Friday night brings us the final Pac-12 championship game, at least in its current form, and it’s a good one. The game is fraught with College Football Playoff implications as No. 3 Washington and No. 5 Oregon are on the line for a possible top-four spot. The Huskies won the first meeting on their home court 36-33 on Oct. 14, en route to an undefeated regular season, but Oregon has been seeking revenge ever since.
With six wins in a row, most of them in dominant fashion, the Ducks are on the rise at the right time. The Huskies, meanwhile, have been business-wise fighting their way through a tough schedule while trying to make their first CFP appearance since 2016.
Washington’s 2016 CFP appearance was the last time a Pac-12 team reached the quadruple. Now, in the final season before the league split, two legitimate national title contenders in the Pac-12 meet for a conference title. The game will be the first since 1976 between Pac-12 schools that are both ranked in the top five of the AP Top 25 poll, and if it’s anything close to the first meeting between these teams this season, we’re in for a treat Thriller.
Follow LIVE UPDATES on the 2023 Pac-12 Championship Game as Oregon battles Washington.
How to watch Oregon vs. Washington live
Date: Friday, December 1st | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Allegiant Stadium – Paradise, Nevada
TV: ABC | Live stream: Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)
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Oregon vs. Washington: What you need to know
Impact on the Heisman Trophy: Both Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. are in full Heisman Trophy conversation heading into championship week. While LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels has more impressive stats, he doesn’t have a chance to showcase himself like Nix and Penix did this week. Nix has thrown for 3,906 yards, 37 touchdowns and two interceptions while completing a whopping 78.6% of his passes. Nix also passed for six touchdowns. Penix has thrown for 3,899 yards, 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 65.6% of his passes. He also has three rushing touchdowns. Heisman voters bring different criteria to the selection process, and for those voters who prioritize big-game performance and team success, this game could have a significant impact on the pecking order.
To throw all day: Oregon has allowed just five sacks this season, the fewest ever allowed by an FBS team. Washington ranks 110th defensively and has only accumulated 19 sacks this season. Nix should have plenty of time to throw the football – not that he necessarily needs it, as he often gets the football out quickly. The Huskies sacked Nix just once in the first meeting, which led to one of the Ducks’ two punts of the day. While applying pressure obviously pays off, the Huskies must recognize that it’s a largely fruitless endeavor against Oregon. It might be better for Washington to send seven or eight men into coverage and force the Ducks to be methodical.
Dramatic first meeting: Penix made a statement in Washington’s 36-33 win over Oregon on Oct. 14 when he led a game-winning touchdown drive that featured a 35-yard completion to Ja’Lynn Polk and an 18-yard touchdown strike for Rome Odunze was highlighted. It was one of four passing touchdowns for Penix, who got some help from his defense in tough situations. The Ducks failed to knock down all three of their fourth down conversion attempts and missed a potential game-winning field goal as time expired.
Oregon vs. Washington prediction, tips
This is the last Pac-12 football game as we know it. The league was outstanding during its swansong and the first meeting of these teams was a classic. While Oregon has been one of the most dominant teams in the country since losing to the Huskies in October, Washington simply refuses to lose. UW has a grit and toughness that should give it a narrow lead in this game, even if oddsmakers believe Oregon can win by two possessions. Pick: Washington +9.5
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