The Washington Huskies and Oregon Ducks face each other this week for the last time as members of the Pac-12 Conference.
The Washington Huskies and the Oregon Ducks both come into Saturday’s game with an undefeated 5-0 record and a bye. It’s a huge game as the Huskies are ranked seventh, while the Ducks are number eight in the country.
This contest is likely to be the greatest game to be played in the long history between the two schools as members of the Pacific Conference. Beginning next year, the schools will continue their rivalry as part of the Big Ten.
Stakes are high in this game. The winner will be a leading candidate to play in the Pac-12 Championship game and also be in the National Championship picture.
Heisman Implications
Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is one of the top candidates to win the Heisman Trophy. However, if the Ducks come into Husky Stadium and win, Bo Nix, the Oregon quarterback, will move up the ranks.
This game should be tight-fisted. UO is looking for revenge after a 37-34 loss last year at Autzen Stadium. Both teams have explosive offenses, so a similar score won’t be a surprise and, hopefully is in the Huskies’ favor.
Nix is off to a good start in 2023, averaging 291.8 yards passing, and has thrown only one interception on the season with an 80.4 percent completion rate. He may not hit those numbers on Saturday because Oregon will want to keep the Washington Huskies high-powered offense off the field.
Aside from a dynamic passing attack, Oregon averages 227.2 yards per game and over three touchdowns on the ground. So far, the Huskies defense played much better against the run this season than they did last year.
Huskies Improved Defense
In Washington’s 41-7 win over Michigan State in week three, they held the Spartans’ primary rusher Nathan Carter to 48 yards on 17 carries. I’m sure the Huskies will play with the same intensity against Oregon.
The difference with the Huskies’ defense, besides doing better against the run, their pass defense already has eight interceptions compared to seven all last season. Though Nix has only thrown one pick, they will try to put Oregon in down-and-distance situations where he must hurry the ball in long downs.
No doubt Saturday’s matchup will be a close one. The winner will come down to who has the fewest turnovers and penalties and also leads in time of possession.
The Washington Huskies hope to have wide receiver Jalen McMillan back after missing the last two games against Cal and Arizona due to an injury sustained in the first half against Michigan State.
Not only do the Washington Huskies want to beat Oregon again, but they aspire to go all the way to the National Championship game and take no prisoners. Go Dawgs!
