Oregon outlasts Washington: No. 6 Ducks finish strong, in position for home game in College Football Playoff

Looking ahead, Oregon could climb to No. 5 in this week's penultimate CFP rankings, helped by a loss from previously unbeaten and No. 3 Texas A&M. That puts the Ducks on the brink of a first-round bye, though several outcomes will influence their seeding:

• Texas Tech in the Big 12 title game: a loss would help Oregon's case.

• No. 4 Georgia in the SEC title game: a loss could allow Oregon to move into the top four, although it's unlikely the selection committee punishes the Bulldogs for making a conference championship game.

• Ohio State vs. Indiana in the Big Ten title game: a blowout by either team could shake the top four as well, but again, unlikely.

If Oregon ends up as a No. 5 seed, the Ducks would host a first-round CFP game at Autzen Stadium on the same side of the bracket as the No. 1 seed.

Oregon continues to manage without two of its top receivers, Dakorien Moore (knee) and Gary Bryant Jr. (ankle), who have been sidelined for weeks. Even with their absence, the Ducks are finding ways to put up enough points to win, relying on a combination of Malik Benson, Jeremiah McClellan and Jamari Johnson to make key plays. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq, elevated as the top pass-catching option and banged up himself throughout this season, was held to just 11 yards on four catches against Washington after landing awkwardly on the ball earlier in the game, but the Ducks' depth has still allowed them to move the chains and create explosive plays.

If Moore and Bryant are able to return for the College Football Playoff, Oregon becomes an even scarier matchup, pairing a now-healthy receiving corps with a defense that has been strong all season. Any team facing the Ducks in the postseason would be looking at a formidable challenge on both sides of the ball.

Final: Oregon 26, Washington 14

No. 6 Oregon all but locked up its spot in the College Football Playoff with a 26-14 win at rival Washington on Saturday. The Ducks' chances of reaching the Pac-12 title game were dashed before kickoff, but much bigger stakes were on the line as Dan Lanning and Co. chase national postseason goals.

Oregon had multiple opportunities to pull away but kept settling for field goals, which allowed Washington to hang around into the fourth quarter. Still, the Ducks' defense came up with timely stops, giving up points on just two of five Washington drives that crossed midfield.

The Ducks' short-handed receiving corps was tested to the limit, but Dante Moore made the most of the weapons at his disposal, including a breakout performance by Malik Benson, who recorded the first 100-yard game of his career with a 64-yard catch-and-run that gave Oregon a double-digit lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Moore completed 20 of 29 passes for 286 yards and a touchdown in another game without Dakorien Moore or Gary Bryant Jr. Oregon's running back trio was largely held in check, finishing with just 100 yards on 32 carries.

Oregon's defense wreaked havoc on Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who seemed uncomfortable for much of the game, repeatedly pressured into hurried throws and mistakes. He completed 15 of 30 passes for 129 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

With the win, Oregon now awaits its seeding for the CFP, which will be released next Sunday, setting the stage for the Ducks' path toward a national championship run.

7:55 4Q: Oregon 26, Washington 14

Well, that's one way to answer. The Ducks needed just three plays to go back up two scores, with Dante Moore hitting Malik Benson in stride for a 64-yard catch and run on third-and-long. Washington was so close to the stop it desperately needed -- instead, it's a deep hole to climb out of now.

8:54 4Q: Oregon 19, Washington 14

Big time drive by Washington in a must-score situation. Demond Williams Jr. is just 4 of 11 this half, but found Denzel Boston again in the end zone on fourth-and-8 from the 13 to make it a one-score game with plenty of time remaining. Adam Mohammed is up to 98 yards on 12 carries. 

Jeremiah McClellan nearly pulled off an incredible one-handed grab off his helmet, but the play was ruled incomplete. Should've given it to him for the effort, honestly.

