#5 OREGON (11-1) vs #3 WASHINGTON (12-0); 8 PM ET; Friday; ABC … College football fans can only hope that the Pac-12 title game is anywhere near as good as their regular season game back on October 14th when the teams combined for almost 950 yards of total offence and was only decided when the Ducks missed a potential game-trying 45-yard FG as time expired. Certainly, there’s more at stake this time around as the winner almost automatically will qualify for the CFP 4-team playoff. Its also a great opportunity for pro scouts to get another look at the two QBs – Bo Nix (#10, 6-2, 220) of Oregon and Washington’s Michael Penix – both of whom are right in the mix of leading Heisman contenders after sterling seasons, but both still have their detractors as potential franchise pros. In fact, the duo were 1-2 in the country in passing yards per game with both passing for just under 4,000 yards. Along the way Nix, in particular, completed a quite remarkable 78% of his throws tops in the FBS, while throwing for 37 TDs against just two picks. Meanwhile, Penix hit on 66% of his passes including 32 for scores, but did have 8 picks.
It certainly hasn’t hurt that both Nix and particularly Penix have outstanding receiver corps to work with. The HUskies’ receivers, for example, include Rome Odunze (#1, 6-3, 215), who appears to be in the mix to be one of the first 4-5 receivers off the board next April, along with rising junior Ja’Lynn Polk (#2, 6-2, 205) and veteran possession receiver Jalen McMillan (#11, 6-0, 195). Nix also has a terrific receiver to work with in WR Troy Franklin (#11, 6-2, 195), a rising big-play threat who finished 3rd in the nation with almost 1,400 receiving yards, while he tied for second in receiving TDs (with Ohio State star Marvin Harrison among others).
The Ducks also have an emerging star on the offensive front in C Jackson Powers-Johnson (#58, 6-3, 320) who has a chance to be the top prospect at the position if he ultimately opts to enter the draft. For good measure. Oregon also has an underrated RB Bucky Irving (#0, 5-10, 195), who isn’t all that big, but is an elusive runner who is averaging a lusty 8 yards per carry this season, while he’s also a good receiver who can make plays in space. On the other side of the ball, the Ducks have a couple of DEs with some upside in Brandon Dorlus (#3, 6-3, 290) and Jordan Burch (#1, 6-6, 290), both of who have good size with the potential to contribute as 5-tech DEs in a 3-4 scheme with the pass-rush ability to kick inside on passing downs. Meanwhile, other Huskies to watch include LT Troy Fantanu (#55, 6-4, 320), another potential first-rounder, although he may have to ultimately kick inside as he lacks prototype length for an OT, along with DEs Bralen Trice (#8, 6-4, 275) and Zion Tupuola-Fetui (#4, 6-4, 255).
