By David Miller

On Saturday, Nov. 18, the #6 University of Oregon Ducks will square off against the Arizona State Sun Devils in a 1 p.m. desert showdown.

The Ducks are on a four game winning streak as they head to Tempe. They control their own destiny, with a potential Pac-12 championship birth and College Football Playoff appearance on the horizon.

The Sun Devils are looking to build on the trials of head coach Kenny Dillingham’s first season at the helm. Before taking over at ASU, Dillingham was the offensive coordinator for the Ducks.

ASU has been more competitive than their 3-7 record would imply, evidenced by their one-score nail-biting loss to #5 Washington in the Seattle sea of purple.

In recent weeks, the Sun Devils have performed impressively, beating previously ranked Washington State and UCLA, thanks in part to the efforts of ASU quarterback Trenton Bourguet.

Although ASU has begun playing better in the latter stages of the season, they have not shown the ability to push the ball downfield through the air consistently. The Sun Devils have also been unable to physically dominate other teams at the line of scrimmage. This poses a matchup nightmare for ASU, as Oregon has not had any issues putting points on the scoreboard this season.

Oregon’s offensive prowess continues to impress opponents and critics alike. These impressions are consistent with the Ducks offensive output statistics, which rank them second in the country.

This season, Oregon quarterback Bo Nix has seemed destined for greatness each time he has stepped onto the gridiron. The season’s storyline has made Nix a favorite for numerous awards, including the highly coveted Heisman Trophy. That storyline continued last week when the Ducks defeated USC and reigning Heisman champion Caleb Williams in part due to a Bo Nix passing academy worthy performance, with 412 yards and four touchdowns.

Along with being so potent on offense, the Ducks have also proven an ability to be a wrecking force on defense. The defense has become one of the best running defenses in the country, balancing out the team and making it one of the best in program history. Due to this balance, FOX Sports College Football Analyst Joel Klatt said on his podcast, “It won’t shock me at all if Oregon wins the National Championship.”

Despite these praises, The Ducks must take care of business in the desert to continue their march toward the final Pac-12 Football Championship Game.

Prediction: Oregon 54, ASU 29