Washington isn’t good yet. All it’s really accomplished is a road upset at USC, and it’s clear the Trojans have plenty of issues. Yet the rebuild at UW is coming along nicely under Chris Peterson and win over the rival Ducks will only validate what the second-year coach has working. To take the next step the Huskies will have to end a decade of frustration against Oregon, but for the first time in a while, there is optimism surrounding their chances.
ODDS
The game opened as a toss-up with the total at 60. The line was quickly wagered to Washington -2 and if that number holds, it’ll be the first time since 2003 the Huskies entered a game against Oregon as the favorite. The Ducks have won 11 straight in the series going 10-0-1 ATS in that span.
KEY MISMATCH
Despite their down year in terms of wins and losses, the Ducks are still an explosive offensive team. The numbers are overshadowed by a defense that can’t put a stop to anything. Oregon is also hopeful quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. is recovered enough from a broken finger to play. The Ducks average 528.7 yards of offense with 318.7 coming on the ground, and 41.5 points per game. Marcus Mariota isn’t making the trip to Seattle, and that has many believing the Huskies finally have a chance to slow the Ducks down. With Mariota, Oregon averaged 47.3 points per game against UW the past three years, all lopsided victories. More pertinent for the Huskies is trying to contain the running back tandem of Royce Freeman and Taj Griffin, and keep pace with Oregon’s tempo. But that pace isn’t unique to Oregon anymore, with most of the Pac-12 running some sort of up-tempo offense. And it certainly helps UW’s confidence that it was able to hold USC to one touchdown in the 17-12 upset win. The Huskies continue to lead the Pac-12 in scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense, and the group will be tested by a desperate Oregon squad.
KEY STAT
15.0 – Washington’s Pac-12 leading points per game allowed. The number was bolstered by a shutout of FCS Sacramento State and the Huskies limited USC to just one touchdown in their upset win last week. Oregon is second in the conference scoring 41.5 points per game.
BETTING ANGLE
One thing missing during Chris Petersen’s brief tenure as coach at Washington was a signature win. That came last week when the Huskies won at USC as 16.5-point underdogs, accelerating the timeline of what was supposed to be a rebuilding season for Washington. And that rebuilding could be shifted into overdrive if the Huskies can find a way to end and 11-game losing streak to Oregon and beat the rival Ducks this week. Because the Huskies were relying on so many youngsters this season, there were bound to be growing pains. The high of playing well at ranked Boise State was followed by wins over Sac State and Utah State. Then came the low of a home loss to Cal when the Huskies committed five turnovers. The pieces came together against the Trojans and the remainder of the season took on a different look. For the past 11 seasons, however, the Ducks not only beat UW, they crushed them. They won every game by at least 17 points, going 10-0-1 ATS, even though they were favored in every game. Yet, when the Ducks visit Seattle this week, it’s the Huskies who are favored. Times are changing in the Pac-12.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
It’s easy to kick a team when they’re down, and the Ducks are the punching bag following a home loss to Washington State last week. The bar has been set so high by the Oregon program that a few losses have everyone claiming the dynasty is finished. But it might be premature for Oregon’s doom and gloom. Washington has shown very little offensively, though freshman quarterback Jake Browning is improving and Myles Gaskin can run like the wind. But it’s an offense that even Oregon can defend. The Ducks still have plenty of playmakers and are doing things with the football that the Mariota-led teams were able to accomplish. With Adams Jr. ready to get back under center and Freeman running wild, the Ducks will extend Washington’s misery against their rivals from the south another year.
Oregon 38, Washington 30
The college football odds for this game were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. The game opened as a toss-up while the total surfaced at 60. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
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