JASON SAYS: Don't bet against Bellotti, Ducks in opener

By Jason Vondersmith

The Portland Tribune, Aug 28, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

It's hard to imagine that Washington has the talent, schemes and moxie to play at Autzen Stadium and pull off what would be an enormous win.

No, if the Ducks somehow lose Saturday night, it'll be their fault – bad quarterback play, turnovers, allowing big plays (like last year against UW) and letting QB Jake Locker loose to do his stuff. But I just don't see it.

The Ducks have had one awful opener in the coach Mike Bellotti era, the 30-24 debacle against Indiana in 2004. That was the first step toward the Ducks' only losing season under him. He's 11-2 in openers, also losing at Michigan State in 1999.

The Ducks have solid talent all over the field and a big line that helped Oregon put 661 yards of offense (465 rushing) on the Huskies last year in Seattle. That's physical domination. The Ducks have speed on defense to contend with Locker and UW's fast receivers. Add to the equation that it'll be a warm night for the 7 p.m. game, with a riled-up Autzen Stadium crowd. And, no matter how badly the Ducks have beaten the Huskies the past four years, the Oregon players realize they have to play well to beat their rivals again.

"Juices are flowing," Bellotti says. Playing the Huskies in the season opener "got our players' attention."

Of opening with a Pac-10 game, "in some ways it's good," Bellotti says. "You start off with a lesser (nonleague) opponent, you don't learn about your team."

A win would be Oregon's fifth consecutive against the once-proud Huskies, whose coach, Tyrone Willingham, has his detractors up north.

"I don't really pay attention to that," Bellotti says, of the win streak. "Every year is a new year. You have to prepare your team. Looking at the past is wasted time."

Quarterback Justin Roper needs to play well for the home team. But the Ducks simply have better players than Washington, although Locker sure would look good in coordinator Chip Kelly's spread offense, wouldn't he?

THE PICK: Oregon 38, Washington 20

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