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GAMEDAY 9.2.21

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GAMEDAY

GAMEDAY, the Emerald’s football edition, is published by Emerald Media Group, Inc., the independent nonprofit news company at the University of Oregon founded in 1900. EMERALD MEDIA GROUP 1395 University St., #302, Eugene, OR 97403 541.346.5511 | dailyemerald.com

NEWSROOM

Editor in Chief Sarah-Mae McCullough Managing Editor Jael Calloway Copy Chief Amanda Lurey Sports Editor Shane Hoffmann Reporters Dylan Conway Charlie Folkestad Shane Hoffmann Aaron Heisen Charles Gearing Photo Editor Ian Enger Design Editor Kira Chan

BUSINESS

President & Publisher Bill Kunerth x317 Vice President, Operations Kathy Carbone x302 Creative Director Sam Rudkin x327

ADVERTISING

Director of Sales and Digital Marketing Shelly Rondestvedt x303 Student Sales Manager Patrick McCumber Account Executives Amy Menendez Keaton Roberts Melanie Lopez Riley Valle Ken Caplan Kevin Sullivan

ON THE COVER

Ducks wide receiver Johnny Johnson III (3) waltzes into the endzone. Oregon Ducks football takes on the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., on Dec. 5, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald)

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OREGON

FRESNO ST.

OREGON OFFENSE

FRESNO STATE OFFENSE

Troy Fanklin No. 11 WR-X FR

Keric Wheatfall No. 1 WR-X SR/TR

Johnny Johnson III

Josh Kelly

No. 3

WR-Z

No. 11

WR-Z

RS SO

Mycah Pittman No. 4 WR-H SO

Jalen Cropper No. 5 WR-H JR

George Moore No. 77 LT SR/TR

Dontae Bull

T.J. Bass No. 56 LG JR/TR

Mose Vavao No. 51 LG SO

Alex Forsyth

Matt Smith

No. 78

RS JR

No. 72

No. 59

RS SR

Ryan Walk No. 53 RG RS JR

Bula Schmidt No. 54 RG JR

Steven Jones

Alex Akingbulu

No. 74

RS SO

No. 75

RS SR/TR

Spencer Webb No. 18 TE-F RS SO

Juan Rodriguez No. 80 TE SR/TR

Moliki Matavao No. 8 TE-Y FR

Jake Haener

Anthony Brown No. 13 QB GR/TR

Ronnie Rivers No. 20 RB SR

No. 9

RS SR/TR

CJ Verdell No. 7 RB JR

FRESNO STATE DEFENSE

OREGON DEFENSE Brandon Dorlus No. 3 DE SO

David Perales

Popo Aumavae

No. 50

RS JR

Keyon Ware-Hudson

No. 59

RS FR

No. 99

RS SR/TR

Kevin Atkins

No. 90

RS SR

Leonard Payne Jr.

No. 55

RS JR

Kayvon Thibodeaux No. 5 JOKER SO

Aaron Mosby No. 3 DE SR

Mase Funa No. 47 SAM SO

Tyson Maeva

Noah Sewell No. 1 MIKE FR

Bailey Levelle No. 6 LB JR

Dru Mathis No. 54 WILL SR/TR

Justin Houston No. 13 HUSKY SO

Trikweze Bridges

No. 11

BCB

RS FR

Bralyn Lux No. 38 CB SO

Steve Stevens IV

No. 7

RS SO

Elijah Gates No. 2 SS GR/TR

Verone McKinley III

No. 23

RS SO

Evan Williams No. 32 FS JR

Mykael Wright No. 2 FCB SO

Wylan Free

No. 58

No. 4

GR/TR

RS SR

Bennett Williams No. 15 STAR JR/TR

OREGON SPECIAL TEAMS Tom Snee

No. 38

FRESNO STATE TEAMS RS SO

Carson King

RS JR

Camden Lewis No. 49 PK SO

Cesar Silva No. 28 PK SR/TR

Karsten Battles No. 63 LS JR

Jacob Westberry No. 47 LS SR/TR Joran Mims

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RS SR

GAMEDAY

WHAT

CAM MCCORMICK

LEARNED IN THREE YEARS OF REHAB

Now 23, tight end Cam McComick has his eyes set on true game action for the first time since 2018.

