The Oregon Ducks will face Stanford in the Pac-12 game of the year on November 12. First, however, they need to survive a road trip to Seattle, as they take on the Washington Huskies.
Oregon Ducks @ Washington Huskies – Saturday, November 5
Sports betting line: Oregon -16 1/2
Why Oregon Will Win
The college football betting experts who follow the Pac-12 Conference know that Washington is a better team than it was last year. The Huskies, under new quarterback Keith Price, can move the ball more effectively than they did under former quarterback Jake Locker. Yet, Washington went up against one of the big boys in the Pac-12 on October 22, and got kicked in the rear end… hard. Washington got plowed by Stanford in a 65-21 loss that looked and felt like an even more severe beatdown, if that’s humanly possible. Washington’s defensive front offered no resistance to the Cardinal, who ran the ball at will, particularly between the tackles. It’s clear that Stanford benefited from the fact that its own signal caller, Heisman Trophy candidate Andrew Luck, is a gifted passer who forces opposing defensive coordinators to respect Stanford’s aerial attack. However, Stanford still wound up running the ball successfully even when Washington was expecting a run. This does not bode well for the Huskies’ hopes against an Oregon team that loves to run the ball. Darron Thomas or Brian Bennett – whoever quarterbacks UO in this game – should be able to make the right read and put the Ducks in position to make a lot of big running plays against Washington’s front seven. Oregon might get contained in the first quarter, but the Ducks should shake off any early rust and flourish in the final two or two and a half quarters of this game.
Why Washington Will Win
When you look at the matchups and examine the best sportsbook you might make in this game, it’s important to realize that Oregon has not played many good passing teams this season. The Ducks have played only two opponents with appreciably good passing attacks, Arizona and Arizona State. Those two teams scored an average of 29 points against UO. Washington, plainly put, is a better passing team than Arizona and Arizona State. Keith Price knows how to read defenses, and he is very much willing to spread the ball to various receivers, incorporating the tight end and other check-downs into his decision-making process. Washington has the diversity on offense to ring up a big number and force Oregon’s offense to be letter perfect. Washington running back Chris Polk is a home-run threat, a breakaway back who complements Price’s passing game with considerable skill and potency. It will be hard for Washington to defend Oregon, but the Huskies should score a lot of points in this game.
Who Will Win
It’s likely to be a shootout in this late-night fight in Seattle. Washington should be able to keep pace for two and a half or three quarters, but Oregon tries to tire out its opponents with a fast tempo. Will Washington have any legs left on defense when the fourth quarter rolls around? Probably not. Take the Ducks in a shootout… with Washington putting up enough points to cover the number.
College Football Betting Pick: Washington