Campus Confidential

By Adam Abramson

America's biggest flaw heading into the 2009 election?

Late-starting sports. How are we as observers expected to be unbiased when Arizona State and Oregon consistently kick off after 9 p.m.? How are we to stay up late to watch Hawaii to confirm they do not belong anywhere near the BCS title game? Are we really expected to stay up until 2 a.m.? These are questions I post to Rudy, Hillary, Barack and Dennis, of course?

Tonight offers you the chance to see one of the country's best teams for at least a half when Oregon plays a tricky Arizona team. The No. 2 Ducks are far from being out of the woods with three games remaining. But taking wins at Michigan, against USC and Arizona State, you have to think they can take care of business against the Wildcats, UCLA and Oregon State. We'll just focus on tonight, though.

Last year Mike Stoops' team went up to Eugene and stomped Mike Bellotti's Oregon group into the ground, 37-10. It was a very average year for the Ducks, who lost their bowl game to BYU to finish 7-6.

So what makes this year's version different?

Well, the numbers don't tell the story. Last year's Oregon was No. 9 in offense. This year's is No. 5. And defense? Last year the Ducks were No. 42 in total, this year they're No. 74.

But like we've said, sometimes the numbers don't tell the whole story. Why is the defense ranked so low this year but the Ducks are 8-1? Well, for starters, the Ducks are putting up serious points, and they usually don't waste a lot of time doing it. Oregon is No. 5 in the country in scoring with 42 points per game, with 80.7 percent of their points coming in the first three quarters. Generally that means they're pitching lawn chairs and hanging out in the fourth quarter, letting teams rack up passing yards. (a third of their season's fourth quarter points came in one game). This year's pass defense is ranked 105, last year 20.

Yards allowed on defense clearly aren't the ultimate determiner. This year's unit is making way more plays than last year's. How do I know this? Well, Oregon is among the best in the country in sacks and tackles for loss. The Ducks are good for at least nine TFL in a game, third best in the country (eighth in sacks). Also, the turnover margin has done a 180. This year's Ducks are No. 17 with a .78. Last year's team was No. 109 with a -.77. Oops.

Well, the turnover margin can largely be credited to the improved play of their Heisman hopeful quarterback Dennis Dixon. Last year's 14 interceptions have dwindled down to 3, to this point. But at this mark in the season last year, Dixon had 10. Oregon's No. 10 has come full circle and revolutionized himself at the position. He's fourth in the country in passing, in the top 100 in rushing and has opened things up for the rest of his offense dramatically.

Everyone has blossomed in offensive coordinator Chip Kelly's first year manning the O. Jonathan Stewart has made his case for why he's one of the best backs in the country. He's No. 9 in the country in rushing, but he's the only one in the top 10 with under 200 carries (177). His 6.45 yards per carry are second best in the top 20. You saw in the top clip below how powerful he is. The dude gets it done.

As far as Dixon's targets, he lost his best two to injury. Cameron Colvin and Brian Paysinger are both out for the year. But luckily Bellotti remembered that he should recruit more than two wide receivers. Jaison Williams has looked good filling in the void with 7 touchdowns and tight end Ed Dickson has had his name called increasingly.

On defense, you'll need to keep an eye on guys like junior defensive end Nick Reed, third in the country in sacks and TFL. Senior safety Matthew Harper and sophomore corner Jairus Byrd have been creating the turnovers, each with three picks this year. Junior safety Patrick Chung is the team's ball hawk, leading the Ducks in tackles. You'll see a lot of 4-2-5 from the Ducks on defense, but safety Jerome Boyd is a big safety at 6'2, 215. Enjoy the change in pace with a look you don't consistently see.

The same goes for offense. Kelly throws out some cool formations and likes to have some fun.

As for Arizona, the Wildcats are a lowly 4-6, but have snapped off two wins in a row and played USC rather tough. Quarterback Willie Tuitama has been solid for Stoops', but Arizona has some serious trouble running the ball and that's what it will take to keep Oregon's offense off the field.

I really like Oregon to cover the 11.5 they're giving.