End 3Q: Oregon 19, Washington 7

After completing seven consecutive passes, Demond Williams Jr. is struggling to find a rhythm, missing each of his past four throws as the Washington offense stalls repeatedly against this relentless Oregon defense. Williams is now 10 of 20 for 77 yards with a touchdown and an interception through three quarters.

The Ducks have an opportunity to put this one away if they can find the end zone on this drive.

2:34 3Q: Oregon 19, Washington 7

Adam Mohammed remains the lone bright spot for Washington's offense. A 19-yard run pushed the Huskies into Oregon territory, but for the third time in four trips past midfield, the drive ended with no points. The Ducks made them pay quickly, as Dante Moore connected on a 41-yard dime to Jeremiah McClellan.

Oregon could be pulling away if they were finding the end zone, but they continue to settle for field goals. Atticus Sappington drilled a career-long 51-yarder, his fourth of the game, keeping the Ducks comfortably ahead.

9:07 3Q: Oregon 16, Washington 7

Oregon's receivers are going down one by one. Jamari Johnson left the field after being tackled out of bounds on a 31-yard gain. The Ducks imposed their physicality with several punishing hits by their backs. But Washington managed to hold Oregon to a field goal on the first possession of the second half after a holding penalty put the Ducks behind the chains.

End 2Q: Oregon 13, Washington 7

Demond Williams Jr. almost threw another interception after being hit as he released the ball, but he recovered quickly, completing his next four passes to get Washington inside the 5-yard line. The goal-to-go situation looked messy for the Huskies, with a 4-yard loss on first down and a near sack on second. Still, Williams connected with Denzel Boston on a slant route for a touchdown with just 10 seconds left in the half.

That score is huge for Washington, cutting Oregon's lead to one possession heading into halftime. Both teams are tied with nine first downs each, and while Oregon has been more efficient in the passing game overall, Williams clearly settled in when it mattered most on that final drive.

3:18 2Q: Oregon 13, Washington 0

A near disaster on the kickoff return for Washington eventually turned into a 36-yard return by Adam Mohammed, giving the Huskies the ball at their own 45. Washington's passing struggles continued as Demond Williams Jr. fired a short-armed pass intended for Omari Evans. It was initially ruled a first down but overturned after review, forcing another punt.

Meanwhile, Dante Moore hated up, completing six straight passes, including an 18-yard strike to Jamari Johnson across the middle. Washington's defense answered with its second sack of Moore, bringing up a fourth down, but Oregon converted on a 22-yard catch by Malik Benson. The drive ultimately settled for a 32-yard field goal after Kenyon Sadiq was unable to complete the catch in the end zone and stayed down on the sideline after landing awkwardly on the ball.

10:54 2Q: Oregon 10, Washington 0

The gamble pays off for Oregon. On fourth-and-1, Dan Lanning goes for it, and Noah Whittington bursts 17 yards to the 5-yard line. Just two plays later, Dante Moore punches it in to extend the lead. The Ducks went 80 yards in 14 plays, chewing up 6:52 off the clock in the process.

End 1Q: Oregon 3, Washington 0

Emotions are starting to run hot in Seattle. After Oregon was forced to punt again, Daylen Austin was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for shoving a Washington player after the whistle as the ball was downed at the Washington 41. The penalty set up Washington at the Oregon 44.

Adam Mohammed is finding a groove with a 9-yard run followed by a 14-yard gain. But again, just when it seemed like the Huskies were finally ready to capitalize, disaster struck -- Demond Williams Jr. floated an interception in the end zone, another empty possession on Oregon's side of the field.

Now, the Ducks are driving with first-and-10 at their own 44 as the first quarter ends.

5:23 1Q: Oregon 3, Washington 0

Washington's defense answered the call with a stop, and the offense finally produced the first explosive play of the afternoon -- a 22-yard burst off the left side by Adam Mohammed. Two snaps later, Demond Williams Jr. found Mohammed on a swing pass to move the chains again and push the Huskies into Oregon territory.

