Good Luck Ducks, Week 8: Cougar Life

Pink helmets tonight.

Having passed their first true test of the season, the Oregon Ducks head back home to host the Washington State Cougars tonight. The Cougars possess a dangerous passing attack and are seeking to become bowl eligible this season for the first time since 2003. They have a 4-3 record, only suffering blowouts at the hands of Stanford and Oregon State. These Cougars can't be taken as lightly as the non-bowl teams that came before them. Connor Halliday has been a mixed bag behind center in Cougar Town, but he has already thrown for 2241 yards this season at just past the halfway point. Yards will accumulate.

I'd expect some points to be put on the scoreboard today from both sides. Oregon may again be without De'Anthony Thomas, but it may just be a precautionary measure as the Ducks are favored by 40 points. I'm not sure if they're a lock to cover that spread, but they shouldn't need DAT today. Games with UCLA and Stanford are on the horizon, and the hope is that Oregon won't entertain thoughts of this being a "trap game".

Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota continues to be perfect this season. He finally played in a 4th quarter this season last week, but I'd expect to see him on the sidelines long before this one is over. Oregon will be wearing very jarring pink helmets tonight, but it's for a good cause: breast cancer awareness, of course. I will actually get to watch some of the game, with the Cardinals World Series berth wrapped up last night.

A look at #3 overall draft pick Dion Jordan's work against the Cougars last season.

Game time is 7:00 PDT in Eugene with national coverage on Fox Sports 1. Go Ducks!