Preview: #12 Oregon vs. #18 UCLA
Date: 10/11/14
Time: 3:30 PM ET
Television: FOX (National)
Spread: Oregon -2
Players to Watch
Marcus Mariota, Quarterback (Oregon)
Mariota will be the best player on the field on Saturday. He’s being projected as a Top-10 lock for the 2015 NFL Draft, possibly even the first overall pick. He’s the complete package. He has size, a strong arm, and is a dual-threat, who is showing development as a pocket passer.
He still has accuracy issues tied to footwork, but his development thus far gives optimism that he will continue to improve upon those issues.
Arik Armstead, Defensive Line (Oregon)
Armstead, like many Oregon players, is an athletic freak. Listed at 6’8”, 290, he is incredibly nimble and quick, and plays with incredible strength. He has all the makings of a future NFL-star, athletically, but still has some technique issues that he needs to iron out.
Brett Hundley, Quarterback (UCLA)
Hundley, despite high expectations, has not progresses from 2013 to this season, as many would have hoped. He’s still the dual-threat quarterback with through the roof potential, but he has struggled with ball placement and still drops his eyes when he scrambles.
He’s still being projected to be a first round pick this April, and he’s the focal point of the Bruin offense, so he’s the player to keep a close eye on.
Deon Hollins, Linebacker (UCLA)
Myles Jack is the star of the UCLA defense, but opposing offenses have been focusing on him, which has opened opportunities for Hollins to make plays. Hollins has three sacks this season, which leads the team. Hollins is next in line to be the big name pass rusher for the Bruins, following Anthony Barr and Jack, and he’s taking advantage of his opportunities.
Oregon’s Offense vs UCLA’s Defense
Oregon’s offense has struggled starting strong this season, but they can still score quickly and often. They have offensive threats at every position, especially Mariota. However, if UCLA can get pass rushers in the backfield and pressure Mariota to throw without setting his feet, they can control the game and force him to make bad throws.
Royce Freeman has been a pleasant surprise as a true freshman, leading the team in rushing, and Byron Marshall has assumed the D’Anthony Thomas as the primary pass catcher out of the backfield, so they will need to win in their roles if Oregon wants to leave Los Angeles with a victory. If they can consistently win their matchups and find holes, that will take a lot of pressure off Mariota.
UCLA’s Offense vs Oregon’s Defense
The big matchup will be in the trenches. UCLA’s offensive line has struggled this season, giving up 10 tackles for loss, and over four sacks per game to opposing defenses. Oregon is loaded along the defensive front, with Armstead, Tony Washington, and DeForest Buckner leading the group, so they will put plenty of pressure on Hundley.
Game Preview
Both teams are looking to rebound from their first loss of the season, where UCLA lost on a last second field goal to Utah, and the Ducks were stunned at home by, the now 10th ranked Arizona Wildcats.
Both teams will live or die behind their star quarterbacks. Both are immensely talented, but have their mechanical flaws as passers. Hundley will have the bigger challenge, as the UCLA offensive line has not been very good this season, but Mariota will have to worry about players like Myles Jack and Deon Hollins rushing him from the edge, with one tackle, Jake Fisher, playing the blind side to replace injured left tackle, Tyler Johnstone, and freshman Tyrell Cosby manning the other side.
Hundley has less weapons on offense than Mariota, especially in the backfield, but the big challenge will come when he has to worry about throwing to the side of Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, one of the top cornerbacks in the country. Having to worry about that, as well as the dominant pass rush against his line, could make for a long day.
Implications
Both teams have one conference loss, and one more would all but eliminate them from conference championship consideration, let alone a potential spot in the inaugural FBS Playoff.
Oregon is still in good position in the North Division, as all teams have lost at least one conference game. Meanwhile, UCLA is behind Arizona, who has surprised the nation so far this season, so another loss would end their chances, assuming Arizona stays at its current pace.
Final Prediction
Oregon- 35 vs. UCLA- 17