Another week, another 50-point outburst -- last week, Oregon made it four in a row, and the Ducks will travel to Boulder with the intent of making it five. The Buffaloes have allowed 31.7 points per game in 2013, but they have yet to face an offense like that of Oregon’s.
How to watch Oregon vs. Colorado: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
This one has all the makings of a blowout.
Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
One matchup to pay close attention to in this one will be the battle between Oregon's stellar cornerbacks Ifo-Ekpre Olomu and Terrance Mitchell and arguably the Pac-12's best receiver, Paul Richardson. Richardson missed all of last season with an ACL tear but has shown up in force this one -- the junior has 487 yards and five touchdowns through three games. With a good game, he could surpass his career highs in both categories, although the two Duck corners don't figure to make it easy. Indeed, NFL prospects Mitchell and Olomu are coming off a strong performance against California, where they erased two of the Pac-12's better receivers in Bryce Treggs and Chris Harper.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Oregon leads the all-time series 9-8 and set a record for margin of victory in a 70-14 win last season. Could it break that number in this one?
Three names to know
Byron Marshall (Oregon running back) - De'Anthony Thomas may miss this one with a sprained ankle he suffered against Cal. If that is the case, the running game will fall to Marshall, the latest in a long line of talented Oregon backs. Everything indicates he is capable of handling the task -- Marshall ran for 130 yards and two touchdowns in relief last week.
Mike MacIntyre (Colorado head coach) - Since coming over from San Jose State, MacIntyre has already doubled Colorado’s win total from last season. Sure, they were against Colorado State and Central Arkansas -- but for a team that went 1-11 last year, it does show growth of some kind.
Nick Aliotti (Oregon defensive coordinator) - The Ducks are usually prone to giving up bundles of yardage -- an unfortunate side effect of playing at their tempo. That hasn’t been the case so far, though -- Aliotti has done an outstanding job in 2013, coaching up a defense that has allowed only 3.82 yards per play, fourth best in the country. Oregon is allowing 10.8 points per game, as well.
Two things at stake
Oregon has yet to be tested this season, and doesn’t figure to be against the Buffaloes, either. A loss would obviously doom the Ducks’ national championship hopes, and perhaps even their Pac-12 ones. More likely than not, the Ducks will have their starters out in the third quarter in order to rest up for No. 15 Washington next week.
Colorado has looked dramatically improved under new coach Mike MacIntyre. They’ll be looking to continue that improvement, even if a win is unlikely. The Buffaloes were blown out 44-17 in their Pac-12 opener last week, and will try to be more competitive against the Ducks.
How to witness
TV: 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT), Pac-12 Network
Streaming: XFINITY customers can stream online here.
Further reading
Visit Addicted To Quack if you want more on the Ducks. Ralphie Report has more on the Buffaloes.
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