Arizona pulled off one of 2013’s most stunning upsets when it beat Oregon last November. The Ducks will have a chance to take revenge Thursday night, when they host the Wildcats in Eugene.
How to watch Oregon vs. Arizona: Game guide, TV/streaming, odds
Can the Wildcats repeat last year’s upset magic?
Both teams are fresh off bye weeks and undefeated at 4-0. Oregon has the most impressive win of the two by some margin, defeating Michigan State 46-27 in early September. The Ducks’ other wins came against South Dakota, Wyoming and Washington State, just barely surviving an upset bid by the Cougars in Pullman. Rumor has it the Ducks may wear pink uniforms for the game.
Arizona’s last time out saw the Wildcats win on a Hail Mary against Cal (watch it again!), with receiver Cayleb Jones winning the Pac-12’s offensive player of the week award. Their non-conference wins came over UNLV, UTSA and Nevada, and Oregon is a significant step up in competition for the Wildcats.
Our sites on these teams
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: 10:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Online streaming: WatchESPN
The numbers
Rankings and records: Oregon is No. 2 in the AP Poll and No. 4 in the Coaches Poll. Arizona is not ranked in either poll. Both teams are 4-0 this season, with 1-0 conference records. The Ducks hold a 24-15 lead in the all-time series.
Vegas: Oregon opened as a 22.5-point favorite.
Weather forecast: 50 degrees with fog.
Two things at stake
Arizona’s close win over Cal has cast doubt on its legitimacy as a Pac-12 contender. The Wildcats could change that with a win here. Oregon will be seeking revenge after the shocking loss last season, but the College Football Playoff remains the Ducks’ ultimate goal.
One big matchup
Marcus Mariota vs. Arizona’s entire defense. Mariota has been outstanding this season, averaging 337.3 yards of total offense per game with 16 total touchdowns against zero interceptions. He’s thrown multiple touchdowns in each game this season, is a strong Heisman frontrunner and is perhaps the most dynamic player in the nation.
Arizona has not had to face a player anywhere near Mariota’s caliber thus far this season, but the defense struggled to contain Cal quarterback Jared Goff. The sophomore threw for 380 yards on just 30 attempts, recording three touchdowns against one interception.
Further reading
For full coverage of Oregon, head to Addicted to Quack. For more on Arizona, check out AZ Desert Swarm.
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