No. 21 UCLA (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten) at No. 13 Oregon (3-1, 1-0)
When: 12:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
TV/Radio: CBS (Ch. 2)/790 AM KABC
Line: Oregon by 11.5 points
Injury Report
UCLA: OUT: WR Mikey Matthews (undisclosed), WR Jonah Smith (undisclosed), OL Sam Yoon (undisclosed); DOUBTFUL: DL Ashton Sanders (undisclosed); PROBABLE: DB Tao Johnson (undisclosed)
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Oregon: OUT: QB Dante Moore (head), WR Jeremiah McClellan (undisclosed), RB Simeon Price (undisclosed), LB Brayden Platt (undisclosed), OL Trent Ferguson (undisclosed), WR Jack Ressler (undisclosed); DOUBTFUL: DB Aaron Scott Jr. (undisclosed), DB Aaron Flowers (undisclosed).
What’s at stake? Oregon and UCLA have a path to the College Football Playoff. After an early-season loss to No. 18 Oklahoma State, the Ducks can’t afford another defeat with No. 5 Ohio State looming on their schedule. The Bruins can prove they belong in the CFP conversation, and would carry a record that gives them a chance to make the playoff. For Bruins coach Bob Chesney, his staff and the 11 players that were at James Madison, this would their getback for a 51-34 loss in the first round of the 2025 CFP. The Bruins haven’t defeated the Ducks since 2017 and haven’t done so in Eugene since 2004.
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Who’s better? Chesney said he learned Oregon has “no weakness” from that CFP opening-round defeat. But he also believes these Bruins are better than those Dukes. Linebacker Samuel Omosigho and the defensive back duo of Rod Pleasant and Scooter Jackson bring speed JMU didn’t have to match Oregon last year. Safety Tao Johnson looks to be back in the fold for UCLA as the defense is coming off its best performance – five turnovers with two pick-sixes in a 54-3 rout of Maryland – of the season. UCLA is averaging 281.5 rushing yards per game (fourth in the FBS). The Bruins will try to remain efficient against Oregon’s four studs across the defensive line. The Ducks also have a capable backup quarterback in Dylan Raiola, who might throw a prettier football than injured starter Dante Moore. Oregon still has the better athletes and speed, but UCLA has minimized the talent gap present last December, and are riding momentum.
Prediction: Oregon 38, UCLA 31. The Bruins cover, but the Ducks are a step too far despite UCLA’s exciting start to the season. Raiola can carve apart the Bruins’ defense, and UCLA’s run game might have its worst day against Oregon’s defensive line, forcing quarterback Nico Iamaleava to beat the Ducks. He’s playing well, but not capable of that feat. Still, hanging with UCLA is a moral victory, although Chesney’s probably allergic to that cliche.
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