Washington @ Oregon preview
Autzen Stadium
Last Meeting ( Oct 24, 2009 ) Oregon 43, Washington 19
No. 1-ranked Oregon has gotten a lot of attention for its powerful offense.
That’s to be expected since the Ducks average 54.9 points and 572.9 yards per game. But this is a team that’s more balanced than many people believe, with a defense that’s quietly gaining its own high level of respect.
Oregon (8-0, 5-0 Pac-10) has built its defense around the takeaway, having created 28 turnovers - the most in the NCAA. The Ducks rank first in the Pac-10 and eighth in the nation in touchdown passes allowed, despite facing 37.6 passes per game. They rank fifth nationally in opponent yards per passing attempt (5.6 yards), 22nd nationally in opponent rushing average (3.34 yards), and allow only 17.9 points per game, which ranks 17th in the nation.
Not bad for a defense that spends about 6 ½ minutes more on the field because of its offense’s speedy scoring style.
Those defensive numbers, combined with an offense that’s unmatched, helps explain why Oregon is winning by an average of 37 points.
This week it will be Washington’s turn to try and slow the Ducks. It won’t be easy, either, as the Huskies (3-5, 2-2) will be playing without quarterback Jake Locker, who is out with broken ribs.
Locker (1,678 yards passing, 14 touchdowns) will be replaced by redshirt freshman Keith Price, who will make his first collegiate start. That puts additional pressure on sophomore tailback Chris Polk, who has three 100-yard games this season but is coming off his worst game of the year – 17 yards on 13 carries against Stanford.
The Washington defense is led by the trio of linebacker Mason Foster, Nate Williams and Cort Dennison. Foster leads the conference with 12.5 tackles per game, followed by Williams (8.75) and Dennison (8.57). They’ll likely have plenty of opportunities to pad those numbers against an Oregon offense that has scored no fewer than 42 points in any game and one which hung 53 on Southern Cal last week.
Oregon’s offense requires its opponent to pick its poison. Want to stop the run? Then take your chances with quarterback Darron Thomas, who has thrown for 1,827 yards and 21 touchdowns. Prefer to shut down Thomas? Then watch out for Heisman Trophy candidate LaMichael James, who has rushed for 1,210 yards, a 7.1 yard average and 14 touchdowns. And don’t forget receiver Jeff Maehl, who has 47 catches for a 14.4 yard average and nine touchdowns.
The Huskies will get right tackle Cody Habben (coach’s decision) and tight end Chris Izbicki (foot) back in the lineup. Washington has two regulars who are questionable with injuries: running back Kenjon Barner (concussion) and cornerback Anthony Gildon (ankle).
Washington leads the series 58-39-5, although Oregon has won 11 of the last 15, including 43-19 last year. The last time Washington faced a No. 1-ranked team, the Huskies almost toppled Southern Cal in 2007.