Ducks Wire Roundtable: Predictions and opinions for the Oregon vs. Washington game
There have been big games for the Oregon Ducks this season. And then there’s this game.
While matchups against Georgia, BYU and UCLA held a lot of drama in past weeks, this game against the No. 25 Washington Huskies is wrought with storylines, and we can’t wait to see them play out on the field.
What will the first chapter of Dan Lanning-Kalen DeBoer look like? Which of these two high-powered offenses gets the last laugh? How exactly are the Ducks going to be viewed in the national landscape after this game?
To help preview all of the action, Ducks Wire writers Zachary Neel and Don Smalley gathered to make predictions and offer opinions on what we might see.
Here is your rivalry-week edition of the Ducks Wire Roundtable. Enjoy.
Husky Hate Week
Question: Welcome to Husky Hate Week! To get things started and raise the spice level right off the bat, what is your favorite Oregon vs. Washington memory?
Zachary Neel (Follow @ZacharyCNeel)
To be honest, I think all of the nonsense that took place last season was hilarious. Maybe it’s because that is fresh on my mind, but Jimmy Lake giving Oregon fans the “academic prowess” line will live on for years, and the fact that he was suspended and fired days after throwing away the game with a boneheaded decision to punt with less than 2 minutes in the game with his team down 8, all to have that punt turn into a safety? You can’t script it better than that. On top of it all, you had one of the coolest moments of Mario Cristobals’ Oregon career take place after, with his locker room tirade aimed at UW. Chef’s kiss.
Don Smalley (Follow @Donald_Smalley)
OK, so assuming 1994 and the Kenny Wheaton play is off the table since it’s obvious, I’ll mention three others. 1988 with the end around to Terry Obee for the win. Huge upset at Autzen. Oregon was on the verge of being a good team, but they weren’t there yet. Beating the Huskies in the last minute was glorious. 1995, Pat Johnson returns the opening kickoff for a touchdown. And then two years later, Johnson’s diving catch in the end zone to give Oregon the 31-28 lead with 2 minutes left. Nothing better than to win in Seattle.
Rivalry Tactics
Question: Dan Lanning has taken a different approach to this rivalry, embracing the emotion and even turning up the volume on Washington’s fight song during practice. What do you make of these coaching tactics? Do you agree with them?
Zachary Neel (Follow @ZacharyCNeel)
I like it because it shows me that this coaching staff is being upfront with the fans. Yes, this game means more than others, why are we afraid to admit that? Guys like Cristobal or Chip Kelly always danced around rivalry talk, but Lanning has come right out with it and stated that they care about this game a little bit extra, as they should. Give me all the practice field antics, it’s been fun to follow this week.
Don Smalley (Follow @Donald_Smalley)
I love it when the coaching staff, especially a new staff, takes these rivalries seriously. They want to make sure the players know how important this game is. Love it. Besides that song is obnoxious. Bow down to Washington? Whatever.
Top Dog Unit
Question: This game is going to feature a pair of offenses that are among the best in the nation, and a pair of defenses are middle of the road, to put it nicely. In the end, which unit do you think has the biggest impact?
Zachary Neel (Follow @ZacharyCNeel)
I will be focused on Oregon’s offense, and Oregon’s offensive line in particular. I think the Ducks might try to play a bit of keep-away from Michael Penix with a heavy dose of the run game, bleeding out the clock and physically dominating the trenches.
Don Smalley (Follow @Donald_Smalley)
Oregon’s offense is on an absolute roll. I don’t see the Huskies slowing Bo Nix down, especially inside Autzen.
Predicting Stats
Question: Let’s try something new here. I want your predictions. What does the final stat line for Bo Nix look like on Saturday?
Zachary Neel (Follow @ZacharyCNeel)
Going along with the run-heavy theme I just mentioned, I could see Nix putting up something like 17-for-21 for 210 yards and 2 TD. However, my guess is that he will add another 80 yards and 2 TD on the ground as well.
Don Smalley (Follow @Donald_Smalley)
Bo Nix should go 23-of-30 for 310 yards, 5 TDs, no picks, no sacks. And he rushes for around 40 yards.
CFP Opponents
Question: Let’s take a brief detour from UO-UW for a second and look at the College Football Playoff. Oregon is now No. 6, and could move up if it continues to win. Of the top 10 teams, which do you feel confident the Ducks could beat, if not be extremely competitive with down the stretch?
Zachary Neel (Follow @ZacharyCNeel)
Realistically, I think that Oregon would lose to Georgia and Ohio State for certain. The Ducks’ offense may be able to run with the Buckeyes, but that defense worries me. I think games against Tennessee and Michigan would be extremely competitive and entertaining and would come down to the wire. I feel confident that Oregon could beat TCU, LSU, Alabama, USC and Clemson.
Don Smalley (Follow @Donald_Smalley)
I would say Michigan, TCU, Clemson, and LSU.
Place Your Bets
Question: OK, back to Washington. Place your bets! You get $100 to wager on the spread (Oregon minus-13.5), the money line (Oregon minus-550, Washington plus-400), and the Over/Under (72.5). Where are you putting your money?
Zachary Neel (Follow @ZacharyCNeel)
My early opinion on this game has changed during the course of the week. At first, I was calling for a shootout that the Ducks would win and hit the over. At this point, though, I think that the Ducks are going to try to wind the clock as much as they can and play game control with the rushing attack. That spread is tricky, so give me $70 on Oregon’s ML and the other $30 on the under.
Don Smalley (Follow @Donald_Smalley)
I’d put $20 on Oregon covering. Another $20 on the Under and the rest on the -550.
Final Score Prediction
Question: Final score predictions. Who do you think wins?
Zachary Neel (Follow @ZacharyCNeel)
Give me Oregon 31, Washington 23
Don Smalley (Follow @Donald_Smalley)
Oregon 41, Dawgs 21
