Every week during football season, our sports staff will discuss different topics surrounding an upcoming game. Today, digital sports editor Victor Flores and sports reporters Christopher Keizur and Justin Wise discuss Saturday’s matchup between Oregon and UCLA.

1) Has Oregon faced a tougher opponent than UCLA this season?

Victor Flores — Washington was a tougher game simply because it was on the road, but UCLA is a slightly better team. Oregon’s offense will be shocked by how good the Bruins are on defense, not just because UCLA is solid on that side of the ball, but because the Ducks have mostly faced teams that have had trouble stopping any team, much less the Ducks. Oregon will surprisingly look normal on offense come Saturday, at least during the first half.

Christopher Keizur — This will be the toughest test of the year so far for Oregon. At the time, the win against Washington seemed impressive, but the Huskies’ slump has dimmed the shine of that victory. A case could also be made for Tennessee as the Volunteers have been playing tough in the SEC. However, UCLA should prove to put up a better fight as they have been strong on both sides of the ball.

Justin Wise — Up to this point, UCLA will be the toughest opponent Oregon has faced. However, UCLA comes into this game with their leading rusher Jordon James still questionable to play, which means they most likely will be playing a Bruins team not at full strength. Regardless, Brett Hundley is one of the best pure passers in the country and the Bruins defense is capable of stuffing the Ducks’ rushing attack. Linebacker Anthony Barr even noted in his Pac-12 teleconference earlier this week that the UCLA defense matches up better with Oregon’s offense than they did with Stanford’s offense. UCLA is more capable of stopping the run than any team Oregon has faced thus far, which means it will be the toughest challenge this high-scoring offense has faced.

2) Who should the Ducks fear more: quarterback Brett Hundley or linebacker Anthony Barr?

Victor Flores — Hundley, for a couple of reasons. 1) He’s a quarterback, which is the most valuable position on the field. 2) Even though Oregon is mostly balanced, their No. 1 strength is their offense, so they won’t have to worry about UCLA’s defense as much as their offense. The Ducks will struggle offensively a little bit on Saturday, but they’ll still be able to move the ball due to their lethal weapons, creative plays and up-tempo pace. UCLA has a good defense and Barr is easily their best defender, but Barr alone can’t do nearly as much damage as UCLA’s dual-threat quarterback.

Christopher Keizur — While Hundley has been good this year and is a player the Ducks should be focused on limiting Saturday, Anthony Barr is someone all sane humans should fear. The 6-foot-4 senior linebacker has made a name for himself by terrorizing opposing quarterbacks, using his length and athleticism to break through the other team’s offensive line. Hundley could be a nuisance, but Barr will be a nightmare.

Justin Wise — Brett Hundley, simply because he is going to have the ball in his hands on every offensive play for the Bruins. Hundley’s ability to extend plays will create a challenge for both the front seven of Oregon’s defense and its secondary. If Oregon can frustrate Hundley like Stanford did last week, the game will be essentially won. Barr, on the other hand, is someone that the Ducks’ can avoid at times and will not be a factor on every single play. Oregon’s offensive line is one that us spectators should not worry too much about. Barr will most likely make an impact, but the key for the line is to keep it at a minimum.

3) Who will have more total yards: Brett Hundley or Marcus Mariota?

Victor Flores — Marcus Mariota has averaged about 40 more total yards per game than Hundley, while playing in fewer fourth quarters than UCLA’s quarterback. So Mariota will out-gain Hundley on Saturday. In fact, I don’t think they’ll be all that close, even though I expect both QB’s to have a good game.

Christopher Keizur — I will give the edge to Mariota simply because its smart to stick to the age-old saying: never bet against the Heisman front-runner. Mariota has put up amazing numbers this year, throwing for 2,051 yards while adding 493 yards on the ground. I think with UCLA’s stout front seven the Ducks will rely more on throwing the ball, allowing Mariota to get the ball to his receivers. I also think this will be a close game, meaning Mariota will be making more than a cameo appearance in the second half. Look for him to take advantage of the additional minutes.

Justin Wise — Unless Mariota is sidelined for all of the fourth quarter while the Ducks’ scout defense plays against UCLA’s first unit, Mariota will total more yards than Hundley. Mariota is on a torrid pace and has been consistent both as a runner and a passer. Hundley needs to have a stellar performance for the upset bid to even be a possibility but he is currently not a threat to post big numbers in both the rushing and passing statistical categories.

4) Will Oregon-UCLA be the Pac-12 Championship matchup?

Victor Flores — It will be the matchup, mainly because UCLA plays at home against Arizona State. The Sun Devils are currently leading the Pac-12 South and likely will maintain the lead after this weekend, but I think they’ll get tripped up when they travel to play the Bruins on Nov. 23. With the head-to-head win over ASU, UCLA will narrowly take the South, while Oregon will top Stanford in the Pac-12 standings and represent the North.

Christopher Keizur — No, I don’t think there will be a rematch between these two teams in the Pac-12 Championship game. I believe Oregon, who will be the representative from the North, will take on Arizona State. The Sun Devils are already a half game ahead of UCLA in the standings and they have a rather easy schedule to finish out the year. The big test to see who gets to represent the South will come on Nov. 23 when UCLA and Arizona State play each other. The winner of this game will advance to play the Ducks.

Justin Wise — Yes. UCLA’s next toughest test will come against Arizona State who is currently tied with them, but I see too much talent on this Bruins team to not win the Pac-12 South. This will be especially likely if James comes back healthy because he is a major part of UCLA’s game and creates more balance. USC is a team to not forget about as they look at least a little resurgent under interim head coach Ed Orgeron. Above all else though, this UCLA team is talented and I believe they will find themselves in a rematch against the winner of the Stanford-Oregon game.

5) Who wins Saturday’s game and what will be the final score?

Victor Flores — Not many teams could go on the road to Stanford then travel to roaring Autzen Stadium the next week and beat this Oregon team. In fact, maybe no team in the country could complete that task. UCLA will keep it somewhat interesting in the first half, but the Ducks will roll. Oregon 52, UCLA 27.

Christopher Keizur — Though I like this UCLA team, Oregon just has too much talent across the board to lose this game. It won’t be a blow-out as the Bruins will remain competitive throughout, but the Ducks should come away with the victory. Final score: Oregon 48, UCLA 35.

Justin Wise  — For UCLA to have any chance of competing with the Ducks all four quarters in Autzen Stadium they must stop the run in the beginning of the game. Washington hung around throughout because they were able to slow the game down in the first half and if UCLA’s front seven can do what they did against Stanford, a close game should ensue. And I think they will do that to a degree, but Oregon’s big play potential will cause havoc for that defense. By the second half I see the Ducks running away with the game and giving a hapless Bruins team their second consecutive loss. Oregon 48, UCLA 24.