Where has Washington State disappeared to the past month and a half?
It can be found at the bottom of the Pacific-10 Conference standings. Thanks to a defense ranked near the bottom of the conference in all categories, the Cougars haven’t defeated a conference opponent this season.
Quite an odd scenario, considering they were undefeated through the non-conference schedule and had one of the top-producing offenses in the country. Sports analysts actually thought Washington State would have a decent season, with the possibility of a top-half finish in the conference standings and a trip to a bowl in December.
That all went awry back on a crisp fall day, Oct. 1, when Washington State blew a double-digit lead and lost to Oregon State. That trend has continued as the Cougars lost five conference games when they were tied or within one score in the second half.
What everybody didn’t anticipate prior to the conference schedule was that the non-conference schedule was so weak; the Cougars were unprepared and possibly overconfident. I guess games against Idaho, Nevada and Division I-AA Grambling State aren’t the best preparation for the likes of big-timers such as Oregon State and Stanford.
So what does this all mean for Oregon Saturday?
Not much, because the Palouse is a dangerous place to play. Perhaps more dangerous than Autzen Stadium, where unsuspecting programs arrive with confidence and depart with a loss. Pullman, Wash., is an ugly place to play. Not only is the weather miserable, but so are the surroundings. Any team can be faced with the challenge of holding its focus for 60 minutes.
That is primarily what Oregon has to do. The Ducks have to play a complete game – four quarters of solid play in all three areas. Without an experienced quarterback, the Ducks will rely on their running game, defense and overall playmakers to do exactly that – make plays.
Senior running back Terrence Whitehead has to eat up clock and yardage like a tank on the ground, while speedy receivers Demetrius Williams, Cameron Colvin and James Finley have to provide a threat through the air. Quarterbacks Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf can’t be put in third and long situations; the game shouldn’t be put on their shoulders.
Special teams has to take what it can get and not get trapped in a dancing contest. Returners need to head north and south, put their pads down and initiate contact.
And the Oregon defense has to keep the Washington State rushing attack in check, not get burned deep and hold the Cougars to less than 24 points.
I don’t think it will take more than three touchdowns and a field goal to win Saturday. If the Ducks score early, play a field-possession game and don’t turn the ball over, they will walk out of Martin Stadium with a victory, and they will be one step closer to that 10-win season the program has only reached once in its history.

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