Pac-12 Football: 5 teams on upset alert in Week 2

There is plenty of reason for Ducks fans to be optimistic heading into their non-conference showdown with Nebraska on Saturday. Against Southern Utah, Oregon piled up touchdown after touchdown and over 700 yards in a 77-21 rout of their FCS visitors. Prolific offense seems to be back in style in Eugene after last year’s downturn.

But the Thunderbirds offer nowhere near the level of challenge that the Cornhuskers will bring to Autzen Stadium. Nebraska head coach Mike Riley is all too familiar with the Ducks after all his years at Oregon State, and he will make sure his team is comfortable in Pac-12 territory. The Huskers are in good form after a 43-36 victory over Sun Belt contender Arkansas State in their home opener.

Nebraska brings a balanced offense westward that will seriously test new defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt. Oregon’s front seven will especially be tested by Cornhuskers running back Tre Bryant, who racked up 192 yards and a touchdown against the Red Wolves. In the other direction, Royce Freeman could find it hard to score so frequently against Nebraska’s defense.

Basically, this game is a toss-up. Last year the Cornhuskers won 35-32 in Lincoln, in large part because the Ducks refused to kick an extra point. The oddsmakers are putting the Ducks as three-point favorites on their home turf, but they cannot get too confident yet in Eugene.