Can the Huskies Play Oregon Again
The Oregon Ducks' rivalry with the Washington Huskies doesn't have a nickname.
Nor do the two teams play for a fancy trophy. But one thing the football rivalry does have is a lot of spice.
Not that there needed to be any gasoline thrown on the fire with the Ducks and Huskies playing this week, but Washington coach Jimmy Lake had some interesting comments regarding Oregon and the recruiting competition between the two schools.
During his press conference Monday, Lake said he doesn't believe the seventh-ranked Ducks are the Huskies' No. 1 recruiting rival.
"No, I don't think so," Lake said. "I think that is way more pumped up than it is. Our battles are really — the schools that we go against are way more … have academic prowess, like the University of Washington.
"Notre Dame. Stanford. USC. We go with a lot of battles toe-to-toe all the way to the end with those schools. So I think that's made up in your world. In our world, we battle more academically prowess teams."
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While Lake is trying to downplay the rivalry with the Ducks when it comes to recruiting, the recent competition has been one-sided, on and off the field.
Oregon has won the last two games in the series and 14 of the past 16. Also, the Ducks are blowing away the Huskies when it comes to recruiting.
Oregon is currently ranked eighth in the 247Sports 2022 Composite rankings as the Ducks have 11 five- or four-star commitments. Washington is 54th in the 247Sports 2022 Composite rankings as with just three four-star commitments. Last year, Oregon was 30 spots better in the recruiting battle as the Ducks finished sixth while the Huskies were 36th.
When asked about the rivalry, Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said the Ducks are just focusing on themselves and improving each week.
"I think the intensity of rivalry games take care of themselves," Cristobal said. "The important part is making sure that we're investing in our preparation, practice, the way that we do everything.
"We have a 1-0 approach and a mentality for everything we do, and our plan is to stay the course and improve our 1-0 processes every single week. That's what works for us, that's what we're focused on."
More:Oregon Ducks remain at No. 7 in the latest AP Top 25
Oregon has won the last two Pac-12 championships and the Ducks are trying to make their second appearance in the College Football Playoff. The Ducks' only appearance came in 2022 when they lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the national championship. Oregon and Washington (2016) are the only Pac-12 teams that have qualified for the College Football Playoff.
At 7-1, the Ducks are the Pac-12's only chance to make the College Football Playoff this season. After an embarrassing loss to FCS Montana to begin the season, Washington sits at 4-4 and 3-2 in the Pac-12. .
More:Pac-12 football standings
Saturday will be the first time the Ducks and Huskies have played in two seasons. Washington canceled last year's game against Oregon because of COVID-19 issues, and Oregon also replaced Washington in the Pac-12 title game because of similar COVID-related problems.
After the 31-24 overtime loss to Stanford on Oct. 2, Oregon has won its last three games, including a 52-29 victory over Colorado on Saturday. In recent weeks, Washington has also played better as the Huskies have won two straight against Arizona and Stanford.
More:Oregon Ducks' true freshmen shine in win over Colorado Buffaloes
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux fully understands how important the rivalry against Washington is. He took an official visit to Autzen Stadium the week Oregon defeated Washington 30-27 in overtime in 2018. Thibodeaux was also on the Ducks team that beat the Huskies the following year, 35-31, on a late Justin Herbert touchdown pass to Jaylon Redd.
During the win at Husky Stadium in 2019, Thibodeaux said, he noticed how intense the visiting crowd was toward the Duck players.
"Knowing there's real hate in people's hearts for this game and for us," Thibodeaux said. "Just being able to go there and quiet down the crowd and being able to put it out there, you kind of feel it.
"It's why we play, for the rivalries, for the big games. Just being able to show what we got and put up a fight, it's going to be fun."
No. 7 UO football at Washington
4:30 p.m. Husky Stadium, SeattleTV: ABC. Radio: KUJZ-FM (95.3) and KUGN-AM (590).
Contact Antwan Staley at astaley@registerguard.com and follow him on Twitter @antwanstaley.
Source: https://www.registerguard.com/story/sports/college/football/2021/11/02/oregon-ducks-rivalry-washington-huskies-reaching-new-levels/6250149001/
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