Oregon Faces UCLA in Big Ten Playoff Battle at Autzen Stadium

Oregon and UCLA met in a Big Ten showdown at Autzen Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, as No. 13 Oregon hosted No. 21 UCLA in Eugene, Oregon, with the game carrying major College Football Playoff implications for both teams.

According to CBS Sports, Oregon entered the matchup needing a strong result after a Week 2 loss at Oklahoma State damaged its postseason position. The Ducks had a 51.1% projected chance to reach the 12-team playoff with a win, compared with 19.6% after a loss.

UCLA arrived with a 4-0 record and a nationally ranked rushing attack, according to the Los Angeles Times. The Bruins ranked first in rushing touchdowns, third in yards per carry and fifth in rushing yards per game behind a three-player backfield featuring Wayne Knight, Anthony Woods and Jaivian Thomas.

Oregon, which improved to 3-1 before the matchup after defeating USC 41-27, was still seeking stability after an uneven start to the season, according to the Register-Guard. The Ducks' remaining schedule included another ranked opponent, Ohio State, on Nov. 7.

UCLA coach Bob Chesney credited his hometown support after the Bruins' 54-3 victory over Maryland, which helped push the team to an unbeaten start, according to the Los Angeles Times.

"When you grow up in a town like that where they took care of a bunch of kids running around, it was all family. I’m obviously a son of that town and everyone is really proud," said Bob Chesney, UCLA head coach.

UCLA defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler focused on maintaining discipline before facing Oregon in a high-pressure environment. The Los Angeles Times reported that Hitschler wanted players to balance intensity with composure.

"Big-time environments tend to bring a little extra out of your guys, and when you do a little bit extra, you tend to do too much. Football is a hard game, but you can’t make it harder than it already is. Sometimes when you press, you tend to give up big mistakes.

In the Purdue game, looking back, we definitely pressed a little bit too hard and got a little emotional. ... Got to play with emotions, but we can’t play emotional. We’re in a good spot of growing and understanding that.

But this is a new atmosphere, a new environment," said Colin Hitschler, UCLA defensive coordinator.

The matchup also renewed a rivalry between former Pac-12 programs now competing in the Big Ten. Sports Yahoo reported that UCLA viewed a win over Oregon as a potential boost to its playoff hopes, while Oregon needed the victory to keep its postseason path open.