5 Keys To A Washington Victory In the Pac-12 Championship Game
After becoming the first and only Pac-12 team to get through a regular season 12-0, the Washington Huskies are nearly 10-point underdogs in the conference championship game against Oregon.
The Huskies beat the Ducks 36-33 on Oct. 14 and, despite struggling against some inferior opponents since then, here's how coach Kalen DeBoer's team can secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Stop the run
Led by running backs Bucky Irving and Jordan James, Oregon has the conference's best rushing attack, averaging 188 yards per game. The Huskies have allowed 132 rushing yards per contest in November, but have received a boost in run support over the past two weeks from linebacker Carson Bruener.
With a healthy Tuli Letuligasenoa at defensive tackle and Bruener stepping in at linebacker, the Huskies have all the necessary pieces to counter Oregon's run game.
Tackle
Tackling will be key against Irving, who has forced 61 missed tackles this season, according to Pro Football Focus, and against Oregon's talented group of pass catchers, too. Wide receivers Troy Franklin and Tez Johnson do an effective job of creating yards after the catch, but could be limited if Washington's secondary doesn't allow ball carriers to slip through its grasp.
Bruener and fellow linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio could be big factors in the game, as the pair have combined for 48 tackles over the Huskies' past two games.
Contain Bo Nix
Washington's defense had trouble keeping Nix in the pocket in the first matchup but could deploy a different defensive front to help contain Oregon's quarterback.
The coaching staff has used edge rushers Jacob Lane and Voi Tunuufi at defensive tackle in obvious passing downs to help chase after mobile quarterbacks in recent weeks and that paid off in the Apple Cup, where the Huskies came up with 5 sacks of Washington State quarterback Cam Ward.
Keeping Nix in the pocket and not allowing him to extend drives with his legs will create more opportunities for Washington's offense.
Involve Ja'Lynn Polk Early
In the biggest game of the year, Polk needs to return to form after struggling with drops and not recording a catch in the past two games.
"He's one of the toughest kids I know and he knows how to dust himself off and get back up there," UW offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said during his Monday news conference. "He has to know that the coaching staff loves him and believes in him, and he'll be great."
Washington's offensive coordinator could take a similar approach to how he utilized Jalen McMillan in the Apple Cup by deploying him on quick routes for a few easy catches before sending him downfield later in the game.
Protect Michael Penix Jr.
Oregon's pass rush has done a credible job in getting after the quarterback, recording 32 sacks during the regular season. Washington's offensive line has allowed 9 sacks and held its own against the Ducks' defensive line in the first meeting between the teams.
Right guard Julius Buelow didn't play in that matchup and will boost the pass protection and provide length to the interior of the Huskies' offensive line. Defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus got a push up front for the Ducks in that game, but could have some trouble with the 6-foot-9 Buelow.
A clean pocket with a full complement of wide receivers could help Penix throw for more than 300 yards for just the second time since the beginning of November.
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