It’s often necessary to take a step back and analyze prior expectations. If we forget said expectations, we’ll often lose track of what’s in front of us. Prior to the season opener, if I was to tell you that the Ducks were 5-2, having lost to Stanford and Washington State while beating Washington and Cal, I’m sure most would be pleased.

In fact, prior to the season opener, eight wins was seen as a good season. Nine wins was seen as a realistic outcome. 10 wins was seen as only happening if just about everything went right. 11 wins was a major stretch.

So here Oregon stands, 10 wins still in reach with a favorable schedule down the stretch. First step? The Ducks need to bounce back with a win on the road this Saturday against Arizona. A part of that preparation is reviewing what happened versus Washington State.

“I feel like they had an excellent game plan,” receiver Dillon Mitchell said after Tuesday’s practice. “They executed well. They did what they did best. We didn’t come out to win, we didn’t play well enough.”

Mitchell spent the majority of the game frustrated by a physical Cougars’ secondary. The streak of three consecutive games with at least 100 yards receiving came to an abrupt end as Mitchell caught seven passes for 47 yards.

Just a week after Oregon fans rushed the field and celebrated an upset victory over their rival, the Washington Huskies, players got to experience what it feels like to be on the opposite end of such a pivotal game. Literal tears were shed by various players as they headed into the locker room, maneuvering their way through the ecstatic Washington State fan base as they rushed the field.

As for how the team responded? Mitchell told the media the team wasn’t taking the loss too well.

“It was kind of down after the game,” Mitchell said. “Guys weren’t too hyped to do anything especially after getting back late. Coach Cristobal, as he said after practice today, he’s met with a couple of guys and he’s sent texts to some of us just trying to lift the spirits and get us back in the right mindset.”

That mindset — combined with an added pressure of having to essentially win out to have a chance at a Pac-12 championship — is something Mitchell and the more seasoned veterans on the team haven’t had to deal with during their time with the Ducks. Yet, it’s a necessary ingredient to get back on top.

“Yeah, I would be wrong to say definitely the pressure’s that been on us,” Mitchell said. “Just because we haven’t, I would say we haven’t shown to be that Oregon team that everybody’s used to seeing being dominant. Like I said, just trying to get back there. Just trying to get back to one of the most dominant teams.

“I would say the pressure kind of went down. We had a good win versus Washington, and then came back and didn’t get the job done versus Washington State so I would say definitely the pressure’s back on.”

Oregon has a chance to right the ship this Saturday as the Ducks will play the Arizona Wildcats in Tuscon, AZ.