BY: Shane Hoffmann @shane_hoffmann

Oregon Ducks tight end Cam McCormick (84) reaches up to make a catch over Arizona Wildcats safety Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (6) The Oregon Ducks host the Arizona Wildcats at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (Adam Eberhardt/Emerald)

Tight end Cam McCormick has learned a great deal since breaking his fibula and tearing his deltoid ligament against Bowling Green in the 2018 season opener. He’s learned how to be resilient. He’s learned the art of patience and avoiding blame. He’s learned innumerable amounts of medical terminology –– and that, at some point, football does inevitably end. McCormick’s endured injury hell. When he spoke to reporters during Oregon’s fall camp, it took the now 23-yearold over two minutes to expound on the complex rehab process that has consumed the entirety of his early 20’s. After months of answering the same questions to teammates, friends and family, he knew they were coming. It was almost rehearsed. The rehab was only supposed to take one offseason. McCormick was supposed to be an integral part of Oregon’s 2019 Rose Bowl team. He never even made it on the field. In Oregon’s 2019 fall camp, discomfort from his first surgery crept up. The tightrope surgery led to a hardware malfunction, and the screws previously planted in his lower leg were removed and replaced –– another year lost. McCormick watched from the sidelines, yet again, as Oregon found itself firmly back in the national picture. Summer conditioning 2020: more discomfort in his ankle. Doubt set in. “I thought I’d be good by now,” he remembers thinking. This time, the hardware previously lodged in his leg led to a stress fracture in his medial malleolus. COVID-19 struck, but McCormick was bound for a full year of rehab either way. With limited success locally, Oregon’s coaches and trainers set him up with Green Bay-based surgeon Bob Anderson. Anderson performed full reconstructive surgery on the ankle; he took the screws out, repaired the battered tendons and fixed a pronation that had snuck up as a result of the previous ankle trauma. Continued on page 6

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GAMEDAY “Do I even want to continue to play football?” he said. “I was trying to think whether I could put my body through that anymore.” McCormick sighed as he finished his explanation. “Now I’m here,” he said. “It’s been a long three years.” “Best I’ve felt in a really long time,” he added, with an air of caution. Medical retirement would likely have lured some away from the game. Others may have fallen out of shape. McCormick kept his eyes on football —— the sport that has been a part of his life every year since he was a young child —— never ignoring the bigger picture. He made sure to keep his other interests simmering on the back burners. McCormick is working on his master’s in advertising and brand responsibility. He’s nearly finished. He’s also got two internships in his back pocket: one with

Ducks tight end Cam McCormick (84) watches his teammates perform tackling drills and waits his turn. The Oregon Ducks football team holds practice during their spring season at the Moshofsky Sports Center in Eugene, Ore. on April 16, 2019. (Maddie Knight/Emerald)

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Fidelity Investments as an underclassmen and a second with Eugene Police Department this past summer. McCormick has set himself up for success outside of the gridiron, but his dreams within it are still very much alive. “I’ve got some things to accomplish on the field for myself to feel good,” he said. “Until I do that I’m going to stick around.” Due to his medical redshirts, the senior has two more seasons of eligibility after this one. He’s all in. What’s he got to lose? He’s on the brink of being a full-go. It’s the closest he’s got to being a true participant in quite some time. There will be a mental block, a touch of PTSD, but he’s already been through this process twice. He knows what to expect. “You just got to push past it,” he said. “It’s going to be there no matter what.”

Barring another unforeseen setback, one of Oregon’s early season games could be due for a moving moment –– a moment that validates McCormick’s hard work, reinforces his will to keep fighting and perhaps provides a tad bit of closure. “When you’re with someone every single day and you’re grinding together, you’re in the weight room all summer,” third-year tight end Spencer Webb said. “I know what he’s been through, and I know what his family’s been through with that situation. I’m going to be the freaking loudest one on the sideline [when he gets out there]. I’ll probably run on the field and get a penalty.” He added: “We haven’t really talked about it, but I might shed a tear.” “I might shed a tear myself,” McCormick said. The plodding, methodical road back could reach a head at long last. “Football comes to an end at some point, but not yet for me,” McCormick said.

Tight end Cam McCormick. Oregon Ducks football takes on the Nevada Wolf Pack at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Sept. 7, 2019. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)

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A surprise fifth year beckons opportunity for

JOHNNY JOHNSON III

How super senior wideout Johnny Johnson III will make the most of his final year of college football, both on the field and off of it.

