Predicting the Final Score of No. 6 Oregon vs. Arizona State
The No. 6 Oregon Ducks (9-1, 6-1 Pac-12) travel to Tempe this week for a matchup against the Arizona State Sun Devils (3-7, 2-5 Pac-12).
Oregon is flying high after a commanding 36-27 win over the USC Trojans, while ASU is also on a high after knocking off UCLA 17-7 on the road at the Rose Bowl.
If you've followed Oregon for a while, you don't need me to tell you that trips to the desert haven't been kind to the Ducks. In fact, Oregon lost this very matchup the last time these two teams played in 2019.
But maybe Dan Lanning has the Ducks ready to outgrow their hiccups against Arizona schools after a 49-22 win over the Wildcats in Tucson last year.
As for this week's game against Arizona State, they aren't a team that should be overlooked, even with a 3-7 record.
ASU's defense hasn't looked amazing overall, but they've had some bright spots this year and have helped keep the Sun Devils in close games. They held Michael Penix Jr. and Washington, one of the best offenses in the country, to just 15 points and are a group that plays tough.
On Saturday Bo Nix should continue to play some great football and help Will Stein get the most out of this uber-talented Oregon offense. I think the Ducks want to get back to dominating on the ground after only running for 140 yards against USC and they're poised to do that with opponents averaging 4.2 yards per carry.
Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) and running back Bucky Irving vs. USC.
Darby Winter/Ducks Digest
Oregon Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson runs after the catch against the USC Trojans.
Darby Winter/Ducks Digest
The Sun Devils offense has been largely underwhelming, averaging just 17.7 points and under 100 rushing yards per game. It looks like Trenton Bourguet will get the start at quarterback after there was some hope around the program earlier in the week that true freshman Jaden Rashada would be potentially be ready to go.
There are some good pieces like versatile running back Cam Skattebo, wide receiver Elijhah Badger and tight end Jalin Conyers. But I don't think it's a group that has enough to give Oregon's surging defense too much trouble.
Oregon Ducks outside linebacker Teitum Tuioti sacks USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams.
Darby Winter/Ducks Digest
Oregon Ducks defensive back Trikweze Bridges celebrates a pass breakup against USC wide receiver Brenden Rice.
Darby Winter/Ducks Digest
If the Ducks can get some pressure on Bourguet early, get off the field on third down, and not shoot themselves in the foot, this should be a much easier group to slow down after facing USC and Caleb Williams.
Some would think this is a trap game, and history certainly helps make a case for that. Plus, if there's one game Kenny Dillingham wants his team to show up for, aside from the Territorial Cup (Arizona), wouldn't it be the game against his former team?
Oregon's offense should have had at least 50 points last week, but sloppy play and penalties prevented them from running up the score.
That said I think leaving some extra meat on the bone so to speak will serve as extra motivation and we'll see a hungry team that plays a cleaner game against the Sun Devils.
All in all, I think Lanning has this group locked in and the Ducks blow out the Sun Devils.
Prediction: Oregon 49 Arizona State 13
