No. 13 Oregon and No. 21 UCLA are squaring off Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on CBS in game that will reverberate throughout the Big Ten and beyond. The 3-1 Ducks are already dealing with a thin margin for error as they prepare to host a 4-0 UCLA team that profiles as a potential dark-horse contender under first-year coach Bob Chesney.
Both are coming off bye weeks following Week 4 wins, each impressive for different reasons. Oregon took down USC 41-27 on the road and showed an explosive offensive gear, even after losing starting quarterback Dante Moore to a scary injury in the first half. UCLA turned heads by traveling cross-country for a 54-3 win over Maryland, marked by an all-systems dominance which suggested the Bruins are no joke.
While Chesney's first season since arriving from James Madison is off to a perfect start, this marks a new kind of challenge. The Bruins have not played a team currently ranked in the top 60 of the CBS Sports 138 and will be up against Oregon, which entered the season at No. 2 in the AP poll. After a stunning Week 2 loss at Oklahoma State, the Ducks began living up to preseason expectations in their Week 4 win over the Trojans.
Dante Moore unlikely to play: Oregon quarterback Dante Moore returned to practice this week after suffering a concussion on a late hit in the first half of the Ducks' Week 4 win at USC. However, he's unlikely to play against UCLA. That should mean another opportunity for Dylan Raiola.
The Nebraska transfer completed 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns against USC and looked comfortable leading a talented Ducks offense. Having such a solid second option should reduce any urgency Oregon might feel to get Moore back on the field. Raiola is a former two-year starter for the Cornhuskers and a five-star prospect who is one of the nation's most talented second-string quarterbacks.
UCLA's rushing attack: UCLA ranks No. 4 nationally in rushing offense at 281.5 yards per game on the ground. James Madison transfer Wayne Knight is the name to know. The 5-foot-7 speedster is tied for third nationally with nine rushing touchdowns.
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