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Pac-12 Football: 5 most important Pac-12 North games of 2017

By Erich Hilkert

PULLMAN, WA - NOVEMBER 25: Myles Gaskin
PULLMAN, WA - NOVEMBER 25: Myles Gaskin /
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EUGENE, OR – OCTOBER 13: Ed  Dickson #83 of the Oregon Ducks is tackled by Andy  Mattingly #45 of the Washington State Cougars at Autzen Stadium October 13, 2007 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR – OCTOBER 13: Ed  Dickson #83 of the Oregon Ducks is tackled by Andy  Mattingly #45 of the Washington State Cougars at Autzen Stadium October 13, 2007 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

5. Washington State at Oregon (Oct. 7)

Washington State’s offense obliterated Oregon’s defense in the 2016 game. The Cougars won the game 51-33. The pass-heavy Cougars rushed for six touchdowns, a strategy that clearly took the Ducks off-guard.

However, in 2014 and 2015 Oregon and Washington State had close contests. In 2014, Oregon prevailed at Martin Stadium, 38-31. The Cougars earned the win in 2015 by a score of 45-38 in double overtime.

Based on the recent history in the series, both teams will be scoring 30 points or more.

One of the most interesting aspects of the 2017 matchup is to see how the new coaching staff make changes at Oregon. New Oregon Defensive Coordinator Jim Leavitt is a strong enough coach to change this game into a lower-scoring game, but both programs are built around frenetic offenses.

Washington State’s offense should have no problem putting points on the board and broadly speaking, the same is true for Oregon. However, the more intriguing matchup is the Washington State defense against the Oregon offense. Will the Ducks run the ball heavily between Royce Freeman and Tony Brooks-James dividing carries? Will Justin Herbert be given free rein to throw the ball?

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