First Look: Washington State at Oregon

When/Where: Saturday, 3 p.m.; Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon

TV: Pac-12 Networks (Washington)

Records: WSU (2-2), UO (3-2)

Line: UO by 17

Last time: Oregon defeated Washington State 38-31 in Pullman (2014)

What it means for WSU: WSU hasn’t beaten the Ducks since 2006. Since then, the Cougars’ fowl opponents have beaten them by an average of 29 points per game. But Saturday’s game likely represents WSU’s best chance yet to end the losing streak. UO is likely to be without starting quarterback Vernon Adams and neither of the two backups, Jeff Lockie and Taylor Alie, has been able to secure a starting spot while he’s out. Furthermore, the UO defense has been among the nation’s worst and is giving up 5.8 yards per play. A win in Eugene would give the Cougars a 1-1 start to conference play after two road games against ranked teams, not a bad position to be in.

What it means for UO: A win would get the Ducks one week closer to Adams’ return without a major setback. Despite the rush to bury the Ducks Dynasty — UO is out of the AP-Top 25 for the first time since 2009 — it can still control its destiny. If UO wins out it will play in the Pac-12 championship game. Win there and it will be tough to keep the Pac-12 champion out of the playoffs. But if the Ducks drop a game because their starting quarterback couldn’t play, then UO will almost certainly be resigned to its worst season in nearly a decade.

Key matchup: Royce Freeman vs. Logan Tago

WSU won’t have to face elite quarterback play for the first time in years when facing the Ducks, but that just means the Cougars will spend more time dealing with one of the country’s best running backs, Royce Freeman. The 5-foot-11, 230 pound sophomore is averaging 6.4 yards per carry and, while he has the size and strength to bull through defenders, he also has the speed to run away from them. Strongside linebacker/nickel Logan Tago figures to play a lot with Isaac Dotson appearing questionable for Saturday’s game and the freshman is going to see plenty of Freeman. Coaches have raved about Tago’s athleticism since he arrived on campus. Now he’ll get a chance to test himself against one of the Pac-12’s best athletes.