Inside the Matchup: Can Washington Upset Oregon’s Perfect Season?

SeaTown Sports previews Oregon vs. Washington with Max Torres, analyzing the Ducks' dominance, Dillon Gabriel's impact, and key matchups for the rivalry showdown.

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The stage is set for one of college football's most intense rivalries as Washington heads south of the Washington state border to face the No. 1 Oregon Ducks. To preview this high-stakes matchup, I connected with Max Torres of Scoop Duck, who broke down Oregon’s recipe for success, the play of standout quarterback Dillon Gabriel, and what to expect when these two programs collide on Saturday.

KC: Oregon is the consensus No. 1 team in the country, has a spot clinched in the Big Ten Championship, and is the last undefeated team standing in all of college football. What has been the biggest reason for the Ducks' success this season?

MT: The biggest reason for Oregon's success this season is depth. I take a pretty heavy recruiting focus with a lot of my coverage and this is the deepest Oregon team I've covered since I started covering the Ducks in 2018. They've been able to navigate injuries and also rotate players at a really good level, to the point that there isn't significant dropoff to the point where any one player or position group is a liability.

KC: Have you noticed any differences in Dan Lanning's coaching from last season to this season?

MT: Not really. He's stayed true to his identity and more specifically his aggressive approach. His aggression has helped and hurt Oregon at times, but clearly he has a good handle on when to push the envelope because the Ducks are having a great year. He's pretty buttoned-up with the media, but you can see he's all business and just wants to win.

KC: Oregon escaped with a three-point win over Wisconsin two weeks ago. Was this a slight hiccup, or a sign that Oregon will be vulnerable as the team enters its rivalry game against Washington and the postseason?

MT: I think it was a bit of both. I'm not sure I'd say it was a hiccup so much as it was a sign that they were clearly worn down from playing eight straight games and traveling to the Midwest for three of those. I do think they are a bit vulnerable though, particularly if a team can get pressure on Gabriel, take away the deep ball, and if the Ducks need to lean on any running back other than Jordan James, who has been terrific this year.

KC: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Oregon starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel? Washington fans saw Bo Nix two times last year . . . how does Gabriel compare with Oregon's signal caller from last season?

MT: Gabriel is good at a lot of things, and taking what the defense gives him has been a strength for a majority of the season. He doesn't always go for the aggressive or big play, but when he does it feels like it's at the right time. He has better legs than I think most people realize and his pocket presence has gotten better this season. He doesn't have crazy arm strength but he can put the ball where it needs to be. His red-zone turnovers have been a concern this season.

As for the comparison with Nix, I think Nix is a better overall athlete and more cerebral. To me Nix has more arm talent and is a better runner. Gabriel is shorter than Nix by a significant margin, but he does a lot of things well and is a quarterback that gives a chance in any game.

KC: Oregon cornerback Jabbar Muhammad transferred from Washington. How would you evaluate his performance for the Ducks this season?

MT: Muhammad has been solid all year. I don't think he's had the production some may have expected this year after coming over from Washington, but Oregon's defense as a whole has been playing so well he just doesn't get thrown at very much. I think he's done enough to improve his draft stock.

KC: What key matchup are you watching in Saturday's rivalry game?

MT: I'll have my eye on Oregon's offensive line against Russell Davis II. Oregon's still adjusting to being without Marcus Harper II at right guard and the unit hasn't exactly been dominant without him. We'll see if he plays Saturday. I'll also be watching Oregon's defensive front, Jordan Burch and Matayo Uiagalelei against Jonah Coleman out of the backfield.

KC: What's your prediction?

MT: My prediction is Oregon 35, Washington 14. I could see Washington sticking around in this one but Oregon is coming off of a bye week, is playing at home, and has superior talent to Washington after the Huskies' roster was gutted during the offseason.

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You can follow Max Torres’ coverage of Oregon at Scoop Duck and on X at (@mtorressports)