BY: Charles Gearing @GearingCharlie Ducks wide reciever Johnny Johnson III (3) celebrates his touchdown with Juwan Johnson (6). Oregon Ducks Football takes on the University of Arizona Wildcats at Autzen Stadium on Nov. 16, 2019. (DL Young/ Emerald)

Leading by 10 over the Utah Utes in the second quarter of the 2019 Pac-12 Championship Game, the Ducks moved methodically down the field in hopes of adding a cushion to a comfortable, yet far too early, lead. Taking the snap at the Utah 45-yard line, Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert took a seven-step drop back before ripping an arching deep ball over the hashes on the right side. Junior wideout Johnny Johnson III came streaking down the sideline, turning the Utah defensive back inside out and high pointing the ball before scoring safely, placing an exclamation point on a dominant first half performance. It was a defining moment — an explosive play in a career that, until 2019, had a dearth of them. The Ducks went on to claim the 2019 conference title 37-15 and won the Rose Bowl over No. 8 Wisconsin in their next bout, bringing an end to a historic 2019 campaign. Johnson III was crucial throughout, finishing the season with a career-high seven touchdowns. The COVID-19-marred 2020 season meant more than a shortened schedule. For senior players like Johnson III, it meant fewer opportunities to boost their draft stock and accumulate game footage. It meant fewer chances to lead and give guidance to the underclassmen as well. With an additional year of eligibility granted by the NCAA, Johnson III looks to capitalize and do what he couldn’t last season, both for himself and his teammates. Johnson III’s push to the next level Following his 2019 takeoff, Johnson III, like most of his teammates, saw decreases in key statistics in 2020 –– due in major part to the chaotic nature of the Pac-12’s grapple with the pandemic. The Arizona native caught passes in only five of the Ducks’ eight games last season, finishing the year with

I’ll play whatever, I’ll play any of them [positions]. Whatever position they put me in to help this team is what I’m going to do.” JOHNNY JOHNSON III

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GAMEDAY just two touchdowns. This season, Johnson III looks to pick up where he left off two seasons ago and bring his game to the next level in coordinator Joe Moorhead’s offensive system. “I’m here to work,” Johnson III said. “Finish school and get to the league, so that’s what I’m mostly focused on.” Throughout fall camp and the lead-up to the 2021 season, Johnson III took particular measures to polish the finer aspects of his game. “I’m just mastering everything in my craft,” Johnson III told reporters during fall camp. “Whether it’s releases, making contested catches, I’m just playing my best ball every day.” Johnson III’s made his versatility a particular point of emphasis. And while he’s been known to break for deep plays on the perimeter, the super senior can play anywhere in the offense, from out wide to the slot. “I’ll play whatever, I’ll play any of them [positions],” Johnson III said. “Whatever position they put me in to help this team is what I’m going to do.” This season, the Oregon offense had an entire offseason to prepare for the upcoming season — a luxury they missed greatly last year. An all-important leadership role The Oregon receiver room is more competitive than ever. Johnson III, along with returners Jaylon Redd, Devon Williams and Mycah Pittman, welcomed in several new and talented players this year, including four-stars Troy Franklin, Isaiah Brevard and Donte Thornton. “If you look at the past national championship teams, they’ve all had great receivers and a great receiver core, so us competing and us fighting for jobs is going to do nothing but make us better,” Johnson III said. “And that’s going to continue in the game of football at the next level, whether it’s here or high school or the NFL.” With the influx of young talent, Johnson III and the veterans have taken on significant leadership roles this season. If not for the extra season, Johnson III wouldn’t have had the chance to influence the next

generation of Oregon receivers the way he has. As they’ve made the leap from high school to college, Franklin and Thornton have both expressed the value of having more experienced guys in the locker room. “There’s multiple guys,” Franklin said. “We’ve got Johnny Johnson [III], Devon Williams, Josh Delgado. We’ve got a lot of guys that help.” Franklin and Thornton both joined the program as early enrollees during the spring, and their extra time with the veterans has sped up the overall adjustment to college ball in a big way. “I would say all of them [upperclassmen] really help me a lot,” Thornton said. “But if I had to pick, I would say either Devon Williams or Johnny Johnson [III]… Before I got here, I had a great relationship with them, so the moment I got here it was easy for me to connect with them. So whenever I needed help with a play, I could easily just ask them to tell me what I need to do and then I follow in their footsteps.” Johnson III provides more than on-the-field skill. He serves a crucial leadership role in the development of younger talent as well. And, in his final year, he takes on both roles with equal purpose.

