S1W13 - Ducks Clinch Pac-12 North Title

TUCSON, AZ - For the second time in three years the Oregon Ducks have won the Pac-12 North Title. With an emphatic 45-31 victory over the #9 Arizona Wildcats, the Ducks have now moved to 10-1 on the season, and with their seventh victory in conference play and a two game lead over Washington in second place, Oregon has clinched a Pac-12 title game berth to be played against... most likely USC.

At this point, we do know that Oregon will play definitely play in the title game. With a victory over UCLA this week, USC will also clinch a Pac-12 title berth. The host of the game will be decided in Eugene, where Oregon will play in the Civil War game against lowly Oregon State. Should the Ducks win their 6th straight over the Beavs, Oregon will clinch home field advantage for the Pac-12 championship game. Autzen Stadium, of course, is a stadium in which Oregon has not lost a game yet this season.

In 2013 Oregon's offense has learned a lot from its previous mistakes, and has become essentially a juggernaut. As expected, with the single best talent level in the Pac-12, Oregon's speed, balance, and play-calling have made them one of the best offensive units in the conference. Marcus Mariota scored 4 TDs against Arizona. De'Anthony Thomas contributed two of those touchdowns off of nice catches out of the backfield. Aside from a lone mistake that would lead to Arizona clawing its way back into the game, Marcus Mariota was flawless, completing 16-18 passes for over 200 yards and of course, adding 83 rushing yards on minimal carries as well. Mariota has developed into the best overall quarterback in the league, and now it is starting to really show. With 9 TDs in the past two weeks, not many players in the country can contend with that statistic.

After Oregon stopped the Cats early in the game, which gave the Ducks a 21 point lead early in the second half, Arizona basically had its way with the Oregon defense. Going through the air for the most part, Arizona seemed virtually unstoppable all game. Oregon will need to step up its defensive efforts yet again if they want to continue this hot streak.

The Civil War game is up next. Can the Ducks finish out the season and return to the National Title Game for a second time in 4 years? We'll find out soon enough.