Could Oregon’s single loss to Washington be the rocket fuel that’s propelled this Duck team to the heights they’re currently enjoying?
It may be hard to explain to the casual college football fan, but to the Ducks players, that very close loss to the Huskies is what’s driving their ambition to be champions.
And maybe, in a way, taking that more difficult climb to this point has made this Oregon team more focused, more cohesive, and therefore more ready for what awaits them on Friday evening at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
A rematch with the No. 3 ranked Washington Huskies.
“The loss column, that one next to it has been with us all year and I think it’s really turned our season around,” said Oregon QB Bo Nix when asked about the effects its had on his team.
“I think we’ve responded really well because of it.”
And because of that stinging loss back in October, it’s provided Nix and this team the motivation to get better and be in this position to compete for a championship.
“I think we’ve hit our stride” explained Nix.
“I think we’re playing really good. I think we’re playing really well together. I think we’ve put together a rhythm. I think we have just gotten a lot better as the years gone on. And week by week we’ve been making improvements and we’ve put ourselves in a good position.”
And clear evidence of that is Nix’s numbers he’s stringing together over the last two months.
Nix leads the country in passing yards per game with 325 and also ranks second in passing touchdowns with 37.
In addition, Nix also leads the nation in completion percentage at 78.6% and will break the NCAA record of 77.4 if he continues on this torrid pace.
And then, of course, there’s the Heisman Trophy.
Heisman voters are waiting to cast their vote until Nix plays in this final Pac-12 Championship game, but he’s certainly the odds-on favorite to bring home the trophy if he and the Ducks win on Friday.
A lot of the reason why Nix has had success this season is because of the Duck offensive line.
( TUESDAY BRIEFING ) OREGON CENTER JACKSON POWERS-JOHNSON GOES IN-DEPTH ON QB BO NIX AND FACING WASHINGTON A SECOND TIME
The O’line is in line for the prestigious Joe Moore Award which is given each year to the best offensive line in college football. It’s led by ( Jr. ) center Jackson Powers-Johnson, who along with his linemates has kept Nix upright and on his feet in order for him to be as productive as he’s being.
The Oregon offensive line, a unit that didn’t have much experience coming into the season, has allowed just five sacks. The talent was there on paper, but the unit had to gel and build a chemistry.
They’ve done that and then some and here they are on the precipice of not just a conference title, but possibly an invitation to play for a national title.
( TUESDAY BRIEFING ) BO NIX DISCUSSES REMATCH WITH NO. 3 WASHINGTON