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Michael Penix Jr., Washington on the rise; Notre Dame sinks USC: Biggest winners and losers from College Football Week 7

By Chris Peterson

Oct 14, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (2) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the first half at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (2) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the first half at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Loser: Dan Lanning’s inability to win rivalry games

For the second year in a row, Washington dealt Oregon a huge loss. The Ducks also lost to Oregon State last season.

Dan Lanning has done a lot of great things. He’s a good head coach. But he has to start winning big games and his performance in the rivalries isn’t great. Lanning will get second-guessed for his decision to go for it on fourth down before the half instead of kicking a field goal.

Had he done that, Oregon could have been kicking for the win. However, if that play had gone differently the game could have gone differently.

I don’t have a problem with any of Lanning’s calls. Oregon just didn’t execute. They had a chance to put themselves on equal footing with Florida State and Oklahoma in terms of quality wins.

There are still games against USC, Utah, and Oregon State, as well as a potential rematch with Washington in the Pac-12 title game. Outside of that game being played again and the Ducks winning out, this tea probably isn’t making the playoff.

Oregon certainly isn’t out of it, but the Ducks missed an opportunity and now have zero margin for error, plus a real need for some help. A lot of it.

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