Arizona State @ Oregon preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2010 ) Oregon 42, Arizona State 31

THE STORY: It could be a preview of the inaugural Pac-12 championship game when No. 9 Oregon hosts No. 20 Arizona State on Saturday. The high-powered Ducks are battling Stanford for the North Division crown while the Sun Devils are leading the South and appear well-positioned to win that half of the league. Oregon figures to be without star back LaMichael James after the nation’s leading rusher dislocated his right elbow in last Saturday’s victory over California. The Ducks have won 19 straight home games. Arizona State hasn’t defeated Oregon since 2004.

TV: ESPN. LINE: Oregon -14.5

AROUND OREGON (4-1, 2-0 Pac-12): The Ducks have won four consecutive contests since losing their opener to LSU. James had 239 yards before leaving the Cal game during his third consecutive 200-yard outing. He has rushed for 852 yards. Kenjon Barner (167 yards) is the probable starter and De’Anthony Thomas (191 rushing yards, team-leading 286 receiving yards) also will be counted on. Quarterback Darron Thomas has thrown 15 touchdown passes against just two interceptions. The Ducks are averaging 50.2 points. Defensive end Dion Jordan has a team-leading six tackles for losses. But Oregon ranks just 83rd in total defense (404.6 yards per game).

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (5-1, 3-0 Pac-12): The Sun Devils have scored 35 or more points in all five victories. Their lone defeat was 17-14 at Illinois. Arizona State allows just 19.5 points per game, which ranks 24th nationally, but figures to find itself in a shootout against Oregon. Quarterback Brock Osweiler has passed for 1,677 yards and 13 touchdowns. Jamal Miles has a team-best four touchdown receptions and also has returned both a kickoff and punt for scores. Miles is averaging 25.3 on kickoff returns and 19.3 on punt returns. Cameron Marshall has rushed for 421 yards and eight scores while playing on a sore ankle. Cornerback Alden Darby has three interceptions and middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict has four sacks. The Sun Devils have forced 18 turnovers after getting 17 takeaways all last season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona State leads the series 16-15, but Oregon has won the last six meetings.

2. The Sun Devils rolled up 597 yards against the Ducks last season but committed seven turnovers in a 42-31 loss.

3. James is the first Pac-12 player with three straight 200-yard games since USC’s Marcus Allen in 1981.

PREDICTION: Oregon 52, Arizona State 34 – Even if James sits out, the Ducks have too many offensive weapons, plus a big homefield advantage.