Arizona at Oregon Game Preview

Read: What to Expect From … Arizona?

In 10 years of traveling with the Arizona football team, there are a handful of road wins that stand out.

For me personally, my top three start with a pair of victories in 2009: a gritty road win in Nick Foles’ first career start at Oregon State in 2009, and defeating USC to secure a Holiday Bowl bid at the L.A. Coliseum later that season.

The third was maybe the best single-game road performance I witnessed from the Wildcats: the 2014 upset at Autzen Stadium of No. 2 Oregon led by Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota.

That victory in Eugene is the only game that I recall where I was in the press box until the conclusion of the game. Typically, I’d be on the field by late fourth quarter to facilitate postgame interviews and press conferences. Afterward, I would wrap up the postgame notes on the bus before headed to the airport.

But that Thursday night in Eugene was a little bit different. If Arizona held on to win, there was a little more significance, a little more historical perspective to provide in those postgame notes.

With two other colleagues from the Communications team on the trip, we decided I’d stay in the box to wrap up those notes while they took care of postgame interviews.

So, by the time Scooby Wright III strip-sacked Mariota, I was one of only a handful of people remaining in Autzen Stadiums open air press box. The other dozens of media members had gone down to the field.

The silence that fell over Autzen Stadium was something I will never forget. You could hear a pin drop as Arizona ran out the clock. Anyone remaining in the press box was silent.

Once the clock ticked to zero, I kept watching as the Wildcats’ bench took to the field in celebration. I looked around the stadium as the fans quietly filed out.

Then, I got to work wrapping up the postgame names. After 10 or 15 minutes of updating records vs. ranked teams, ranked road wins, Top-5 wins, etc., it was time to pack up and join the party down in the locker room.

Before I got down there, I took a slow walk down the ramps below the press box. Some Oregon fans were still making their way out of the stadium themselves.

It was quiet. It was peaceful. It was the calm after the storm.

That’s the way a visiting team wants Autzen Stadium to be, and I will never forget that scene.

Fast-forward to 2019, and the task of repeating history will be difficult for the Wildcats.

The Ducks have everything to play for in late November, and simply winning the game may not be enough to achieve their ultimate goals. They need to play elite football, and winning convincingly as a heavy favorite is something required by those that make the decision of who gets into the College Football Playoff.

Unlike that trip to Eugene in 2014, Arizona’s team has not shown the moxie it takes to go into Autzen and win. You have to be confident, poised and play relentlessly for four quarters. Sometimes even that is not enough, but it gives you a chance.

That’s not to say the Wildcats cannot pull of the unthinkable, but if it is to happen, they will need to play their best football game of the year.

Now, for the keys to the game.

Arizona Football Keys to the Game

1. Start Fast
2. Create Turnovers
3. Play Disciplined
4. Tackle Well
5. Fight to the Finish

Arizona wins if …

For the Wildcats to stun the Ducks, it will take a fast start, multiple turnovers and a balanced team effort that we, frankly, have not yet seen this season. Regardless of who takes the first snaps at quarterback, the Wildcats will need a strong and poised performance. They will also need the offensive line to deliver a big time effort to establish the run game and help open up opportunities through the air. It’s hard to see Arizona staying close without turning over the Ducks, who have been very secure with the football this season. However, if the ball bounces the right way and sets up or directly leads to an extra score or two, the Wildcats may build enough confidence to surprise the Autzen Stadium crowd. As a contender for the College Football Playoff, pressure can begin to mount for teams as games get tight late. The longer Arizona hangs around, the more the pressure will mount on the Ducks, which could force them to take ill-advised chances. Arizona has enough playmakers offensively to be dangerous when things are clicking, and if the defense develops any sort of confidence in a no-lose situation on the road, the upset could be there for the taking.

Oregon wins if …

The formula for the Ducks is pretty simple: play smart, physical football. If quarterback Justin Herbert and the offense protect the football, establish the run and don’t force the issue, they will wear down Arizona’s defense as the game goes along. Defensively, Oregon will seek to stop J.J. Taylor and the Wildcats’ rushing attack, putting the game in the hands of whichever quarterback Kevin Sumlin choose to trot out there. While it’s easier said than done, keeping the focus on being the best football team on the field is all Mario Cristobal’s squad needs to do. They are the better team on paper, and if they play their brand of football, that will show through. But they may be tempted to impress the critical eyes of outsiders judging them for the College Football Playoff. That could lead to playing tighter than necessary, or it could lead to a rout.

The Prediction:

Oregon 49, Arizona 24

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