There’s going to be a good Pac-12 quarterback matchup if Oregon’s Justin Herbert returns against Jake Browning and Washington football on Nov. 4.
No. 12 Washington football enters its toughest stretch of the season in the final four games, including Week 10 against the Oregon Ducks. The rest of the matchups come against the No. 21 Stanford Cardinal, Utah Utes, and No. 25 Washington State Cougars.
The quarterback of the Huskies, junior Jake Bronwing, is on pace for another big season. It could also be his final season at the college ranks. Last year, Browning tossed six touchdowns and no interceptions in a 70-21 victory over the Ducks. Oregon is improved from a season ago under first-year head coach Willie Taggart, but the Huskies are still a College Football Playoff contender.
Browning could use a big performance to help out his NFL Draft stock. It’s unlikely that Browning declares after the conclusion of this season, but there is a chance. His draft stock could rise with a performance with the Pac-12 spotlight on him.
The last two contests have not been friendly to Browning. Josh Rosen and the UCLA Bruins were not a challenge for the Huskies, but Browning managed less than 100 passing yards in the 44-23 victory. In Week 7, Browning only got in the end zone once and threw for only 139 yards in an upset loss to the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Washington gets the Ducks at home and enter as a 17-point favorite. The Huskies are the clear favorite to walk away with the Pac-12 North Championship. Only Washington State stands in the way. Don’t count on Oregon to have much of a say.
Next: Washington vs. Oregon: Preview, predictions
Browning is too experienced and talented to have three bad games in a row when it really matters. Momentum needs to start getting built up now for the Huskies. Stanford and Wazzu are going to especially tough when the time comes.