Good Luck Ducks, Week 6: Don't Coug It, Redux

I wrote this post last season around this time when the Ducks were heading into their game against the Washington State Cougars. Many of the same things apply this time around, but Oregon has seen their profile rise about as high as it has ever been. Certainly, they've been ranked #2 a couple of times, but ESPN actually devoted an entire Outside the Lines program this afternoon to the Ducks and Boise State as far as which team deserved a higher ranking. The Duck has become the most beloved - or maybe interesting is the better word here - mascot on television. And despite sitting out the first game of the season due to suspension, sophomore LaMichael James is high on many Heisman Watch lists, not that I care about that sort of thing.

The Cougars are 36 point underdogs in their own house. Last season they were +35 at Autzen. And this once again has all the markings of a possible trap game, with the team's collective ego hopefully not swelling so much that they can't see the bottom line anymore. WSU actually has an offense this year, at least a passing one. They put a big scare into UCLA last week as well. But the Ducks are far too talented to make this an interesting ball game for very long. Again, the hope is that they will get out to a big early lead so that key players can rest.

Game time is 2:00 PDT. TV coverage is available only in Oregon and the portion of SW Washington that is covered by the greater Portland metro area on Comcast SportsNet. At least that beats actually having to drive to Pullman.