The No. 9 Oregon Ducks (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12) are taking on the Washington State Cougars (4-2, 1-2 Pac-12) at home with both teams coming off of a loss last week. The Cougars fell out of the AP Top-25 for the first time since their appearance in the poll before Week 3. The Ducks dropped just one spot after their loss against Washington.

This game comes at a critical time for both teams so far this season. For Oregon, its College Football Playoff hopes are still alive, but only just. Another loss would drop the Ducks out of the race entirely. However, for the Cougars, a loss this week would be their third straight loss, after dropping games against Utah and Arizona.

The Pac-12 has proven to be a gauntlet this year, with eight of the 12 teams appearing in the AP Top-25 at some point this year. This game, which would have been a Top-25 matchup last week, is no longer that. However, Washington State has proven that they are still a team to be feared.

The big question for Oregon coming into this game will be Dan Lanning’s coaching decisions. What has been a strength for the Ducks this season turned into a massive weakness in their loss against Washington. The Ducks were 0-3 on fourth down conversions, including two that came inside the 10-yard-line instead of field goal attempts and the third which gave the Huskies great field position for their game winning touchdown drive.

“I think this game is 100 percent on me,” Lanning said in his postgame comments about his decision to play aggressively, which cost Oregon the game. “You don’t have to look anywhere else besides me.”

The play calling has proven effective for Oregon so far this year, but their luck finally ran out against Washington. However, Lanning does not seem like the type of coach to change his philosophy after a single loss. If the Ducks go into this game with the same type of play calling as they have all year, the focus will be on their abilities to convert on fourth downs.

For Washington State, questions began appearing in their loss to Arizona that had not come up before. The Cougars were putting together an impressive season so far with a big win over Oregon State and their only loss coming against a very good UCLA team. However, after being favored by more than a touchdown against Arizona, Washington State suffered a shocking 44-6 blowout loss. The Cougars, who were ranked as high as No. 13 just two weeks ago, now find themselves on the outside of the AP Poll looking in.

Heisman candidate and Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward had an uncharacteristically poor performance. The Washington State offense managed just 234 total yards while turning the ball over four times. A matchup with Oregon is not a recipe for success for teams that are looking to score a bounceback win, but that is the unfortunate situation the Cougars find themselves in entering this Week 8 matchup.

The Oregon defense will be tested for the second straight week after holding Washington to their second lowest point total of the season. Washington State’s offense is not at the level of the Huskies, but they have topped 30 points in four of their six games so far. However, their two games scoring less than 30 have come in the last two weeks. The Cougars’ offense will have to show up against a stingy Oregon defense that will be looking to prove itself after their loss in Week 7.

Despite the loss, Oregon looked impressive in its game against Washington. Bo Nix passed for 312 yards and had two touchdown passes. Troy Franklin continued his stellar season with eight catches for 154 yards and a touchdown. The Ducks offense has been firing on all cylinders so far this season and Washington State will have a difficult task trying to slow it down.

On the other side of the ball, there was no stopping Michael Penix Jr., but Oregon’s defense did as good as it could have. Penix Jr. had 302 passing yards, his lowest total of the season. He did have four touchdown passes, but the Ducks were able to force his third interception of the year.

Washington State and Ward will have a tough time finding ways to score against an impressive Oregon defense.