Bo Nix eager for revenge in Pac-12’s most pivotal game of the year
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix throws passes with teammates during drills before Holiday Bowl against North Carolina Wednesday December 28, 2022 at Petco Park. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
EUGENE, Ore. — This Saturday’s battle with Oregon at Washington will be the Pac-12’s first top-10 matchup this season, and will carry major Playoff implications.
All eyes will be on this contest, and quarterback Bo Nix wants to make sure the Ducks take advantage of the spotlight. After all, both teams are 5-0, coming off bye-weeks, have explosive offenses and two Heisman contenders at quarterback. Nix has been in plenty of big games throughout his career, and started three Iron Bowls at Auburn, so this is nothing new to him.
He made sure that his team used the time off wisely too. From film work, to conditioning and diving deeper into the playbook, Nix is confident Oregon will be ready for this clash.
“We just wanted to continue to work, continue to get better at the things we know we have to improve on,” Nix said. “To get better as a team, as a unit and just as a whole offense, defense and special teams.”
Washington beat Oregon 37-34 at the Autzen Zoo last season. Which is why Nix wants to return the favor when the Ducks invade Husky Stadium. There’s no denying Nix is operating the offense at a very high level. The Alabama native ranks first nationally in completion percentage, and fifth in passing efficiency. On top of that, Oregon is second in the FBS in scoring and total offense.
The Ducks are better equipped this time around in a game that’ll likely result in an offensive shootout. This clash could very well come down to which offense has the ball last. Nix has shown he’s more than capable of putting his team on his back, and carrying them to the finish line.
The winner of Saturday afternoon’s contest should move up in the top-five, and be in the driver’s seat in the Pac-12 race. That’s more than enough momentum for Nix and his teammates to make a statement.
“It definitely motivates you, how the game ended last year is not how you want it to work, but it’s part of it, and it can serve as a motivator or it can get you down,” he said. “Obviously it’s one that I’ve been looking forward to, just because of last year and how it ended.”
This will be the Ducks’ second-straight conference game on the road. Husky Stadium packs 70,000-plus fans, and Oregon could potentially be walking into a snakepit. That’s why hand signals, and silent snap counts will be vital for Nix and the offense. The Ducks want to prove to the College Football world that they’re top-10 worthy, and the success through the first five games was no fluke.
“It’s another week to go out there, put your best foot forward, play your best and execute at a high level,” the 23-year old said. “Each game that we play from here on out is going to serve a big purpose.”
ESPN’s College Gameday will be in the building, the weather forecast will be cloudy and in the lower 60’s around kickoff. Anticipation is through the roof, and the Pac-12 has an opportunity to flex its’ muscles. The Ducks are three-point underdogs, which is only adding more fuel to the fire.
Nix wants to strike early, take the crowd out of the game, and put the offense in a good position approaching the fourth quarter. Matching wits with gunslinger Michael Penix Jr., should make for some entertaining football, and once the smoke clears, Nix wants to be on the winning side.
“It’s going to be a top-10 matchup, it’s going to be a lot of noise, a lot of hype, but at the same time you gotta strap it up and play football.”
