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Kalen DeBoer shares excitement to prepare for Oregon’s defense

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•10/12/23•

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Oregon coach Dan Lanning and Washington coach Kalen DeBoer
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning and Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer. (© Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports)

Saturday’s Oregon–Washington game will bring together two of the best head coaches in the country and they have different backgrounds. Dan Lanning is more of a defensive guy, working under Nick Saban before winning a national championship at Georgia with Kirby Smart. Kalen DeBoer has either been on the West Coast or in the Midwest, being an offensive coach.

So when DeBoer gets to prepare to face off against somebody like Lanning, he becomes excited about the opportunity. Oregon has been a great defensive team this season but has not truly faced off against an offense like Washington. DeBoer says this type of game will bring out the best of you.

“They’re very impressive on defense, as a whole team,” DeBoer said during Thursday’s episode of Andy Staples On3. “It pushes you, right? It pushes you. This is how you get to these points — by being pushed. We can go back 20 years. Those close games, those details that you had to focus on, the learning moments.

“Just helping you refine things. Teach better, make the game plan simpler. Just, all of those things are a part of this but in the end, you’re being pushed to be your best. And that’s what this game brings out.”

Any game between Oregon and Washington would have an extra kick to it. These two programs are not a fan of each other and could be an underrated rivalry in all of college football. One final Pac-12 battle before they ship off to the Big Ten next season.

More than just bragging rights are going to be on the line in Seattle, though. Washington comes in as the No. 7 ranked team in the country, with Oregon one spot behind. For the first time in the rivalry’s history, both schools will be ranked inside the top 10 of the AP poll.

Serious College Football Playoff implications are at stake, with the winner earning one of the wins of the season. Firm control on what will be a tight Pac-12 race will be taken as well. DeBoer believes Husky Stadium is going to be ready for the moment.

“It’s an awesome atmosphere,” DeBoer said. “I’m happy for our fans. I’m happy for college football. Just the excitement that leads up to it. The moment at Husky Stadium, the game at Husky Stadium — just got a lot of energy surrounding it. It’s a lot of fun.”