No. 13 Oregon is gearing up to host No. 21 UCLA this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on CBS, and the stakes are absolutely wild for the Big Ten, especially with the Ducks’ starting quarterback Dante Moore unlikely to play. This game is going to reverberate, folks, because Oregon is dealing with a thin margin for error already, and they are facing a red-hot, unbeaten UCLA squad.
Dylan Raiola Takes the Helm, And He’s Ready
So, the big news coming out of Eugene is all about Dante Moore. He took a nasty hit, suffering a concussion in that Week 4 win against USC. He’s been back at practice this week, which is a good sign, but the word is he probably won’t be on the field against the Bruins. This means it’s Dylan Raiola’s show, and let me tell you, this guy isn’t just some backup. The Nebraska transfer stepped in against USC after Moore went down and absolutely delivered, completing 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns. He looked comfortable, he looked confident, and he clearly knows how to lead a talented offense. Raiola isn’t just some random dude, either, he was a two-year starter for the Cornhuskers and a five-star prospect. Having a second-string QB of his caliber takes a ton of pressure off getting Moore back too soon. This kid is legit.
UCLA’s Ground Game Is No Joke, And Neither Is Bob Chesney
On the other side, Bob Chesney’s UCLA Bruins are a genuine dark-horse contender this season, rolling into Autzen Stadium with a perfect 4-0 record. They are coming off a monster 54-3 win over Maryland, a cross-country trip where they showed “all-systems dominance.” Seriously, 54-3? That’s not just a win, that’s a statement. The Bruins haven’t faced a ranked team yet, with their schedule mainly featuring teams outside the CBS Sports 138 top 60, but their performance has been lights out. Their rushing attack is no joke, ranking No. 4 nationally with 281.5 yards per game. And the name you need to know is Wayne Knight. This 5-foot-7 speedster, a transfer from James Madison, is tied for third nationally with nine rushing touchdowns. He’s hit the 100-yard mark in both of the Bruins’ first two Big Ten games. Oregon is familiar with him too, he ran for 110 yards on 17 carries against them in last year’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal when he was with James Madison, though Oregon did win that game 51-34. The big difference this time? Knight has a way better supporting cast around him.
Oregon’s Week 2 loss at Oklahoma State already put their postseason aspirations in jeopardy, and with Ohio State (Nov. 7) as their only other ranked opponent left on the schedule after this weekend, every single game is huge. Can Raiola continue to shine against a formidable unbeaten opponent, or will Knight and the Bruins’ potent ground game spoil the Ducks’ CFP hopes even further? This is going to be a must-watch Saturday!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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