First look: Oregon at WSU
Time: 2 p.m. Saturday. TV: None
The records: Oregon, 5-1, 3-1 Pac-10; WSU, 4-3, 2-2 Pac-10.
Last week: Oregon defeated UCLA 30-20 at home; WSU lost to California 21-3 at home.
Last time: Oregon handed WSU its seventh straight loss and its fifth loss by four points or fewer with a 34-31 win in Pullman on Nov. 12 last season. Paul Martinez hit a 19-yard field goal with one second left on the clock after a long drive led by quarterback Dennis Dixon. Earlier in the fourth-quarter, the Cougars had come back from a 10-point deficit, only to watch things slip away in the final seconds.
The line: Oregon by 4
What it means for Oregon: The Ducks need to maintain their winning ways to stay within shouting distance of the Pac-10’s best. After a loss to Cal two weekends ago, Oregon can’t afford to lose another game with USC still left on the schedule. The Ducks have won by less than a touchdown in each of the last two years at Martin Stadium, so they probably know better than to take this game lightly. The added motivation of trying to stay within a game of the conference leaders should ensure that Oregon comes to WSU ready to play.
What it means for WSU: The Cougars aren’t expected to win this game, but after losing in the fashion they did against Cal they’ll need to make a better showing this week. Offensively, WSU must get on track or it risks falling into a slump so deep it can’t escape even when lesser opponents show up on the schedule. The Cougars’ bowl hopes will be OK without a victory, but any chance of crashing the upper echelon of the league will be gone.
Key matchup: WSU offensive line vs. Oregon defensive line
It’s become apparent in the four weeks of Pac-10 play that the Cougars will be fine offensively when the line blocks well (see Stanford and USC) and anything but fine when it doesn’t (see Oregon State and Cal). So the biggest question facing the Cougars this week is how much forward momentum this unit will be able to develop against an Oregon front allowing 165.7 rushing yards a game, second-worst in the league. A return to at least sufficiency up front should mean the same for the offense as a whole.
Injury update: Washington State wide receiver Jason Hill said Monday he’ll be able to play again this week, although he admitted his injured shoulder affected his play against Cal and is still sore. Backup quarterback Gary Rogers suffered a third-degree shoulder separation and is at best questionable for the week. Defensive end Mike Graise has a hamstring strain and his status for the week is also questionable. Oregon suffered no injuries in the starting lineup last week and may get defensive tackle Jeremy Gibbs back in the starting lineup after an ankle injury.
Glenn Kasses