Washington State Cougars: Game 2 vs. Oregon – injuries, weather, odds, and more
Washington State Football continues this week as the Cougars host PAC-12 North rival, Oregon. Pacific Northwest Sports has all you need to know.
PNWS presents what you need to know to enjoy the Washington State Cougar’s 2020 home opener against the Oregon Ducks. As Coug fans make their preparations to see Washington State football on television rather than at Martin Stadium, we have you covered.
Details
Who: Oregon Ducks (1-0) at Washington State Cougars (1-0).
Where: Martin Stadium – Pullman, WA
When: Saturday, November 14, 2020 – 4:00 p.m. PST.
TV: FS1. Announcers: Tim Brando and Spencer Tillman
Weather: Conditions could change rapidly during the game. Any early day sunshine will be gone by kickoff. The sun gives way to afternoon clouds and gusty winds will die down. As the game goes on, chances for precipitation rise steadily. By the time this one ends, there is likely to be a wintery mix of rain, sleet, and snow. How it comes down depends on how quickly temperatures drop. For the most, expect temps in the low-to-mid-30’s. (weather.com).
Line: Washington State +10.5. Over/Under: 57.5 (Odds Shark).
Interesting Trends: In recent years, Washington State is lights out when defending their home turf, winning 18 of their last 20 games at Martin Stadium. Specifically, against UO, the Cougars covered five of their last six games against Oregon in Pullman. Even better for Cougs bettors, Wazzu covered in 10 straight against the Ducks.
Oregon is a hot team. Since dropping the 2019 season opener to Auburn, UO is 13-1. Additionally, the Ducks lost just one Pac-12 game since November 10, 2018. Since 2017, Oregon is much less explosive on the road than at Autzen. In that span, the Ducks scored 30 or more points in 11 of 14 at home. Conversely, they reached the 30 point mark in only 5 of 13 road games.
Injury Report
Washington State Cougars
Questionable injury – RB Max Borghi (back). Questionable undisclosed – RB Cole Dubots, WR Brandon Gray, DB Phillip Powell, DB Justin Anderson, DL Nicholas Sheets, DE Marquise Freeman.
Oregon Ducks
Out – TE Hunter Kampmoyer. Doubtful – TE Cam McCormick, TE Spencer Webb, TE Patrick Herbert, DT Popo Aumavae. Questionable – OL Jonah Tauanu’u.
(all UO injuries are undisclosed)
Last Game
Washington State 38 – Oregon State 28
While many were expecting a repeat of last season’s 54-53 barn burner, this one was quite different. Wazzu got on the scoreboard first when true freshman quarterback Jayden de Laura hit receiver Travell Harris down the left sideline for a 29-yard scoring strike with 3:50 left in the first quarter.
Both teams found the end zone in the second quarter as Washington State took a 14-7 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Cougs were red hot after the break. They scored on their first three possessions and four of five in the half to seal the victory.
Stanford 14 – Oregon 35
Stanford moved the ball well on their opening two possessions and even took a 7-0 lead. The early deficit flipped a switch on the Ducks sideline. Oregon scored the next four touchdowns. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that The Cardinal got back on the scoreboard. Not for lack of trying, Stanford missed three field goals.
Outlook
The competition takes a big step up for the Washington State Cougars and de Laura. Oregon enters this matchup ranked 11th in the writer’s poll and 12th in the coach’s poll. They are a very good football team.
It’s good to know the Washington State Cougars can depend on a solid rushing attack to take some pressure off of their freshman quarterback. Deon McIntosh (147 yards against OSU last week) and hopefully a returning Max Borghi can help Washington State eat some clock. If de Laura does have to throw, he can take advantage of some favorable matchups.
Oregon’s primary offensive weapon is running back C.J. Verdell. He enters this game ninth in school history with 2,343 rushing yards. Last week the 5-10, 210-pound junior picked up 135 combined yards. The Cougars need to do a better job containing Vardell than they did with Jermar Jefferson last week.
The first-time starter, quarterback Tyler Shough wasn’t sacked last week, and Stanford got credit for only one quarterback hurry. Meanwhile, Washington State had four sacks.
The key is keeping Shough in the pocket. He rushed 85 yards and a touchdown. Expect the Cougs to keep a “spy” on him most of the time.
Catch up with PNWS on Sunday when we present our biggest takeaways from the game.