by Kyle Golik
Hopefully, if Oregon head coach Dan Lanning reads this article, he realizes I am gunning for clicks because clicks are my wins.
If my attempt at humor broke the drumhead, let’s pivot back to business, one of the best rivalries in the country known in the Pacific Northwest as The Border War.
Over the years, the rivalry has featured some of the sport’s most iconic moments, from Washington quarterback Jake Browning’s Point to Oregon cornerback Kenny Wheaton’s interception, and each side having dominant runs, whether it was Don James’ Huskies winning 12 of 13 against the Ducks, or the Ducks reeling off 12 straight of their own from 2004 to 2015.
In last season’s contest, Washington took advantage of a late coaching miscue by Dan Lanning and snapped a three-game losing streak in the series to Oregon, 37-34. The miscue came after Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. connected on a 62-yard touchdown pass to Taj Davis to tie the game at 34 with 3:07 to go.
On the ensuing possession, Oregon faced a fourth and one from the Oregon 34-yard line with 1:26 to go in the game. Instead of punting and trusting his defense, Lanning opted to go for it on fourth down in negative territory. The Huskies sniffed out the play call and stuffed Oregon back Noah Whittington for a loss.
Washington would position kicker Peyton Henry to connect on a 43-yard field goal for the win.
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Since that clash, both programs have been playing as elite programs in the country.
Oregon had one of the biggest statements in the country last weekend in their rout of Deion Sanders Colorado Buffaloes 42-6. The demolition was so resounding that halfway through the third quarter, Oregon was up 42-0, outgained Colorado 440 to 34 in total offense, 25 to 5 edge in first downs, and nearly a 2:1 ratio in time of possession.
While the nation debates how Oregon demolished Colorado, the nation continues to marvel at Washington’s dynamic passing attack that leads the nation averaging 467.3 passing yards per game and in total offense at 593.3 yards per game, scoring 49.8 points per game.
With these rivals standing out nationally, who is the best of the Pacific Northwest? Let’s take a look:
The Quarterbacks
The first place most will examine between these two offensive juggernauts is their seasoned elite quarterbacks.
Oregon’s Bo Nix is making the most of his change of scenery from Auburn to Oregon. Last season Nix was a strong contender for the Heisman Trophy until a late-season injury that slowed him down. While being hobbled, Nix was the only FBS quarterback last season (and eighth since 2000) to have at least 29 passing touchdowns and 14 rushing touchdowns in a season.
Other quarterbacks since 2000 to achieve this are Jalen Hurts (2019), D’Eriq King (2018), Lamar Jackson (2016), Marcus Mariota (2014), Bryce Petty (2013), Cam Newton (2010), and Tim Tebow (2007), with four of those quarterbacks winning the Heisman Trophy.
Nix hasn’t slowed down this season, completing over 79% of his passes for 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Supporting Nix is an offensive line that Pro Football Focus has graded at 95.4 in pass blocking, which is amazing considering the departures of lineman Alex Forsyth, T.J. Bass, Ryan Walk, and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu combined for 7,838 career snaps between the four. The new unit featuring Ajani Cornelius, Jackson Powers-Johnson, John Conerly Jr., Steven Jones, Iapani Laloulu, and Marcus Harper II have combined to only allow seven quarterback pressures of Nix through 151 pass attempts in the first four games.
Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. has played at a level this season where he could dethrone Southern Cal’s Caleb Williams to win the Heisman Trophy. Penix has been electric this season, completing nearly 75% of his passes for 1,636 yards, which leads the nation, and 16 touchdowns.
Penix’s offensive line has been equally stout, only surrendering one sack in four games this season.
What makes Penix special is his arm strength and accuracy. With his experience, the game has slowed down for Penix, and he makes his progression effortlessly, and the laser throws are a thing of beauty. The result of Penix’s ability to canvas the field and make big plays is Washington leads the nations with 39 plays of 20 or more yards through the first four games.
Elite Offensive Weapons
While Nix and Penix get the accolades and headlines for their amazing play, they are both surrounded by elite athletes who are having equally impactful seasons.
Fueling the nation’s top passing attack is a trio at Washington of Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja’Lynn Polk, who are the best wide receiver corps in the nation.
Odunze has been playing at a Biletnikoff Award-winning level as he has had 100 receiving yards in every game this season and has established himself as Penix’s No. 1 target, hauling in 27 receptions for 544 yards and four touchdowns. McMillan may not be the most physically opposing at 6’1” 190-pound frame, but he has embraced his role. He demonstrates excellent route running, he always puts himself in the perfect position on routes that are hard for opposing coaches and defenders to strategize against, and he plays with confidence. McMillan has the mentality he is going to win every battle with the defender.
With Washington being so explosive in the passing game, there are a lot of questions on how effective the Huskies ground game is? The Huskies have yet to be put into a position where it needed the ground game to come through, but as of now, the 102nd-ranked ground attack at 126 yards per game has done just enough to change the pace for their elite passing game.
While Washington has question marks on its ground game, Oregon’s ground attack perfectly complements its potent passing attack. The Ducks average 6.98 yards per rush, which leads the nation.
Leading the Ducks ground game is Bucky Irving, who is fourth in the Pac-12 with 8.24 yards per carry. Oregon’s depth at running back is also strong. Jordan James and Noah Whittington support Irving in creating one of the best three-headed monsters at the position in the country. Oregon is one of three teams, along with Cal and Miami, to have multiple running backs with over 100 yards rushing with multiple touchdowns.
While the Huskies receivers garner the headlines, Oregon’s receivers aren’t slouches either, led by Troy Franklin, Southern California transfer Gary Bryant Jr., and Tez Johnson. Franklin is Nix’s top target being the receiver on 21.6% of his completions and 35% of his touchdowns.
An Edge On Defense?
While neither side has really been tested all season, one of the teams has begun to distinguish themselves. Oregon possesses a Top 10 pass defense allowing only 158.8 yards per game in the air which is good for ninth in the nation.
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Anchoring the defense is cornerback Khyree Jackson, who had more pass breakups last week against Colorado (three), than passing yards surrendered (two).
Washington is ranked 99th in pass defense in the country, allowing 246.3 yards per game. The Huskies pass defense allowed last week against Cal, who got 363 yards against Washington last week, most of which came late after Washington subbed out its starters.
While neither side has been incredibly challenged, Oregon has been more consistent.
Verdict: Oregon
Washington’s pass offense has been poetry in motion offensively. There is no other pass attack in the country as good as the Huskies, but once you shift your focus to other aspects of football is where Oregon chips away and comes away with the edge.
Oregon is a complete football team right now. Nix may not be better than Penix, but he isn’t far off. The same can be said about the wide receiver comparison, but when you start talking about offensive line, running backs, and defense, I like Oregon here.
Hopefully, Lanning clicks on this piece, and I can friendly remind him that you cannot outthink yourself in critical moments that cost wins, that is what he did against Washington and Oregon State last season. Lanning has the superior team. Just don’t give away another Border War game.
