The Pacific-12 Conference’s first championship game caps an eventful week in the conference – so eventful that the game itself between No. 8 Oregon and UCLA seems a bit anticlimactic.
The Ducks are so heavily favored – a 31-point spread – that the attention tonight may not be on Autzen Stadium’s field, but on the sidelines, where Rick Neuheisel will oversee his final game as the Bruins’ head coach.
Neuheisel was fired after last weekend’s 50-0 loss to No. 9 Southern California. It was part of a wave of coaching moves in the conference. Around the time Neuheisel’s dismissal was announced, Arizona State let go of Dennis Erickson.
Then Washington State parted ways with Paul Wulff, and the Cougars quickly hired former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach a day later.
Neuheisel said he doesn’t want the Bruins’ appearance in the title game to turn into a “Win One For Rick” crusade.
“That sounds like a bad B movie. It need not be about me. It’s always been about us,” he said. “It’s always been about the mission and the passion that a team, if you’re really engaged with a team, can bring about. I’m just excited to be on the team for one more try.”
For their last practice before departing for Eugene, Ore., the Bruins carried Neuheisel off Spaulding Field. Then the coach teared up while speaking to reporters.
“It’s meaningful when you work to create relationships, and you want desperately for them to achieve what they’re capable of,” he said. “Despite the fact that we didn’t win enough games, I think they are achieving as people. I’m extremely proud to be a part of this team, and looking forward to – hopefully – a grand finish.”
The reality is that UCLA (6-6 overall, 5-4 Pac-12) faces a major challenge in the Ducks (10-2, 8-1).
The Ducks are playing for their third straight conference championship and a spot in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2. Oregon appeared to be in the running for a shot at a spot in the BCS championship game for the second straight season, but the Ducks also fell victim to USC with a 38-35 loss at Autzen Stadium on Nov. 19.
The Ducks were trying hard this week not to overlook the Bruins on the road to Pasadena, Calif.
“Not at all because we’re not in the Rose Bowl yet,” quarterback Darron Thomas said. “We got a big game this week and if we go off looking to the Rose Bowl we might not make it there.”
Thomas anchors an offense that is putting up big numbers again this season. The Ducks are averaging 510.6 yards in total offense a game, sixth in the nation. They are fifth in rushing offense with an average of 291 yards, and third in scoring with an average of 45.9 points per game.
Thomas has 27 touchdown passes with just five interceptions. The junior is just two TDs short of Danny O’Neil’s career record of 62 with the Ducks from 1991-94.
Running back LaMichael James is the nation’s top running back with an average of 142.7 yards a game. A Heisman Trophy finalist last season as a sophomore, James fell out of the running for the most part this season because he missed two games with a dislocated right elbow.
The Bruins, ranked 84th in the nation among FBS teams in total defense, are ranked 10th in the Pac-12 in rushing defense, allowing 178 yards a game.
“We’re … aware that Oregon is a good opponent, and it’s not going to be easy,” quarterback Kevin Prince said.
Oregon being heavily favored appears to be impacting fan interest. Tickets listed on StubHub! were being offered for below market value.
TODAY’S GAME
Pac-12 Championship
UCLA at Oregon, 5 p.m., Ch. 13
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