No. 13 Oregon Ducks (8-2) 7-3 ATS, 7-3 O/U at Arizona Wildcats (6-3) 4-4 ATS, 4-4 O/U Saturday November 21, 2009 8:00 p.m. EST, Tucson, Arizona
By Wilson of Predictem.com
Point Spread: Oregon -6/Arizona +6
Over/Under: 60
The Oregon Ducks will fly into the desert this weekend and take on the Arizona Wildcats in a Pac-10 matchup.
Oregon is coming into this game after beating Arizona State 44-21. The Ducks are fighting for the best bowl game they can get and might even have a shot at the roses if some of their Pac-10 foes lose a couple more games.
The Ducks LaMichael James had another huge game as he rushed for 150 yards on 22 carries and 3 touchdowns. Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli was 10 of 20 for 120 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. The Oregon offense has been explosive even with their loss to Stanford they put up 42 points. The crowd at Autzen Stadium started chanting we want Blount but he never made it on the field. LaGarrette Blount was reinstated by head coach Chip Kelly after a near season long suspension for punching a Boise State player in week one.
Arizona comes into this game after a 24-16 loss to the California Golden Bears last weekend. The Wildcats are a solid team and are averaging 30 points per game while giving up 22 to their opponents. Arizona can still clinch a spot in the Rose Bowl if they win out versus Oregon, ASU, and USC but they have to win them all. It should be an exciting finish in the Pac-10 to see what team will face the waiting Ohio State Buckeyes.
Oregon comes into this contest averaging 37.1 points per outing and allowing 20 to their competition. Oregon has favored the running game most of the season and they average 237 yards per game on the ground while Arizona prefers the passing attack 242 yards passing per effort.
The line on this game opened at Arizona +6. Most offshore casinos are showing the Wildcats at +6 or +7 depending on the particular sportsbook. Arizona is 5-0 SU, 3-1 ATS, and 1-3 O/U at home this season. The Ducks are 2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS, and 2-2 O/U on the road this year. Oregon is 6-1 SU, 5-2 ATS, and 6-1 O/U as the favorite this season. The Wildcats are 1-2 SU, 1-2 ATS, and 2-1 O/U as the underdog this year.
The teams have split the last two meetings by a margin of less than ten points in each contest. Oregon has won 4 of their last 5 games while Arizona has won 3 of their last 5 contests.
Arizona is craving a Rose Bowl appearance and will look to run the table during the next three weeks of the season. Head coach Stoops knows that this may be a great chance to build the future of UA football. Nothing is more convincing or motivating to a recruit than a current Rose Bowl video. But Oregon will not be an easy opponent as they are the favored team even on the road. The Ducks have all the tools they need to make a closing run in the Pac-10, especially if LaGarrette Blount returns to the backfield. I can only imagine the damage that the Ducks could do if Blount, James, and Masoli are all running threats. This could be the straw that breaks the camels back for the Wildcats as the Ducks are just too strong of a team.
The Ducks are not intimidated on the road and they will prove that they are for real this weekend in the desert. The Wildcats will not be able to contain the running game of Oregon. I think Oregon wins this game by at least two touchdowns.
Wilsons Pick: Oregon 42, Arizona 28. Luck to ya.