Kalen DeBoer admits to feeling like a 'hated rival' entering Oregon game

This week is a big one not only for the Pac-12, but for college football. Washington and Oregon are preparing to square off on Saturday in a game filled with storylines.

For starters, it’s one of the Pac-12’s best rivalries, between two teams that are now preparing to head to the Big Ten in 2024. The game also features two Heisman Trophy candidates in Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix. Both teams are also in the top 10 of the AP Top 25, meaning there are likely College Football Playoff implications on the line.

Saturday will be Kalen DeBoer’s second time facing Oregon was Washington head coach, and he was asked if he felt like a “hated rival” heading into the matchup. He knows how serious — and fun — the rivalry is.

“Oh, yeah,” DeBoer said. “I mean, ‘hated,’ I think, amongst the fans for a week. But it’s healthy. In my mind, that’s what college football’s all about.”

All eyes will be on Seattle on Saturday as Oregon and Washington face off. College GameDay will be in attendance ahead of the highly anticipated showdown. Both the Ducks and Huskies are coming off a bye week, meaning they had extra time to prepare.

Kalen DeBoer also noted the impact the matchup has on the college football landscape. Rivalry games are usually big draws, as evidenced by the numbers the Red River Rivalry between Oklahoma and Texas brought in last week. That’s good for the game, and it adds to the meaning of the showdown.

“You look around the country and there are some games this weekend — that’s what’s fun,” DeBoer said. “You can’t help but turn the channel to that game and watch it if you’re living in any part of the country, and that’s what this game’s all about.

“The fans, the hype and all the stories that surround the ebbs and flows of decades of this rivalry are really, really cool. We’re excited to be a part of it this year. Because of where we’re at in our season with the records and the rankings, it certainly means a lot.”

Last year, Washington pulled off the 37-34 victory over No. 6-ranked Oregon at Autzen Stadium on a Peyton Henry field goal with 51 seconds left in the game. This time, the Ducks will head to the Huskies’ home turf, and the game will be in the 3:30 p.m. ET window on Saturday.