After sweeping through the nonconference schedule, head coach Willie Taggart and the Oregon Ducks begin Pac-12 play on Saturday with a matchup against the Arizona State Sun Devils in Tempe, Arizona.
The Sun Devils enter the game with a 1-2 record, with losses against San Diego State at home and Texas Tech on the road. They opened the season with a 37-31 home victory over New Mexico State. Head coach Todd Graham has held the job since 2012 but entered this season on the hot seat after compiling a 12-14 record over the past two season. A win over Oregon may not fix all his problems, but it would be a good start.
Quarterback Manny Wilkins has completed 68 percent of his passes, and has thrown seven touchdowns and no interceptions this season. However, Oregon comes into the game ranked third in the nation in defensive interceptions with seven.
“This is going to be the most athletic football team we’ve played this year by far,” Taggart said. “They have great talent, great skill and a very mobile quarterback. That brings another challenge to the defense.”
Justin Herbert and Oregon’s offense should have success against the Sun Devils since the Ducks’ average 323.7 passing yards per game, the 17th best mark in the nation. Herbert tied Bill Musgrave for most passing yards in a single game in Oregon history with 489 passing yards against the Sun Devils last season.
Royce Freeman has been making things look easy running the ball for the Ducks. He enters Saturday ranked third in the nation among with 460 rushing yards this season and leads the nation with nine touchdowns. He should have opportunities for success against the Sun Devils, who are giving up 167.3 rushing yards per game and 4.92 yards per carry, which ranks 90th in the nation.
Arizona State is 117th in the nation in scoring defense and surrenders an average of 37.7 points per game. Oregon’s offense should continue to steamroll, as they average 56 points per game and rank third in the nation in scoring offense.  
Phil Bennett, hired from Baylor University, is in his first year as defensive coordinator for the Sun Devils. This will be the third game in a row that the Ducks will be facing a team with a first-year defensive coordinator.
The Sun Devils defense is currently ranked 121st with 505.3 yards given up per game. Only nine other teams in all of college football have given up more yards this season.
While the Sun Devils give up a lot of yards, they don’t hand it over via penalty. They are the ninth least-penalized team in the country, averaging just 32.3 yards per game. By comparison, Oregon surrenders 86 penalty yards per game, tied for 114th in the nation. However, last week against Wyoming the Ducks had just four penalties for 40 yards.
“I think a big part of it is to eliminate the personal fouls,” Taggart said. “Those are the ones that drive you crazy. Those are the selfish penalties that we just can’t have.”
Sun Devils kicker Brandon Ruiz has yet to kick a field goal under 40 yards this season. He made two-of-four and his longest kick is 52 yards.
The statistics heading into this matchup lean heavily towards the Ducks. Media and coaches have Oregon ranked in the polls again, and this game provides the team an opportunity to make a statement to start Pac-12 play.
Follow Zak Laster on Twitter @zlast3445