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Big-time players have big-time games to defeat big-time teams.

Josh Allen is looking to do just that Saturday.

It isn't that the University of Wyoming junior quarterback hasn't played well in previous big games. Allen's efforts last season were vital in the Cowboys winning the Mountain Division of the Mountain West and playing in their first bowl game since 2011.

However, Saturday's home game against Oregon is a different beast.

It will be the third team from a Power 5 conference Allen has gone up against while at UW. The previous two resulted in losses – 52-17 at Nebraska last season and 24-3 at Iowa on Sept. 2.

Allen was a combined 39 of 72 for 363 yards with one touchdown and seven interceptions in those games. Five of those interceptions came in the fourth quarter. All seven came in the second half.

"I understand that's not good enough," Allen said. "I don't care how many touchdowns or how much I throw for. If I'm putting my team in position to win, that's what I care about.

"I don't care if I throw for 500 yards or five yards, if we win that's all I care about."

Allen better be closer to 500 yards than five in terms of his production if UW has a chance to beat Oregon. The Cowboys are 14½-point underdogs as of Wednesday.

To pin all of UW's hopes on one player isn't fair, but you know, life isn't always fair. And in football, games often hinge on the play of the quarterback – the player who touches the ball on every offensive play.

That is especially true for a quarterback like Allen, who is projected to be a high pick in the 2018 NFL draft.

For UW to beat a team like Oregon, it must play well from start to finish. In the losses to Nebraska and Iowa, the Cowboys played fairly well through three quarters, but couldn't get over the hump when it mattered most.

Against Nebraska, UW trialed 24-17 after three quarters, but Allen committed four turnovers in the fourth – three interceptions and a fumble. Nebraska scored four touchdowns off Allen's six turnovers.

UW trailed 21-3 at Iowa after three quarters. One got the sense the Cowboys didn't have much of a chance for a comeback in the final quarter. Two Allen interceptions solidified that feeling.

"It is about understanding that when the game's close, it's not time to press, even when you're down," Allen said. "You just continue to play your game and take what they give you."

It is difficult to know what Oregon will give UW, but it will certainly feature depth, speed and athleticism on both sides of the ball that the Cowboys rarely see, and definitely can't simulate in practice.

That doesn't mean UW can't win, but its margin of error is razor thin.

All eyes will be on Allen Saturday. Not just from the fans, but from NFL scouts. They know about Allen's pro potential and past college successes. They also know about his struggles against Power 5 opponents. A good game against Oregon may subdue some of those doubts, but more struggles could heighten them.

But as Allen said earlier, he doesn't care about his stats Saturday. He wants to win and do something UW hasn't done in a long time – defeat a school from a Power 5 conference at home. The last time was 2007 against Virginia – not exactly the elite of the elite when talking about Power 5 conference teams.

"The whole team should be feeling that this is an opportunity to go out there and show everybody that we're a real team," Allen said.

For that to happen, Allen must play well. The other 10 guys on offense must play well. All 11 players on defense must play well, along with the players on special teams. UW might also need a little luck.

But it starts with Allen.

Don't believe me? Take it from his coach.

"He is going to need to show up for us," fourth-year UW coach Craig Bohl said. "They're all big games, but you're primary players really have to answer the bell.

"He will embrace this opportunity."