10/16/2016 football Edit

Washington opens as 29 point favorite vs Oregon State; Remain Top 5

Jake Browning points toward an Oregon defender before scoring Washington's first touchdown. (Todd Stefan/TheDawgReport.com)

Lars Hanson • TheDawgReport

Publisher

Washington returns from its bye week already a 29-point favorite against Oregon State, who have only one conference victory in 2016.

The Huskies used the bye week to hit the recruiting trail and heel up wide receiver Chico McClatcher and right guard Shane Brostek. A source told Rivals over a week ago that McClatcher will play against the Beavers, with UW electing to rest the sophomore vs Oregon who was out with a sprained knee, source said.

Petersen showed that Washington could afford to rest McClatcher with the continued emergence of freshmen Andre Baccellia and Aaron Fuller. Neither recorded a catch against Oregon, but have proved solid depth when called upon this season.

That depth is likely going to be used once again Saturday with the Beavers coming into Husky Stadium at 1-3 in the Pac-12 and 2-4 overall, tied with Oregon for worst in the Pac-12 North.

Washington will take its No.3 scoring offense against an OSU defense that has allowed 30 points per game, which ranks 88th in the country.

Dante Pettis hauls in a catch against Oregon safety Khalil Oliver (Todd Stefan/TheDawgReport.com)

Adding to the woes for OSU head coach Gary Anderson, starting quarterback Darell Garretson suffered an injury in the 4th quarter against Utah. The Beavers finished the game with third-string quarterback Marcus McMaryion, who could start against UW this weekend.

Backup quarterback Connor Blount also suffered a foot injury against Utah, which forced the Beavers to turn to McMaryion who does have starts under his belt. He started against Oregon in the Civil War last season, a 52-42 loss for OSU, and started or appeared in six other games in 2015.

The Huskies remain ranked No.5 in the country according the newly released Associated Press Top 25 poll. Washington is now just 33 points behind No.4 Clemson (7-0), and 64 points behind No.3 Michigan (6-0).

Washington is ranked in the top 10 playing OSU for the first time since Nov. 10, 2001, when the Beavers upset No.8 UW in Corvallis. The calendar date still remains Jan. 1, 2001, the last time UW finished a season in the top five.