The Oregon Ducks (3-2) enter Saturday’s home game against the Washington Cougars seeking to regain the respect in the FBS it lost two weeks ago.
The Ducks remain unranked despite a 41-24 rebound victory over Colorado last Saturday. They were ousted from the AP Top 25 poll the week prior, following a 62-20 loss to then-No. 18 Utah, their worst home loss since 1977.
Jeff Lockie and Taylor Alie were swapped in and out at quarterback throughout the game against Colorado. Oregon’s gameplan was to minimize the damage its backup quarterbacks could do by leaning heavily on the running game. Lockie and Alie combined to complete 12-of-20 passes for 137 yards, a touchdown and interception. On the other hand, Oregon’s rushing attack gained more than 300 yards. Vernon Adams Jr. watched from the sidelines as he continued to nurse his broken finger.
Washington State (2-2) played its most complete game of the year last week in a losing effort to Cal (5-0). The Cougars dominated the first half on both sides of the ball, but special teams victimized them in the second. The Golden Bears sniffed out a fake punt and later surprised Washington State with an onside kick, which Cal recovered. On the ensuing drive, Jared Goff tossed his fourth touchdown pass to give Cal its first lead of the game, 34-28, the eventual final score.
Match-ups to watch: 
Oregon running backs vs. Washington State front seven
Last week the Ducks fed Royce Freeman 27 times, which he translated into 163 yards and two touchdowns. They also let loose freshman Taj Griffin, who exploded for 110 yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries, bringing his season average to 9.4 yards per carry. Due to their lack of confidence at quarterback, the Ducks will more than likely rely on their young tailbacks to pound the rock once again.
Washington State offense vs. Oregon secondary
The Ducks secondary held its own last week against Sefo Liufau, who completed 25 of 42 attempts for 231 yards, a touchdown and interception. It was the Oregon defensive backs’ stingiest game of the season, and it came a week after Travis Wilson shredded them for 227 yards and 4 touchdowns. Washington State under head coach Mike Leach is the most-pass heavy offense the Ducks have faced. Washington State runs pass plays on nearly 70 percent of its snaps, and 84 percent of its offensive production comes through the air.
Players to watch:
Vernon Adams Jr. / Jeff Lockie / Taylor Alie
Adams said in practice this week he won’t play until he’s 100 percent, even though he started against Utah — although he was pulled after a quarter and a half — and No. 5 Michigan State a week after he suffered the injury. Even if the Ducks deploy Adams, a good chance exists that Lockie and/or Alie sees the field as well.
Darren Carrington
Carrington could return to action after missing the entire season thus far due to a failed drug test before the 2015 College Football Playoff national championship game. Carrington was also issued a citation for an open container violation on Sept. 26. When asked whether he’d be available Saturday, offensive coordinator Scott Frost said “I have no idea.”
DeForest Buckner
Buckner terrorized Colorado’s offensive line last week. He’ll need to apply pressure to Luke Falk early and often for the Ducks to have a fighting chance at slowing down Washington State’s aerial attack.
Luke Falk
Falk has already thrown for 1,459 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions through four games. Washington State averages 51.3 pass attempts per game and may not even bother testing Oregon’s front seven; the Ducks young cornerbacks are far more exploitable.
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