Frank LorenzoOne of the most interesting games on the NCAA football slate this weekend has the 4-1 Oregon Ducks visiting the Rose Bowl to take on the 4-1 UCLA Bruins. This highly anticipated Pac-12 matchup will take place on Saturday at 3:30 PM ET.
One of the most interesting games on the NCAA football slate this weekend has the 4-1 Oregon Ducks visiting the Rose Bowl to take on the 4-1 UCLA Bruins. This highly anticipated Pac-12 matchup will take place on Saturday at 3:30 PM ET.
Both teams were upset last weekend and neither can afford another loss if they want to have a shot at one of the four playoff spots this season.
Oregon averaged 45.0 points per game in their first four wins of the season, but Arizona went into Autzen Stadium and stunned the Ducks 31-24.
QB Marcus Mariota remains a Heisman Trophy candidate despite the loss. If the Ducks want to have any chance at a National Championship this season, the offensive line needs to provide Mariota with better protection. The Oregon pivot was under pressure from the Wildcats from seven all night.
“Execution, discipline, a bunch of things that we control were not good enough,” Ducks coach Mark Helfrich said. “It was not good enough to play the schedule we play. We need to play more cleanly in every phase.”
Mariota has 15 touchdowns and no picks this season and leads the FBS with a passer efficiency rating of 202.4.
UCLA dropped their first game of the season by losing 30-28 to Utah last week. Like the Ducks, the Bruins have had problems keeping the pocket clean for QB Brett Hundley, who was sacked ten times against the Utes.
“I’ll say it again and until the day that I die or get out of football. Sacks are a component of all 11 (players),” coach Jim Mora said. “Sometimes it’s a rush, sometimes you get beat, and sometimes the quarterback holds it for too long. It’s a function of all of those things.”
The Ducks are two points favorites heading into the game, and the total sits at 69 points. UCLA is 1-4 ATS in its last five games when playing at home against Oregon.
