Good Luck Ducks, Week 10: That's Why They Play The Games

Oregon heads up north to face their top ranked conference rival. 

Last week, the Ducks were able to stop their losing skid in spite of playing without starting QB Justin Herbert for the fourth straight game. It put the young team just a win away from bowl eligibility and undoubtedly restored some confidence. This was a team that had taken quite a few lumps in October. While they're still not exactly healthy, Herbert should be back soon. A bowl game is more reachable now than ever.

On the other hand, Herbert still hasn't been declared the starter for tonight's game, where the Ducks will be taking on a Huskies team that thoroughly destroyed them last season on their own home turf. The less said about that game, the better, but tonight's game is up in Seattle. Washington is #12 in the current college football playoff rankings, which makes them the top ranked team in the conference. While no one has been unbeatable in the Pac-12 this year, the gap between the two schools has suddenly become so wide, it's resulted in Oregon being a larger underdog than any point in the last 13 seasons.

If Herbert doesn't go, the logic goes that he will have a bye week to recover. Looking ahead, the next opponent is suddenly scary Arizona (expected to be a pushover but suddenly carries its own CFP ranking) and what's left of Oregon State (suddenly extra motivated to finally win for their interim head coach.) It won't be easy. No one is expecting a Ducks victory tonight, except perhaps the players themselves. Oregon will have their hands full with Jake Browning, and you never know. As [insert old sports cliche spouting man here] always said, that's why they play the games!

Some links for you:

• One solid victory, and suddenly we're talking about Willie Taggart jumping ship? #DoSomething indeed.
• REVENGE! 
• This is what a true villain always says: "It's just another opponent"
• Justin Herbert Status Alert: Still smiling and looking 14 years old according to his official school photo. He'll never tell.
• Know Your Opponent: Hilariously, The Pick (aka "Kenny Wheaton's Gonna Score") is only ranked #5 on this list. Because UW is terrible.
• The Unis!: All white with chrome (wings) helmets. Almost full stormtrooper, but not quite.

Chris Solomona and the Ducks defense got the 12 year winning streak started in 2004.

Game time is 7:00 PM PDT. Broadcast channel is FS1. Your scheduled broadcasters are Aaron Goldsmith, A.J. Hawk and Danny Kanell. Go Ducks! Let's start another streak!