Washington State Cougars: Game 9 at Oregon – injuries, weather, odds, and more
Ed Stein
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Washington State Football continues this week as the Washington State Cougars head to Oregon. Pacific Northwest Sports has all you need to know.
PNWS presents what you need to know as the Washington State Cougars travel to face Pac-12 North Division leaders Oregon. Whether you are going to see the game live at Autzen Stadium or watching it on television, we have Washington State football fans covered.
Details
Who: Washington State Cougars (5-4 overall, 4-2 Pac-12) at Oregon Ducks (8-1, 5-1).
Where: Autzen Stadium – Eugene, OR.
When: Saturday, November 12, 2021 – 7:30 PM. PST.
TV: ESPN. Announcers: Dave Flemming, Rod Gilmore, and Stormy Buonantony
Weather: Any lingering showers from Friday will be long gone by game time. Expect overcast skies, with temperatures in the mid-50s and almost no wind. (weather.com)
Line: Washington State +14. Over/Under: 57.5 (Odds Shark).
Interesting Trends
After a slow 1-3 start to 2021, the Cougars have won four of their last five games (all Pac-12). It’s been even better for those who bet on Washington State as the Cougs covered five straight. Also, on a positive note, WSU is 10-1, against the spread versus Oregon (including five straight at Autzen).
While Oregon is 8-1 this season, but have been awful against the spread recently. How bad? They only covered in 4 of their last 14 and which includes their previous six home games. This week Oregon has two touchdowns to cover.
Injury Report
Washington State Cougars
Out – WR Renard Bell (knee), WR Brandon Gray (undisclosed). Questionable – DB Armauni Archie (undisclosed).
Oregon Ducks
Out – ILB Dru Mathis, TE Cam McCormick, S Bennett Williams, RB CJ Verdell, S JJ Greenfield, S Sean Dollars, LB Jonathan Flowe, ILB Jackson LaDuke, G Ryan Walk. Questionable – TE Patrick Herbert (knee), S Jordan Happle (hand). Probable – OL Jackson Powers-Johnson (ankle).
Outlook
Surprise! It’s been a rocky season for Washington State Cougars. Among the down moments are a quarterback controversy, an opening day loss to Utah State, a blowout loss two weeks later to USC, and of course, losing their coach Nick Rolovich. With all that happened, beating Oregon gives Wazzu first place in the Pac-12 North.
Oregon’s offense is a machine. They are second in the conference in total offense, rushing offense, and scoring. Quarterback Anthony Brown is a true dual-threat quarterback. The senior transfer has 1,904 yards with 12 touchdowns passing and 428 yards with 7 touchdowns rushing.
With running back C.J. Verdell out of action, Travis Dye made the most of his opportunity. He has 1,097 total yards from scrimmage and a dozen touchdowns. There isn’t one receiver to key on. Devon Williams, Johnny Johnson III, and Jaylon Redd are all dangerous.
To keep UO’s offense off the field, Washington State has to control the ball. Max Borghi and Deon McIntosh can run, but Oregon’s weakness is their secondary. If Jayden de Laura can get enough time, one of his receivers, Travell Harris, Calvin Jackson Jr., De’Zhaun Stribling, etc., should be open.
That’s a huge “if.” Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux is the presumptive number one pick in next year’s draft. He has 31.5 tackles for loss, including 16 sacks in only 26 games, and this season he has 8 and 4 respectively in 6 games, along with 2 forced fumbles. Redshirt freshman linebacker is one sack behind Thibodeaux and can create damage as well.
Since Rolovich’s departure, the Cougars have become a tight-knit team embracing a “us against the world” mentality. Their resolve will be tested by a great team.