UW vs. Oregon

Herald Staff

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m., at Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Ore.

TV, radio: Channel 4, KOMO radio (1000 AM).

Washington: 3-0, 0-0 in Pacific-10 Conference play.

Oregon: 3-1, 1-0 in Pacific-10 Conference play.

Washington: Rick Neuheisel, 43-19-0 in his sixth season, his second at Washington.

Oregon: Mike Bellotti, 65-46-2 in his 11th season, in his sixth at Oregon.

Washington: Quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo hopes to break out of a nagging turnover problem – he has five interceptions in three games – and figures to come back strong against the Ducks. Part of the reason: Washington’s running game, which pounded Oregon for 256 yards in last year’s 34-20 UW victory. Paul Arnold showed signs at Colorado of breaking out of his tentative mode. Fullback Pat Conniff might be big here, with thrusts up the middle and the occasional flare pass. UW wideouts, disappointing against Colorado, must have a better day. With Will Hooks (irregular heartbeat) out, Todd Elstrom and true freshman Justin Robbins have to keep UO’s defense honest by holding onto the ball. Tight end Jerramy Stevens, the Huskies’ leading receiver, has to exploit a small Duck secondary. On defense, tackle Larry Tripplett looks to continue his astonishing play and linebacker Derrell Daniels has to keep tailback Maurice Morris from breaking a big play. The secondary, led by safety Hakim Akbar and corner Anthony Vontoure, has to blanket big-play receivers Marshaun Tucker and Keenan Howry.

Oregon: Morris is a dynamic back who will be tested by Washington’s front seven. Joey Harrington continues the Duck tradition of great quarterbacks with 839 passing yards, although he’s completing just 48 percent of his throws. Tucker and Howry, after a day of the drops against Wisconsin, have suddenly turned dependable, and Tucker is averaging better than 21 yards a catch. On defense, end Saul Patu has four sacks and linebacker Matt Smith is a 245-pound freight train against the run. Corner Rashad Bauman, at 5 feet 8 inches, is among the conference leaders in passes defended and interceptions.

Washington: WR Chris Juergens (knee) is out; NT Ossim Hatem (elbow) is questionable; LB Ben Mahdavi (ankle) is questionable; FS Owen Biddle (ankle) is questionable; WR Wilbur Hooks (irregular heartbeat) is out.

Oregon: DE Ed Wangler (ankle) is questionable; SS Ryan Mitchell (ankle) is probable.

Washington: Overpower Oregon and control the ball. On defense, don’t give up big plays. Shut out the crowd. An early touchdown to quiet things down wouldn’t hurt.

Oregon: Pressure Tuiasosopo and strike early to get the crowd even more into the game than it already is. Double Tripplett to protect Harrington and don’t let him go wild.

Bottom line: Washington’s bye week may offset Oregon’s built-in advantage at Autzen. It comes down to which team is better. Washington’s huge offensive front line may break the game here.

Pick: Washington, 31-30.

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