Pac-12 Championship Game 2023: Early Preview, Predictions for Oregon vs. Washington
The rematch every college football fan has been waiting for takes place in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
The Oregon Ducks and Washington Huskies will square off on Friday night in Las Vegas with a College Football Playoff spot likely on the line.
Washington won the first meeting in come-from-behind fashion thanks to a game-winning drive led by Michael Penix Jr.
Since that win, Washington needed a handful of clutch plays from Penix to remain undefeated.
Oregon found another level since losing in Seattle on October 14. The Ducks have six straight double-digit wins and Bo Nix turned himself into one of the Heisman Trophy front-runners.
The Heisman may also be on the line inside Allegiant Stadium. Nix. Penix and LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels should be the top three vote earners. The two Pac-12 quarterbacks play Friday, while Daniels' regular season is over.
Oregon Enters in Better Form
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Oregon looked like the better team since its first meeting with Washington.
The Ducks ran rampant through the second half of their Pac-12 schedule. They scored at least 30 points and won by double digits in every contest of their six-game winning streak.
Nix looked especially strong during the winning run. He finished the regular season with four straight 360-yard passing performances and 16 passing touchdowns in his last four contests.
The Oregon quarterback also scored four times on the ground during the winning run.
Defensively, the Ducks held four of their last five opponents under 20 points and that could be the difference against Washington.
The Ducks gave up 36 points to Washington on October 14, but it held the Huskies to 14 points in the second half.
Oregon forced Washington into two punts and a turnover on downs in between those two second-half touchdowns.
Dan Lanning's side knows what it takes to slow down Penix, and with the way it is playing defense, it could take him off the field quickly in some instances.
With the way Nix is playing, the Oregon offense can be trusted to create separation on the scoreboard, and in the process, secure a CFB Playoff spot and lock in the Heisman for the quarterback.
Washington Set for Another Close Game
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Washington has not an easy run up to the Pac-12 Championship Game.
The Huskies have not had a double-digit win since September 23 and they won their last two games by a combined five points.
Washington experienced the exact opposite form as Oregon, but it has found a way to pull out victories every week.
The Huskies used a gutsy fourth-down call in their own territory to keep their game-winning drive going against the Washington State Cougars on Saturday.
Penix's call on that option play and his performance in the fourth quarter helped the Huskies remain undefeated.
The left-handed quarterback must be at his best to solve the Oregon defense for a second time this season, and if he does, he could put himself at the front of the Heisman race ahead of Nix and Daniels.
Prediction
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Oregon 34, Washington 27
Oregon played the more consistent football since the first meeting with Washington.
The Ducks should be favored in Las Vegas despite being further down the rankings than the Huskies.
Washington should enter Allegiant Stadium in a CFB Playoff position, one that Oregon can take with a victory.
Oregon's defense can be trusted more to get stops against Penix, and this time around, it needs to make sure there is a larger gap in the fourth quarter so that the Huskies can't produce more fourth-quarter heroics.
Friday night could also turn into a Heisman coronation for Nix, who is looking to become the second straight Pac-12 quarterback to win the award after Caleb Williams earned it in 2022.
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