So I hear a lot about how Oregon is just so much better than UW and the UW offense is struggling and blah blah blah ...
I think it's probably fair to say that UW hasn't executed well over the last couple of weeks but it ignores the fact that there are some very fundamental things that UW does offensively that really messes with Oregon defensively.
At it's core, Oregon wants to ATTACK defensively ... they aren't wanting to play dropped coverages keeping things in front of them (in contrast that's often when UW plays its best defense). Ideally they want to bring pressure and force quick throws where they can play downhill and keep their DBs off of islands (it's probably the overall weakness of their defense).
In the video below, fast forward to the 2:38 mark which is where Polk scored the TD on a corner route against Oregon. This play is highly illustrative of the problems that UW forces on Oregon's defensive identity:
https://youtu.be/EvwGGmb9El0?si=AmnxuSRhlJCkp_fe&t=158Pre-snap, you have 3 receiving options on the top end of the formation including Rome and Westover. I think at this point it goes without saying that more often than not you're going to try to put safety help over the top of Rome to help against the explosive plays. At the bottom of the formation, you have Polk lined up on the line of scrimmage in a stacked alignment.
What you need to pay attention to pre-snap with Oregon is the 2 LBs ... both are in theory protecting against the inside slant routes from the top/bottom of the formation. But as we all should know, most defensive alignments aren't necessarily straightforward.
The key to this alignment is the bottom side of the formation. The CB on Rome is in a press situation. The WR behind Polk is in a spot where any outside release creates massive leverage in any man relationship with the LB. With the S over the top at 10 yards, you're either getting a zone coverage with Polk against the S (likely a win) OR a man coverage with no deep help as the S is playing man and is protecting against any outside route by the slot WR behind. Also important to note here is that the opposite S is highly favoring giving over the top help in a man situation with the LB taking on Westover or is likewise going to be playing man with the LB focused on inside help. In either event, there's absolutely zero help against Polk on any deep route from the hashes to the sideline ... that's a TON of space.
If you run the play a few seconds you see a few things:
The LB and S on Polk's side are effectively bracketing the slot WR to take away any quick throw and leaving Polk 1 on 1
The DB on Polk actually does a decent job but he's put in a terrible situation because Rule #1 in that situation is to not allow yourself to get beat to the middle ... which helps to create additional separation for Polk on the corner route
The opposite S is actually playing CF on that side of the ball protecting against any deep throw to Rome ...
If you look at Westover against the LB ... watch Westy turn him inside out ... there's a big play there as well if Penix threw it
This is a great example of how UW can scheme against Oregon in the passing game and how Oregon's desire to attack can really be used against themselves.