SEATTLE – By far the game of the year in the Pac-12 is the week eight matchup between No. 12 Oregon and No. 25 Washington at Husky Stadium this Saturday.

The Ducks (5-1, 3-0) have won five consecutive games since their season-opening loss in Dallas, Texas against Auburn 27-21. Against conference opponents Oregon has won all three of its game by an average of three touchdowns (22.3 points).

However, of the six games Oregon has played to date through week seven, only three – Auburn, Stanford and California – have been against legitimate competition.

The Tigers, ranked No. 11 in the latest Associated Press top 25 poll, currently sit third in the Southeastern Conference West at 5-1 overall, 2-1 in conference.

Even though the defeat likely sunk the Ducks chances at a College Football Playoff berth in 2019, if this past weekends 20-17 upset of No. 3 Georgia revealed anything it served as a reminder: take care of your business, and that will take care of the rest.

The Cardinal (3-3, 2-2) hold the tie breaker over UW in the standings having defeated the Huskies 23-13 at home in week six. If the Huskies continue to win and improve then that loss will not factor into the equation at the end of regular season.

Since redshirt sophomore quarterback Chase Garbers went down with a shoulder injury in week five against Arizona State, the Golden Bears (4-2, 1-2) haven’t been the same. Cal is tied with Oregon State for fourth in the North Division and ahead of Washington State (3-3, 0-3).

Both Stanford and California held the Ducks to 21 points or fewer on offense, the same amount that Oregon scored against Auburn in its lone defeat in 2019. However, neither Pac-12 team could move the ball against the Ducks defense with the Cardinal and Golden Bears combining to score a mere 13 points.

For the UW defense, preventing the Oregon offense from developing a run game is paramount to success.

Three Players to Watch vs Oregon