Washington Huskies at Oregon Ducks
Saturday, 11/6/2010, 3:30 PM EST, TV: ABC
Opening Point Spread: Oregon -27
Current Betting Line: Oregon -36
Opening Total: 65.5
Current Total: 68
Washington will be facing its sixth ranked opponent in the last seven games when heading to Eugene, Oregon to battle the Ducks on Saturday afternoon. The Huskies virtually hit rock bottom last week in a 41-0 home loss to the Stanford Cardinal, entering the fourth quarter with just 54 yards of offense. “We obviously hit rock bottom,” said head coach Steve Sarkisian. To make matters worse in facing the top-ranked team in the country, Washington will be without starting quarterback Jake Locker, who has a broken rib and will be replaced by freshman Keith Price. The program has played 11 games against No. 1 teams, as ranked by the Associated Press, posting a 1-9-1 record in those contests. The Huskies do lead the all-time series against the Ducks, 58-39-5, but have lost 11 of the last 15 meetings. The squad is 10-22 ATS over the last three years and the college football lines page has them listed as a five touchdown underdog.
The Huskies defense will be tested to their breaking point in this contest due to allowing 34.1 points per game, which ranks 106th in college football. Washington will be facing an offense that leads the nation with 54.9 points and 572.9 yards per game. “It’s going to be hard, a great challenge,” said Sarkisian. “I think that type of approach is one that you really need going into Autzen Stadium. The last time Washington played the No. 1 team on the road it also had a first-time quarterback. That came in 2004 when Isaiah Stanback got the start at USC, dropping a 38-0 contest.
Oregon has won a school-record six straight against the Huskies and all of the wins have come by 20 or more points. In fact, the Ducks have scored 43 or more points in four of the past five games versus today’s opponent. “We have a tendency to wear people down,” said head coach Chip Kelly. “I’m not into statements. I’m just into winning games.” His team did just that in moving its record to a perfect 8-0 with a dominating 53-32 road win over Southern California. Oregon has won all five Pac-10 games this season and is 20-3 versus conference opponents since the start of the 2008 season. The team is 4-0 ATS as a home favorite.
The Ducks mind-blowing offense is led by quarterback Darron Thomas and running back LaMichael James. Thomas has 21 touchdown passes this year and James is the NCAA’s leading rusher by averaging 172.9 yards per game on the ground. “The biggest thing is that you can never simulate their speed and things they do offensively,” said Arizona State head coach Dennis Erickson. “It’s not that they’re real physical, but they run so fast.” Through eight games they have scored 439 points and are just 106 points of the school record set in 2008.
Bettors will note that the line has gone crazy in this game and the Huskies are 0-6 ATS in the last six meetings. Oregon is 28-29 ATS in November in its last 57 opportunities.
Another saturday of gridiron action is upon us and the team of college football handicappers at Maddux Sports has plenty of winners to offer, including a 20-Unit Game of the Year!
