According to preseason expectations, Thursday night’s contest between Oregon and Arizona State on ESPN was intended to feature two of the top programs in the Pac-12 – possibly the nation. The teams were ranked inside the top 15 of the AP poll and both had marquee non-conference match-ups to open the season.
However, when the Ducks and Sun Devils meet in Tempe, Arizona, it will feature two teams still in pursuit of becoming bowl eligible. Arizona State and Oregon are coming off bye weeks with 4-3 records and two Pac-12 losses.
Arizona State has mirrored many of Oregon’s struggles. The offense, guided by quarterback Mike Bercovici, hasn’t transitioned as well from 2014 to 2015 as it was initially expected to. The unit is averaging just 28 points per game and Bercovici’s quarterback rating is listed at 52.6. The numbers contributed to Arizona State being dominated in games versus USC and Texas A&M in September.
A win at UCLA a few weeks ago displayed the group’s potential, though. As for Oregon, the team is trying to win consecutive games for the first time this season. With a healthy Vernon Adams, Jr. and Darren Carrington providing another dynamic threat, the prospects look much brighter than what they were a couple weeks ago.
Here’s how Oregon and Arizona State stack up:
Oregon offense vs. Arizona State defense
Oregon’s offense looks like a completely different animal with Adams behind center. The graduate-transfer returned after missing back-to-back games to lead Oregon to 442 yards of offense and a 26-20 win over Washington. In addition, wide receiver Darren Carrington returned from his six-game suspension and became Adams’ main target, finishing with five grabs for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
With that said, coach Mark Helfrich said there are still a number of “simple mistakes that we can correct.” But the speed and excitement Oregon’s offense is normally associated with was certainly there at Washington. Royce Freeman took advantage of the added passing threat and ran for 138 yards on 27 carries.
All of it together resulted in Oregon’s most complete performance on offense all season, and a reason for optimism heading into the latter half of the schedule. But Arizona State’s front seven poses a stiff challenge for Oregon.
The group is ranked second in the Pac-12 in rushing yards allowed, giving up just 129.3 yards per game. It also ranks first in the conference in sacks with 24.
Arizona State offense vs. Oregon defense
Bercovici has thrown for 14 touchdowns and just five interceptions, and running back Demario Richard is averaging 5.2 yards per rush. But those numbers have been outdone by a myriad of other problems Arizona State’s offense has faced. The offensive line is giving up an average three sacks and 7.7 tackles for loss, according to The Oregonian.
It opens the door for an Oregon defensive line that has had its share of struggles this season too. However, the unit appears to be coming into its own as of late. The Ducks rank fifth in the conference in rush defense and second in sacks with 21.
And based on Oregon’s pass defense this season, getting to the quarterback could be crucial for the defensive line this week. Bercovici is averaging 39 passes per game, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise if his attempts total is higher on Thursday.
Elsewhere on defense, Tyree Robinson’s move from safety to cornerback for the Washington game appears to be permanent.
Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise
Stack up: Oregon and Arizona State hope to turn disappointing seasons in different direction
Justin Wise
October 25, 2015
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