The Ducks (4-2) are preparing for Saturday’s marquee matchup with No. 23 Stanford (4-2) from Stanford Stadium. These two teams enter their contest heading in two different directions. Regardless, Oregon continues to battle through injuries.

Welcome back for ATQ’s series Prognostication Station! Each week of the Pac-12 season, I will take a look back at my preseason projections and make a few new ones for the week ahead. Let’s break down the first full slate of games on the Pac-12 calendar:

PAC-12 PICKS (12-4 OVERALL, 3-2 LAST WEEK)

Comment: Colorado and Oregon were the two teams holding us back from perfection again.

#8 Washington State vs California

Luke Falk and the Cougars continue their solid play to start the season with another road win.

Final Score: WSU 34, Cal 24

Colorado vs Oregon State

Look for the Buffs to redeem themselves after losing to Rich Rod last week with a blowout here.

Final Score: Colorado 45, OSU 17

Utah vs #13 USC

Trojans are finding their rhythm on offense, as Darnold looks for another big home victory.

Final Score: USC 37, Utah 20

UCLA vs Arizona

After a much-needed off week, the Bruins get back to work against the Wildcats in Tuscon.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Final Score: UCLA 41, Arizona 28

#5 Washington vs Arizona State

Manny Wilkins will surprise some people in this one, but Huskies will prevail late in the fourth.

Final Score: Washington 31, Arizona State 28

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

Comment: I had them 5-1 at this point, but if it wasn’t for false start penalties, you never know.

@Stanford (L, 4-3)

No matter who starts at quarterback for the Ducks, it will be a daunting task. In my opinion, Washington and Stanford are the two best teams in the Pac-12 this year. USC and WSU are vastly overrated from what I’ve seen. The key to this game is containing Cardinal running back Bryce Love. He already has over 1,200 rushing yards in 2017, but Oregon’s run defense has been elite this season. Without much offense, UO fails to keep pace with a motivated Stanford team. Look for the position Willie Taggart used to coach at Stanford to lead the charge in defeating him in his return to the Bay Area. Love will rush for under 100 yards but will amass three tallies on the ground. Final Score: Stanford 28, Oregon 7

Washington State (L, 4-2)

If UO wants to have a chance, they need to make the Cougars one-dimensional. Oregon’s run defense has been stout to start 2017, but it will be a test to hold Jamal Morrow under 85 rushing yards. If Falk is isolated, it will force him to make some uncomfortable throws into the Duck secondary. Jalen Jelks records a pass deflection, two more sacks, and four hurries. Tony Brooks-James will amass 150 total yards in a featured role. Royce Freeman plays but will be used more as a decoy. WSU has the No. 7 ranked pass defense in the nation. Whoever is behind center for UO will NOT be throwing often. Kani Benoit will add 75+ rushing yards and two scores to remain in the national Top 3. Look for tight end Cam McCormick to make a few plays with starter Jacob Breeland banged up. Final Score: Oregon 31, Washington State 27

Comment: The final score didn’t indicate how close it really was. 12 percent on third down certainly doesn’t help.

California (W, 4-1)

This will be one of the toughest home games for the Ducks this season. Oregon owes the Golden Bears a taste of their own medicine following the 52-49 double-overtime loss in Berkeley last year. Justin Herbert will toss four scores against Cal this year, bringing his career total to 10 against the Bears. Davis Webb is now in the NFL with the New York Giants. Meanwhile, Ross Bowers has thrown more INT (8) than TD (6) in 2017, so look for the Duck secondary to try and jump some routes. Patrick Laird is the Cal workhorse who will be held under 80 rushing yards by the Duck front seven. Jacob Breeland will secure seven catches or more if Charles Nelson remains out. Watch for Justin Hollins who will record three sacks in the victory. Final Score: Oregon 42, Cal 41

Comment: Laird was held to eight yards, so I really understated UO’s run defense. This game felt closer than it was.

@Arizona State (L, 3-1)

We have seen our share of shootouts between these two programs. However, this year's matchup will stay rather subdued thanks in large part to Oregon’s defense finding their rhythm. Herbert will explode for four scores in the Pac-12 opener, including a rushing touchdown. Brenden Schooler will make a big impression in the middle of the field and Thomas Graham Jr. will record an interception in the win. ASU will extend their losing streak to 14 straight vs the Ducks (2004). Final Score: Oregon 45, Arizona State 23

Comment: Yikes, I was way off. Manny Wilkins outplayed everyone on the field. ASU kept the ball out of UO’s hands.

Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images

@Wyoming (W, 3-0)

I’ve seen a lot of outlets, especially around Eugene, that are predicting this as a win for the Ducks. Clearly, they have not watched Josh Allen yet. Most scouts have him as the No. 1 quarterback in the 2018 NFL draft class. He had 36 overall TDs and 3,700-plus yards from scrimmage in 2017. This game frightens me more than most Pac-12 contests this year. Wyoming is talented and underrated no matter the popularity of their gunslinger. Being the first road test for the Ducks, it will be tough to overcome an early deficit. This will be a struggle early in the season. Final Score: Wyoming 27, Oregon 24

Comment: Allen looked awful, as did the rest of his Wyoming team. I was pleasantly surprised by Ducks’ defense.

Nebraska (W, 2-0)

The rematch from last year is set to continue at Autzen Stadium in 2017. The Huskers may not be as good, but the program from Lincoln is always fundamentally solid. It will be another barnburner, as Herbert and the Ducks will escape late in front of the home crowd. Freeman left last years contest with an injury and did not return. He will make up for lost time in this one with 163 rushing yards on 19 carries in the victory. Leave it to kicker Aidan Schneider to blast us home victorious. Final Score: Oregon 37, Nebraska 34

Comment: The offense was unconscious in the first half, but let the Huskers back into the game with complacency.

Southern Utah (W, 1-0)

The Ducks shouldn’t have much of a problem with the Thunderbirds, but we all remember how bad the defense looked last season on opening day. Playing a team like Southern Utah is simply a tune-up contest in preparation for the Huskers. None of the first team players should stay on the field beyond the first half. However, Justin Herbert and the offense will be out there long enough to make some big plays. Look for Charles Nelson and Johnny Johnson III to get started early, while Royce Freeman should have a light workload. Kani Benoit will rush for over 100 yards. Final Score: Oregon 63, Southern Utah 10

Comment: Pretty much what we expected versus a lesser opponent. A record-setting performance by Oregon’s offense.

Next Friday we’ll project the upcoming week on the Pac-12 Conference calendar, as well as looking back at our preseason predictions for Oregon’s next opponent.

Stay tuned, if you want to; Twitter @TheQuackFiend Gram @eugene_levys_eyebrows