In college football, the refrain “every game matters” may sound cliché, but it’s a notion that is almost universally accepted throughout the sport.

However, as true as that is, there is no denying that certain games during the season carry with them just a little more importance than your average week.

That’s precisely the case this week as the 12th-ranked Ducks prepare to face the 25th-ranked Washington Huskies this Saturday in Seattle. Last year’s overtime thriller in Eugene was highlighted by CJ Verdell’s walk-off six-yard touchdown run which ended Oregon’s two-game slide against the Huskies, which will no doubt serve as motivation for Washington head coach Chris Petersen’s bunch as they look to make amends for last year’s failures against their hated rivals to the south.

The annual matchup between the Ducks and Huskies rarely disappoints when it comes to providing intrigue, and this year is no different, as Oregon goes into one of the most hostile environments in the Pac-12 looking to score what would be a major victory in the race for the Pac-12 North title. “Hate Week” is here, and WFOD is here to break down everything you need to know about Saturday’s opponent in Washington.

Washington Huskies

2019 record: 5-2 overall, 2-2 in Pac-12
Last game: 51-27 win at Arizona
Ranking: 25th in AP Poll/23rd in Coaches’ Poll
All-time record vs. Oregon: 60-46-5 
When and where to watch: Saturday, Oct. 19 at 12:36 p.m. (Pacific), ABC

Items of note:

• For the first time since 1933 when it was in the Pacific Coast Conference, Oregon has held its first three conference opponents to under 10 points
• Oregon has outscored its last five opponents 195-25 (39.0-5.0) with 27 touchdowns while giving up just one. All five opponents have been held to under 10 points, while the rest of the Pac-12 has combined to hold eight opponents to single digits.
• Oregon has allowed 14 trips into the red zone this season, but only two touchdowns – a rate of 14.3% that leads the nation
• Through seven games, Washington has outscored opponents 90-6 in the first quarter
• Washington hasn’t allowed an opponent to score more than 35 points in a game since a 44-30 loss at UCLA in 2014 – one of only three games in Chris Petersen’s UW tenure that an opponent has scored more than 35 points

Five Washington names you should know:

5. Myles Bryant (DB)

The Husky defensive backfield may not be quite what it was a season ago when NFL draft picks like Byron Murphy and Taylor Rapp were patrolling the secondary, but it would be a mistake to underestimate Washington defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake’s current bunch. A big reason why is senior nickel back Myles Bryant, who serves as not only perhaps the best player for the Huskies on defense, but also as one of the team’s biggest spiritual leaders. An All-Pac-12 Second Team honoree a season ago, Bryant entered this season as a Preseason All-Pac-12 First Teamer, as well as a watch list nominee for the Nagurski, Thorpe, and Bednarik awards. And he’s done little to prove he’s been undeserving of that recognition. Through seven games, Bryant leads the Huskies in tackles (44), ranks second in tackles for loss (4.5) and interceptions (2), and has a sack and a forced fumble to his name. He’s a do-everything type of player for this rugged Washington defense.

4. Aaron Fuller (WR)

Based on stature alone, he may not appear to be one of the Pac-12’s best receivers at first glance, but there’s a definite star quality to Aaron Fuller’s game. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds, Fuller plays much bigger than his indicated height and weight, proving to be a dynamic receiving threat both in the short, intermediate, and deep passing game. His ability to make contested catches has a way of frustrating opponents, which the McKinney, Texas native often uses to his advantage. He’ll have a difficult test getting loose against one of the nation’s best secondaries in Oregon, but Fuller is more than capable. The senior currently ranks third in the conference in catches (40) and receiving yards (588), and ranks tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (5).

3. Hunter Bryant (TE)

As the Huskies prepare to face one of the nation’s top defenses in Oregon, Washington quarterback Jacob Eason may have no better friend on Saturday than tight end Hunter Bryant. Next to Oregon’s Jacob Breeland, who will miss the remainder of the season due to injury, Washington’s Bryant has been the Pac-12’s most productive receiving tight end. Entering the weekend, the junior ranks first among the conference’s tight ends in receptions (27) and second in receiving yards (387) to go along with one touchdown. At 6-foot-2 and 239 pounds, Bryant can be a tricky matchup for opposing defenses, often being too big for defensive backs to body up, while also being too quick and athletic for opposing linebackers. The Ducks have done well to limit teams through the air this season, but Bryant’s ability to find open spaces, make timely catches, and move the chains could make him invaluable to Washington’s chances at securing the victory.

2. Salvon Ahmed (RB)

Though it hasn’t always been on display this season, the Washington offense certainly has an explosive element to it given the weapons that reside on that side of the ball. Perhaps no other player personifies that quality more completely than running back Salvon Ahmed. In fact. when healthy and humming, there may be no player in the conference who as dangerous as the Kirkland, Wash. native. At 5-foot-11 and 196 pounds, Ahmed’s speed is his most impressive quality, as a sliver of daylight is often all Ahmed needs to make opposing defenses pay dearly. Though he has missed a game this season due to injury, Ahmed is still among top ground gainers in the Pac-12, ranking third in rushing yards (522) and tied for second in rushing touchdowns (6). Outside of Eason, no player is more critical to Washington’s success Saturday than Ahmed.

1. Jacob Eason (QB)

Next to Oregon’s Justin Herbert, there may not be a more prototypical quarterback in the conference, if not the country, than Washington’s Jacob Eason. The frustrating part for Husky fans is that there may not be a bigger enigma either. In his first full season as the Huskies starting quarterback, Eason has displayed moments of brilliance, showing off tremendous arm strength and big play potential in the passing game. Through seven contests, Eason ranks second in the Pac-12 in passing yards (1,692), fourth in passing touchdowns (13), and fifth in completion percentage (66.0); strong numbers that speak to his immense physical ability. The issue, however, has been Eason’s lackluster performance against Power 5 competition.

In four games against Power 5 opponents this season, Eason has completed just 57 percent of his passes for 791 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Add that to the 15 games he appeared in against Power 5 opponents over the course of two seasons at Georgia, and the numbers are even less impressive, as Eason has completed just 55.2 percent of his passes for 2,880 yards (151.6 yards/game), 16 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Below average numbers for a player who was considered a top five recruit nationally coming out of Lake Stevens High School in Washington. Needless to say, Eason will need to aggressively outperform what he’s done historically against Power 5 teams facing the best defense he has come against thus far this season. If he does that, it’s hard to imagine Washington walking away with an “L.”