Lucas Clark: Through three games, the No. 5 Oregon Ducks have yet to truly be tested.
With an admittedly weaker preseason schedule than 2009, the Ducks now look to defend their Pacific-10 Conference title against a solid Arizona State squad.
Oregon leads the nation in both points per game (63.0) and points allowed (4.3). The numbers may be somewhat deceiving given the opponents, but at this point in the year, the offense is firing on all cylinders.
Second-year head coach Chip Kelly continues to preach about getting better every day, and the team has honestly bought into it.
The Ducks are hungry for another Rose Bowl berth, and this week, the road to Pasadena rolls through Tempe.
Andrew Gruman: The Arizona State Sun Devils are coming off a heartbreaking loss in Madison against a tough Wisconsin Badgers team.
Arizona State had a tying extra point blocked late in the fourth quarter, preventing a potential upset.
Despite making many mistakes, Arizona State’s first test against an FBS opponent was promising.
The new spread offense implemented by new offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone this offseason has been successful early on.
Junior quarterback Steven Threet has been a breath of fresh air early on and has given Arizona State its first playmaker at the position in a few years.
The run game has also been successful, primarily with freshman Deantre Lewis and sophomore Cameron Marshall.
The defense is still one of the best in the conference, so with a promising but young offense, Arizona State hopes to compete for a bowl berth.
However, the conference-opening matchup couldn’t be any tougher.
Dennis Erickson thinks Oregon may be the best team in the country, so a heartbreak hangover can’t exist this weekend.
After the contest with the Ducks, Arizona State doesn’t play another home game for over a month.
LC: There’s no question last week’s loss to Wisconsin was a heartbreaker, and having to respond with an arguably tougher opponent this week will show Arizona State’s true colors.
Oregon ran over the Sun Devils 44-21 when the teams met last November, with running back LaMichael James galloping for 150 yards and three first-half touchdowns.
The Ducks took a 31-7 lead into halftime and have been just as aggressive in the opening quarters this season.
The Oregon offense has outscored its opponents 117-13 in first-half play this season and 72-0 in the final two quarters.
Saturday won’t be a question of Arizona State holding the zone-read attack in check, but merely putting up enough first-half points to keep the game competitive.
None of the Oregon starters has seen more than three quarters of action this season, and with hope, heat won’t play a factor if the starters are forced to compete for a full 60 minutes.
AG: There is no doubt that since Arizona State’s last win over Oregon in 2004, the series has been dominated by the Ducks.
In order for that to change, Arizona State is going to have to play a near-perfect game on Saturday.
The Sun Devils will be a bit more prepared for the spread offense this year, after implementing a spread of their own.
Though the Arizona State spread is a different style, with throwing the football being the main threat, the Sun Devils will be more prepared for the tempo and no-huddle offense associated with the spread. The start to the game will be important.
The mistakes Arizona State made last week can’t happen.
The Sun Devils can no longer settle for field goals and the penalties must be cut down, or it could be a long Saturday.
LC: It’s interesting that you bring up Arizona State’s new spread offense.
If I had to pinpoint one area of the Oregon defense that is relatively weaker than the rest, it’s the secondary.
Though senior Talmadge Jackson III has a lot of experience at the corner spot, junior Anthony Gildon is still a bit of a question mark opposite Jackson. He hasn’t made many mistakes, but his coverage skills have yet to be really tested this season.
John Boyett and Javes Lewis are both outstanding run stoppers from the safety position, and defensive backs coach John Neal has used nearly every eligible DB he has on his roster through three games. Neal said earlier this week he is not willing to go through what he did last year after losing three starting seniors within a matter of weeks and will have a deep and prepared unit this season.
AG: The Oregon secondary will be tested on Saturday; there is no doubt about that.
Arizona State is going to throw the ball a lot, mostly short routes to get the ball in the hands of its playmakers.
The key to the Oregon secondary’s success will be how well it tackles the shifty Sun Devils.
On defense, the biggest key will have to be how disciplined Arizona State’s talented linebackers play. Though very talented, this unit can be a bit undisciplined.
It’s going to be hot at kickoff, and Sun Devil Stadium has sold a lot of tickets for this matchup.
Even with a home-field advantage, Arizona State is going to have to play perfect to spring the upset.
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