After a week off following an emotional win over the USC Trojans, Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducksare ready to get back onto the field. They'll get that opportunity in another big moment, hosting the No. 21 UCLA Bruins in Autzen Stadium, with both teams looking to prove something.
Oregon is trying to show that they are as good as people imagined they would be before the season started, and worthy of a spot in the College Football Playoff, while UCLA is trying to show that they belong on the same stage as the top teams in the Big Ten.
It's going to be a fun afternoon in Autzen Stadium, with a lot of eyeballs tuned in.
To preview the game, we go through our weekly roundtable with the writers from Ducks Wire to offer our opinions and predictions for
what's to come. Here is our roundtable conversation.
Bye Week Focus
Question: The bye week was well timed for the Ducks, giving them a chance to rest and reset after an emotional win over the USC Trojans. In your mind, what is the No. 1 thing that Oregon needed to focus on or fix during the “work week” leading up to UCLA?
Zachary Neel: I think it's gotta be focused on the defense, and the safety/linebacker spot in particular. Oregon's secondary has not been great against the run so far this year, and that's going to matter a ton in this matchup against the Bruins. If Koi Perich and Peyton Woodyard can get coached up a bit more that would help.
Bjorn Bergstrom: Figuring out the safety position, which, in my opinion, should be more of a rotation with inconsistency clouding that spot. Koi Perich hasn’t fit the bill of a high-profile transfer, and Aaron Flowers has been a step late on a number of plays. Rotating in Trey McNutt, Peyton Woodyard, and Jett Washington has to be a priority. While it may create some instability now, it’d lead to better play with the best combination down the stretch of the year.
Logan Brown: Firstly, get healthy, which, according to the availability report, did not happen. But on the field, I’d really like to see the Ducks find new ways to win along the defensive front. UCLA’s rushing attack is the best Oregon has seen so far this season, and Nico Iamaleava can be forced into mistakes when under pressure. The Ducks have started to generate a little more pressure, but there are still big issues in terms of discipline on the edge. That needs to be a point of emphasis this week.
Base-Level UCLA Thoughts
Question: What are your general thoughts on UCLA? Coming into the year, they were billed as one of the teams to watch, and so far, they’ve lived up to the billing. However, the teams they’ve played so far don’t exactly strike fear in anyone. Do you think they’re as good as their record suggests, or are we giving them too much credit so far?
Zachary Neel: I don't think we're giving them too much credit, but I also think that it's fair to want to see them prove it against a legitimately talented team, which we believe Oregon to be. There's a good chance that the Bruins show on Saturday that they belong alongside a team like the Ducks, and they can state their case as a real contender in the Big Ten. Until we see that, though, I think it's fair game to say that we need to see more.
Bjorn Bergstrom: I’d offer that we’re not giving them enough credit. USC has stolen much of the SoCal headlines, but UCLA should be the focus in Los Angeles. Bob Chesney wins everywhere he goes and he’s done it through the first month of the season with the Bruins. They’re for real and I expect them to give the Ducks a run for their money, if not beat them, on Saturday.
Logan Brown: UCLA doesn’t have a flashy resume yet, but I think they deserve every bit of credit they are getting right now. They have legitimate playmakers defensively, and if Wayne Knight were playing somewhere in the SEC or at a Big Ten powerhouse, I truly think he could be getting Heisman consideration. He’s that good. If Oregon can stop him, the game is in the bag. The Bruins can score in a hurry and know how to attack the opposing quarterback with a variety of different looks in the front seven, so Oregon will need to be sharp with Dylan Raiola under center.
UCLA's Strengths
Question: The Bruins have one of the most productive running backs in the nation with Wayne Knight, and a mobile quarterback that can hurt you in multiple ways with Nico Iamaleava Jr. As an Oregon person, which one of those makes you the most nervous against this Ducks defense?
Zachary Neel: I think any Oregon fan starts to pucker up at the thought of a running quarterback scrambling for third-down conversions, as we've seen many times over the years. But the answer here is Wayne Knight, who is one of the best backs in the nation this year. He's averaging over nine yards per carry, and has proven that he can carry an offense. Oregon has not been elite against the run so far this season, but they've got a big opportunity ahead of them.
Bjorn Bergstrom: Considering Iamaleava’s arm doesn’t really scare me, just his legs, I have to go with Knight here. Iamaleava is a great scrambler and gets first downs on designed runs, but Knight is a true home run-hitter with the ability to score on any touch. He can break off a game-changing score at any point.
