The Oregon Ducks turned a lot of heads last week with a blowout victory over the higher ranked BYU Cougars at Autzen Stadium on Saturday.
While Dan Lanning remains undefeated at home in his Oregon career, the team will have to win in Pullman this Saturday – and their opponent will not be an easy one.
Jake Dickert has the Washington State Cougars rolling early in the season. After a scary game against Idaho to begin the campaign, the Cougs went out and defeated Wisconsin in Week 2 and blew the doors off Colorado State in Week 3.
Trips to the Palouse are never easy, and this year will be no exception. However, if the Ducks are able to follow these three keys, they should find themselves victorious heading into Week 4.
Generate a Pass Rush
The Cougars don’t do damage on offense on the ground, they do it in the air. Washington State averages just 111 rushing yards per game, while transfer quarterback Cameron Ward has thrown for 242 yards per game in his three games so far.
While Mike Leach’s air raid offense isn’t exactly what Oregon will see on Saturday, this team does need to move the ball through the air, and a relatively inexperienced offensive line means the best way to secure a victory in the Palouse is to generate consistent pressure off the edge.
Ward hasn’t done anything as a runner (he has -12 rushing yards on the season) and he does have three interceptions, which leads into the next key: