Editor’s Note: With Oregon and Arizona preparing to square off in a battle of unbeaten teams at Autzen Stadium Thursday night, associate sports editor Joseph Hoyt and sports reporter Andrew Bantly give their insights, opinions and predictions. 

It’s a game the players certainly remember: in November of last year, the Ducks’ Pac-12 title hopes were dashed after a 42-16 beat down at Arizona. But this is an entirely different Arizona team taking the field. What are your thoughts on them early on and who could cause trouble for Oregon?

Bantly: The Wildcats’ team has a handful of play-makers on both sides of the ball. Their receiving core is strong with surprise standouts Cayleb Jones and Austin Hill. Though the Wildcats average 27.3 points allowed per game, eighth in the Pac-12, they have Scooby Wright who has 51 total tackles, seven for loss and four sacks. In addition to Wright, the Wildcats’ Jordan Tevis has collected 37 tackles so far this season.

Hoyt: Ka’Deem Carey is gone, but Arizona’s running game is still humming this season with freshman Nick Wilson. Wilson, a 5-foot-10 running back from Fresno, California, is averaging 6.3 yards per carry this season for the Wildcats despite an 11-carry, 33-yard performance against California two weekends ago. Head coach Rich Rodriguez, like last season, will want to get the run game going early against an Oregon defense that couldn’t stop the Wildcats a year before.

Will the turnover at the offensive line position finally catch up to Oregon? The team remains unblemished in the win-loss category, but should there be concern that the Ducks can continue to play at the level they want to?

Bantly: I don’t see the misfortunes of the offensive line catching up to Oregon against Arizona, but there should most definitely be a concern. This is going to be a big test following Washington State sacking Mariota seven times. But after a bye week, I do think that the coaching staff and the offensive line has made progress. Whether or not senior Jake Fisher returns this week is still unknown, but I expect the offensive line to protect Mariota much better.

Hoyt: Oregon’s offensive line proved last game against Washington State that it’s vulnerable. It won’t get easier against linebacker Scooby Wright and the Wildcats. Wright has four sacks in the season. Protecting quarterback Marcus Mariota, who has proven to be injury prone, is Oregon’s number one priority. The Ducks failed last week in that task. They’ll have to prove that they can protect Mariota against the Wildcats.

Prediction. Why?

Bantly: 48-31 Oregon. I think Solomon will have a good game through the air, but the Ducks will come up with the stops when it really matters. The Oregon offense will then lead the charge and find a way to protect Mariota, at least better than it did against Washington State.

Hoyt: It’s going to be a shootout at Autzen Stadium this weekend. It’s going to be exciting and tight all the way through. In the end, I think Mariota continues to make a Heisman statement and wills Oregon to a big home victory against an undefeated Wildcats team. Final: 45-35 Oregon.