Good Luck Ducks, Week 8: Back to the Drawing Board

Oregon looks to rebound after a lifeless effort. 

Coming into October, the general consensus about quarterback Braxton Burmeister was that he had a long way to go to become a legitimate passing threat in the Oregon offense. I certainly didn't expect to see his passing yardage in the single digits again Stanford before he was relieved, temporarily as it would turn out, by Taylor Alie. Royce Freeman was able to add another good day with the ball in his hands to his long resume, but Oregon absolutely cannot throw the ball down the field right now. Everyone knows this.

Next up on the docket is UCLA, a team that absolutely cannot stop the run. Everyone knows this. Considering that rushing the ball remains one of Oregon's few strengths right now, at least in theory, this could be the game that finally sees Oregon back in the winning column. Help is apparently on the way, as quarterback Justin Herbert has already returned to practice while he recovers from a broken collarbone on his non-throwing side. I am cautiously optimistic about both of these things, although this game could certainly go either way. They often do.

Some things with hyperlinks:

• This will be Oregon's first trip to the Rose Bowl since January 1, 2015, in a much more significant game.
• Pac-12's leading passer Josh Rosen faces the Ducks for the first time, but Troy Dye remembers him.
• Royce Freeman Status Alert: Cool. Cool cool cool cool.
• Know Your Opponent: Things are bleak in Bruins Nation.
• The Unis!: White with green pants and chrome wing helmets. Yeah, Willie Taggart lied.

As a freshman Royce Freeman rushed for 2 TDs in a rout at Pasadena in these two teams last meeting.

Game time is 1:00 PDT. Broadcast channel is the Pac-12 Network. Your scheduled broadcasters are Roxy Bernstein, Anthony Herron and Lewis Johnson. Hooray, an afternoon start for once! Go Ducks!