The Pac-12 debuted this season and it caused a slight problem in the Ducks’ non-conference schedule. This week the Ducks would have been hosting Utah, but now the Utes are a part of the newly formed Pac-12 and the Ducks were left with a hole in the schedule. So the Missouri State Bears will be the opponent at Autzen Stadium this week and they will take home a $440,000 paycheck. Missouri State is the only team that will have played two top-15 teams in their non-conference play and will have their work cut out for them in Eugene. The Bears also played then #15 Arkansas in week one, losing 51 – 7.
My prediction for this week’s game at Autzen? It could get ugly quick. The Ducks still have something to prove after their week one loss to LSU and will make certain that the Bears don’t trip them up this week. Missouri State’s Defensive Coordinator D.J. Vokolek must have had a busy week trying to figure out how to slow Oregon down. My guess is limiting Oregon’s time of possession is probably his best bet, but most likely it won’t make a significant difference. Last week Nevada had more first downs than Oregon and greater time of possession, but we all saw what happened with that. The Ducks will be looking to strike fast and often and I would look for at least one defensive or special teams score. Once the Oregon score starts to roll I am expecting non-stop Oregon offense.
I agree with some of the other predictions out there that Oregon’s first-string will probably only see one half of this football game rather than the three quarters they saw last week. They will do substantial damage in two quarters of play and don’t expect the offense to stop when the bench takes over. Bryan Bennett will get ample opportunity to show Oregon fans what he has in store for them and has probably been preparing for the opportunity.
It will be an Oregon offensive show again in Eugene tomorrow – the Bears will be taking their paycheck home but most likely a loss at Autzen will accompany it. My prediction Oregon wins 70 – 6.