| When the Cougars run: WSU has gone away from running the ball the past two weeks, putting the ball in Dwight Tardy’s hands just 25 times in the two games combined. The Oregon defense did a good job stymieing Cal and leading rusher Justin Forsett two weeks ago, holding the Bears to 115 yards. EDGE: OREGON |
| When the Cougars pass: Alex Brink and the Cougars will put the Pac-10’s No. 1 passing offense on the field today, though leading receiver Brandon Gibson is a game-time decision. Still, with the depth of the Cougar attack, Oregon, sixth in the Pac-10 in pass defense, will be hard-pressed to contain them. EDGE: WSU |
| When the Ducks run: So far this season they’ve just rushed up and down the field behind the conference’s leader, Jonathan Stewart and quarterback Dennis Dixon. The Cougars have handled the run OK this year, but no one they’ve faced has presented the Ducks’ challenge of speed, size and scheme. EDGE: OREGON |
| When the Ducks pass: The Cougars had their best performance against Arizona State last week, though much of that came from pressure up front. Don’t expect WSU’s defense to sack Dixon seven times like it did ASU’s Rudy Carpenter. EDGE: OREGON |
| Coaching/intangibles: There is no better home-field advantage in the Pac-10 then the 58,000 or so voices in Autzen Stadium. The Cougars may be less vulnerable than some, as most of their audibles are signaled by hand, not voice. The two rookie offensive tackles, Vaughn Lesuma and Mitch Hannam, may be the most affected. EDGE: OREGON |
| College football announcers: They worked together for years, but since WSU alum Keith Jackson semi-retired, former color partner Dan Fouts, a legendary Duck quarterback, is now doing play-by-play. Being that one is known as the voice of college football and the other was a good color guy … EDGE: WSU |
