Bo Nix identifies areas Oregon must improve in rematch vs. Washington

Only one Power Five conference championship game this weekend represents a rematch from the regular season, and that’s Oregon and Washington‘s Pac-12 Championship matchup on Friday. The Huskies and Ducks provided one of the most exciting games of the regular season between ranked opponents, as Washington was able to outlast Oregon 36-33 thanks to some late-game heroics at home.

Oregon will be seeking a different outcome this time around in Allegiant Stadium and in order to do so they’ll likely have to improve in a handful of areas, which Ducks quarterback Bo Nix discussed during the week leading up to the conference title game.

“Yeah I just think the whole operation as far as making explosive plays and staying on the field on fourth downs and just getting those moments and making the most of them when they’re the big, situational moments. I think that’s where ultimately we lost last time and I think we have been more prepared now,” Nix said. “I think the seasons allowed us to play good situational football at the end. I think we’re ready to regroup and go out there and play again and not put ourselves in those situations.”

The Ducks played a solid game in Seattle the last time they faced Washington, even out-gaining the Huskies offensively in yardage. But their biggest mistake and point of criticism in their loss was their inability to convert on fourth downs, going 0-for-3 on fourth down attempts.

Oregon’s fourth down woes came in big moments, like failing to convert on the goal line right before halftime down four points and in two crucial moments in the second half. But Nix has confidence that the Ducks’ offense has improved in this area thanks to offensive coordinator Will Stein and the progress they’ve shown throughout the season.

“I just think we found ultimately what we’re good at and we’re kind of in stride with that, we’re in tune with that. Coach Stein has put us in a really good spot to succeed and he’s calling the right plays at the right time,” Nix said. “Unfortunately the first game we just missed a few opportunities and it comes down to really just a few plays and I think that in these kind of games that’s usually what it comes down to. Just a few plays.”

It’s no secret that when two elite teams face off the outcome usually comes down to just a few plays, and Washington simply made a few more plays than Oregon did in Week 7.

Nix and the Ducks will be looking to flip their fortune in the rematch this Friday, as Oregon takes on Washington in the Pac-12 Championship at 8:00 p.m. ET in a game airing on ABC.