Logan Brown: Knight, by a mile. Yes, the Ducks have notoriously struggled with the QB run game over the years, including with Drew Mestemaker earlier this season. I’ve already said the edge rushers need to be disciplined in this game, but that effort extends to Knight, who shakes tackles and can bounce runs to the outside with ease. Knight is also active as a receiver, and the Oregon defense struggled to bring him down in the game against James Madison last season. The Ducks haven’t tackled well this season, so Knight is flashing red alarms this week.
Oregon's Offensive Keys
Question: Offensively for the Ducks, what needs to be the main key here? It will be Dylan Raiola under center for this game with Dante Moore still sidelined, so how does Drew Mehringer best draw up things in order to set him up for success?
Zachary Neel: I don't think the offense needs to operate any differently this week just because it's Raiola under center. I largely expect to see the same product, with the same principles. However, it will be imperative that the offensive line steps up and at least plays a B+ game, keeping Raiola clean in the pocket and paving the way for rushing success. If Raiola is getting pressured and hit all game, routinely finding himself behind the chains because his running backs can't find a footing, then this thing could go downhill quickly.
Bjorn Bergstrom: Just like he did against USC, encourage Raiola to cut it loose but be smart. Scared quarterback play isn’t good quarterback play. Good thing for the Ducks, Raiola has never played scared in his college career, instead sometimes expressing too much confidence in his ability. Raiola perfectly toed the line of aggressive yet smart, sound football against the Trojans with a solid running game to aid him.
Logan Brown: Let it rip. Normally, I’d say Oregon needs to establish the run first, but UCLA is great against the run, and the Ducks have not the ball consistently yet. Raiola needs to get into a rhythm early on, and then the play-action shot downfield will be there. UCLA’s secondary has great playmakers that will bait quarterbacks into turnovers, but they are also often too aggressive. They allow easy throws underneath and get flagged downfield. Raiola can absolutely win this game for the Ducks with his right arm. The game plan shouldn’t deviate without Moore.
National Look
Question: There are a lot of other big games across the college football world this weekend. Which one are you most interested in tuning into?
Zachary Neel: The obvious answers are Georgia vs. Alabama and Indiana vs. Nebraska, two games that I will absolutely be watching. I'm also very interested in tuning into USC's game against Penn State, Iowa's game vs. Washington, and Kentucky's game vs. LSU.
Bjorn Bergstrom: I’m a member of the Keelon Russell hype train and he and Alabama have a huge home test against Georgia this weekend. That’s what I’ll be watching after the Duck game; to see if the sophomore Russell has yet another big game, but this time against the Dawgs.
Logan Brown: Georgia-Alabama is clearly the game of the day, but I’m locked in on Indiana’s trip to Nebraska. Lincoln is a tough place to play, and the Cornhuskers have a potent offense with Anthony Colandrea leading the charge. The Hoosiers haven’t looked as threatening offensively yet with Josh Hoover at quarterback, while the defense still looks strong. If Nebraska can knock off Indiana, that sets up a major showdown next weekend in Eugene when the Cornhuskers travel to Oregon.
Gambling Corner
Question: Gambling Corner: You get $100 to spread across the point spread (Oregon -11.5), and the Over/Under (58.5 points). How are you allocating your funds?
Zachary Neel: I think the Ducks turned a corner against USC, and expect that we start seeing the group that we imagined we'd see preseason. Give me all $100 on Oregon to cover 11.5.
Bjorn Bergstrom: UCLA is going to give Oregon issues, so give me $50 on UCLA to cover. I also think there’s value in the moneyline bet, which is listed at +320. Give me $50 on the Bruins to come into Eugene and win. There’s tremendous value there, even if I don’t fully believe in it happening.
Logan Brown: I’m going to take the points with UCLA and put $60 on the Bruins to cover the spread. I’ll also take the over in this one. I think UCLA’s ability to run the ball can slow the game down, especially facing Oregon’s defense, which is the best they’ve seen this season. But Oregon can strike quickly in the air, so I’ll put $40 on the over.
Final Score Prediction
Question: Who wins this game, and what is the final score?
Zachary Neel: I've got Oregon 38, UCLA 24. Oregon is able to bottle up the rushing attack for UCLA and Raiola lets it fly.
Bjorn Bergstrom: Oregon 35, UCLA 31
Logan Brown: Oregon 37, UCLA 28. The Ducks hand the Bruins their first loss, and Dylan Raiola shines in his first Oregon start.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Ducks Wire staff predicts Oregon Ducks vs. UCLA Bruins
