The matchup between No. 12 Oregon and No. 18 UCLA isn’t quite living up to the pregame hoopla that many expected it would have coming into the season. Both teams are coming off losses in their first Pac-12 home games of the season and both teams’ Heisman hopeful quarterbacks hit a bump in the road on their path to the coveted trophy. Both the Ducks and the Bruins can’t afford to lose two conference games and watch their College Football Playoff dreams dwindle away. A win-or-go-home element is certainly in play at the Rose Bowl this Saturday.
Last season, Oregon outscored the Bruins 28-0 in the second half to beat UCLA 42-14. Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota was efficient, completing 21-of-28 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown. Running back Byron Marshall rushed for 133 yards against the Bruins — no Oregon running back has eclipsed the century mark this season.
The field is filled with players and matchups that can make or break a team’s chances in this game.
Matchups to Watch:
LB Eric Kendricks vs. QB Marcus Mariota
Last year, Marcus Mariota unveiled a wardrobe change against the Bruins: a brace on his left knee. That didn’t stop the UCLA linebacker from attempting to take a couple shots at the hobbled quarterback. Kendricks had a couple of questionable hits against Mariota that teetered the line between fair and foul. Kendricks even went as far as to commend Mariota for not complaining about the possibility of a late hit. Kendricks, who currently leads the Bruins with 58 tackles, will again be on the hunt for Mariota.
Oregon pass rush vs. UCLA offensive line
After only one sack against a quick-throwing Connor Halliday in week four, the Oregon pass rush showed signs of improvement and picked up four sacks against the Arizona Wildcats last weekend. The Ducks will have another chance to generate some pass rush this weekend against an inexperienced Bruins offensive line. UCLA allowed 10 sacks to Utah last weekend. Hundley, a redshirt junior, has been sacked a total of 107 times in his career.
Players to Watch:
Oregon
Royce Freeman
It’s crazy to think that Oregon hasn’t had a player rush for over 100 yards in a game this season. Freeman, the freshman running back out of Imperial, California, is leading the Ducks with 346 yards and five touchdowns. If Marcus Mariota is indeed not 100 percent healthy, like offensive coordinator Scott Frost indicated after the loss to Arizona, then Oregon needs someone to take the load and stress off of his shoulders. The Bruins are giving up 167.8 rushing yards per game to opponents. Getting Freeman, or any running back in the Ducks backfield, over the 100 yard mark is essential this weekend.
UCLA
Jordan Payton
UCLA has a crop of players with big play potential in its receiving corps, but Payton has shined above the rest so far this year. The 6-foot-1 receiver has caught 31 passes for 491 yards and three touchdowns. Payton expects to match up with Oregon All-American cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. “I’ve been waiting for this one,” Payton told the UCLA media earlier this week. “He’s one of the best corners in the country so it’s a huge task for me.”
Follow Joseph Hoyt on Twitter @JoeJHoyt