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Since losing an early-October game to Arizona at home, the Oregon Ducks have been dominant, running through the Pac-12 with five consecutive double-digit wins. Oregon has jumped all the way to No. 2 in the latest polls and they look to be nearly a lock to make it to the first annual playoff. The Colorado Buffaloes have a slim chance to defeat the Ducks, but anything is possible this late in the year.
Oregon has had one of the scariest offenses in the nation for the past decade, or so, it seems. Junior quarterback Marcus Mariota leads Heisman talks this year — and this could finally be the year the Ducks overcome sloppy play against lesser opponents to finally make a run at a national title. Mariota has passed for 2,780 yards, 29 touchdowns and just two interceptions while completing 67 percent of his passes. Running back Byron Marshall leads all receivers with 595 yards and four touchdowns on 46 catches while Devon Allen is second on the team with 31 catches for 586 yards and six touchdowns. Four other Oregon receivers have accounted for over 300 receiving yards and three more have at least four touchdowns. Royce Freeman leads the run game with 945 yards and 14 touchdowns while Mariota has 524 yards and eight scores.
Despite having lost six straight games and all seven conference contests this season, the Buffaloes have the 17th-best passing offense in the entire nation behind the improved play of sophomore Sefo Liufau. The second-year starter has destroyed all of last year’s numbers, passing for 2,842 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing a solid 66 percent of his passes. Liufau has developed a strong bond with top target Nelson Spruce who is set to go over the century mark in receptions this season. On the year, Spruce has caught 99 passes for 1,091 yards and 11 scores. The next closest target, freshman Shay Fields, has 45 catches for 411 yards and four touchdown receptions. The run game is led by four players (Michael Adkins II, Phillip Lindsay, Tony Jones and Christian Powell) who all have over 300 yards rushing and a combined seven rushing scores.
Defensively, Colorado has been a bottom-dweller in the Pac-12 and one of the worst teams in the nation. The Buffaloes rank a lowly 120th nationally in scoring defense and a not much more impressive 106th in total defense. Oregon has been a tad better, but not necessarily the class of the conference, ranking 52nd in scoring defense, but just 109th in total defense.
Colorado will travel to Oregon to take on the Ducks at 4:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, Nov. 22. The game will be broadcasted on the Pac-12 Network.
PREDICTION: Colorado 10, Oregon 42
Want to see the Ducks take on the Buffaloes in week 13? Check out ScoreBig for tickets.
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].
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