DAWGS PREVIEW: PAC 12 CHAMPIONSHIP #3 WASHINGTON -V- #5 OREGON

'Allegiant Stadium' PhotoCredit: h2kyaks via Flickr

The Washington Huskies (12-0 9-0 Pac 12) and the Oregon Ducks (11-1 8-1 Pac 12) travel to Las Vegas, NV to meet in the final (as we know it) Pac 12 Championship Game. Oregon -9.5 O/U 66.5.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

- Friday, December 1, 2023, 8:00 PM Eastern Time Kickoff on ABC

- Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will be on the call for the ABC and Holly Rowe will be on the sideline.

- On the Washington side the radio broadcast will be on FM 93.3. On the Oregon side, the radio broadcast will be on FM 95.3 and AM 1080.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Washington is ranked No. 3 in this week’s College Football Playoff rankings. Winning the Pac-12 Championship would guarantee the Huskies place in the top four of the final CFP rankings. A win by Oregon, who is ranked No. 5 this week, should solidify the Duck's place in the top four as this win would be against the previous No. 3 team, which would only boost their resume.

KEY PLAYERS

Washington

QB Michael Penix, Jr. – 65.6% passes completed, 3,899 yards, 32 TD, 8 Int.

WR Rome Odunze – 73 catches for 1,326 yards, 13 TD.

Oregon

QB Bo Nix – 78.6% passes completed, 3,906 yards, 37 TD, 2 INT; also has 6 rushing touchdowns.

WR Troy Franklin – 77 catches for 1,349 yards, 14 TD (and 1 Biletnikoff award finalist snub)

KEY MATCHUPS

Washington’s pass offense against the Oregon pass defense. The Huskies are averaging an incredible 345.5 passing yards per game, which is second in the FBS. The Oregon defense has been good this season but if there is a “kink in the armor” it is with their pass defense. The Ducks only give up 214.3 passing yards per game, but that amount is 48th in the nation. The Huskies have only given up nine sacks this season, tied for 2nd nationally. Oregon is tied for 26th in the country with 32 sacks. This will be a good matchup of great passing offense against good pass defense.

Oregon’s passing attack against a bad Washington defense, which is ranked 93rd in the country, giving up 399.8 total yards per game. The Ducks passing game is downright lethal, averaging 351.4 yards per game, which is 1st in the country. Washington’s defense is giving up 265.2 passing yards per game, No. 122 in the FBS. Oregon also leads the nation with the fewest sacks allowed, just five, while Washington’s defense has only sacked opposing quarterbacks 19 times, tied for 110th. If there is one thing the Husky's defense does well it is getting interceptions, as they are tied for 8th with 15 on the season.

PREDICTION PAC 12 Championship

I am not understanding the line on this game. I understand that Washington did not dominate teams down the stretch and Oregon did. But when these two teams played in the regular season Washington won. Yes, I understand that Dan Lanning made a questionable coaching decision, but Washington still won the game. The Husky's run game has gotten better in the back half of their schedule as well, as Dillion Johnson finished with 961 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Bo Nix has been deadly with his accuracy and Bucky Irving is a do-it-all all-back for the Ducks. I just think this game will come down to a turnover or two and that will favor the Huskies. I can’t wait to watch this game! Washington wins 41-37. Take Washington getting the points and definitely take the over.