Oregon Ducks vs Arizona Wildcats: Three Things I’ll Be Watching

Entering the game tonight at Autzen Stadium both the Arizona Wildcats and the Oregon Ducks are 4-0(1-0 Pac-12). Two�weekends ago the Ducks escaped Washington State with a win and the last time Arizona was on the field they pulled off a hail mary victory in the final seconds over the California Golden Bears. Thursday night they meet in a Primetime Game on ESPN. The evening will be special because the game marks the one-hundredth consecutive sellout of Autzen Stadium dating back to the 1999 season.

More from Oregon Ducks Football

• Oregon football: Ducks and Coach Prime playing it cordial leading up to Saturday
• Oregon football: Ducks find complete game effort in win vs Hawaii
• Oregon Ducks must get run game going against Hawaii
• Oregon football storms back in 4th quarter to win vs. Texas Tech
• Oregon Football: Ducks dismantle Portland State, look ahead to Texas Tech

My focus this week is likely the same for every Oregon fan reading the blog this week, at least to start.

Will Arizona Keep Mariota Down By Sacking Him?

The Washington State Cougars sacked Oregon Quarterback Marcus Mariota six times in the game. Six. The Offensive Line clearly was the focus during the bye week and tonight we will see how they respond. If the Oregon signal caller can get time to throw to his wide receivers the came could quickly become a shootout. Arizona Quarterback Anu Solomon does not have Connor Halliday-like numbers, but he has thrown for over fourteen hundred yards this season for thirteen touchdowns.

Can Oregon’s Defense Stop Arizona’s Passing Attack?

Two weeks ago Oregon showed plenty of vulnerability against the passing from Quarterback Connor Halliday. Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu gave up two scores to Cougars Wide Receiver Dom Williams, one in the endzone. �Can Oregon clamp down and prevent the big plays against the Arizona Offense? Can Oregon’s front get to Solomon? Tackles will be critical tonight as Arizona has some experienced weapons at Wide Receiver.

Can Marcus Mariota Use His Feet to Beat Arizona?

There have been times this season when Oregon Ducks Quarterback Marcus Mariota has put the team on his back and led the Ducks to victory. The Heisman Trophy Candidate has shown a few times this season his ability to break away from defenses for big runs, the most memorable against Wyoming with his ‘dive’ past the pylon and into the endzone. Oregon fans know there are likely just a few more chances to see Mariota in and Oregon Ducks uniform.

Oregon and Arizona take the field for a Thursday Night game on ESPN(7:30pm Pacific Time).

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