Glance over to the right about six inches. Now slowly move your eyes up about three more inches. See that gray box, called “The Box”? Check out that first Pacific-10 Conference ranking stat, called “Total Offense.” Washington State, as noted, is No. 1; Oregon is No. 4.
These rankings help show how each team compares in different categories, but because of space limitations, explanatory numbers are not included.
Thus, the remaining 14 inches of this story will try to explain the meaning of the box in order to better preview how the Oregon-Washington State contest will turn out.
First, it should be noted that the guys in Las Vegas are calling it a three-point game in the Cougars’ favor. The numbers, or “The Box,” say Washington State is the top-scoring team in the conference, averaging 44 points per game. The Ducks are fourth at nearly 39 points.
Passing offense? Yep, the Cougs, led by quarterback Jason Gesser, are the best in the Pac-10 with 327 yards per game. Joey Harrington’s Ducks are, again, fourth at 261.9.
In all, the Cougars appear to have the edge — everywhere.
Numbers and predictions aside, though, the Ducks and Cougars still have to hit the field Saturday at 4 p.m. for a regionally televised game on ABC that will no doubt have a major impact on the Pac-10 championship.
As noted, the two quarterbacks that will take the field at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash., are among the best in the nation. Harrington’s Heisman campaign, while dwindling, is still active.
If anyone, Gesser, a junior, would be the next Pac-10 signal caller to have a 100-foot billboard in New York.
“He’s a good scrambler,” Oregon defensive tackle Chris Tetterton said. “He’s a littler quarterback, something we haven’t seen this year. We’re just going to have to take it and stick to our guns like we have all season. Just gotta bring it to ’em.”
While the respective offenses will be bringin’ it Saturday, the game will most likely be decided on the defensive side of the ball.
Again, Washington State stands out statistically with the best rush defense in the conference — allowing just 93 yards per contest — while the Ducks sit in ninth-place in total defense, allowing 420 total yards per game.
“We just need to stay calm,” Tetterton said. “When we go up (to Pullman), we’re on the road and we just have to trust each other and not get sucked into their stadium, because it can get kind of loud.”
Amid snow and rain, Martin Stadium was buzzing last season when the then-seventh-ranked Ducks narrowly escaped with a 27-24 win on a field goal in overtime. Oregon linebacker David Moretti said playing in the Palouse last year “was the coldest game I’ve ever been in.
“We’re expecting that again this year,” Moretti added. “But there’s nothing you can do about it. You just have to go out there and play football and put that in the back of your mind.”
Saturday’s forecast calls for scattered showers and a low of 36-degrees.