The Oregon Ducks have beaten the Washington Huskies nine years in a row, but UW still owns UO in the overall series 51 wins to 38. Saturday’s matchup in Seattle will be huge for both teams. Washington will be looking to rebound after suffering its first loss of the season at Stanford last weekend, and Oregon hopes to keep its undefeated record intact and will have to deal with what is sure to be a raucous crowd in Husky Stadium.
Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich grew up in Oregon and understands the nature of the rivalry, but he continues to stress that the team doesn’t circle games on the calendar and that preparation is key.
“I certainly get the nature of the rivalry and understand all that goes into that,” Helfrich said. “Our best part of that is to have great preparation. We want to get as far as we possibly can out of our comfort zone in every way, mentally, physically, emotionally, because in the game there’s gonna be some high anxiety situations that we wanna be ready for.”
None of the previous 11 meetings between the two schools have ended with less than a 17-point deficit on either side. And while this may be the best Ducks team we’ve seen in that span, the same claim could be made about the Huskies.
“Yeah I think that’s a fair statement,” Helfrich said when asked if Washington is the best team they’ve faced this season. “I think certainly the most complete team we’ve played. They’ve got a lot of big, fast, talented guys. Their schemes have changed to accentuate that athleticism and some of their skill guys.”
When asked if this was the best Washington team Oregon has faced in Helfrich’s coaching tenure at Oregon (five years), he thought for a moment and said “probably.”
Running back De’Anthony Thomas’ status for Saturday is still unclear, and even the man himself isn’t sure whether or not he’ll play this weekend. Thomas hasn’t practiced this week but did have his walking boot removed, which Thomas says he enjoys.
“I haven’t practiced this week but I’ve been in drills and stuff like that, just getting better and just trying to jog a little bit and stuff like that,” Thomas said. “Not really sure (if I’ll play) but it’s still early in the week and I’m still trying to work hard and get back to normal. It’s nice to walk around with two shoes on.”