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Oregon Football: Ducks Face Road Test At California

By Justin Phillips

BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Justin Wilcox of the California Golden Bears looks on from the sidelines against the Washington State Cougars during the fourth quarter of their NCAA football game at California Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2017 in Berkeley, California. California won the game 37-3. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 13: Head coach Justin Wilcox of the California Golden Bears looks on from the sidelines against the Washington State Cougars during the fourth quarter of their NCAA football game at California Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2017 in Berkeley, California. California won the game 37-3. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Oregon Football faces their first road test of the season against an undefeated an ranked California Golden Bears team.

Despite the rough game last week at Autzen Stadium, Oregon Football has moved ahead along with some bumps and bruises on both Offense and Defense. On Wednesday, Head Coach Mario Cristobal said that Running Back Tony Brooks James looked good in Practice after saying he was ‘50-50’ on Monday. While James is the featured back this season, the Ducks have plenty of firepower from the Running Back position.

Following the Stanford loss, Taj Griffin announced his intent to transfer from the program, likely do to lack of playing time in the early going. I can only wish him the best in his future. The California Golden Bears have not down well of late against Oregon Football, losing seven of their last eight games to the Ducks.

California Head Coach Justin Wilcox not only played football at Oregon, but has been following them closely over the last several seasons. He has been Assistant Coach for Washington and USC. In January of 2017 he was named Head Coach for the Golden Bears and led the team to a 5-7 record with an impressive victory of a then ranked #8 Washington State team. Wilcox is building his style of Defense at Berkeley and it has shown early on that it has taken strides from last year, similar to what has happened with Oregon Football.

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While the Oregon Ducks are giving up 24.5 points per game this season, the Golden Bears are giving up just 18.5 per contest. Cal has beaten UNC, BYU, and Idaho State and they have also had a week to prepare for Oregon with their bye week falling before the start of conference play. That could be to their advantage with the Ducks coming off a big letdown against Stanford, but Coach Cristobal will have his team ready for the road.

Last season we know how bad Oregon Football was away from Autzen Stadium. We know that Wilcox and the California Defense will give Oregon all they can handle, but Oregon has more talent on Offense entering the game and a Heisman Candidate at Quarterback in Justin Herbert who has already thrown 13 touchdowns this season. Wide Receiver Darren Carrington is coming off his best game as a Duck pulling down 14 catches for 239 yards. I expect him to be the go to Wideout for Herbert the rest of the season.

Oregon Football meets Cal on Saturday at 7:35 pm Pacific Time on Fox Sports 1.

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