Predicting the Final Score of No. 9 Oregon vs. Washington State

The Ducks enter Saturday's game having won the last four meetings against Washington State.

The No. 9 Oregon Ducks (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12) welcome the Washington State Cougars (4-2, 1-2 Pac-12) to Autzen Stadium on Saturday in what's become one of the more entertaining series in the Pac-12 north. 

Dan Lanning and the Ducks are fresh off suffering their first loss of the season, a 36-33 heartbreaker to Washington, while Washington State is trying to right the ship after taking two straight losses, the most recent a 44-6 loss to Arizona at home after playing UCLA close 25-17 at the Rose Bowl the week prior.

Oregon is the better team on paper. Not many people will question that. 

But talent on paper, stats and almost anything you thought you knew have a weird way of getting thrown out the window when you play the Cougs. The Ducks needed a last-second pick-six from Mase Funa to seal their 44-41 win last year.

Washington State has one of the best quarterbacks in the conference in Cameron Ward, who seems to get buried in a Pac-12 that's loaded with elite signal callers.

Ward has been playing really good football lately and through six games he's thrown for nearly 1,800 yards and 14 touchdowns to go against just 3 interceptions, all while completing 69.67% of his passes. The offense runs through him and he's also done a decent job hurting defenses with his legs, pitching in 101 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns.

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The Cougs have excelled at spreading the ball around to their receivers through the air, but running the ball hasn't been a strength, as they're averaging less than 100 yards a game. So Oregon will prepare for this game much like they did against Texas Tech's air raid, a game they won 38-30 in Lubbock. 

Washington State has given up at least 21 points in every game this season, but I don't think their defense should be overlooked, as they boast two of the better pass rushers the Pac-12 has to offer in Ron Stone and Brennan Jackson. 

The Cougars also handed Oregon State their only loss of the year so far (38-35), so this is certainly a capable football team, as long as their offense can get going. 

As for Oregon, I think the Ducks are in a great spot. They have tons of fire after losing to Washington last week and it looks like they're pretty healthy as we continue awaiting the debut of Jestin Jacobs. They have an opportunity to bounce back in a big way at home in Autzen Stadium.

The defense is battled tested after facing what just might be the best offense in college football, so you know they'll be up to the task this week. I think the defense notches three sacks and forces multiple turnovers this game.

Bo Nix, Bucky Irving and Troy Franklin will have the offense humming and we'll see plenty of contributions from other players as well. 

If Washington State can't start strong I think Oregon could run away with it. But either way I see the Ducks winning an important and dangerous game by a significant margin.

Prediction: Oregon 42 Washington State 17

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