How the Washington Huskies Can Beat the Oregon Ducks in 2012

After eight straight years of losing to Oregon, will 2012 be the year the Huskies break through?

Even though the Ducks still look strong on paper, all streaks must end sometime. Everything will have to go just right for the Huskies to stop the Ducks this year. Let's take a look at what could happen to reverse the trend.

Hire Assistant Coaches Who Know a Little Something About the Ducks

Oh, wait, Husky head coach Steve Sarkisian has already done that.

In case you don't recognize Washington's new defensive coordinator, that young warrior in the photo is Justin Wilcox. Wilcox and new linebackers coach Peter Sirmon both played for the Ducks in the '90s.

Of course, Chip Kelly wasn't around these parts then, but most of Oregon's assistant coaches who coached Wilcox and Sirmon are still on the Ducks' payroll.

It's not unrealistic to imagine Wilcox and Sirmon know a little bit about how long-time Oregon assistants Nick Aliotti, Steve Greatwood, Don Pellum and Gary Campbell think.

It's also not unrealistic to imagine the hiring of Wilcox and Sirmon went over like a lead balloon in Eugene.

Will their prior experience in Duckville be beneficial to the Huskies in 2012? Can't hurt.

Improve on Defense...Duh

There are only two ways to beat the Ducks: Score more than they do, or keep them from scoring so much.

My vote goes to trying to keep the Ducks' powerful offense off the field as much as possible. That was very difficult for the Huskies in 2011 when their defense gave up more than 33 points per game and more than 426 average yards per game.

The good news is that Washington really filled some major defensive holes with its strong 2012 recruiting class. The Huskies' only chance to beat the Ducks and compete in the Pac-12 North Division is to get these new recruits into the system as quickly as possible.

Obviously, Shaq Thompson at safety was a great get. A talented kid like him can definitely have an impact as a freshman. If Thompson had been in a Husky uniform, I suspect the Alamo Bowl would have had a different ending.

Do you suppose Oregon may have recruited Thompson as much to keep him off an opposing Pac-12 defense as it did to add to its own defense? Hmmm.

Given the sorry state of Washington's 2011 defense, I also expect other Husky recruits like defensive end Pio Vatuvei, borrowed-from-Oregon State cornerback Cleveland Wallace (stolen is such an ugly word, don't you think?), cornerback Brandon Beaver and defensive back Darien Washington to all contribute early. 

Take Advantage of What Might Be a Weaker Running Game for the Ducks

In the 2011 game, Oregon rushed for 212 yards (156 of that from NFL-bound running back LaMichael James), while the Huskies managed only 82 yards on the ground.

Replacing James, who has torched the Huskies the past few years, will be Kenjon Barner, who now takes over as Oregon's lead back. While also very talented, it remains to be seen if Barner can fill James' prolific shoes.

Oregon has other running backs to help fill the hole left by James—De'Anthony Thomas, anyone?—but there might be just a sliver of hope that the Ducks' running game might not be as strong as in 2011.

The Huskies might be able to capitalize on this since the UW vs. Oregon matchup comes fairly early in the season (Oct. 6), before the Ducks' running game evolves.

Make the Most of Keith Price's Skills

Anyone who watched the Alamo Bowl will tell you that Keith Price outplayed Robert Griffin III, this year's Heisman Trophy winner.

With the departure of Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas to the NFL, Price should be the dominant QB when the Huskies play the Ducks in Eugene on Oct. 6. He should also be the dominant QB in most of the games UW will play in 2012.

But for Price to realize his full potential, other offensive players must do their part in 2012. I'm talking to you, offensive line and receivers.

I'm expecting TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, with his combo of speed and size (6'6", 285 lbs.), to be a prime target for Price this year. Kasen Williams will also play a strong receiving role, as the Huskies lose top receivers Jermaine Kearse and Devin Aguilar from their 2011 team.

Redshirts Cody Bruns and Di'Andre Campbell will also see action.

All of Price's receiving targets must step up, especially until Chris Polk's replacement gets some experience in the lead running back role. 

Believe You Can Win

Yes, the Ducks have won eight straight. Yes, it's been a long time since Washington has competed in the conference, much less nationally.

But this seems as good a time as any to point out that the Huskies lead the all-time series with the Ducks 58-40-5.

Winning and losing streaks come and go; that's why we play the game. Upsets happen. And that's also why they actually play the game instead of bestowing the W on the team that's supposed to win.

Over and over again, the team that wants it the most is usually the team that wins. And, wanting to win is often the beginning of believing you can win.

Is 2012 the year the Huskies finally beat the Ducks?