Early ESPN analytics projection heavily favors Oregon Ducks vs. Washington Huskies
By Ethan Lee
Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks are getting the benefit of the doubt from ESPN’s Matchup Predictor and Football Power Index. When it comes to the regular season finale between the Ducks and Jedd Fisch’s Washington Huskies, the Ducks are given an incredible chance of winning by the Matchup Predictor tool.
Which is frustrating to think about when considering how Washington has won the last three meetings with the Ducks, but that’s not the only context that’s being considered here. There are a lot of factors that ESPN’s Matchup Predictor and Football Power Index will look at. Recent wins in a rivalry is not one of them.
The fact that the Huskies lost 41 players from last season’s roster does likely influence things a bit. This is functionally a brand new Washington football team. Oregon, on the other hand, is building upon last season’s success in the eyes of many.
And that’s why they’re being given a much better chance of winning this rivalry game.
Pre-week 1 ESPN analytics projection favors Oregon Ducks for late season matchup with Washington Huskies
When looking at ESPN's Matchup Predictor and Football Power Index, the Huskies currently have just a 10.6 percent chance of finding a way to beat the Oregon Ducks, who rank third in the nation heading into this season.
I’ve noted elsewhere and I’ll note it here, Washington hasn’t played a game yet. This prediction is before week one has fully unfolded. So, take things with a grain of salt here because you can expect to see plenty of change between now and the final regular season game in 2024.
And Washington Husky football fans have to hope that Fisch and the Huskies will find a way to continue their winning streak against the Oregon Ducks. Technically speaking, the Huskies still have a chance of winning this game and even ESPN’s matchup predictor agrees with that assessment right now.