The number is down to two. Two more games. Hopefully two more wins. And if all goes to plan, a triumphant march into the Big Ten title game with the splendor of an undefeated regular season hanging over their shoulders. On Saturday, the Ducks will play their final away game in Madison against a shaky but competitive Wisconsin team. A team that is aware of the ramifications an upset would create and that this is their last chance at a big, statement win before the year ends. If Oregon can overcome what will certainly be a hostile, raucous environment this weekend, their final test will be a rematch with erstwhile northern rivals the Washington Huskies at home. Funnily enough, this matchup with Wisconsin will likely pose a greater threat to their lossless record, as 2024 Washington is a pale shadow of last year’s excellent national championship runner-up squad.
Oregon continued to mow down inferior opponents in a dominating win over a beleaguered Maryland last weekend. With a final score of 39-18, it was the Ducks’ fourth straight double-digit victory and the ninth time this season (excluding week one vs. Idaho) that they have scored 30+ points in a game. Dillon Gabriel became the NCAA’s all-time leader in total touchdowns, with his record-breaking 179th (+1 later in the game) coming in the third quarter with a pass to an offensive lineman in Gernorris Wilson of all people. While the accomplishment is undoubtedly impressive, it also bears mentioning that Gabriel is in the midst of his sixth year as a college quarterback, an opportunity many of his past peers did not receive. Against Maryland, he was excellent, going 23/34 on passes and throwing for 183 yards and three touchdowns, adding 28 yards on the ground.
Wisconsin is coming off a much-needed bye week after suffering a blowout loss to Iowa on the road during Week 10. That loss was the second in a row for the Badgers after another road defeat to Penn State. Before this brutal stretch, things looked pretty good for Luke Fickell and Co., who were sitting at 5-2 and 3-1 in conference play. Now, all they can hope for is a bowl game and to at least put up a decent fight against a Ducks team that could run wild if given an inch to do so. There should absolutely be grace given to Wisconsin’s quarterback situation, as incoming transfer and starter Tyler Van Dyke tore an ACL in his right knee in their third game vs. Alabama, sidelining him for the season. Sophomore Braedyn Locke has filled in for the remainder of their games and has not particularly impressed, throwing for as many interceptions as touchdowns and only showing flashes against fellow Big Ten bottom dwellers like Purdue or Rutgers.
Injury updates out of the Oregon camp have been trending positively, focusing on three senior players: wide receiver Tez Johnson, defensive end Jordan Burch, and running back Jordan James. Johnson is the biggest loss for the Ducks so far, as he has been their most productive receiver this season and their go-to punt returner. He sustained an upper-body injury during Oregon’s game against Michigan two weeks ago and was seen wearing an arm sling and street clothes before the Maryland game. Burch had returned during their game in Ann Arbor but had to exit vs. the Terrapins in the second half, and while he was able to walk off the field himself, his right leg seemed to suffer some kind of injury. James drew attention as he simply looked banged up and didn’t play very much, only getting seven carries last Saturday, all but one of which came in the first half. When asked, Dan Lanning said specifically about James and Burch, “Early in the week, we’ll take a lot off of them and then see how they feel, but I anticipate that we should be able to see them back” (via SI).
ESPN has the Ducks favored by -14 points on the road, with an over/under of 51.5. Oregon now ranks as the eleventh-best team in the country in total offense and ninth in total defense, presenting a devastating two-way powerhouse for any opponent. Unfortunately, Wisconsin is just not in the same class, ranking outside the top fifty in both passing and rushing offense and coming in at a paltry 81st in total offense. Their results on the other side of the ball are solid overall, coming in at 29th in total defense, but they have shown a continuing ability to absolutely bleed points to good teams. Oregon is a great one. Expect this matchup to be a slightly closer one than previous weekends have featured, with the Ducks still beating the spread but the point total coming slightly under 51.5.
Prediction: Oregon W, 34-16
