Ducks host Bruins in PAC-12 Championship

The UCLA Bruins have backed their way into the PAC-12 Championship game due to the Trojans being ineligible because of NCAA sanctions. UCLA is fresh off of a 50-0 beat-down by their cross town rivals, but due to the lack of strength in the PAC-12 South they find themselves playing 9th ranked Oregon Ducks for the conference title. NCAA football handicappers have not given the Bruins much respect after what has been a horrible year, and have set the number at 31.5 for this conference Championship showdown.

There aren’t many times when you’ll see 2 teams fighting for a conference in which one is favored by more than 4 touchdowns. However, the inadequacy of the Bruins offense couple with the fact that their head coach was fired and will be coaching his last game has made this game look like a potential blowout. Rick Heuheisel has done absolutely nothing to get this program back into the limelight, and was rightfully released this week. His decision to coach the team in the Championship game was based on his love for his players and his willingness to finish the job he started.

Kevin Prince is just another average quarterback that doesn’t have a system in place in which he can flourish. Nelson Rosario may be a top tiered wide receiver and the best player on the offensive side of the ball, but he has no one to throw him the ball. The pistol offense has worked under the right coaches, but Neuheisel clearly has no clue what he’s doing, and doesn’t have the pieces in place to make it work. Jonathan Franklin is a talented running back that averages over 6 yards per rush, but he hasn’t been given a big enough roll in this offense to make a significant impact.

There is little to no chance that UCLA keeps this one respectable as the Ducks are not only better in every facet of the game, but are one of the hottest teams in the country. An opening game loss to LSU was to be expected, but losing at home to USC gave this team no chance at competing for a National Championship. Darron Thomas will not be a highly touted NFL prospect, but he fits great in this system. The Ducks high flying offense has been shredding teams all season long, and will do all they can to make this one lopsided. The centerpiece of this offense is running back LaMichael James. James has once againput together a tremendous year despite missing 2 games due to injury. He has rushed for over 4700 yards in his career, and will do all he can to bury the Bruins Friday night.

College football experts had the Ducks ranked as one of the best teams in the country prior to the start of the season, and fully expect this one to be an easy one-sided victory. Tune in Friday night as Oregon host UCLA in the PAC-10 Championship game.

 

Related posts:

1. Pac-10 Thursday Night Battle: Oregon vs. UCLA
2. Arizona vs. UCLA in Thursday Night PAC-12 Match-Up
3. Golden Bears host Trojans in PAC-12 Showdown
4. Oregon vs. UCLA: Can Oregon Duck a Bruin Upset Bid?
5. Oregon takes on California in PAC-10 Showdown

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