Gametime: Saturday, October 13, Autzen Stadium, Eugene

How to watch: Kickoff time and TV coverage TBA

Prediction: 41-38 Oregon.

The last two games between Oregon and Washington have not been the most competitive. Far from it. Last year the Huskies won 38-3, and no one can forget how the Ducks' 12-game winning streak in the series ended in a 70-21 loss in Autzen in 2016.

The 2018 Northwest showdown should be a lot closer. The two teams are predicted to be among the best in the Pac-12, and everywhere I look the game is listed as really close. The biggest win margin I can find is a touchdown, and I think that is accurate.

My prediction is that -- led by Justin Herbert, who debuted against the Huskies in 2016 and missed last year's game with an injury -- Oregon will rally in the fleeting minutes to score the winning touchdown.

Oregon has improved tenfold from where it was in 2016, when Washington made the College Football Playoff. But even with all those gains, this game figures to be the Ducks' closest of the season.

Every position group for Oregon has grown by leaps and bounds, especially at quarterback. A bigger, stronger and more experienced Herbert looks more than ready to have a stellar year.

Here are a few areas where I think Washington will hurt Oregon the most.

Jake Browning

Washington has its own star QB in Jake Browning, and he is also gearing up to have a big comeback season. Fun fact: He is the now poised to become the only Washington QB ever to start all four years!

Browning is composed under pressure. And he is his own worst critic, which is tougher to do than you might think when some of Washington’s own fans seem excited for when he leaves so the younger, more highly touted recruits can get their shots.

Browning had a bit of a down year last year, by his standards. He passed for 2,719 yards and 19 touchdowns, a far cry from his record-breaking sophomore season (a conference-record-tying 43 passing touchdowns, 3,430 yards and a school-record QB rating of 167.5).

Browning’s most defining characteristic is his work ethic. He brings an intensity to everything that he does, and that makes him an excellent leader.

This is Browning’s final season as a Husky and if I know anything it’s that he will bring his all during every game of the season – especially against Oregon.

Above anything else, if the Ducks lose on October 13 it will be because of Browning’s performance.

Myles Gaskin

Also entering his final season in purple and gold is running back Myles Gaskin.

Gaskin returns as the nation's top active career rusher with 4,055 yards, but he has been overshadowed by other Pac-12 stars like Royce Freeman and Bryce Love. With Freeman in the NFL, Gaskin should start getting more national attention and will no doubt look to capitalize; he is only 51 yards shy of Napoleon Kaufman’s school rushing record.

Gaskin will be joined in the backfield by sophomore Salvon Ahmed. The duo is being heralded by people close to the program as having the ability to be one of the best in program history.

Offensive line

Success running and passing is largely dependent on blocking, and Washington is returning one of the most experienced offensive lines in the Pac-12. The Ducks' defensive line is going to have to be on its A game the whole time to contain Browning and Gaskin.

Ranked teams

Switching gears, Oregon has struggled in recent years when it plays against ranked teams. In the last two seasons, Oregon is 1-5 against ranked teams, whereas Washington is 5-3 over the same period.

I don’t think that this will be a huge factor in the game now that the teams are on a more level playing field, but it is something to consider.