Oregon vs. Washington game billed as one of biggest rematches in 2023 season
The Oregon Ducks had an incredibly successful season in 2022, winning 10 games during Dan Lanning’s first season as a head coach and ending things on a positive note with a Holiday Bowl victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels.
However, things could have been even better had a couple of plays gone differently. When looking back and trying to find some points of the season that could have completely changed things, it’s hard not to pinpoint that late-season game against the Washington Huskies as a major turning point.
The Ducks had a lead late in the game, and even after the Huskies scored late to tie things up, Oregon was in a good place to be able to close out strong. However, a leg injury to QB Bo Nix turned things, and Washington ended up with a massive road victory.
It makes sense that Duck fans are eager for a rematch, doesn’t it? What happens if Nix doesn’t get hurt, and Oregon’s offense is at full strength for the entirety of that game? I’m not saying it’s a sure thing that they hold to win, but it’s a lot more likely than the alternative.
All of this reasoning is why the Ducks vs. Huskies game in 2023 has been billed by USA TODAY’s College Sports Wire as one of the biggest rematches of the year.
This top-25 matchup in 2022 was certainly worth tuning in for. Michael Penix Jr and Bo Nix took center stage as they looked to build on their Heisman resumes. The Washington Huskies were the better team on that day. The Oregon Ducks should be out for blood in 2023.
Good news for college football fans, we get to see the QB battle of Nix and Penix once again as both returns for another season. Nix was the surprise after leaving Auburn and he quickly jumped into the Heisman Trophy conversation. This year he will have a new offensive coordinator, but he should still put his stamp on the game.
The Huskies return Penix and his high-flying offensive attack. He led all quarterbacks in FBS in yards and yards per game. Two of the top receivers in the country will return to Washington as well. Which means they are likely to dial it up once again.
The game comes earlier in the schedule this season — October 14 — and both teams have a bye the week before, giving everyone a chance to come into this hopefully at full strength and ready to play in what’s expected to be one of the best games of the year.
