Three things to keep an eye on when the Wildcats face the Ducks on Saturday at Arizona Stadium (6 p.m., Pac-12 Networks).
Michael Lev Here are three things to watch in the Arizona Wildcats’ game against No. 12 Oregon at Arizona Stadium , plus a score prediction and some pertinent preview links:
1. GROUND AND POUND?If this stat didn’t cause Johnny Nansen to lose sleep this week, nothing ever will: Oregon had 351 rushing yards on 37 carries against Stanford last week. Those numbers were almost identical to the ones Cal put up against Arizona the previous week – 354 and 38. The Ducks’ total was a season high and their most rushing yards since 2018. But it wasn’t an aberration. In the three previous games, they averaged 217.7 yards on the ground.
People are also reading… 2. DUCKS’ DEFICIENCY?If Oregon has a weakness, it’s pass defense. The Ducks rank last in the Pac-12, allowing 282.2 yards per game. Opponents are completing 69.5% of their passes against Oregon, the highest figure in the conference. Considering that Arizona passed for almost 500 yards last week, this would seem to be an area the Wildcats can exploit. We believe they can. But it might not necessarily take the form you would expect.
3. HISTORY REPEATING?It’s really strange that Oregon hasn’t won in Tucson since 2011. The Ducks have gone 0-2 at Arizona Stadium since. Both games were sizable upsets, and both were blowouts. Will any of that have any influence on this game? Probably not. But you know what could? The crowd. The game is a sellout. It’s going to be loud. If the fans do their job, Oregon will experience the cacophony that so many visitors endure at Autzen Stadium.
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