First look

Time: 3:15 p.m. Saturday. TV: FSN

The records: WSU (1-3, 0-1 in Pac-10); UO (2-1; 1-0)

Last week: Oregon lost to Boise State, 37-32;

WSU defeated Portland State, 48-9.

Last time: Oregon defeated WSU, 53-7, in Eugene last season.

The line: Oregon by 20.5.

What it means for WSU

The Cougars built a little momentum with the rout of Portland State, but that’s tempered by injuries to their top two quarterbacks. Gary Rogers (neck) is done for the year and Kevin Lopina (shoulder bruise) is questionable for Saturday. That means redshirt freshman Marshall Lobbestael will get the majority of the work in practice this week. After a Pac-10 player of the week performance against the Vikings, if he handles the pressure of starting – and all the ancillary responsibilities that go with it – Lobbestael could establish himself as WSU’s quarterback of the future.

What it means for Oregon

After last week’s upset at home by Boise State, the Ducks’ national championship hopes are done. Like last season, injuries at quarterback hurt them as much as anything. But Oregon is still in the running for a Pac-10 title and the Rose Bowl, providing USC stumbles. A loss to the Cougars would destroy those hopes as well. The top question for the Ducks to answer this week revolves around the quarterback position, with starter Justin Roper a week away from returning. Will it be Jeremiah Masoli, coming off an injury against Boise State, or freshman Darron Thomas, who sparked a fourth-quarter comeback? Or a combination of the two and Chris Harper?

Key matchup

WSU quarterbacks vs. Oregon’s secondary.

Even in a defeat in which they gave up 37 points, the Ducks’ defense was nearly impossible to run against, yielding just 38 yards to the Broncos. But the proud UO secondary, led by rover Patrick Chung, gave up 386 through the air, including five completions of more than 30 yards. “We did a poor job four or five times in the game and it cost us,” Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said. Still, the Ducks came up with an interception by Talmadge Jackson III, playing in place of injured cornerback Walter Thurmond III. And that’s what WSU’s quarterbacks have to avoid, no matter who plays. In four games this season, WSU has tossed 10 interceptions. Whether it’s Lopina or Lobbestael in charge, they have to value the football.

Vince Grippi, Staff writer