Well, here we are. After three weeks of Portland States and New Mexicos, the Pacific-10 Conference schedule is finally upon us.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I enjoy a good blowout as much as the next person, and watching the Oregon offense (and defense, for that matter) work its magic was certainly a sight to behold.
But the time has come for, media and fans alike, to see just how good this Oregon team really is.
At first glance, a road game at Arizona State might not seem sufficient for this type of judgment.
“Really?” you ask. “A matchup against a team that went 4-8 last year is going to tell us that much more about the Ducks than, say, Tennessee?”
A fair point, and the 48-13 win over Tennessee in Knoxville was certainly impressive. But that Tennessee team, now 1-2, appears to be heading backward.
Arizona State, on the other hand, is one blocked extra point away from a potential 3-0 start.
The Sun Devils came within two points of an upset win against No. 11 Wisconsin on the road, and it’s safe to say that they probably won’t finish 4-8 this year.
Now, before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s get one thing straight. I still think the Ducks will win this game, and in no way am I implying that they are pretenders boosted by an easy schedule.
My only point is that if Oregon does pull away from Tempe with a win, it will not have come easily.
First of all, the Arizona State offense has been completely revamped this year.
Gone are the days of Danny Sullivan throwing a costly interception while Dennis Erickson stood on the sideline looking like he might just put himself in at quarterback. The Sun Devils appear to have found a legitimate passer in Steven Threet, an imposing 6-foot-5 Michigan transfer.
The junior threw for 391 yards and three touchdowns against Northern Arizona (I know, I know) two weeks ago, and Duck fans will have to hope that Oregon defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti and Co. figured out a good way to stop Threet and the Arizona State spread offense.
And then there’s the defense. Led by reigning Pac-10 Defensive Freshman of the Year Vontaze Burfict, the unit has allowed just 16.3 points per game this season.
Against Wisconsin last week, Burfict totaled 11 tackles, including two for a loss, as well as two pass breakups. A player like Burfict, who is built like a brick at 6 feet 3/245 lbs., could cause problems all over the field for the Oregon offense.
So substantially improved is this Arizona State team that, were I not at practice in the Moshofsky Center this week, I might be truly concerned about an upset.
Luckily for the Ducks, Chip Kelly is not one to take any opponent lightly, and it seems clear that he has driven home the point that this game will be both important and difficult.
To a man, Oregon players stress how seriously they take the prospect of facing any Pac-10 team, particularly on the road. It is this focus that ultimately leads me to believe that this team will be well prepared and ready to execute on Saturday.
But make no mistake, this will be a test for the Ducks.
To this point, most people (including me) are unsure as to exactly how high expectations should be set for this season.
Another Rose Bowl? Dare we say … a shot at the national title? No one really knows, and to this point, any prediction regarding the fate of this team seems presumptuous.
We will have a much better idea on Monday.
Am I saying that a win means national title, or that a loss signifies a trip to the Sun Bowl? Of course not.
But I’m very much looking forward to seeing how this Oregon team performs in the first game of this Pac-10 season.
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