman last year, but the Ducks came out on top, 38-31, in what was Oregon’s eighth straight win over the Cougars.
In order to return to Martin Stadium with a victory, the Cougars defense and special teams will need to play fast and avoid the mistakes that have doomed them this season.
WSU currently ranks ninth in the conference in scoring and total defense, while the Ducks sit in the top three in offensive scoring and yards. The Cougars are ranked slightly better in rushing defense, coming in at sixth in the conference, but will need to play better than that to stuff Oregon’s top ranked rushing attack.
The game will come down to who can limit mistakes, and turnovers may be the difference maker.
The Cougars will need Falk and company to give their best performances of the season if they are going to win on the road. He currently leads the conference in average passing yards per game with 364, thanks to his talented receivers and the pass-happy offensive scheme.
Keep an eye on junior receiver Gabe Marks to make another big impact, as he currently leads the conference in receptions per game and is second in yards per game.
In order to win, the defense will need to match its effort from last season and stuff the Ducks’ potent rushing attack. If the defense can prevent long Oregon drives, it will give the offense a chance to win it. Falk, Marks and the rest of the squad will have to get going early and score at least 41 points in the end to secure the upset.