Seattle Radio Host Says It’s An “Embarrassment” If Oregon Ducks Lose To Washington Huskies On Saturday
750 THE GAME STAFF
It’s Oregon-Washington week, and it wouldn’t be a true rivalry week without an apperance from KJR Seattle sports radio host Dave ‘Softy’ Mahler on John Canzano’s Bald Faced Truth.
Softy called into to Wednesday’s radio show to spit his take on the Dawgs and Ducks. Surprisingly, at least at first blush, the Husky Honk tried to put all the pressure on the Oregon Ducks in Saturday’s rivalry game, admitting they were simply better than Washington everywhere on the field.
“I think if Oregon loses to U Dub I think it will be an embarrassment for Oregon,” Softy said on 750 The Game. “I think if Dan Lanning loses to Washington on Saturday, you got to start looking at Dan Lanning like Ohio State fans look at Ryan Day and wonder if he can ever beat Michigan.”
Lanning of course stumbled to Kalen DeBoer’s Huskies in last year’s meeting at Autzen Stadium, 37-34. Oregon was a two-touchdown favorite in that game and saw quarterback Bo Nix go down with injury in the fourth quarter that contributed to the Huskies sealing a road win.
But don’t tell that to Softy, who went on to insist the Ducks were so much better than his beloved Huskies and Oregon fans should react accordingly if the Ducks lose.
Nevermind the fact that Washington is ranked higher than Oregon, Huskies QB Michael Penix Jr. is the betting favorite for the Heisman Trophy, and the Huskies are a 3-point favorite at home in Seattle on Saturday. So far this year in the Pac-12, home favorites have a 27-1 overall win-loss record.
“I think it’s going to be an embarrassment if Oregon loses the game,” continued Softy. “They’re a way more complete football team. John, everything that Washington does well, Oregon has an answer for. U Dub number-one in total offense. Okay, fine, Oregon is number-six in total defense. U Dub number-one in passing offense. Okay, fine, Oregon is number-five in passing defense. How about U Dub number-six in sacks allowed in the country. Okay, fine, Oregon’s defense is tied for eighth with eighteen (sacks). Everything U Dub does well, Oregon has a response. Everything U Dub does weak, Oregon is good at.
“This would be an absolute embarrassment – EMBARRASSMENT – for Dan Lanning and Oregon to lose this game to Washington because on paper they are better in every single category. If you don’t get U Dub now, you got to wonder as an Oregon fan if Dan Lanning can ever get it done.”
As for Kalen DeBoer, Softy agrees this is the biggest game of his career.
“Absolutely it’s his biggest game ever. It’s the biggest game in the history of the U Dub-Oregon rivalry. And we’ve been debating on the air this week if it might be the biggest regular season game in Husky football history.
“When you factor in all the variables, two top-ten teams for the first time ever in the rivalry, your hated rival in Oregon, you’re at home, it’s the final game ever between these two schools as a Pac-12 Conference member, you got two Heisman Trophy contenders and two final four contenders, you can make an argument this might be the biggest regular season home game in Washington history, the only thing that would have made it bigger is if it was played later in the year.”
No. 7 Washington is a 3-pt home favorite over No. 8 Oregon on Saturday, 12:30 p.m. on ABC.
Check out the full interview with KJR’s Dave ‘SOFTY’ Mahler at the podcast below.
John Canzano delivers the Bald Faced Truth afternoons 3-6 p.m. exclusively in Portland on 750 The Game.