UW's Receivers Could Be a Lot Better than Oregon Secondary
JaMarcus Shephard, Washington receivers coach, this week memorably called the Oregon Ducks secondary "the best pass defense in the United States of America."
With Washington's offense averaging a staggering 446.4 yards through the air, while Oregon's defense allows an average of 153.6 yards per game, Shephard's comment suggest this should be a heavyweight fight.
However, ESPN's Pete Thamel said 34 NFL scouts who are set to attend the game disagree and believe the Husky passing attack has a significant advantage.
"The scouts don't see talent in the secondary. Think about Christian Gonzalez, Oregon's great corner last year. The secondary doesn't have the talent on either side of the ball. It's going to be an aerial show on Saturday," Thamel said on ESPN's College Football Live.
Junior receiver Jalen McMillan will return after missing Washington's previous two and a half games. The Huskies already have two of the Pac-12's top five receivers in Rome Odunze, who leads the conference with 608 yards this season, and Ja'Lynn Polk, whose 468 receiving yards are the fifth most.
Adding in McMillan, who still ranks in the top 20 in the Pac-12 with 311 receiving yards despite missing two and a half games, poses a big challenge on the back end of Oregon's defense.
McMillan doesn't just have the ability to stretch the field, but he's become a reliable go-to receiver for quarterback Michael Penix Jr. McMillan is great at finding soft spots in opposing zones and picking up first downs that extend drives when the Huskies are in a tight spot.
While Oregon's defensive statistics are vastly improved from 2022, the Ducks haven't faced a test quite like Washington's air attack just yet. The Ducks have faced the 104th-ranked strength of schedule and the Husky offense, highlighted by its stellar passing attack, will present a bigger challenge.
During the matchup in Eugene last season, Penix threw for 408 yards and 2 touchdowns and Oregon has to be concerned he'll do it again.
The Huskies and Ducks likely are going to play a high-scoring game and Washington's advantage in the passing game could be the deciding factor.
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