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By now, Oregon Ducks fans are feeling somewhat relieved. The much-needed win over the hated Washington Huskies on October 17th unfolded similarly to how the previous eleven victories took place. The Ducks never trailed, and the Huskies were clearly overmatched. On that wet night in Seattle, Oregon’s season was saved, and hope among the Ducks’ fanbase was restored. It was the kind of win that could lure a Duck fan into believing Oregon defaulted back to its old ways; when wins stockpiled with ease.
After a nightmarish first two months of the 2015 season was the storm finally weathered?
As Duck fans look ahead to the hypotheticals that will need to take place to witness a second straight Oregon appearance in the Pac-12 Championship game, they should get in touch with reality first.
Don’t purchase your tickets for Levi’s Stadium just yet, Duck fans.
Despite a steady option at quarterback in Vernon Adams, the same weaknesses that exposed this team for two months still linger. The secondary is still historically awful. But Oregon’s kinks in its armour are only a tiny aspect of the challenges that are sure to meet them in the coming weeks.
Oregon’s schedule is perhaps enemy number one as the Ducks are set to enter the gauntlet. Arizona State, Cal, Stanford, and USC are all waiting on deck, with the same desire for retribution that Utah and Washington State held.
But there I go, looking way too far ahead.
Because before Oregon can win the North, they will need to go into Tempe on Thursday night, and take down Todd Graham’s Arizona State Sun Devils. For those unfamiliar with ASU, that task is no easy feat.
Just three years ago was the last time the Ducks played on the road in a Thursday night game against the Sun Devils. Loaded with a team worthy of a National Championship shot, and lead by future Heisman winner Marcus Mariota, the 2012 Ducks escaped the dogfight with a win, after trailing early.
2015 promises no easier of a matchup. The two teams have gone down similar paths so far this season. Both teams lost an early season out-of-conference showdown and sputtered in league since. Both Oregon and Arizona State currently sit at 4-3, and neither considers themselves as a longshot to win their respective division.
Saturday night will decide which side will keep trucking on for another week, toward a Pac-12 championship that would redeem both of these disappointing teams.
Last season, the Oregon Ducks season culminated with a trip to the National Championship at the lavish AT&T Stadium. This season, the Ducks most important game occurs at Sun Devil Stadium on Thursday night. There will be no confetti or trophies for the winner in this game; just hope.