At the start of the season Oregon were one of the teams strongly fancied to be competing in the BSC games while Arizona State were somewhat off the radar. Now after six games both teams will want to prove their point. In Oregon’s case they will feel aggrieved that they have been dumped town to 9th in the rankings for losing their opening game against LSU – hardly a disgrace, and they have done everything right since. For Arizona State, who themselves have only lost once, and that narrowly against the 6-0 and increasingly impressive Illinois Fighting Illini, they will want to show that they deserve their ranking and hopefully improve on it. So given both teams have plenty to play for this looks like being the game of the weekend.
Oregon rely heavily on their power rushing game and since their opening loss to LSU they have no put a foot wrong (pardon the Pun) with LaMichael James already having put in 852 yards. However he is doubtful for the game and it will be interesting to see if the inexperienced De’Anthony Thomas is ready to step up in what will be a pressure game. If James plays and is fit then we would have no hesitation in predicting a Ducks win, however without him we have a question mark against them.
The Sun Devils will come out throwing and with Brock Osweiler looking good you cant blame them. They are currently 24th in passing yards and they have in Cameron Marshall a reliable RB who can help eek out those 3rd & short conversions.
Overall despite theirinjury worries we think that Oregon at home should be just about good enough to take this one however we dont expect a blow out and it could be by less that 7 points.