The matchup to watch this week in college football resides in the Pac 12, as No.12 UCLA visits No.3 Oregon. This is the start of a tough stretch for the Ducks, who will get their chance to jump Florida State in the BCS rankings if they keep winning. This one will be a 7:00 pm ET kickoff on Saturday.
- When:
Sat., Oct. 26th, 2013 @ 7:00pm ET
- Where:
Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR
- Who’s Favored?
Oregon by 23 ~ 41 o/u @ BetOnline
- More Info:
The atmosphere in Eugene should be plenty of fun come sunrise on the campus of Oregon, with College Game Day setting up their set this week to broadcast from this Pac 12 matchup. This is the second Pac 12 game in three weeks that Game Day has been to.
The release of the BCS rankings last Sunday night has likely lit a fire under the Ducks. Oregon is ranked No.2 in the human polls but was jumped by Florida State because of the Seminoles high computer ranking.
With the Ducks playing a ranked opponent in UCLA this week, plus other upcoming ranked matchups with Stanford and Oregon State down the line, there is plenty of time for Oregon to climb back up in the computers.
Of course, the computer rankings mean nothing if the Ducks do not win. And they get a big challenge from quarterback Brett Hundley and the Bruins on Saturday. Hundley is one of the top quarterbacks in the country and very highly thought of as an NFL prospect. He will be the best quarterback that the Ducks face all year most likely.
UCLA plays some good defense as well, surrendering just 19 points per game which ranks 18th in the country. Contrast that with the 57 points per game scored by Oregon, and something will have to give between the two.
The Ducks should get De’Anthony Thomas back from injury, which could be a big boost. Thomas is the hardest player in the country to defense against in open space. Look for Oregon to try and create those chances. Quarterback Marcus Mariota has only played a full game once this year, but something tells us he might be in for a second complete matchup.