http://champions.uoregon.edu/oregon-opens-pac-12-play-saturday-night-vs-arizona
While Alabama is clearly the best team on the planet, the Ducks will look to make a statement on national television.
Oregon ranks fourth in rushing offense (302.33), eighth in scoring offense (541.67) and second in total offense (52.33).
The Sun Devils counter with a solid offense of their own as they are 17th in scoring offense (40.50) , 24th in total offense (479 YPG) and 26th in passing offense (291.17).
There is no slowing this Ducks offense down and even some SEC quads would struggle a bit (although I would lean against the Ducks) and that is because of duel-threat quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Throwing five picks on the season isn’t all that great and in fact Taylor Kelly has been a bit more impressive. Kelly has just 2 INT and 14 TD while totaling for over 1,600 yards.
D.J. Foster and Cameron Marshall are capable of keeping this Ducks defense on their toes, but this game comes down to whether or not Kelly can put together a virtuoso performance.
That is mainly because the Ducks defense is as good as it ever has been and it is now or never for Oregon to show something to the computer rankings that had them just sixth.
The key for the Sun Devils on defense and the more underrated player will be defensive lineman Will Sutton. The Ducks need to account for him or else those home runs will be bottled up for Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas.
The receivers have not been tested by a solid defense yet, however Oregon is finally get a solid defense in the Sun Devils.
ASU ranks No. 8 in total defense for yards allowed (272.67 YPG), No. 9 in scoring defense (14.17) and No. 5 against the pass (144.17 YPG). Their weak link would be against the run, which is a glaring concern (128.50YPG).
Thomas and Barner have dominated together, and while they may not be in the thick of things for the Heisman they still are frontrunner for representing the Pac-12 in the BCS title.
With the Florida Gators magically surpassing them for the second spot, this is do-or-die for Oregon to prove they can handle anything that is thrown their way. Thursday night upsets are what makes college football so special (would not be shocked if they lose), but this does not look like an upset.
Oregon is way too ticked to let this game take a turn for the worst and Arizona State has played essentially nobody.
Their lone loss was to a bad Missouri team and while Oregon may trail in this one early, bank on Chip Kelly’s offense and the Nick Alioti defense to flex its muscle in the clutch.
Network: ESPN
Time: 9 p.m. Eastern
Experts Pick: ORE by 9.5
Danny V’s Pick: Oregon 38, Arizona State 31
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