Ducks wide receiver Johnny Johnson III (3) celebrates a first down. Oregon Ducks football takes on Iowa State for the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Jan. 2, 2021. (DL Young/Emerald)

Ducks wide reciever Johnny Johnson III (3) makes a catch to put the Ducks in the red zone. Oregon Ducks Football takes on Stanford University at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Nov. 7, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald)

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MIRABAL AND CRISTOBAL’S

TENURED RELATIONSHIP LINKS OREGON’S OFFENSIVE LINE TOGETHER Thirty-seven years together have offensive line coach Alex Mirabal and head coach Mario Cristobal running an air-tight operation up front. BY: Aaron Heisen @aaron_heisen

Oregon Ducks Head Coach Mario Cristobal directs warm ups before the game. Oregon Ducks football takes on Arizona State at Autzen Stadium in Eugene Ore. on Nov. 17, 2018. (Devin Roux/Emerald)

A budding friendship — one that would outlast their playing careers and become a crucial component of two Pac-12 titles — began as offensive linemen Alex Mirabal and Mario Cristobal took snaps together along the offensive line at Columbus High School, in Miami, Florida. After graduating high school in 1988, Cristobal, a star offensive tackle, continued his playing career at the University of Miami, winning two national championships for the Hurricanes. Meanwhile, Mirabal earned his first head

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coaching position at his former high school at just 23. He would go on to coach his alma mater for the following 13 seasons before the two crossed paths once again. In 2007, Cristobal was hired as the head football coach for Florida International University. Mirabal joined his staff the same year, and the pair coached the Panthers through 2012. Mirabal’s legacy as an elite collegiate offensive line coach began at FIU when he was promoted to the position in 2010. Standing at only 5-foot-5,

the former offensive lineman earned his stripes as a technically sound and intelligent blocker who outworked his competition. As a coach, he’s always instilled that mentality in his players. “[Mirabal] was the most meticulous offensive line coach I met,” former FIU offensive lineman Brad Serini said. “He was so precise and he made sure you knew everything. The year that I had him as a coach, he completely changed my skill level.” His intense coaching style brought out the best

GAMEDAY

“[Cristobal and

Mirabal] are always preaching the same message, which is beneficial for us offensive linemen.” RYAN WALK Alex Mirabal. (Emerald Archives)

in his players both at practice and in the games. “For being his size, he’s intimidating,” Serini said. “I’ve never seen someone his size control a group of large men… whatever he said we did.” Six years later, Cristobal took over as the head coach for the Oregon Ducks. He was promoted from offensive line coach, leaving a significant hole on the Ducks’ staff. He turned to Mirabal once again. Now, the Oregon offensive line bears the fruit of a 37-year friendship. A friendship that is built upon trust and a belief in a shared overall message of a physical brand of football. It’s led to the program’s best offensive line recruits ever, and several NFL draftees –– rugged bulldozers that exude the influence of Cristobal’s brute force and Mirabal’s technical savvy. “[Cristobal and Mirabal] are always preaching the

same message, which is beneficial for us offensive linemen,” Ducks’ interior offensive lineman Ryan Walk said. “Whether they even talk about it before or not, they have the same standards and same level of physicality.” “Five men, one mind,” Ducks’ offensive lineman T.J. Bass said. That’s the motto in the offensive line room. Away from practice, the two push each other to become better coaches through discussions and positive debates regarding their team. Mutual respect is a constant between the tandem. Mirabal knows his role in the relationship. “If we have a discussion behind closed doors and he says we should do this and I say we should do that, we come to an understanding,” Mirabal said. “If there’s ever a debate, he’s the head football coach,

we’re going to do what he feels most comfortable.” As the 2021 season creeps near, the Ducks have started to prepare for their first opponent: Fresno State. During game week, Mirabal and Cristobal value their time together. They’ll break down film and scheme blocking techniques to best contain the Bulldogs’ front-seven — a routine they’ll repeat at least 11 more times this year –– and hopefully more. “When we prepare for Fresno State, Coach and I will talk about ‘Hey do you prefer running this scheme against them [or] what about these protections,’” Mirabal said. A friendship that started on the Columbus High School offensive line has helped propel the Ducks’ to two Pac-12 titles. This season, the two are on a quest to defend that title and challenge their positional group to help the Ducks’ offense blossom.

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GAMEDAY

FRESNO STATE POSES STRONG BACKFIELD, PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE IN WEEK ONE TEST An in-depth glance at the strengths of Fresno State, Oregon’s week one opponent.

