Brock Huard previews No. 24 UW Huskies’ huge game at No. 6 Oregon

The biggest game yet of the UW Huskies football season is Saturday when the No. 24 Dawgs go to Autzen Stadium to take on the No. 6 Oregon Ducks.

UW Huskies back in AP Top 25 following win over Oregon State

Brock Huard, host of Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk, will be on the call as color commentator for the 4 p.m. game on FOX, so there’s no better time than now to tap into his insight for a preview.

Here’s what Brock had to say in response to our questions about the big Pac-12 matchup between the 7-2 Huskies (4-2 conference) and 8-1 Ducks (6-0).

• 1. What do Husky fans needs to know about Oregon?

If Husky fans think the Ducks team they will see Saturday night in Eugene is still the same team that lost to Georgia in the opener by 46 points, they are mistaken. This is my third time seeing the Ducks in Autzen and there is a reason they have been so dominant at home for many years now: speed. They are extremely explosive at the skill positions and their quarterback transfer, Bo Nix, leads all of college football with 35 touchdowns on the season.

• 2. What’s the key matchup for the UW Huskies?

The over/under is nearing 75 points, and that feels appropriate as both offenses are some of the best in all of college football while their respective defenses struggle in many, many areas. The 13.5-point underdog Huskies will need to steal a possession or two in special teams or via the turnover to close the gap.

• 3. Who needs to have a big game for the Dawgs?

Washington QB Michael Penix Jr., the nation’s leading passer in yards, will have to be at his very best in order for the Huskies to have a fighting chance. He sprays the ball all over the field with his plus arm talent, and scoring touchdowns in the red zone will be one of the most critical aspects of the matchup. Frankly, both offenses will frequent the red zone regularly Saturday so the defense that stiffens the most in that area will like have the best chance to pull away.

• 4. Are there encouraging things you’ve seen from the UW Huskies in recent weeks?

The offensive line play for both Oregon (one sack allowed all season) and Washington (fourth in FBS with seven sacks allowed) has been some of the best OL tape I’ve watched this year. The immense production of Penix and his cast of characters starts with what UW is doing up front, and the left side of the line has been particularly violent and dominant.

• 5. What would a win for Washington mean?

This has already been an enormous turnaround for first-year UW head coach Kalen DeBoer and his staff, but a win versus No. 6 Oregon in their building would be monumental in flushing the disappointing 2021 season into history. The Huskies have enough offense, as evidenced even in their two losses to UCLA and Arizona State where they scored 32 and 38 points, respectively. The real question for this month and for the years ahead will be whether enough game-wrecking defensive talent can come aboard to stop and/or contain the elite offenses in this conference. The Purple and Gold guys will see that electric offense Saturday. Can’t wait.

Last week: UW Huskies knock off No. 24 Beavers 24-21 on late FG

Follow @BrockHuard