The Ducks are about to play their first in-conference game against a very strong Colorado team, which will enter the matchup 3-0 after winning just one game the season before.
The matchup with Colorado will be the first time that both programs will be ranked in the AP Top 25 heading into the game, besides the Fiesta Bowl matchup in 2002. With the upcoming game looking like a marquee matchup so soon after Oregon’s huge 49-10 win in 2022, here are some other surprises from the Ducks and the rest of the Pac-12 this season.
Undefeated Week 1
The Pac-12 was undefeated after Week 1, going 13-0 thanks to a USC win in Week 0. The undefeated streak continued into Week 2 before ending after an overtime loss for the Arizona Wildcats. The unbelievable start marked the first time the Pac-12 was undefeated after Week 1 since 1932, and the first time any conference accomplished the feat since 2006.
The Pac-12 is in the midst of what will be the last season of the conference in its current iteration, but Pac-12 teams are refusing to let the conference go out with a whimper. Going into Week 3 there were eight ranked teams from the Pac-12, the most the conference has ever had in an AP Poll.
The Pac-12 is looking like the best conference in college football this season, and the wins just keep coming. All eight of the ranked teams were able to come away with a win in Week 3 which kept all eight teams in the AP Poll for after Week 3.
New Look for the Offensive Line
The Ducks’ offensive line suffered massive losses to what was one of the best units in the country after last season. Oregon allowed quarterback Bo Nix to be sacked only five times the whole season. However, that offensive line lost four starters heading into this season. A big question before this season started was how the new front line would look.
So far, the Ducks look strong protecting the pocket. Through three weeks, Oregon has allowed just one sack. In addition to the protection of Nix, the O-line has excelled in creating opportunities in the run game. The Ducks have averaged 229.3 rushing yards per game over their first three contests, making them No. 17 in the FBS.
With Oregon beginning the harder part of their schedule as they head into conference play, the O-line will be tested more and more as the weeks go on. Their play will be something to monitor to see if they will continue to play at an elite level, or if their early-season excellence will come back down to earth.
Elite Offensive Performance
The Ducks’ offense has been scoring at an absurd rate through the early weeks of the season. Oregon is second in the FBS in scoring, with 58.0 points per game, and fourth in offensive yards per game with 579.7.
Nix has picked up where he left off after a very strong first season with the Ducks in 2022. The Auburn transfer has 893 passing yards for eight touchdowns so far with a 77.6 completion percentage. The Ducks’ bolstered receiving core has been led by a familiar face, as Troy Franklin has 17 catches for 292 yards and three touchdowns.
Going into a matchup with their first ranked opponent of the season, the Oregon offense will look to continue playing at the elite level that it’s been at.
Colorado’s Turnaround
The aforementioned Buffaloes have seen a massive turnaround with the injection of new head coach Deion Sanders and over 50 new players added in the transfer portal. However, even with the overhaul, a 3-0 start for Colorado did not seem like something that was in the cards for them.
Colorado is one of the two currently ranked Pac-12 teams to not make an appearance in the AP Poll last season, joined by Washington State. However, the Cougars were competitive last year, playing tough games against many of the conference’s best teams. The Buffaloes went just 1-11, serving as an easy game for most teams they matched up against.
The upwards trajectory of Colorado’s program seems poised to continue with the recruiting efforts that Sanders is making during his first season. Colorado’s surprise start to the year might set a trend of a more competitive program as they move to the Big-12.