BY: Charlie Folkestad @folkestad3 The Ducks would be foolish to look ahead to their week two showdown in Columbus, Ohio. Fresno State will have an upset on their minds following a dominant performance in their warm-up game. After a 3-3 season in 2020, Fresno State was one of nine FBS teams to take part in a “week zero” matchup, defeating Connecticut 45-0 last Saturday. While the Bulldogs were expected to win by four touchdowns, the scoreboard read 31-0 at halftime. There aren’t many conclusions to draw from the beatdown — especially considering UConn hadn’t played a game in 21 months — but it was a reminder that the Bulldogs should not be taken lightly. A program on the rise? Fresno State isn’t far from the top of the Mountain West. In 2018, the Bulldogs beat Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl to finish with a 12-1 record, their best to date. While then-head coach Jeff Tedford retired after the 2019 season, his successor Kalen DeBoer boasts three national titles in the NAIA collegiate ranks. He went 67-3

between 2005-2009 coaching Sioux Falls, his alma mater. Of course, Division I-A is a different animal, especially in Eugene — and especially in front of a packed Autzen Stadium. Oregon defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter has his own ties to the Fresno State program. DeRuyter was the head coach in Fresno from 2012-2016. He led the program to an 11-2 record and a Mountain West title in his second season with now-NFL quarterback Derek Carr. Transfers Mario Cristobal called the upcoming opponent “an impressive team — they have a lot of good players and they’ve acquired a lot of good players through the transfer portal.” Washington transfer and senior Jake Haener leads Fresno at quarterback. He completed 20-of26 passes for 331 yards and three touchdowns in the opener. Wide receiver Ty Jones also transferred in from UW and caught a touchdown in the first half against UConn. Fresno State totals seven new players from the transfer portal.

Linebacker Tyson Maeva and safety Elijah Gates are the two other transfers to be named starters. Defense

Ducks wide receiver Jaylon Redd (30) runs towards the sideline. Oregon Ducks football takes on the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., on Dec. 5, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald)

Defensively, Fresno State runs a 4-2-5 formation. The scheme ideally gives them the flexibility to switch from a true run-stopping front seven to an extra defensive back in pass coverage without changing personnel. The fifth defensive back is their “Husky” position, a linebacker-safety hybrid. Sophomore Justin Houston played 41 of 64 snaps as the Husky in week zero, logging four tackles and a pass deflection. Against UConn, the defense allowed just 107 yards (72 passing, 35 rushing) and produced a scoopand-score touchdown. UConn was held to 2-for-16 on third down conversions. Ground Game The star of Fresno’s show has to be

The sun sets over the game. Oregon Ducks football takes on the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., on Dec. 5, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald)

senior running back Ronnie Rivers. Rivers, who opted into another year instead of entering the NFL Draft, set the school touchdown record with a 61-yard catch in the second quarter against UConn. He led the Mountain West Conference in all-purpose yards per game (163.8) in 2020. Rivers is backed up by another experienced senior in Jordan Mims, as well as junior Jevon Bigelow. Any three of these backs have the potential to catch an unprepared defense off guard. Experience Rivers is part of a deep returning group. According to Bill Connelly of ESPN, Fresno State is returning 86% of its overall production from 2020. Many Fresno State faithfuls are praising this roster as its best in recent memory –– possibly ever. Conversely, Connelly’s SP+, which adds recent recruiting and history to the equation, have the Bulldogs rated 82nd out of 130 nationally. Oregon has more talented players at every position and is expected to win handily. The Ducks are slated as three-touchdown favorites. Oregon is 2-7 all-time against the Bulldogs, although the last loss came in 1982. While the talent gap favors the Ducks, Fresno State will be highly motivated against one of two Power Five opponents this year. As Cristobal put it, “[It’s] gonna be a tremendous test for us.”

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WHAT TO WATCH FOR

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THE ALLIANCE AND WEEK 1 PAC-12 MATCHUPS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW Ducks inside linebacker MJ Cunningham (39) waves his towel to pump up his team. Oregon Ducks football takes on the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., on Dec. 5, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald)

Oregon Ducks football take on USC Trojans in the Pac-12 Championship game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif., on Dec. 18, 2020. (Maddie Knight/Emerald)

BY: Dylan Conway @dconway_3

With college football’s opening week right around the corner, big news sparked on Aug. 24 when the Big Ten, Pac-12 and ACC released their agreement on “The Alliance.” With 41 teams involved, alliance’s intention is to “create new interconference games, enhance opportunities for student athletes, and optimize the college athletics experience for both student-athletes and fans across the country,” https://ftw.usatoday.com/2021/08/bigten-acc-pac-12-alliance The scheduling alliance will be put into action as soon as possible, respecting current contractual obligations. The scheduling criteria and decisions will be made by groups of athletic directors representing each conference. Now, let’s take a look around the Pac-12 at each teams’ week 1 matchup:

