Place: Tucson, Ariz.
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Line: Oregon by 6
Three reasons Oregon will win
He’s back: LeGarrette Blount could contribute for Oregon against Arizona.
Double trouble: After LeGarrette Blount TKOd much of his 2009 season, LaMichael James became the newest Ducks running back to jump from unknown to all-conference-caliber in less than a season. Now, Blount is back on the squad, and indications are he’ll see playing time Saturday for the first time since before Labor Day. Arizona has decent statistics against the run, but Cal’s Shane Vereen, a backup to injured star Jahvid Best, went for 159 yards on the ‘Cats last weekend. Oregon averages 237 yards per game and needs a big edge in this area to win on the road.
Coach Chip: Chip Kelly’s two encounters with Arizona as Oregon’s offensive coordinator resulted in some odd results. Dennis Dixon’s injury left the Ducks helpless in a 2007 loss. Last year in Eugene, Oregon rolled up 45 first-half points, then needed to hold on for a 55-45 victory. Each game featured significant in-game adjustments from both coaching staffs, something Kelly expects will continue Saturday in the desert. “Every year, there’s been a new wrinkle,” he said on a teleconference. “There will be that chess match that goes on within the game to see how they’re going to try to defend us, and do we have answers.” A Kelly-Mike Stoops scheme-off makes football junkies salivate. Kelly’s got the edge here because of his better players.
Pass prevention: Oregon can boast about some of its defensive performances this year—holding …
Read more from the original source
Leave a Reply