Oregon Ducks vs Washington State Cougars: Three Things I’ll Be Watching

The Oregon Ducks start their first road trip of the season and will look to put to rest their 0-2 Pac-12 road finale from last season. Losses at Arizona and Stanford derailed the Ducks Championship aspirations last year. In 2014 the Oregon Ducks have proven in the first three games that they can pass the ball around of offense, but Defensively they have shown they can give up the big play. At times they have been stellar. What team will we see on Saturday night against the Washington State Cougars? That is my first ‘watch point’

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Will the Oregon Ducks Defense Stand Up to the Passing Attack of Washington State?

The Oregon Ducks will seek opportunity with the ball flying through the air for most of the game on Saturday Night as Washington State Quarterback Connor Halliday and the Cougars lead the nation in passing with five-hundred seventeen yards per game on average this season. That record has not boded well for the 1-3 Cougs, but that won’t stop the team from testing the Oregon Ducks Defense. There is one player I will be watching for.

Erick Dargan has had a stellar 2014 so far including two interceptions last weekend against Wyoming and making key plays on Defense against Michigan State the week before. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu has had some successes as well, but many opposing quarterbacks have not thrown his way this season because they know the level of his talent on the field.

With No Spotlight for Jameis Winston, Can Mariota Stand in the Heisman Spotlight?

Florida State QB Jameis Winston was suspended earlier this week for the first half against Clemson, and on Friday it was announced he would be suspended for the entire game. The Oregon Ducks Offense has been stellar this season, led by Heisman Candidate Quarterback Marcus Mariota, who has put the team on his back several times early in the season to lead them to victory, including a top ten win over Michigan State several weeks ago. Now, can Mariota, who will be visiting Pullman for the first time, find his wide receivers and pull out a victory over Washington State. Oregon is favored by over twenty points in the game, but of the Oregon Defense does not come together it could become a shootout quickly.

Oregon Ducks Offensive Line Is Thin, Can They Hold Up vs the Cougars?

The best thing that can happen to you when you are injured is rest. Following the game on Saturday, the Oregon Ducks will have a bye week before a Thursday night game against Arizona at Autzen. The Ducks enter the game short on the offensive line and have to freshman playing in key positions on the line to protect Mariota. Last weekend Jake Fischer went down with an injury. Oregon needs to get through this weekend and rest could prove a good thing for the line for the rest of the season.

AutzenZoo will provide live coverage tonight starting at 7pm Pacific time. Oregon and Washington State kickoff at 7:30pm Pacific Time on ESPN.

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