Oregon Ducks Football: Breaking Down Week 4 Matchup vs. Arizona

After beating Tennessee Tech Saturday 63-14 Saturday night and moving to 3-0 on the season, the Oregon Ducks face their toughest challenge of the year in Week 4; the Arizona Wildcats.

While Oregon has looked amazing on offense and as tough as ever on defense, they haven’t faced the caliber of competition that the Wildcats will bring in Week 4.

If they want to contend for a national title in 2012, the Ducks will have to beat Arizona first.

This matchup will be too great to miss!

Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR

When: Saturday, Sept. 22 at 10:30 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: Watch ESPN

Radio: Free Football Radio

Stars to Watch

Marcus Mariota, QB

The Oregon Ducks have kept the workload down for freshman quarterback Marcus Mariota, but he has still been a big part of what the team is doing on offense. If they want to beat the Wildcats, they will need the best game of Mariota’s life.

Besides avoiding needless turnovers, Mariota must capitalize on the chances the defense gives him.

Arizona has a stout secondary, and their mistakes must be capitalized on by the ducks and their freshman QB.

Kenjon Barner, RB

Through the first three weeks of the college season, senior Oregon Ducks running back Kenjon Barner has shown that he can be inconsistent at times.

With one game of over 200 yards rushing and two games under 100 yards, Barner must show more consistency against the Wildcats.

If the Ducks give the ball to the veteran back around 20 times, that will create the perfect balance in the run and pass game to keep Arizona on their heels throughout the game and allow Oregon to walk away with the win.

Prediction

As much as Arizona’s offense can move up and down the field at will against secondary competition, they have not faced a defensive unit as fast or physical as the Ducks in 2012.

With the Wildcats' offense on its heels all game, the Oregon offense will run a balanced offense at Arizona and wear them down over the course of the game. The Ducks will break a few huge plays, but their style in Week 4 will be methodical.

With the help of Barner and Mariota, the Ducks will win their fourth game of the season and confirm the belief that they could be contenders for a national title.

Oregon 37, Arizona 24

Check back for more on the NCAA Football as it comes, and don’t miss Bleacher Report’s College Football page to get your fill of college football.

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