PLAYERS TO WATCH
–CB Thomas Graham Jr. is going to have to play the best game of his young career if the Ducks are going to leave Washington State with a victory. The Cougars are going to throw the ball, and then throw it some more. Graham is the Ducks’ veteran cornerback as a sophomore, but he has struggled at times this year.
–C Jake Hanson doesn’t get the recognition he so often deserves. But to beat the Cougars, Hanson is going to have to continue his solid play because Washington State will give the leader of Oregon’s offensive line multiple looks to decipher. The Cougars like to stem a lot, so Hanson will have to distinguish the correct coverages and relay that information to his fellow linemen, a job that goes unseen but is vital to Oregon’s success.
–OLB Justin Hollins will be key for the Ducks this week because of his quickness and height. Washington State likes to get the ball out quick, often preventing the pass rush from making a difference. Hollins’ job is twofold; use his 6-foot-6 frame to knock down passes when he can’t get to Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew or use his speed and athleticism to get to Minshew when he takes extended drops.
–RB CJ Verdell has officially been named the starting running back after rushing for more than 100 yards in each of his previous three games. The Cougars are solid in pass defense but have holes in their rush defense — holes that Verdell must expose. Having a good running game and getting that balance makes life easier for quarterback Justin Herbert and the play-action pass, a vital part of Oregon’s offense.
SERIES HISTORY: Oregon leads 48-39-7, but Washington State has won the past three meetings by an average score of 43-27. In those games, the Cougars have thrown at will against the Ducks, averaging 386 passing yards per game.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Guys were sharp, understanding the importance of getting refocused and getting dialed in and locked in to Washington State and the kind of team that they are. Obviously, they’re a really good football team. Plan’s been going well so far.” — Oregon coach Mario Cristobal, on the Ducks refocusing after their massive win last weekend.
