Celebrity Predictions for GameDay Saturday

AS THE CENTER OF THE COLLEGE football world (a.k.a. Pullman) prepares for its close up Saturday in what will be the 217th consecutive waving of the Ol’ Crimson flag, we turn our attention to the game on the field. More specially, what will happen when two Top 25 teams with 5-1 records square off for supremacy in the Pac-12 North? We called upon a Who’s Who of judges for their expert insight. Here’s what they told Cougfan.com …

Bob Roberston, the golden-throated legend: “Going with the homies! Boosted by the GameDay crowd, WSU celebrates a 35 to 28 victory over the Oregon Ducks. Go Cougs!

John Bley, Ol’ Crimson Booster Club treasurer: Three seconds left. Ducks have the ball on the Cougs’ 20 yard line. 32,952 Coug flags waving ferociously cause hurricane effects around Martin Stadium. Ducks attempt field goal. Ball caught up in an Ol’Crimson tempest. Result: wide (very wide) right. Cougs 23, Ducks 21.

Neil Everett, ESPN anchor: Pullman is such a great place to party but not so good for a visiting football team. I remember Mariota’s Ducks getting goosed there not that many years ago. Leach is a magician but Cristobal is a bull whose Ducks will not disappear. I love Cougar Gold but I love Oregon more. Quack 31-28.

Mark Rypien, WSU Hall of Famer and Super Bowl MVP: What an exciting week in Pullman. GameDay is here for the first time ever! Cougs 38, Ducks 29

Yogi Roth, Pac-12 Networks badyst: I really don’t know. The Cougs have had their way the last three years with the Ducks, but Justin Herbert is such a difference maker — then again, Garnder Minshew is my second-best quarterback in the conference. Oregon hasn’t played a tough game on the road and this crowd is going to be bonkers. Oregon’s defense is way better than I thought they’d be and their front is elite. My gut says if this game is close, WSU wins — every game they’ve gotten better in the second half. I’m really torn. I’m not trying to be politically correct — I just don’t know who to pick.

Jed Collins, Cougar great and CF.C columnist: Campus has been buzzing all week. The Cougs come out with fresh energy from the bye week and jump to an early lead. Minshew edges out the QB battle and the Cougs win in a shootout. Cougs 49, Ducks 42 (ICYMI find Jed’s latest Monday Morning QB badysis here)

Brenna Greene, KREM-2 Spokane sports reporter: Full disclosure: I skipped my senior year homecoming to go to the Oregon-USC Halloween game and pretty much grew up at Autzen, but to be frank, I don’t think the Cougs have faced anyone on the level of Oregon yet this year. This second half of Wazzu’s schedule is significantly tougher than the first half. Oregon 45, WSU 35.

Gabe Marks, WSU and Pac-12 all-time leader in catches: Minshew leads the boys over the hump and onto the national stage. Cougs 38 Ducks 35

Cindy Brunson, WSU grad and Pac-12 Networks commentator: My head says: 1) Oregon has already played three ranked teams this season, rocks a stud QB1 and crazy legit run game. 2) The Ducks will have inside takes on how to bounce WSU with former Coug coaches Joe Salave’a and Jim Mastro plus a DC in Jim Leavitt who’s already proven he can slow the Air Raid (while at Colorado). 3) Mike Leach is just 2-4 at Wazzu after an off week.  BUT my heart says: The loss of freshmen LT Penei Sewell (ankle) should be a problem for Oregon, plus Martin Stadium will be rocking! WSU 33, Oregon 28.

Shawn McWashington, Fab Fiver from 1998 Rose Bowl: I do predict Lee Corso goes against his Duck friend and dons the Cougar headgear for the first time. And in a game full of emotion, I see the Cougs getting out to a fast start. On the arm of that talented QB and WSU’s inability use the clock, the Ducks will come back and make it interesting. But the Cougs hold them off to win 48 to 44.

Mike Marlow: Northern Arizona AD and former WSU and Oregon deputy AD: The pageantry surrounding College GameDay is well deserved by all Coug fans and alums. The road traveled to realize this opportunity is a great credit to Mike Leach and his staff. It certainly matches the vision of Bill Moos and Elson Floyd when they chartered the course for WSU Athletics.”  WSU 34, Oregon 31.

Related story: The sights and sounds of GameDay’s Pullman arrival

Gerard Wicks, former WSU running back: Our guys gotta come ready to play mentally and physically. This is a game they dreamed about playing in as a kid. Prepare all week and win every play on all three sides of the ball. We take care of that we win the game. Cherish the moment but don’t be afraid to be great; great players come alive in big games. Offense has to score points and defense has to stop one of the best offenses in the country. I have my Cougs winning 42-38

Kelly Koopmans, WSU grad and KOMO-4 Seattle anchor: Gameday sets the stage for an unforgettable, albeit close, game. The Mississippi Stache leads the Cougs in a clash that comes down to OT. Ol’ Crimson smiles on the Palouse as WSU takes down the Oregon 38-31.

Alex Brink, WSU record-setting QB and radio color badyst: If Cougs can start fast and protect the football they will come away with the win. The crowd will be the difference. WSU 38, UO 31

Derek Deis, WSU grad, KXLY-4 Spokane and WSU pregame host: The offenses trade blows all game long. But with the Ducks leading 34-31 in the fourth quarter, Boobie Williams jukes a linebacker, runs over a safety and sprints 44 yards for the game winner, giving the Cougs their fourth-straight win over the Ducks. Cougs 38, Ducks 34

Nick Daschel, Portland Oregonian: Lot of people in this area ready to crown Oregon as Pac-12 North champs after OT win over Washington, forgetting the Ducks play four of their final six on the road. It starts in Pullman, and the thinking here is the Ducks won’t be able to handle back-to-back emotional games. Washington State’s only concern is if the focus is too much on College GameDay, and not the game itself. Cougars 38, Ducks 28:

Paul Sorensen, WSU Hall of Famer and CF.C columnist: GameDay in town for Ol’ Crimson’s 217-straight flying over 15 years. WSU won’t disappoint on the field, either. It’s the greatest Saturday ever on the Palouse. Cougs 48, Ducks 41.

Bud Withers, WSU grad and former Seattle Times columnist: Hopefully, the GameDay crew will be out of traffic court in Colfax in time to see it. Rested Cougs have Ducks right where they want them. WSU 31, Oregon 24.

Mkristo Bruce, WSU sack master 2003-06: The Cougs will handle business just like last year. Minshew has a record-breaking day while the mustache gleams in the sun. Cougs 50, Ducks 47

Cody O’Connell, two-time WSU first-team All-American: I see this being the toughest game so far. With GameDay finally coming to town, the stadium is going to be electric. I think this one is going to be close but the defense is going to get its job done and the offense is going to do its thing. WSU 38, Oregon 34 (ICYMI — Our story from last week: Catching up with Cody O’Connell)

Highlight from WSU’s win over Oregon in 2017 …