After two relatively low key affairs against Colorado and Washington State, the Ducks face a true test on the road tonight against the Huskies. The Washington offense is for real (not so sure about the defense) and Husky Stadium is sure to be bumping on its last night before renovations. With just a few hours left until kickoff, Lucas Clark and I weigh in with our predictions.
Lucas Clark:
November is finally here. The month that will make or break Oregon’s hopes of reaching a third straight BCS bowl appearance, and it all starts with Washington on Saturday. While the Huskies are much improved on offense this season behind Keith Price and Chris Polk, I don’t see this Washington team hanging with the Ducks for a complete four quarters. It might be a game at halftime, but look for another big third quarter from Oregon en route to its eight straight victory.
Score: Oregon 48, Washington 24
Patrick Malee:
Over the past week, it’s become clear that Oregon-Washington is that game — the one that basically everyone uses as their “upset pick of the week.” Sports Illustrated’s Lars Anderson picked the Huskies. So did ESPN Pac-12 blogger Ted Miller, and even The Register-Guard’s very own Adam Jude likes Washington.
Me? I don’t see it. The Washington offense, with a devastating one-two punch in Keith Price and Chris Polk, is legit. Without a doubt, this will be the toughest test of the year so far for Oregon’s defense. But have you seen Washington’s defense? Did you watch them get obliterated by Stanford two weeks ago and struggle to stop (gulp) Arizona last Saturday? There’s no reason to believe Oregon can’t throw up another 40-plus performance tonight, especially with Darron Thomas and LaMichael James presumably close to 100 percent.
This will be a game, to be sure, and could come down to the fourth quarter. But Oregon doesn’t lose shootouts very often, and that’s exactly what this looks to be.
Score: Oregon 50, Washington 38
Last minute Washington predictions
Daily Emerald
November 4, 2011
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