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Oregon Football: Game-by-game prediction for 2020 season

By Nick Fiore

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: The Oregon Ducks mascot "Puddles" celebrates with a rose in his mouth while the Ducks were defeating the Utah Utes 37-15 in the Pac-12 Championship Game at Levi's Stadium on December 06, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: The Oregon Ducks mascot "Puddles" celebrates with a rose in his mouth while the Ducks were defeating the Utah Utes 37-15 in the Pac-12 Championship Game at Levi's Stadium on December 06, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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UCLA football
Chip Kelly and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA football (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

3. vs. UCLA (Nov. 20)

Chip Kelly is certainly on the hot seat this year after starting 7-17 in his first two seasons.

The excitement around dual threat Dorian Thompson-Robinson being paired with Kelly is now gone. Thompson-Robinson has struggled in his time as the Bruins starting quarterback, posting a 1.75 touchdown-to-interception ratio and not being as efficient running the ball as he was in high school. Kelly may be forced to go with Washington transfer Colson Yankoff at some point.

On the defensive side of the ball, there should be strength up front with Osa Odighizuwa and Tyler Manoa leading that group. Like every team in the Pac-12 besides USC, Oregon has a massive talent advantage. A win for the Bruins here could save Chip’s job so I’m sure he’ll be bringing everything out of the playbook, I don’t think it will be enough, though.

Final Score: Oregon 42, UCLA 28 (3-0)

4. at Oregon State (Nov. 27)

The Ducks have dominated the Civil War recently, winning three straight and 11 of the last 12. This year’s contest shouldn’t be different. Head coach Johnathan Smith and the Beavers fell one win short of making their first bowl game since 2013.

This year, there’s a good amount of returning production on the defensive side of the ball, a group that improved from being one of the worst units in the country in 2018 when they finished 120th in total defense and 127th in scoring.

Last season, the Beavers finished 48th in scoring offense averaging 31.3 points per game but will be without last year’s starting quarterback Jake Luton. Returning junior Tristan Gebbia and JUCO transfer Chance Nolan will be competing for the starting job. Whoever ends up getting it is in for a rough day when they face the Ducks.

There’s a trend we’re seeing for Oregon to start their season, getting to face weak offenses early on for their defense to feast on. The Ducks should dominate as usual in their annual in-state rivalry game.

Final Score: Oregon 42, Oregon State 14 (4-0)

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