| 06 November 2010
The Oregon Ducks attempt to keep their undefeated season alive as they welcome the Washington Huskies into Autzen Stadium today. The Ducks have defeated every opponent this season by double-digits, and that should continue against a struggling team missing its prized starting quarterback.
A closer look at the Huskies
Washington, 3-5, will be without Jake Locker, their versatile leader behind center, who broke his rib in a 41-0 defeat to Stanford. Locker hasn’t had the season he was hoping for when he passed on entering the NFL Draft last spring, but his presence will still be missed. He has thrown for nearly 1,700 yards and has 14 touchdowns to six interceptions, and was coming on strong before performing poorly against the Cardinal. Instead, redshirt freshman Keith Price will be thrust into action.
Breaking in a quarterback in such a hostile environment only adds to the odds Washington faces. Price has the tools and demeanor to thrive, but, lacking experience, it could be a rough day against a fast and swarming Oregon defense. If he does succeed -- and he certainly has the athleticism to do so -- running back Chris Polk will have to as well in order to pull off the monumental upset.
Polk has struggled lately, rushing for just 82 yards in the Huskies past two contests, but he does have three 100-yard rushing games this season. He hasn’t proven to be much of a receiver out of the backfield, but the more targets Price has the more comfortable he will be.
Somehow, a lot of yards will have to be racked up by the Huskies, and to do that Price needs Polk, leading receiver Jermaine Kearse, and fellow wideouts D’Andre Goodwin and Devin Aguilar to make a flurry of big plays.
A closer look at the Ducks
On Oregon’s side, big plays will be made but it’s just a matter of how many. Their offense leads the nation in points scored and yards per game. And the Ducks have nearly as many rushing yards, 2,470, as Washington has total yards, 2,869. Their tempo, orchestrated by quarterback Darron Thomas, is blindingly fast. Yet, Thomas said, “We’re trying to go a little bit faster. We’ve got some new things we’re doing, just getting the communication faster. I’m looking forward to seeing what the tempo is going to look like this week.”
Washington sure isn’t. The Huskies are facing an offense that seemingly couldn’t get any faster, an offense that will be bolstered by the expected return of running back Kenjon Barner. Barner, who is returning after missing a month with concussion symptoms, could be the added thorn in the wound the Huskies will most likely be licking in the end.
Not one statistical category benefits Washington. Oregon’s defense has 28 takeaways, and expects a few more against Price. And, to make matters worse for the road team, the Huskies defense allows 34 points per game and just gave up 41 to Stanford.
Given the Huskies' defensive woes, a faster Ducks offense should only lead to a larger blowout. Washington has lost the past six meetings by 20 or more points, and Oregon should win in similar fashion this time around as well.
Prediction: Oregon 65, Washington 21
photo: daylife
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