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Washington football: 3 bold predictions in marquee matchup vs. No. 8 Oregon

By Ryan Van Dever

TUCSON, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies throws a pass during the second half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies throws a pass during the second half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Running back Dillon Johnson for the Washington Huskies will have to have a breakout game if the Huskies expect to win.
TUCSON, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 30: Running back Dillon Johnson #7 of the Washington Huskies high fives teammates after scoring a four-yard rushing touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half of the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

3. Washington running back Dillon Johnson will have a breakout game

A three-star recruit in the class of 2020, Johnson spent three years under the late Mike Leach at Mississippi State before entering the transfer portal. Over his three years in Starkville, he totaled 1,198 yards on the ground, adding 864 receiving yards on 149 catches. He also scored 12 touchdowns, 11 rushing and one receiving.

Dillon Johnson has yet to be explicitly used in a bruising running back role. He is versatile and can and will be used as a pass catcher. Since this offensive attack has been pass-heavy, that’s what his role has been. To say that the Huskies haven’t needed to lean on him in the running game would be an understatement. He is averaging 10 carries a game for a paltry 60 yards per game.

Johnson is due for a breakout game, and given the chance, he will have that game on Saturday. The Oregon Ducks will put a ton of pressure on Penix in this game, and the Huskies will have to be more versatile and give the rock to Johnson more frequently if they expect to win.

Behind the stout offensive line and one of the best in the nation from the Washington Huskies, Johnson, a 6-foot, 218-pound bruising back, is tough to bring down once he hits the open field; expect a big game from him against Oregon as they try and make the Huskies a one-dimensional offense taking the passing game away.

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