Washington Huskies look to end futility against Oregon Ducks

Do you consider faking injuries a viable strategy for slowing down up-tempo offenses? Why or why not?

Jack Follman, Pacific Takes: I think it is viable as it definitely stopped the Husky offense from quick striking numerous times late in the game Saturday when the Huskies had them on the ropes. Is it fair though? Not in the current set of rules, but honestly I don't think defenses have a lot of options when it comes to stopping the hyper hurry-up so they are grasping for anything. When the rules of football were written, no one ever expected to see the offensive tempos that we are seeing and I don't see any way within the rule books that defenses are going to stop them so they are grasping for straws and unfortunately faking injuries to slow things down and get guys rest is one of those straws right now.

Lars Hanson, Real Dawg: I feel faking injuries is for teams who have no self respect nor any respect for the game of football. Is it viable, does it work? Yes, but for teams of Stanford's quality (No.5 in the nation), they should be above that. Now there is a difference between trying to slow things down and faking injuries. But the only viable for slowing an up-tempo offense is to allow short gains and slow the game down that way.

What are the chances Washington ends their decade of woe against Oregon this week? What has to happen for the Huskies to fall short?

Jack Follman, Pacific Takes: I would put it at about 10 percent right now. I think it will happen soon with the way the Huskies are stepping up and trying to match the Ducks' tempo, but I simply think the Ducks are too talented this season, especially with Marcus Mariota at quarterback. As good as the Huskies have looked this year, the Ducks have looked better and as well as the Huskies have run the hurry-up, the Ducks have run it with more experience and execution and they are just a little bit quicker at every position. I think that unless Oregon turns the ball over repeatedly, the Husky defense has a Herculean performance and the Husky offense puts up the most points they have put on the Ducks in 10 years, they will come up short.

Lars Hanson, Real Dawg: I'll put the percentage chances at 30% because Washington has improved vastly from 2012 to 2013. However, I won't predict a win until it happens. For Washington to win the game they have to simply not get into a shootout with Oregon because while they have good talented skill players, Oregon will win that game 9 out of 10 times. If Washington gets into a bona fide track match with Oregon it's all over.