Oregon: The 2-2 Oregon Ducks come into this game after back-to-back losses, 35-32 at Nebraska and then 41-38 at home to Colorado. Oregon heads to Pullman to take on Washington State with its first losing streak since 2007 (had gone 70 games without back-to-back losses!). Oregon's freshman QB Dakota Prukop is completing 66.7 percent for 1041 yards with eight TDs and one INT. Three Oregon RBs have run for 200-plus yards, as the team averages 275.8 YPG rushing on 6.3 YPC. Star RB Royce Freeman (325 yards on 8.8 YPC with four TDs) suffered a leg injury during the Ducks' 35-22 loss to Nebraska on Sept. 17 and did not play in Oregon's 41-38 setback to Colorado last week. However, he's fully participated in practice this week and is expected to play.

Washington State: The Cougars have an outstanding QB in Luke Falk (74.1% for 1124 yards with an 11-2 ratio), coming off a season in which he completed 69.4% for 4561 yards with a 38-8 ratio. However, the running game ranks 112th at 121.7 YPG on 4.6 YPC. The 1-2 Cougars rank 91st in total defense (421.7 YPG) and 124th in pass D (324.7 YPG). The Cougars routed Idaho 56-6 back on September 17 for their first victory of 2016, after opening the season with losses to FCS member Eastern Washington 45-42 and at Boise State 31-28. Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich told reporters. "Obviously with a bye week, Wash. St. might do something a bit differently. The Cougars have done some five-down stuff against us in the past and a lot of pressure the last time we were there."

The pick: The natural tendency is to call for a high-scoring game but the over/number on this one is just way too high. Washington State stunned the Ducks 45-38 in double overtime last season to snap an eight-game slide to Oregon. I expect Oregon to not lose three in arow and avenge last year's loss but the under is the stronger play and I'll make it a top-rated 10*.