Joel Klatt says Oregon feels like ‘middle child’ in Pac-12 race

It isn’t easy being overlooked. On Wednesday, Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt compared Oregon to a middle child, stuck between USC and Washington.

“Don’t you think Oregon feels a little bit like the middle child? I think that they do,” Klatt said on his show. “That’s why you saw what you saw from Dan Lanning [against Colorado]. He acted a little bit like my middle child, right? ‘Hey, look at us. We’re not in it for clicks. But, seriously, look at us, please.’ I mean, that was Oregon, and I get it.

“Everybody talks about USC because of Caleb Williams, and rightfully so,” Klatt said. “Everybody points to, including me, Washington, as the darling. They’re the shiny, new object in everybody’s life. Look at Kalen DeBoer and those wide receivers. Look at the big plays. Look at the 40-yard plus touchdowns. Isn’t that great? Scary team up there. What do we say about Oregon? Nothing.”

The AP Top 25 rankings back up Klatt’s claims. The three Pac-12 teams sit together, occupying spots No. 7, 8 and 9. Washington leads the charge with Oregon and USC subsequently following.

What is Oregon’s reality?

Despite Klatt’s assertion, Oregon has been anything but forgettable this season. The Ducks are 5-0, boasting an average win margin of 39.8 points per game. The team averages 51.6 points per outing, the second-most in the country.

Amid Oregon’s impressive statistics, Klatt attempted to explain why the Ducks are often overlooked in the Pac-12 conversation.

“Oregon constantly gets left out because they don’t have what I would consider to be like the elite trait,” Lanning said. “Maybe their elite trait is in their balance. Maybe their elite trait is in their physicality. Maybe the other two teams actually can’t beat Oregon because Oregon is better in more facets. But I’ve sensed it.”

Klatt might be correct, especially on the offensive end. USC’s Caleb Williams and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. outshine Oregon QB Bo Nix. Both teams boast wide receivers the Ducks can’t match. Nonetheless, Oregon arguably has a better defense than both of its fellow Pac-12 programs.

The Ducks’ defense only allows 255.6 yards, ranking No. 7 in the nation. Meanwhile, Washington’s defense regularly gives up 365 yards (No. 62) and USC’s defense allows an abysmal 404.4 yards per contest (No. 98).

Fans won’t have to wait long to see who best team in the trio is. On Oct. 14, Oregon and Washington will square off at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. Both teams will later square off against USC in November.