No. 1 Oregon hosts Washington in first rivalry meeting as members of the Big Ten

With a spot already secured in the Big Ten title game and most certainly in the College Football Playoff field, too, Oregon's focus is on the details.

The Ducks (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) are ranked atop both the AP Top 25 and the CFP heading into the regular-season finale against longtime rival Washington on Saturday at Autzen Stadium.

“It’s always about performance. It’s always about what we’re able to do on the field," Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “I think I’ve said it several times, motivation is overrated. Our guys want to go out there and execute at a really high level. Since the beginning of season, we talked about playing our best football at the end of November. Well, we’re there.”

The Ducks are looking to go 12-0 for the first time since 2010, when they were undefeated heading into the BCS national championship game.

Last season, Oregon had just one regular season loss — to the Huskies. Washington again defeated the Ducks in the Pac-12 championship game and the Huskies went 13-0 before falling to Michigan for the national championship.

This season is markedly different for the Huskies, who are just bowl eligible at 6-5 overall and 4-4 in their first Big Ten season. Washington and Oregon were among the teams that bolted the Pac-12 after last season.

Like the Ducks, the Huskies are focused inward going into the regular-season finale.

“We talk really about us. We talk about when we play at our best, what does that look like? If we can have a 60-minute game where we can play at our best, we’ll let the score speak for itself at the end," Huskies coach Jedd Fisch said. "Our guys believe when we do execute offensively, defensively and in the kicking game that gives us a chance to compete with everybody and beat teams that are favorites.”

Both teams are coming off bye weeks. The Ducks' last game was a 16-13 victory at Wisconsin on Nov. 16 while Washington downed UCLA 31-19 in Seattle the night before.

Washington coach Jedd Fisch has picked a starting quarterback for the game against the Ducks, but he’s not saying who it is.

Washington has used both Will Rogers and freshman Demond Williams Jr. situationally throughout the season, but Rogers has been the consistent starter. Williams took over after Rogers threw a pair of interceptions against UCLA and helped Washington become bowl eligible.

Lanning wouldn't say whether receiver Tez Johnson, defensive end Jordan Burch and offensive lineman Marcus Harper II would play. All three were nursing injuries but got a much-needed rest last week during the bye — leading to speculation all three could return.

Johnson injured his shoulder during Oregon's game at Michigan earlier this month. Harper injured his left knee in the same game. Burch had an ankle injury.

“Just like I’ve always told you guys, when guys are ready to be out there on the field we’ll see them," Lanning said.

Washington has won the last three against the Ducks, including those two meetings last season — a 36-33 victory in Seattle in October, and a 34-31 win in the Pac-12 championship game.

The rivalry between the two teams runs deep, and Washington leads the all-time series 63-48-5.

Probably the most memorable win for the Ducks was “The Pick” in 1994, when freshman Kenny Wheaton intercepted Huskies QB Damon Huard and ran 97 yards downfield with less than a minute left to seal a 31–20 Oregon victory.

For the Huskies, a notable moment came in 2016, when they snapped a 12-game losing streak to the Ducks with a 72-21 rout in Eugene.

“I think college football rivalries are extremely special. I think that’s one of the things that make this fun: the excitement that surrounds the fans, the alumni, the people who have been a part of games like this for a long time,” Lanning said. “It means a lot to us, certainly. But ultimately, it is another game. It’s the next game. And you don’t get out there playing with emotion. It’s about execution over emotion.”

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Washington tight end Decker DeGraaf (86) and quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) celebrate DeGraaf's touchdown against UCLA during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. Washington won 31-19. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) reacts after a run with teammate offensive lineman Drew Azzopardi (74) against UCLA during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. Washington won 31-19. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Washington quarterback Will Rogers (7) greets running back Jonah Coleman (1) after Coleman scored a touchdown against UCLA during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. Washington won 31-19. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumer price increases accelerated last month, the latest sign that inflation's steady decline over the past two years has stalled in recent months.

According to the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, consumer prices rose 2.3% in October from a year earlier, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. That is up from just 2.1% in September, though it is still only modestly above the Fed's 2% target.

Yet excluding the volatile food and energy categories, so-called “core” prices also picked up, climbing 2.8% last month from a year earlier, up from 2.7% in September. Economists closely watch core prices because they typically provide a better read on where inflation is headed.

Inflation has fallen sharply since it peaked at 7% in mid-2022, according to the Fed's preferred measure. Yet yearly core inflation has fluctuated between 2.6% and 2.8% since February. Price increases have remained elevated in services, including apartment rents, restaurant meals, and car and home insurance.

The elevated reading could make the Federal Reserve less likely to cut its key rate at the next meeting in December. Next month's inflation data, some of which will be issued a week before the meeting, may play a key role in the Fed's decision.

“This report will likely provide further ammo to Fed officials who prefer to lower rates gradually,” Omair Sharif, chief economist at Inflation Insights, wrote in a client note, “and may strengthen the argument for a pause at the December FOMC meeting.”

Many economists, however, expect that the Fed will reduce its rate by a quarter-point in December, then delay further cuts while gauging the impact of the reductions they've made so far.

“The momentum in inflation toward the Fed’s 2% target has sputtered recently but not enough, in our view, to prevent the Fed from cutting interest rates in December,” Ryan Sweet, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, wrote in a client note.

Last month, grocery prices barely rose and gas costs fell, providing some relief to household budgets. Prices at the pump have continued to decline since October, reaching a nationwide average of $3.07 a gallon Wednesday, down six cents from a month earlier, according to AAA.

Used car and truck prices, however, shot up 2.8% from September to October, though they are still 5% lower than a year ago. Air fares jumped 1.5% just last month and have risen 5.1% from a year earlier, while hotel room prices rose 0.5% from September to October. Restaurant prices moved up 0.3% in October and 3.6% from a year earlier. All the yearly increases are higher than they were pre-pandemic.

Wednesday's report also underscored that Americans' incomes and spending remained healthy, a key reason the economy has kept growing this year despite widespread fears of a slowdown. Incomes grew 0.6% from September to October, faster than economists had expected, while consumer spending rose by a solid 0.4% last month.

President-elect Donald Trump's victory could also slow Fed rate cuts. His proposals to cut taxes and reduce government regulation could spur faster growth, but could also overheat the economy and lift inflation. And his threats to impose widespread tariffs, if carried out, would likely push up prices.

The Fed had signaled it would cut rates four times next year, but financial markets now expect just two reductions.

FILE - Shoppers reach for items on display in a Costco warehouse Nov. 19, 2024, in Lone Tree, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)