(Photo: uwdawgpound)

Saturday Spotlight

(8) Oregon Ducks at (7) Washington Huskies

Oregon: Year two under Dan Lanning is off to a strong start. The first year with a new Head Coach won’t always be smooth sailing. In years past, you all have heard me refer to a new Head Coach as a salesperson in a way and his job is to pitch his idea to his football players hoping they will buy into him. Dan has done just that and then some. I’ve been telling many of my radio colleagues this year to watch out for these Ducks from Eugene, Oregon. I’ve often said they can be the 2023 version of what the TCU Horned Frogs were a year ago. I want to break down this Oregon offense while I have a moment. They are explosive and one of the best scoring units in the country as they average 51 points per game and 8.1 yards per play which is beyond astounding. This offense is led by one of the best Quarterbacks in football and he goes by the name of Bo Nix, yes the former Auburn Tigers Quarterback. He’s not alone because his has his share of weapons to spread the ball around to in Troy Franklin, Gary Bryant, Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden. They have a balanced attack with a physical group on the Offensive Line that clears the lanes for the ground attack averaging seven yards per carry which is tops in the Pac-12. Also, they’ve only given up a total of three sacks this year. Defense was Dan’s specialty. Look what he did in Athens with the Bulldogs of Georgia in 2021. He now has Oregon as one of the two best defenses in the Pac-12. Today, they will make the 285 mile trip to Seattle with the Huskies of Washington.

Washington: This is by far the best team they’ve had since 2016 with a Quarterback named Jake Browning. I really took it back there because that’s a name that hasn’t been said in quite some time. Chris Petersen was the Head Coach then stepped down after six seasons to fulfill an advisory role. Jimmy Lake would then become Chris’ successor as the next Head Coach and would eventually get fired. Last year, the program hired Kalen DeBoer who was the Head Coach at Fresno State. In his first season, he led this team to an 11-2 mark and a bowl win over the Texas Longhorns. Now, this football team is off to a strong 5-0 start. This offense has amazed me and Michael Penix Jr is the catalyst of everything for a Huskies group that’s second in the nation in plays of 30 plus yards with 24, yards per play with 8.81 and they are third in scoring averaging 46 points per game. Michael has been one of the very best Quarterbacks in the nation this year. He’s been regarded as the best deep ball passer in the game and I can’t disagree with that piece of analysis. I see the touch he puts on his passes and he gets rid of the ball quickly. He can bounce around in the pocket and get that ball exactly to where it needs to be. Washington entered this year with questions about their defense because they had a tough time stopping the pass and allowing 29 points per game. They aren’t a shut down group, but they are a much improved unit on that side of the football with guys more than capable of wrecking havoc when the opportunity presents itself. It’s been a fun time in Seattle for sure. This afternoon, they will face a tough task and welcome the Oregon Ducks to town.

Oregon X-Factor: Jordan Burch– He transferred to Eugene from South Carolina and has paid dividends for this defense. Jordan is a 6’6 EDGE rusher with excellent speed. He flies downhill and gets to the passer or the Running Back. He’s quick with scrappy hands and knows how to set the edge to stop the run. I see some Jadeveon Clowney is his game which is ironic because just as Jordan did, Jadeveon played for South Carolina as well.

Washington X-Factor: Bralen Trice– I can’t wait to watch this kid today! Bralen is so electric off the snap with a sharp first step. He’s violent with his hands and can force a fumble. Bralen’s presence allows everyone on that Washington Defensive Line to get home and make a play. Isn’t it amazing how one guy can have that much of an impact on either side of the football? Look for him today to be an impact player.

Three Things I’m Watching 

1. Heisman Watch: These are two of the best Quarterbacks in college football squaring off against one another. The winner of this game I feel will catapult themselves more as one of the favorites to win this prestigious award. Caleb Williams and Sam Hartman might be a sexier Quarterback showdown, but this one in Seattle today between Nix and Penix is just as worthy of being discussed.

2. Third Down– I can’t stress the importance of having a good day on third down. The team that converts more consistently to move the chains and limit the opposition’s opportunities normally comes out on top to win the football game. Washington enters this game 17th on third down offense while Oregon ranks ninth. On the other side of the ball, Washington is ranked 87th in third down defense which means they allow conversions 41.3 percent of the time.

3. Back and Forth– This is going to be a shootout without question. Washington has yet to face an offense that can punch back and now, they will today. Michael has been one of the nation’s most productive passers and he has two nice weapons inRome Odunze and Jalen McMillan to get the ball too. Oregon on the other side has their share of firepower as well and they can match the Huskies on the attack as well.

Final Thoughts: This is a rivalry that dates back to the 1900s. I remember previewing this battle for the first time in 2018. More than five years later, I’m back breaking it down again. This is a huge game for both of these teams and depending on what happens with USC tonight in South Bend against Notre Dame, someone new could potentially be in first place. One matchup I’m watching is Penix against this Diucks defensive front. Penix releases the football so quickly and will be tested today against a hungry defense. Washington doesn’t have to be lights out on the defensive side. All they need to do is make timely stops and don’t allow Oregon’s offense to get into a rhythm. Pressure Nix as often as possible. Whichever defense makes more stops on third down, in the red zone, gets a takeaway and limits those big plays down the field will be victorious and I think Oregon is more complete of a team. I like the Ducks today.

Prediction: Oregon 38, Washington 31