According to OddsShark.com Oregon has a -23 point line going into this game. But don’t count Arizona out quite yet. Here’s how Oregon and Arizona stack up:
OFFENSE:
Oregon: There’s no question that Oregon’s offense is the best in the conference when healthy. the team has scored more points (194) and averaged more points (48.5) than any other team in the Pac-12. But the achilles heel of the Oregon offense has been revealed. If the offensive line stays healthy they’re great, but right now they aren’t.
With the bye week giving the Ducks time to rest, get healthy and get on the same page they should improve from their performance against Washington State when quaterback Marcus Mariota was sacked seven times. However, with Mariota as quarterback and all the other weapons Oregon has, the Ducks can accelerate quickly.
Arizona: The new-looking Wildcats are surprising in how much success they’ve had so far, and for good reasons. Arizona averages 42.0 points per game, which ranks third in the Pac-12. Redshirt freshman quarterback Anu Solomon has been solid.
In his recent game against Cal, where he led the Wildcats to a come-from-behind victory, Solomon threw for 520 yards, five touchdowns, two interceptions and, of course, a hail mary at the end of the game. But it’s not just Solomon. Both senior Austin Hill and redshirt sophomore Cayleb Jones have been able to hook up with Solomon for big plays this season.
Freshman running back Nick Wilson ranks second in the conference in both rushing yards at 482 and average yards per game at 120.5.
Advantage: Oregon
DEFENSE:
Oregon: There is no denying that the Oregon defense has been less than spectacular. The Ducks currently rank fifth in the conference in rush defense and 11th in pass defense – only better than Cal. What makes this worrisome for Oregon fans is that the Arizona offense ranks second in both categories on offense. So the defense is going to have its hands full with the new-looking Wildcats coming into town. Though, to its advantage, it is coming off a win against Washington State where Connor Halliday threw the ball 63 times against Oregon, completing 43 passes for 436 yards and four touchdowns. They’ve seen it once, hopefully meaning they’ll be better prepared this time.
Arizona: The defense for Arizona is decent. It sits in the middle of most statistical defensive categories in the conference. The only problem is that it’s schedule has been rather weak this season. In the last game the Wildcats allowed 45 points against Cal and have allowed an average of 27.3 points per game and didn’t come up with many turnovers as a team — four so far this season (three interceptions, one fumble recovery). But Arizona is a good tackling team. Linebacker Scooby Wright III has 51 total tackles, seven for loss and four sacks so far this season. In addition, senior safety Jordan Tevis has 37 tackles on the year. Oregon’s leading tackler? Reggie Daniels with 28.
Advantage: Oregon
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