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3 bold predictions for Oregon football vs. UCLA in Week 5

By Connor Muldowney

Oregon running back Jordan James works out during warm ups as the Oregon State Beavers host the Oregon Ducks Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore.
Oregon running back Jordan James works out during warm ups as the Oregon State Beavers host the Oregon Ducks Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Despite a slow start to the 2024 season, Oregon football is prepared to prove doubters wrong and that has already begun with a dismantling of rival Oregon State right before a bye week.

The Ducks struggled in the first two weeks of the year against Idaho and Boise State, winning by a combined 13 points at home, but they went into Corvallis and smashed Oregon State 49-14, leaving no doubt as to who the top program in the state is.

Dan Lanning and the Ducks got a bye in Week 4 and will now head to Pasadena for a familiar matchup in a new conference. They will face UCLA in a 'Big Ten After Dark' showdown at the Rose Bowl.

This game shouldn't be close, but will we see some whackiness like what we used to expect from Pac-12 After Dark games? We'll see.

Let's dive into some bold predictions.

1. Dillon Gabriel passes for 400-plus yards

Facing one of the worst passing defenses in all of college football, Dillon Gabriel is going to have an absolute field day in Week 5.

The Oklahoma transfer has already averaged over 300 yards per game in his first three outings as a Duck, but he's about to have his best game yet, throwing for over 400 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions against a lousy UCLA passing defense that ranks 113th nationally.

Honestly, this one could get ugly for the Bruins.

2. Jordan James rushes for 150 yards

This may seem like a lame bold prediction, but I just have a hunch. While the Ducks will pass for well over 400 yards, I see Jordan James leading the rushing attack with 150-plus yards of his own.

While he is splitting carries with Noah Whittington, I see James toting the rock 17 times for 152 yards and a touchdown in this one. He has been really solid through three games with 283 yards and three touchdowns, but he's going to crack the 400-yard mark by the end of this one.

3. Oregon turns UCLA over 4 times in huge win

We have to give some props to the Oregon defense, too. While the offense will dominate, I think the defense is going to have some fun with Ethan Garbers, picking him off a couple of times to run his season total for interceptions up to six.

I also see the Ducks forcing a couple of fumbles and finishing with a 4-0 advantage in the turnover battle as Oregon covers and wins by a wide margin in Pasadena, 41-13.

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