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

ByRyan 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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The Washington Huskies lead the nation in passing yards, the Ducks will find it hard to stop them.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 23: Rome Odunze #1 of the Washington Huskies celebrates his touchdown with Ja’Lynn Polk #2 during the first quarter against the California Golden Bears at Husky Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

2. Washington’s offense will be a problem for the Ducks’ defense

Oregon’s much-improved defense faces its most consequential test to date from Washington’s nation-leading offense.

With Washington’s offense averaging a staggering 446.4 yards through the air, thanks to Michael Penix Jr., you may be able to contain him. However, you won’t be able to prevent him from doing what he’s good at, and that’s being a Heisman-hopeful quarterback. He does a great job at moving around in the pocket and creating space for himself to succeed. Penix isn’t an avid passer by accident, after all.

Michael Penix Jr. leads the nation in passing yards thanks to wide receivers Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, Jalen McMillan, and Germie Bernard, and the Huskies (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) have the No. 3 scoring offense entering Saturday’s historic matchup. The Ducks (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) are 5th in scoring defense, allowing 11.8 points per game, in pass defense, allowing 153.6 yards per game, and 6th in total defense, allowing 255.6 yards per game.

Neither squad has faced the caliber of competitors on the other side of the ball that it will see on Saturday afternoon.

The way the Huskies offense works is creating room to exploit man-to-man coverage. Will they be able to form horizontal stretches on underneath defenders and create vertical stretches on deep defenders? If the run game thrives, the Ducks must drop down a safety to defend against the run. If the run is guarded well, like the Ducks have done well this season, the Huskies will have a problem going to their bread and butter, going over the top for massive yardage gain.

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