Don’t believe the players when they say it’s just another game.
No. 22 Oregon hosts No. 3 Michigan on Saturday, the first time since 1992 that a top-five opponent has taken the field at Autzen Stadium.
“All the guys on the team are looking forward to the opportunity to play against them,” wide receiver Samie Parker said.
The Ducks, who have averaged more than 40 points per game, will have to make headway against a team that has allowed just one touchdown and one field goal through three games.
“I’m excited, because as a football team, this will be a great test for us,” Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr said. “I think it’s a game that prepares our team as we go into the Big Ten season.”
Michigan (3-0) has high hopes for its season, and many of those rest with quarterback John Navarre and tailback Chris Perry.
Navarre has thrown for 580 yards and four touchdowns. He has only been intercepted once. Perry has run for 549 yards to lead the nation.
“I think Michigan is a potential national championship team,” Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti said. “Just look at the way they play and what they are on paper. Obviously we want to derail some of those hopes this weekend.”
One of the keys this season for Oregon (3-0) has been the improved play of the defensive backfield. Steven Moore has continued his starting duties from the 2002 season at cornerback. Justin Phinisee has started two games this season, the first two starts of his career.

Last season, teams threw past Oregon defenders who were just a step or two behind. In three games, both Phinisee and Moore have been on the ball, ready to make tackles when and where needed.
Duty will call when Navarre and his blue and maize teammates take to the turf.
“The nervousness is more excitement because it’s a big game on ABC,” Moore said. “There’s more opportunity for you to show off what you can do and show people that we’re back. It’s a different team versus last year.”
The nation’s most efficient passing duo also has its work cut out. Quarterbacks Kellen Clemens and Jason Fife face a defense that has given up only one touchdown — to Central Michigan — and one field goal to Houston.
The Wolverines held then-No. 15 Notre Dame scoreless Sept. 13.
Michigan has allowed 305 passing yards in three games, while the Ducks come in averaging 284 yards per game from the air.
On the other side, Oregon’s defense has all but stopped opponents’ running games. They have given up 215 yards on the ground this season and will have to continue that success against Michigan. Perry alone averages 183 yards rushing per game, while his teammates add 124 yards per game.
“We’re going to play an excellent Oregon team,” Carr said. “They’re very difficult to beat at home. The crowd is, from every report I get, from every coach I’ve spoken with, it’s a real factor.”
After three home games with an average crowd of more than 110,000, Michigan now makes its first ever trip to Eugene and hostile Autzen Stadium.
Saturday is the sixth time in Autzen history that a team ranked No. 3 or higher has faced Oregon. All other highly-ranked opponents have been Pacific-10 Conference teams.
This helps set the scene for a battle of two undefeated schools. Michigan just dealt Notre Dame a 38-0 blow Saturday while Oregon traveled to Arizona and emerged with a 48-10 win to open the conference season.
The biggest blow for the Ducks in Arizona was another injury.
Parker, who sprained his right ankle in Saturday’s victory against Arizona, has done limited workouts this week, but expects to see time on the field Saturday. He wants to face the Wolverines as much as his teammates do.
“This is a good opportunity for us to showcase what we can do,” Parker said. “It’s going to be on national TV so everybody can see what the Ducks are all about.”
While it is unknown if what the Ducks are about will include the lightning yellow uniforms, it is known that they will have something to dazzle everyone.
“We’re going to tackle them,” outside linebacker Anthony Trucks said. “We’re going to go out and play.”