Oregon is 6th in the new AP poll, and the Ducks can work with that. It means if they win out, they are going to a BCS bowl, perhaps the Sugar versus Texas A&M.
A lot can happen, though. Stanford travels to the Los Angeles Coliseum to face a surging USC squad that’s won four of five since firing Lane Kiffin, including their last three in a row. The Trojans have rediscovered their running game, and with dangerous outside receivers Nelson Agholar and Marqise Lee, they match up well against The Cardinal. ESPN College Game Day will be there. Stanford is a 3-point favorite.
There is no line on the Utah game, which is a very bad sign. It probably means Marcus Mariota’s status is uncertain for Saturday.
The Utes lost 20-19 to #22 Arizona State in Salt Lake City, giving up a go-ahead touchdown pass in the final three minutes after controlling the game most of the way.
If the Ducks had to play without their sophomore quarterback, an intriguing addition to the offense would be a Wildcat Package with Bralon Addison taking snaps. Always dangerous with the ball in his hands, Addison, Marshall, Tyner and Thomas could challenge the Utes on the perimeter and make them respect the run. The sophomore from Texas was a high school quarterback who made the state finals. At tempo, Utah would have to adjust the fly, a very difficult thing to do.
The Top Five this week are Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State, Baylor and Stanford. Auburn and Clemson trail UO.
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