Following the loss against Arizona, Oregon has a lot of work to do to prove that they will not only be deserving of a playoff spot but also be able to attend the Pac-12 championship game at the end of the regular season. So as No. 12 Oregon heads down to Southern California to the Rose Bowl to face No. 18 UCLA, the stakes are high. The game, to both programs, is a must win. Here is how Oregon and UCLA stackup:
OFFENSE:
Oregon:
A week ago, Oregon entered their game versus Arizona off a bye week and it didn’t seem to help the offensive line –the biggest question mark offensively. The fact is that there is no way to know if this offensive line will be able to hold off any defense. Senior offensive lineman Jake Fisher’s status is still unknown. But if Fisher were to return to the offensive line against UCLA it would provide tremendous help. A simple summary of the Oregon rushing attack this season: There hasn’t been a single 100 yard rushing performance all season long from a single Duck. Yes, Oregon has a ton of weapons. But we haven’t seen them in their full power, yet.
UCLA:
Well if there was one team to matchup with Oregon’s offensive line, it is UCLA. The Bruin offensive line has allowed 23 sacks through their first five games alone, only worse than, you guessed it, Oregon (15), in the Pac-12. In their lone loss of the season against Utah last week, Hundley was sacked 10 times, but somehow Hundley still finds a way. He ranks fourth nationally with 10.5 yards per pass attempt. Sophomore Paul Perkins leads UCLA’s rushing attack with 540 yards on the season on 94 carries, averaging 5.4 yards a carry.
Yet UCLA has shown that if they get an opportunity in the red zone, they’re dangerous. So far this year they’re a perfect 15-15 with 12 touchdowns within their opponents 20.
Advantage: UCLA
DEFENSE:
Oregon:
From week-to-week, Oregon’s defense has continued to have a lone line of question marks circulating around its play on the field. The unit sits second-to-last in pass defense in the Pac-12 and aren’t much better against the rush. Expect Don Pellum’s rush three, drop eight scheme to continue but it will also be on the players to execute better. They have glimpses of how good they could be, it’s just whether or not they can be consistent.
Being successful on third down will be most important for Oregon, whose opponents’ third down conversions  average is 45.7 percent – worst in the conference.
UCLA:
UCLA’s defense averages 25.8 points allowed, 2.6 points worse than Oregon’s. In their recent loss against Utah at home, the Utes rushed for 242 yards against the Bruins. They also can’t seem to get to the quarterback, which bodes well – at least on paper – for Oregon’s depleted offensive line. UCLA’s defense has only sacked the quarterback seven times this year, the worst in the Pac-12.
Advantage: Oregon
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