Oregon Football: 5 Bold Predictions for Pac-12 Championship Game

Friday night will hopefully usher in a new era for the Pac-12 and Oregon.

Oregon will hope to win its third straight conference title, while UCLA will hope to send Rick Neuheisel out with a bang.

UCLA is coming off a 50-0 loss at the hands of crosstown rivals USC.

USC beat Oregon at Autzen Stadium two weeks ago, 38-35.

Oregon defeated UCLA 60-13 last season at Autzen.

Oregon and UCLA battle at Autzen Stadium for the Inaugural Pac-12 Championship, and here are five bold predictions for that game...

UCLA Plays Brett Hundley

This is going to be a long night for Kevin Prince and the Bruins.

Against the opportunistic Ducks defense and the rowdy Autzen crowd, Prince will struggle and I believe they will make a quarterback change.

Richard Brehaut is still out with an injury, so that leaves true freshman Brett Hundley, one of the top recruits in the nation last year.

Ducks Have Six Sacks

UCLA has one of the worst offenses in the Pac-12, and that will show against Oregon.

The Ducks forced six sacks against the Washington Huskies QB Keith Price, and three against the mighty Andrew Luck and Cardinal offensive line.

Getting six against the Bruins will be a piece of cake.

Ducks Have More Than 500 Yards of Offense

Oregon's high-powered offense will run wild over the Bruins.

The rushing game is matched by no one in the nation, and Darron Thomas is one of the most under appreciated quarterbacks you will find.

With high NFL draft choices Akeem Ayers and Rahim Moore, Oregon was able to gain 582 yards of total offense last year.

Yes, you did read that right. Five hundred and eighty-two yards—1,746 feet.

Imagine what they will do this year.

Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas Will Carry Most of the Load

Oregon is going to need LaMichael James for the Rose Bowl, and James has been dealing with some injuries this year. Yes, it is only his elbow, but Kelly shouldn't risk it.

James will get his fair share of carries, but Kelly should primarily use Barner and Thomas. The duo could easily carry the load.

Rick Neuheisel Is Carried off the Field by His Players, Despite the Loss

I have never been a fan of Rick Neuheisel, and I have had little respect for the man.

But I must say, the way he has handled himself this past week, I am impressed.

Despite being fired, he isn't showing any bitterness and still participated in the Pac-12 Coaches Conference Call.

At Neuheisel's last practice as head coach, his players carried him off the field, and I doubt they wouldn't do the same after the game.