But the momentum didn't last. The drive stalled just across midfield after Williams skipped one throw short and sailed the next. A promising series fizzles out, and it feels like the kind of missed chance that could loom large for Washington later on.

9:55 1Q: Oregon 3, Washington 0

Oof, Demond Williams Jr. is going to be in the cold tank for awhile on Sunday after this game. He tried to run a bootleg, but right before he could turn around, Nasir Wyatt buried him for another sack. Williams took another shot on the next play despite finding Chris Lawson for a short gain on the sideline. Still, back-to-back three-and-outs for Washington after entering the game with only 10 on the season.

11:12 1Q: Oregon 3, Washington 0

Oregon's defense had 10 sacks in this matchup last year and is already picking up where it left off — Teitum Tuioti got to Demond Williams Jr. on the second snap of the game, helping force a quick three-and-out and putting the Ducks' offense on the field early.

On Oregon's opening drive, Jeremiah McClellan hauled in a sharp sideline ball -- a perfect pass from Dante Moore -- to push the Ducks into scoring position. That set up Atticus Sappington, who drilled a 46-yard field goal to give Oregon the early lead.

No. 6 Oregon will again be without receivers Dakorien Moore (knee) and Gary Bryant Jr. (ankle). Moore, a five-star freshman, hasn't played since the Ducks faced Wisconsin on Oct. 25 and has totaled 28 catches for 443 yards and four touchdowns. Bryant was injured early at Iowa on Nov. 8 after posting 25 receptions for 299 yards and four scores. Their absence should again elevate tight end Kenyon Sadiq as the Ducks' top pass-catching option.

The outlook is more optimistic for Washington with receiver Denzel Boston (ankle) and running back Jonah Coleman (knee) expected to start despite dealing with lingering injuries that limited them recently, according to ESPN. Cornerback Tacario Davis remains questionable with his status still uncertain heading into kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

Although Oregon is nearly a touchdown favorite on the road, Washington has several angles to make this matchup interesting. First, the Huskies can hold up against the Ducks on the lines of scrimmage. Oregon's defensive front generates some pressure, but it hasn't consistently created game-changing plays behind the line, and Washington's star quarterback Demond Williams Jr. thrives under those conditions with his ability to move the chains both in the air and on the ground. The home crowd at Husky Stadium will fuel the energy that could push Washington to a potential upset. Pick: Washington +6.5

Washington may be out of CFP contention, but the Huskies have a history of late-season drama against Oregon. Three of the past five meetings in Seattle have been decided by a touchdown or less, meaning the Ducks cannot overlook their border rivals. With a win, Oregon still has an opportunity to reach the Big Ten Championship Game if Ohio State loses to Michigan again.

True freshmen have been critical for Oregon's offense, combining for 23 total touchdowns -- tied for the most in the FBS. Running backs Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr., nicknamed "Thunder and Lightning," have accounted for 17 of those scores, providing a dynamic backfield element that also includes veteran Noah Whittington, who leads Oregon with 727 yards rushing this season. That could challenge Washington's rush defense that ranks 20th nationally in success rate.

Oregon has won 11 straight true road games away from Eugene, the longest active road streak in FBS. The Ducks' ability to thrive in hostile environments will be tested in Husky Stadium, where Washington has won 25 of its last 26 home contests.   

There's no margin for error for No. 6 Oregon as it faces rival Washington Saturday afternoon in Seattle. While the Ducks have already secured a fifth consecutive double-digit win season, another victory over the Huskies would all but lock in a College Football Playoff berth while extending the nation's longest active road winning streak to 12 games. Washington, by contrast, is out of CFP contention but a win here gives the Huskies a chance to spoil Oregon's postseason hopes and cap Year 2 under Jedd Fisch on a high note.

Oregon vs. Washington prediction, pick, odds, spread: Huskies look to disrupt Ducks' playoff path

Cody Nagel