Huskies vs Ducks NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
The No. 2 Oregon Ducks have only faced one ranked opponent up to this point 2012, but with the No. 23 Washington Huskies coming to town this weekend, the team will try to assert their dominance in Pac-12 competition.
These two teams are bitter rivals, and no other team in the nation (aside from maybe the Oregon State Beavers) would be happier taking the Ducks out of national championship contention.
No. 23 Washington Huskies (3-1) vs. No. 2 Oregon Ducks (5-0)
Saturday October 5, 2012
Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR
10:30 PM ET
Moneyline: OFF
Spread: Oregon -24 from BetOnline
O/U: 65.5
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Washington Huskies
The Washington Huskies head into Autzen Stadium hoping to prove that their defensive performance against Stanford last week was the real deal. Oregon’s offense is among the best that the nation has to offer, but if what we saw against Stanford is what we get in week six, the playing field will be far more level than some anticipate.
The Huskies have allowed less than 20 points per contest four games into the season. They did not allow a touchdown through the air last week, and they held the Cardinal to just 13 points.
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The problem for Washington? Their offense has put up just 23.3 points per game (93rd in the nation). Quarterback Keith Price, when given the opportunity, has to be considered one of the top playmakers in the Pac-12. The problem is, he hasn’t been given that chance as of late with the kind of protection he’s received.
Even if the Huskies can slow down the Ducks’ offense, the home-field advantage alone is good enough for a few extra scores Oregon’s way. Defense can win a game against most teams, but against the Ducks, Washington is going to need points.
Oregon Ducks
The Oregon Ducks enter week six as the fourth-highest scoring team in all of college football. Redshirt freshman Marcus Mariota has been efficient at quarterback, Kenjon Barner has been a workhorse in the backfield and De’Anthony Thomas has proven to be every bit as explosive as he was in his freshman season just a year ago.
The pleasant surprise for this team has come on the defensive end. Not many have looked at the Ducks as a defensive squad in quite a while, but having allowed less than 20 points per game in 2012, Oregon is one of the better two-way teams in the nation.
Last week’s game against the Washington State Cougars epitomizes what the Ducks have done the past few years. They came out of the gate and scored the first touchdown less than two minutes into the game. Then the pace slowed down, as Washington State forced momentum back and forth until half time. The second-half, however, was all Oregon, as the team came out on the road and allowed just seven points to the Cougars en route to a 51-26 defeat. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Huskies have played the Ducks well in the first halves of their last two matchups, but have ultimately fallen short coming out of the half both times. Overall, Oregon has won the last eight meetings, and they done it convincingly.
The Ducks defense has slacked a little more than their averages indicate, as they’ve faced only one ranked opponent up to this point. Don’t be surprised if Washington comes out and strikes early, but the second-half nature of the Ducks should kick in, and they should prove once again why they’re the No. 2 team in the country.
Trends
Under is 4-1 in Huskies last 5 games overall.
Under is 4-1 in Huskies last 5 games on fieldturf.
Under is 4-1 in Huskies last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 4-1 in Huskies last 5 conference games.
O/U Pick: Under 65.5
Score Prediction: Oregon 41 – Washington 24
