Going up against nationally ranked opponents is the norm in the Pac-10. The Cougars played No. 12 USC last week (the Trojans jumped to No. 7 after the 27-6 win), now WSU plays No. 16 Oregon at Autzen Stadium (the most hostile environment in the Pac-10).

I'm a little surprised the Ducks are ranked as high as they are by the Associated Press (Oregon is No. 25 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll), but I probably shouldn't be. Two of the Ducks three wins have come against nationally ranked opponents (they beat Utah (who is no longer ranked) and destroyed 6th ranked California last weekend, 42-3). On the other hand, Oregon looked miserable in their season opener against Boise State, and then hardly escaped with a 38-36 win against a pretty weak Purdue team. No matter what...the Ducks are 3-1 (while the Cougars are only 1-3).

Oregon LOVES to run the football. They actually have more rushing yard (677) than passing yards (667) so far this season. That's what happens when you have a quarterback who is more dangerous with his legs than he is with his arm. Jeremiah Masoli is Oregon's second leading runner with 166 yards and four rushing touchdowns this year. He has also completed 56.2 percent of his passes this year for 632 yards (only 158 yards per game) and three TDs (he's also been picked off twice). It's the Cougars first test against a truly mobile quarterback, so we'll see how it goes.

If Masoli isn't doing the damage on the ground, redshirt freshman LaMichael James will be. James averages nearly six yards per carry (348 yards on 58 attempts) and has scored twice this year. Also expect to see Kenjon Barner (a converted defensive back) and Andre Crenshaw get some carries.

RANDOM RANT: Will someone please explain to me how Oregon running back LaGarrette Blount might be reinstated this season? He's the guy who punched the Boise State player at the beginning of the season. I thought a season long suspension was too much of a penalty, but this is ridiculous. As far as I'm concerned...what's done is done.

Since the Ducks only complete 13.5 passes per game, Oregon's receivers are a little overshadowed. Jeff Maehl is the team's top target with 17 catches for 208 yards, while Ed Dickson has 15 receptions for 206 yards and three touchdowns. The next best receiver, Jamere Holland, has only seven catches this year.

Washington State has the worst pass defense in the country (that's not opinion...it's a fact). They allow 338 passing yards per game compared to 165 rushing yards (which ranks 92nd in the country), so we'll see if that changes Oregon's game plan (I highly doubt it will). I'm guessing they'll still try to run the ball down WSU's throat.

The Ducks defense is respectable. They allow 20.5 points per game. It's amazing that they held a high powered attack like Cal's to just three points. It makes me worry that they are coming around right in time for Wazzu. Linebackers Casey Matthews and Kenny Rowe are both dangerous. Matthews is Oregon's leading tackler with 35 takedowns this season, while Rowe paces the Ducks with 4.5 sacks. Walter Thurmund, a preseason candidate for the Jim Thorpe award which is handed to the nation's best defensive back, is out for the season after knee surgery.

I don't want to sound like I am celebrating an injury (because I am not), but one less star defensive back will help Jeff Tuel's cause. The true freshman is starting at quarterback for WSU on Saturday (he's the first true frosh at WSU to start at QB since Drew Bledsoe).

Like I mentioned in my previous blog, I'm not convinced like everyone else that this will be a blowout. Yes, the Cougars offensive line is banged up (but Tuel is mobile enough to escape trouble). Yes, Autzen Stadium is a ferocious environment (but so is the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum). Yes, Oregon has beaten the Cougars by a combined score of 116-21 the last two years (WSU's defense still frightens me to death). That's not enough to scare me off.

As we saw last weekend against USC, Tuel is capable of moving the chains (he led some long, sustained drives). If he can do that again (which I think he will), WSU's defense will stay off the field and the Cougars might actually score some points (c'mon Nico Grasu!). Here is my prediction for the week: Oregon 34, Wazzu 17.

Kickoff is slated for 6:15pm in Eugene on Saturday. The game will be televised on the Oregon Sports Network, which is an affiliate of Comcast SportsNet. In other words, you can only see the game if you have a bonus Comcast package.

We weren't allowed to talk to Tuel at practice this week, but we did interview Paul Wulff, Kenny Alfred, and Xavier Hicks.

Also I want to remind you to follow me on Twitter @TLKREM2. The time I have to blog is pretty limited, but I am constantly updating my Twitter page with the latest in WSU and other local sports news.

That's all I have for you! GO COUGS!!!

2 Comments

bettinondabearsss said:

I hope Oregon has been looking past you guys. Go get 'em Cougs. They're just Ducks.

October 3, 2009 12:08 AM

Phil said:

Since you said the Coliseum is right up there with Autzen, I'd venture to say you have not been to both venues. The Coliseum is not loud like Autzen. Tuel is going to have a tough time making any line calls. In any case, you are being extremely generous to give WSU 17 points. I think 6 points is generous. The only way that WSU gets more than 10 points is if Oregon is up by 40 or more at have and the Oregon scout team comes out to play the second half.

October 3, 2009 7:51 AM

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