Two straight losses have some jumping off the Oregon bandwagon and backing Washington State instead. But the Ducks are still the superior team in this Pac-12 matchup, with my simulations showing them winning by a projected score of 40-29. Oregon is a steal here based on the small point spread, as I show the team covering 69 percent of the time and winning 70 percent of the time. I have no doubts that Oregon covers with a win.

Questionable play-calling, including the absurd insistence of going for two on every score against Nebraska, has cost Oregon in consecutive losses by six combined points. One more loss and the easy-going Mark Helfrich could feel the scrutiny turned up on his job security. Although Washington State typically gives the Ducks a hard time, the Cougars also probably have more self-destructive tendencies than Oregon has shown. Oregon has more talent and a score to settle, and will avoid a disastrous third straight loss with a win Saturday night.