No. 3 Oregon (3-0) vs. Arizona (0-3)
Time: 7:30 p.m. PT
Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene
Coaches: Mario Cristobal, fourth year (28-10 at Oregon, 55-57 overall); Jedd Fisch, 1st year (0-3)
Latest line: Oregon by 28.5
TV Channel: ESPN
On air: Radio on 1080 “The Fan” in Portland, KUGN-AM 590 in Eugene
How to watch live online: You can watch this game live for FREE with fuboTV (free trial). You can also get this game on Sling TV (promotional offers) if you are out of fuboTV trials, or simply prefer that platform and their pricing plans. You can also watch the game live on Watch ESPN with your cable or satellite provider login information.
What’s at stake: Oregon can create early separation between itself and several teams in the division and the conference with what should be its easiest game in league play. There aren’t many personnel decisions still to be hammered out anymore. There are individual matchups that’ll be of note in the game and valuable reps that will matter to long-term development. However, this is a game to dominate a vastly inferior opponent and move on.
Oregon offense vs. Arizona defense
There might not be a single individual matchup where Oregon doesn’t have the advantage, but Arizona will present some schematic challenges. UA defensive coordinator Don Brown will blitz all game long to create pressure. Look for quick passes, some draw runs and some deep shots from the Ducks to neutralize what the Wildcats will bring in the box. Christian Roland-Wallace is one of the best cornerbacks in the Pac-12 so whoever he matches up with could have a tough time getting targeted. Ultimately, Oregon can lean on its running game to do a lot of the work against a porous run defense and if Arizona gets caught with too many blitzing players, CJ Verdell and Travis Dye can easily get loose in the open field.
Oregon defense vs. Arizona offense
Arizona has the most murky QB situation in the conference and it’s not gamesmanship. If not for an injury to Will Plummer, it might be even more complicated this week. Gunner Cruz and Jordan McCloud could both play. Cruz looks the part, McCloud has the experience from his days at USF and the mobility to extend plays. However, with Oregon expected to have multiple key defenders back this week the Ducks could be generating far more pass rush and disruption in the backfield. Oregon has to be aware of Stanley Berryhill III on every play.
Did you know?
Top 5 Oregon teams have lost three straight to unranked Arizona teams.
Matchup to watch: Oregon receivers vs. Christian Roland-Wallace
Arguably the best cornerback the Ducks have faced to date, Rolland-Wallace is one of the most underrated players in the Pac-12 because he plays at Arizona. He’s got the speed, length and coverage skills to matchup with any of UO’s receivers. With bigger challenges ahead, the Ducks can show how willing they are to test a top corner and a receiving corps that doesn’t have huge numbers so far can gain some credibility with any production in his direction.
They said it:
“We have to find a way to be much more consistent at the quarterback position and really all positions and certainly to be able to move the football more consistently.” - Jedd Fisch
Key stat:
Oregon is 17-2 under Mario Cristobal when winning the turnover battle, including 3-0 this season, but just 5-8 when losing it.
The last time these teams met:
Oregon officially clinched the Pac-12 North with a 34-6 onslaught. Justin Herbert threw for 333 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. All of Herbert’s touchdowns were for at least 20 yards, with a 73-yarder to Johnny Johnson III and a 53-yard pass to Juwan Johnson to make it 21-0. Kayvon Thibodeaux had four tackles, three for loss including two sacks as the Ducks cruised to a win.
Prediction: Oregon 42, Arizona 14
Pregame reading:
Scouting the Wildcats: 5 questions, prediction with an Arizona writer
Oregon Ducks preparing for 3 QBs amid uncertainty at Arizona
How will Oregon Ducks defend Arizona all-purpose threat Stanley Berryhill III?
Can Oregon Ducks prevent pressure, negative plays against Arizona’s Dr. Blitz?
Will Oregon Ducks test Arizona’s Christian Roland-Wallace in coverage?
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