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Oregon Ducks Football: Washington by the numbers

By Brian Spaen

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The Washington Huskies are the next opponent for Oregon. Here’s what they’ve done so far this season, what’s good and bad, key matchups to watch, and betting information – all provided in numbers.

Sept 27, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Kasen Williams (2) stiff-arms away from Stanford Cardinal defender Usua Amanam (15) during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE

Quick season summary for Washington:

  • Currently 3-1 on the season, winning their Pac-12 opener against Stanford.
  • Their opening gauntlet for the Pac-12 season began with the Cardinal and continues with Oregon and USC. Conference surprises Arizona and Oregon State follow that.
  • The Huskies had their “bye” week on September 22nd after all three of their non-conference games.
  • Got pummeled 41-3 against LSU after scoring the early field goal.

What’s good about the Huskies:

  • Second-best in Pac-12 with total defense. No team has given up less pass yards (671). Nationally, they’re ranked 13th.
  • Turnover margin is +4, which ties them at second in the Pac-12 (nationally: 24th).
  • Sophomore running back Bishop Sankey – 64 attempts, 329 yards, four touchdowns.

What’s bad about the Huskies:

  • Keith Price and his inability to throw deep passes. Washington is ranked last in the Pac-12 in total number of 10+ yard passes with 31. Other teams in the country in that category: Mississippi State, Iowa State, and Kansas State.
  • Lack of depth. In the running game, Sankey has 329 of the teams’ 477 rushing yards. Wide receiver Kasen Williams and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (both sophomores) combine for 513 of the teams’ 776 receiving yards.
  • Opponents actually have outgained Washington on the ground, 588-479. They are being outgained in total offense by seven yards.

Matchups to watch:

  • Sankey vs. Oregon rush defense – the Ducks rank third in the conference, giving up just 110 yards a game on the ground.
  • Price vs. Oregon pass defense – the Ducks are in the middle of the pack thanks to a bad effort last week, but on average hold teams to 250 yards in the air.
  • Kenjon Barner vs. Washington rush defense – the Huskies are one of five Pac-12 teams that haven’t given up a 40+ yard running play yet this season.

For the bettors:

  • According to Covers, the contest opened with Oregon being a 24-point favorite and the total over/under set at 65. Since then, the total has raised a half point.
  • The Huskies are 0-5 ATS in their last five road games.
  • The Ducks are 7-0-1 ATS in their previous eight matchups, but is just 1-3 at home this season.

Brian Spaen is the lead editor for Autzen Zoo. See his banter with other FanSided writers and love for his favorite west coast professional teams by following him on Twitter.

Read his other work on the Iowa State blog, Clones Confidential, and Lacrosse the Web.