Washington State Will Throw the Ball vs Oregon Ducks This Weekend

September 7, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Connor Halliday (12) is brought down by Southern California Trojans linebacker Morgan Breslin (91) during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

There are several Pac 12 Quarterbacks who are at the top of the statistics this season when it comes to passing yards. One player who is having a phenomenal season is Oregon State Quarterback Sean Mannion, another is Washington State QB Connor Halliday. So far through six games the Cougars signal caller has thrown for over 2000 yards, 2241 to be exact. Mannion is at the top of the list and will see the Ducks in Eugene at the end of the season – he may well have 3000 yards by that point. The OSU Beaver QB is already at 2511 yards.

Back to Oregon’s opponent on Saturday.

Halliday has Washington State in the Top 10 for throwing the ball averaging 346 passing yards per game. The Oregon Ducks Offensive Juggernaut has thrown the ball around as well and QB Marcus Mariota had a season high through the air against Tennessee earlier this season.  The Ducks average 306 yards per game. The #2 team in the country has also found a way to get it done on the ground rumbling for 324 yards per game, good enough for 3rd in the nation. The Cougs average just under 50 yards per game on the ground making them a pretty good bet as a Passing Offense.

Who knows where Halliday would be if he didn’t throw 14 interceptions on the year. He is completing over 63 percent of his passes. On the other side of the ball Mariota is just over 60 percent, but has yet to throw an interception in 2013. Oregon’s Quarterback has also thrown and run for a score in eight straight games.

Another interesting stat according to ESPN, Oregon ranks second nationally with 630.5 yards per game, while Washington State’s defense is eighth in the conference, surrendering an average of 400.3. The Cougars are also up against the league’s top scoring defense with the Ducks allowing 13.8 points per game.

This is another game where the Ducks are favored to win big. If Washington State gets behind look for the Oregon Ducks Defense to pick off a ball or two. It will just add to Hallliday’s total of 13 interceptions, which currently leads all FBS schools.

The Oregon Ducks and Washington State face off on Saturday. (7pm PT, Fox Sports 1)

Oregon Ducks This Week: