No. 10 Oregon, UCLA clash with bigger goals at risk

Updated Oct. 21, 2021 10:24 p.m. ET

Associated Press

No. 10 Oregon (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12) at UCLA (5-2, 3-1), Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EDT (ABC).

Line: UCLA by 1 1/2, according to

Series record: UCLA leads 40-30.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

The Ducks are the Pac-12’s last hope to reach the College Football Playoff. The Bruins are trying to stay in the race to reach the conference title game. One of those quests will be dealt a devastating blow at the Rose Bowl. Oregon hasn’t looked the same since its signature win at Ohio State because of a spate of injuries, barely escaping with a 24-17 win over struggling California last week. UCLA got a hot start from its offense and late stands from its defense in a 24-17 win at Washington.

KEY MATCHUP

Oregon RB Travis Dye vs. UCLA LB Caleb Johnson. Dye has stepped up admirably since CJ Verdell sustained a season-ending leg injury against Stanford, providing 145 yards rushing and 73 yards receiving against the Golden Bears. After a poor showing for Johnson and the Bruins’ run defense against Arizona State, he bounced back with six tackles to help limit the Huskies to 2.7 yards per carry.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Oregon: DE Kayvon Thibodeaux clearly relishes coming home as he posted 3 1/2 tackles for loss and two sacks in two games against Southern California in the Coliseum. Pro Football Focus credited him with a staggering 12 quarterback pressures in the Pac-12 championship against the Trojans last year.

UCLA: TE Greg Dulcich caught a touchdown pass against Washington and is likely to be the centerpiece of the passing attack if WR Kyle Philips misses a second straight game because of injury. The 6-foot-4, 250 pound Dulcich is the kind of big-bodied target that gave the Ducks fits in their overtime loss at Stanford.

FACTS & FIGURES

UCLA coach Chip Kelly went 46-7 in four seasons at Oregon. Kelly is 0-2 against the Ducks since joining the Bruins, including a 38-35 defeat in his return to Eugene, Oregon last season. … Dye has a team-leading 15 receptions for 153 yards. … UCLA has gained more rushing yards than its opponent in 13 straight games, its longest stretch since a run of 15 games in 1984-85. … Oregon has run for at least 180 yards in every game this season. … Bruins RB Zach Charbonnet is averaging 21.8 carries for 113.8 yards rushing over his past four games. … Oregon and UCLA rank first and second in the Pac-12 in turnover margin.

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