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Key individual matchups in Oregon vs. Washington: Top prospects clash

By Glenn Adams

EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 12: Puddles the mascot of the Oregon Ducks cheers against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 12: Puddles the mascot of the Oregon Ducks cheers against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images) /
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Sep 9, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) catches a pass against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane during the third quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) catches a pass against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane during the third quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Khyree Jackson vs. Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja’lynn Polk

The talent that Washington possesses at the wide receiver position is phenomenal. It is made even more so by their first-round quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., throwing them the ball.

After a superb 2021 season, wideout Rome Odunze is on pace to blow by his incredible numbers from a season ago. Last year, he recorded 75 passes, 1,145 yards, and seven touchdowns. This year, through five games, he has 32 receptions, 608 yards, and four touchdowns.

Odunze is not the only receiver who will have a career year. Ja’lynn Polk’s 41 catches, 694 yards, and six touchdowns from a year ago will be his second-best career season. This year, he has 26 catches, 468 yards, and four touchdowns.

The third receiver in this terrific trio is Jalen McMillan. His numbers are not on track to surpass those from last season. This is due to missing two games and the emergence of Polk, who has excelled this year. While McMillan is unlikely to reach his 79 catches and 1,098 yards from a year ago, he can still hope to match his nine touchdowns.

The combination of Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan has been incredible for the Huskies. The three standout receivers are ranked 19th, 62nd, and 99th overall by Pro Football Focus, respectively.

On the other side, Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson will have his hands full. Through five games, his quarterback rating when targeted is an amazing 15.7. That is incredible by any standard or measurement. It is also unlikely to remain that low for the rest of the season. Nevertheless, if he can come anywhere near that at year’s end, he will be a first-round draft pick and possibly the first cornerback off the board.

Jackson is ranked 106th overall by PFF. However, with Washington’s offense sure to throw the ball all over the field on Saturday, if Jackson can handle his responsibilities and contain whoever he covers throughout the game, expect his draft stock to explode. This will be, by far, the toughest assignment that the Alabama transfer will have faced this year.

All college fans and NFL scouts should hope we see Jackson targeted one-on-one versus each of Oregon’s wideouts in the game. However, while this is something that we may want to see, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. would be wise not to try the talented cornerback too many times.

It will be difficult for Washington to recover from losing all of this NFL talent next season. Hopefully, they will have an excellent incoming class and land a few offensive stars in the transfer portal. But that is a next-year problem. Let’s enjoy the masterpiece they are putting out with each game this year.

We have the pleasure of watching how well Jackson will hold up against the onslaught of NFL-caliber receivers he will face on Saturday. His stock is rising. Depending on what happens versus Washington, it could reach the Sauce Gardner level of hype.

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