After coming off the biggest win of the year, the Oregon Ducks have a great deal of momentum in finally playing, and beating, a strong opponent. Now this week they head home to Eugene, Ore. and welcome a pass-happy Washington State team. Oregon is used to preparing for these type of passing teams after facing California and Colorado, both teams the Ducks beat by a wide margin. But the Washington State Cougars have played well on the road this year beating USC (ranked ranked No. 25 at the time) and California.
Oregon’s defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti has talked at practice about how they are prepared for the pass-heavy Cougars team.
“It’s like three hours of live seven-on-seven, except it will be live 11-on-11,” Aliotti said the other day. “My point is that they throw the ball a ton. So whenever a team throws that many times, good things will happen for them, but hopefully some good things will happen for us too as far as picks or sacks.”
Here are some intriguing matchups for this Saturday’s contest.
Oregon’s Offensive Line vs. WSU’s Secondary:
Protected by Oregon’s offensive line, the turnover-less Marcus Mariota has had the Heisman Trophy talks following his every move this season, but the Washington State secondary currently ranks sixth nationally with 11 interceptions. Their ranking is in large part due to the tandem combination of safety Deone Bucannon and cornerback Damante Horton, who each have 4 interceptions on the year.
Oregon Key: After coming away from last week’s game against Washington without a turnover, again, Mariota has tough opposition again this week but should still be well protected. Washington State, who has 11 sacks recorded this season, will be up against a offensive line who have only let Mariota get sacked 5 times. If the offensive line continues their great season protecting Mariota, Oregon’s quarterback will keep making good decisions passing, or running.
Washington Key: The Cougars defense will have to take advantage of Oregon’s star running back De’Anthony Thomas possibly not playing in the game. If the defense can at least slow down the run, then Mariota will be forced to throw the ball more than desired, giving Bucannon and Horton opportunities to create turnovers.
Advantage: Oregon
Conor Halliday vs. Oregon Defensive Line
Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday ranks third in the FBS in passing yards (2,241) because of his ability to diversify his passes. Washington State has, remarkably, 10 receivers who have catches in five straight games. But the Ducks have proven, especially against pass-happy teams, their ability to get to the quarterback.
Oregon Key: In their 6 games, the Ducks have 16 sacks. Leading the Ducks is defensive end Tony Washington, who has engulfed the opposition’s quarterback 4.5 times. With putting pressure on the quarterback, the Oregon secondary will be in a good position to make plays. Halliday has been sacked 10 times this year while still averaging over 48 passing attempts per game. Expect Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and Terrance Mitchell to be ready for a wild ball.
Washington Key: The Cougars will have to continue to be “creative” with their routes and Halliday must continue to be a diverse passer. Halliday, who isn’t a very accurate passer, has been helped out a ton by his receivers who have gone after the ball.
“You can look at a route and say ‘wow’, that was not the right throw but maybe the guy broke the pattern off completely,” Mark Helfrich said in an interview about Halliday.
Advantage: Oregon