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Washington redshirt freshman Keith Price says he isn't nervous about making his first college start at quarterback against Oregon.
Sure, kid.
The Ducks, after all, are the top-ranked team in the country and Saturday's game is at Autzen Stadium, where the noise of the fans can be brutal on opponents.
But Price is undaunted.
''I'm going to go out there and just have fun and play, just like high school,'' he said.
Price was thrust into his new role as starter against the Ducks (8-0, 5-0 Pac-10) because senior Jake Locker has a broken rib. The Heisman hopeful at the start of the season was first hurt during a marathon overtime victory over Oregon State on Oct. 16.
At first it was a hairline fracture and Locker continued to play, but it got worse in Washington's 41-0 loss at home to Stanford last weekend.
Price played the final quarter against the Cardinal, and threw a touchdown pass on his only play from scrimmage in a 32-31 victory on the road against USC on Oct. 2.
Washington Coach Steve Sarkisian said Price has an advantage in that he's practiced with the first-team offense for the past three weeks while Locker has rested.
But Sarkisian was realistic about what Price is up against.
''It's going to be hard, a great challenge. But one of the unique qualities Keith has is he is a very positive young man. He's always bright eyed and got a great smile on his face. He doesn't tend to get rattled by things,'' the coach said. ''I think that type of an approach is one that you really need going into Autzen Stadium.''
Price isn't the only one who is going to be challenged. Oregon has the nation's top-ranked offense, averaging nearly 573 yards a game. The Ducks are dropping just under 56 points per game on their opponents.
The Huskies, meanwhile, are struggling on defense, allowing an average of 429.8 yards and 34.1 points per game.
Washington (3-5, 2-3) has lost three of their last four games. In the last two, losses to Arizona and Stanford, the team has been outscored 85-14.
''Our confidence has changed some and it's slumped some and there is some wonder and doubt in some guys' minds,'' Sarkisian said. ''But that doesn't mean you can't bring that back up. That's part of the business that we are in.''
The Ducks are brimming with confidence after taking over the top spot in the BCS rankings this week. Oregon, which also is No. 1 in the AP Top 25, is off to it's best start since the 1933 season, when they also opened 8-0.
The Ducks have never before been the No. 1 team in the country. And while coach Chip Kelly won't address what that means for Oregon, the players admit they can't help but be excited about the prospects for a national championship.
''We're all human out here. We know we control our own destiny and we can do something really special this year. But we understand it's one week at a time and it's four weeks for the rest of lives,'' said receiver Jeff Maehl. ''We have to sacrifice and make sure we come out here everyday and focus.''
Maehl was the Pac-10 offensive player of the week after making eight catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns in Oregon's 53-32 victory at USC last Saturday.
And Maehl is only a part of Oregon's prolific offense. Running back LaMichael James leads the nation with an average of 172.9 yards a game. Through seven games the Heisman candidate has already rushed for 1,210 yards.
Quarterback Darron Thomas has thrown for 21 touchdowns and run for two more.
The Ducks could see the return of running back and return specialist Kenjon Barner, who suffered a serious concussion in Oregon's 43-23 victory at Washington State on Oct. 9. Oregon only lists players as day-to-day, but Barner was practicing at full-speed this week.
The Huskies lead the all-time series against Oregon 58-39-5, but the Ducks have won the last six games, all by 20 or more points. Last season Oregon won 43-19 at Husky Stadium.
Washington has not faced a top-ranked team since 2007, when it lost to USC 27-24.
Price says he's up for it.
''I'm having fun, that's the main thing,'' he said. ''It's unfortunate what happened to Jake and I'm just trying to go out there and do the best I can. I know a lot of people are not giving us a shot in the world. I'm just going out there to try and prove them wrong.''