IN THE OPENING WEEK OF PAC-12 FOOTBALL |

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GAMEDAY

WEBER STATE @ UTAH (THURS. 4:30 P.M.) Utah starts the season ranked at No. 24 spot and looks to start the season off right against Weber State. Utah’s defense, the strength of the program, should be dominant against the wildcats. Weber State’s defense is no slouch and will make the Utes’ offense work, but they should do more than enough to take their first game on Thursday.

SOUTHERN UTAH @ ARIZONA STATE (THURS. 7:30 P.M.) No. 25 Arizona State will be under the spotlight this season, as there is an ongoing NCAA investigation for recruiting violations. They should start their season off right against Southern Utah, who is coming off a 45-14 loss to San Jose State.

NORTHERN CO @ COLORADO (FRI. 6:00 P.M.) This is an important game for Colorado to get in rhythm before taking on Texas A&M in week two. This is also an essential tune up game for new starting quarterback Brandon Lewis before he takes on stronger defenses. The Buffaloes will look to exploit the Bears defense with their deep backfield and, most likely, roll to victory.

STANFORD @ KANSAS STATE (SAT. 9:00 A.M.) One of the more important Pac-12 week 1 games –– Stanford looks to secure an all-important non-conference win as a 2.5 point underdog (https://collegefootballnews.com/2021/08/stanford-vskansas-state-prediction-game-preview). Stanford will play all Power Five teams, making these coin flip games more important. The Cardinal defense will be the key to victory, attempting to slow down quarterback Skyler Thompson and the Kansas State offense. Thompson missed most of the season due to injury last year, so the passing game expected to be vastly improved.

MONTANA @ WASHINGTON (SAT. 5:00 P.M.) Another tune-up game in the Pac-12 this week, the No. 20 Huskies will try to prove their ranking with a dominant win against the Grizzlies on Saturday. The offensive line is the standout for the Huskies as they allowed one sack and ten tackles for loss last year. All five starters will be back. Dylan Morris is expected to start again at quarterback after he threw for 700 yards, four touchdowns and three picks in last year’s shortened season.

LSU @ UCLA (SAT. 5:30 P.M.) As a slight underdog, UCLA will attempt to achieve a massive ranked win against No. 16 LSU on Saturday. The Bruins defense allowed 274.1 passing yards a game last year –– which could be a problem against LSU’s quarterback Max Johnson, and with Kayshon Boutte on the outside. In order for the Bruins to come out victorious, they will need to slow down LSU’s strong passing attack.

NEVADA @ CALIFORNIA (SAT. 7:30 P.M.) One of the better teams in the Mountain West, Nevada and their top 10 receiving corps won’t be an easy out for Cal. Chase Garbers is starting his fourth season as the Golden Bears quarterback and looks to use his experience against the Wolfpack, who went 7-2 last season.

GO DUCKS

SAN JOSE STATE @ USC (SAT. 2:00 P.M.)

A San Jose State team which went 7-1 last year and blew out Southern Utah last week provides USC with a key week 1 matchup to get in rhythm. As a two touchdown favorite, this is a key game for the Trojans to show they can live up to the hype at No. 15 nationally.

OREGON STATE @ PURDUE (SAT. 4:00 P.M.)

Similar to Stanford’s opener, a non-conference, Power Five win for the Beavers would be big for the Pac-12 as a whole. As a touchdown underdog, the Beavers will have to overcome defensive end Yanni Karlaftis and the strong pass rush of Purdue. The pass offense of Oregon State will also need to be consistent to keep up with Purdue’s sharp offense.

BYU @ ARIZONA (SAT. 7:30 P.M.)

BYU will be a common opponent for the Pac-12 this year, and Arizona will try and pull off an upset week 1. Going 0-5 last season, the Wildcats are looking for some kind of spark this season, as their quarterback battle is extending into gameday.

UTAH STATE @ WASHINGTON STATE (SAT. 8:00 P.M.)

Washington State is expected to be more competitive this year with plenty of returning talent . This in-game experience, especially on defense, should be a big factor in this game in Pullman, as Utah State introduces new head coach, Blake Anderson. For the past seven years Anderson was the head coach at Arkansas State, making a bowl game in six of those seasons.

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