[tps_title]Oregon at Washington[/tps_title]
[tps_header]7:30 p.m., ESPN2[/tps_header]
OREGON (3-3, 1-2) AT
WASHINGTON (3-2, 1-1)
7:30 p.m., ESPN2
Pointspread: Washington is favored by 3 points
— The line opened at pick ’em but is now in favor of Washington by 3.
— For 11 straight years the Ducks have defeated Washington. “I think it’s important to a lot of people around here, no question about it. It’s been going on, long-time rivalry, and I think it’s really important,” Washington coach Chris Petersen said of Washington fans wanting to end the streak. “I was on the other side for a while and it was really flipped, and so on both sides, I think it’s an important game up here.”
— Quarterback is the biggest question for Oregon and whether Vernon Adams is recovered from a finger injury. Adams has missed the past two games while Jeff Lockie and Taylor Alie have shared the duties.
— Last year, while still at Eastern Washington, Adams threw for seven touchdowns against the Huskies in Petersen’s first home game as Washington’s coach.
— Aside from their loss to California, the Huskies’ defense has been dominant. Washington leads the Pac-12 in total defense, rushing defense, scoring defense and red-zone defense. The last time Washington led the Pac-12 in total defense for a season was in 1991.
— Shutting down the Ducks means keeping running back Royce Freeman from controlling the game on the ground. Freeman rushed for 246 yards and two touchdowns, the eighth-highest total in school history, against Washington State last week. Utah had the most success this season, holding Freeman to 77 yards on 14 carries. Freeman needs 141 yards rushing to top 1,000 yards for the second straight season.
— Washington will be without middle linebacker Azeem Victor for the first half against Oregon after he was ejected from the win over USC for a targeting penalty in the first half.
— Oregon is last in the Pac-12 in passing defense, allowing more than 320 yards per game and a 64 percent completion percentage. That’s good news for Washington freshman quarterback Jake Browning, who has thrown three interceptions and no touchdowns in the last two games combined.
BETTING TRENDS
Oregon is 11-5 ATS in its last 16 games
Oregon is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Oregon is 18-5 SU in its last 23 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oregon’s last 6 games
Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Washington’s last 9 games
Washington is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games at home
My pick: Washington will win and cover
Steve Rivera’s pick: Oregon will win and cover
Anthony Gimino’s pick: Oregon will win and cover
