EDITORIAL BY GRAYDON FOX

Overview:

On Saturday, October 20^th, the (5-1) Oregon Ducks will be on the road to take on the (5-1) Washington State Cougars.

The Crowd:

The Crowd projects a final score of Oregon 32.3 – Washington State 31.3 with an over/under of 63.6.

Lou Holtz and Mark May:

Lou is predicting a final score of Washington State 38 – Oregon 28.

Mark is predicting a final score of Oregon 44 – Washington State 28.

2018-19 Statistics (130 total teams):

Passing offense: Washington State 413.7 YPG > Oregon 273.3 YPG

Rushing offense: Oregon 209.5 YPG > Washington State 71.8 YPG

Scoring offense: Oregon 43.0 PPG > Washington State 41.8 PPG

Scoring defense: Washington State 23.8 PPG > Oregon 24.8 PPG

Passing defense: Washington State 163.0 YPG > Oregon 239.0 YPG

Rushing defense: Oregon 122.8 YPG > Washington State 148.2 YPG

Turnover Margin Per Game: Oregon +0.4 > Washington State -0.8

Summary:

Oregon is (5-1) to start the season with wins over Bowling Green, Portland State, San Jose State, #24 California, and #7 Washington.  Their lone defeat was a 38-31 overtime loss to the Stanford Cardinal in week four.  The Ducks rank 11^th in points per game (43.0) and 48^th in scoring defense (24.8 PPG).  Oregon is coming off a 30-27 overtime win over Washington in which they were outgained in total yardage but made the necessary clutch plays down the stretch.  Quarterback Justin Herbert has completed 63% of his passes for 1,613 yards with 17 touchdowns to 5 interceptions.  The backfield duo of C.J. Verdell and Travis Dye have combined for 831 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns.  Dillon Mitchell leads the team in receiving with 561 yards and 3 touchdowns.  The Ducks’ defense ranks 90^th against the pass (239.0 YPG) and 29^th against the run (122.8 YPG).

Washington State is (5-1) to start the season with victories over Wyoming, San Jose State, Eastern Washington, Utah, and Oregon State.  They were defeated 39-36 by the USC Trojans in week four.  The Cougars rank 15^th in points per game (41.8) and 48^th in scoring defense (23.8 PPG).  Quarterback Gardner Minshew leads the nation in passing yards with 2,422 to go along with his 68% completion percentage and 19 touchdown to 4 interception ratio.  Washington State has had no success running the football averaging an embarrassing 3.4 yards per carry.  The Cougars have a pair of dangerous receivers in Davontavean Martin (440 yards, 6 touchdowns) and Easop Winston (426 yards, 5 touchdowns).  The Cougars’ defense ranks 10^th against the pass (163.0 YPG) and 56^th against the run (148.2 YPG).  Washington State ranks 108^th out of 130 teams in turnover margin (-0.8).

Bottom Line:

Washington State is quite the unique team ranking 1^st in passing yards per game (413.7) and 128^th in rushing yards per game (71.8).  Turnovers have been a consistent issue for the Cougars especially facing an opportunistic Oregon defense.  Washington State has faced a cupcake schedule and have capitalized against very weak competition. This is going to be a shootout with two of the best quarterbacks in the nation airing it out.  Ultimately, Oregon is the more balanced team which will be essential in controlling the clock in the right moments.

Oregon wins 38-33

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