For the first time since 2012, Oregon is ranked No. 1 in the current AP Top 25 but will face a tough opponent, the Fighting Illini. Meanwhile, Oregon State travels to Berkeley to play a familiar foe once in the Pac-12, the Cal Bears.
No. 20 Illinois (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) at No. 1 Oregon (7-0, 4-0) 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday (CBS).
BetMGM College Football Odds: Oregon by 21 1/2.
Series History: Oregon leads 2-1.
Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart (7) pulls in a pass under the defense of Purdue defensive back Kyndrich Breedlove, center right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)AJ MAST / AP
What’s at stake?
Oregon is ranked No. 1 in the current AP Top 25, the first time the team has held the top spot in the rankings since 2012. The Ducks are one of just 10 remaining undefeated teams in the nation. Oregon is coming off a 35-0 victory at Purdue last weekend, their first road shutout since 1992. Illinois is coming off a 21-7 victory over then-No. 24 Michigan. It was the team‘s first ranked-vs.-ranked home win since 1991. This will be Illinois’ first game against a top-ranked team in the country since the Fighting Illini won at Ohio State in 2007. That year, they went to the Rose Bowl.
Key Matchup
Illinois QB Luke Altmyer has 15 touchdown passes this season and just one interception for the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in the Power Four. He’s completing 65.9% of his passes, and could be the biggest factor in the Illini’s chances. Oregon has allowed just four passing touchdowns and is holding teams to 175.6 passing yards per game. Overall, the Ducks rank 15th nationally in total defense.
Players to Watch
Illinois: LB Gabe Jacas had 13 tackles, including six solo, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in the team’s victory over Michigan. He’s tied for fourth in the Big Ten with 5.5 sacks this season, and he’s got 42 total tackles, including 7.5 for loss, this season.
Oregon: QB Dillon Gabriel returned to the Heisman conversation with his performance during Big Ten play. He leads the nation with a 77.0 completion percentage and is the only QB above 75% at the FBS level. He’s averaging 297.2 passing yards a game ad has 15 passing touchdowns and four rushing scores.
Facts & Figures
The Ducks have 12 straight home wins. Last season they went 7-0 at Autzen Stadium. … It is Illinois’ first regular-season trip to a West Coast state since visiting Washington in 2014. … The Illini have three wins over AP Top 25 teams for the third time in program history. Overall, Illinois is 3-1 against ranked teams this season. … . Oregon’s Tez Johnson leads the Ducks with 536 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. … Illinois has been ranked for six consecutive weeks, its most since 2007. … Gabriel has 140 career passing touchdowns and needs just three more to pass Kellen Moore at No. 2 on the NCAA’s all time list.
Oregon State running back Anthony Hankerson (0) runs against Nevada in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024.Tom R. Smedes / AP
Former Pac-12 rivals Oregon State and California meet for the first time in a nonconference game since 1960 when the Beavers were an independent
Oregon State (4-3) at California (3-4), Saturday at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Cal by 10.
Series record: Cal leads 39-37.
What’s at stake?
The former Pac-12 rivals meet for the first time in a nonconference game since 1960, when Oregon State was an independent. Both teams could use a boost to get to bowl eligibility, with California having lost four straight games and the Beavers dropping two in a row.
Key matchup
Oregon State RB Anthony Hankerson vs. Cal run defense. Hankerson is tied for fourth nationally with 13 rushing touchdowns and is averaging 100 yards rushing per game. The Golden Bears rank 19th allowing 104.6 yards rushing per game and giving up only nine rushing TDs.
Players to watch
Oregon State: WR Trent Walker. The Beavers’ top threat in the passing game has 46 catches for 468 yards on the season. He has 23 catches in his last three games, ranking third most in the nation in that span.
Cal: TE Jack Endries. The freshman has 20 catches for 298 yards and two TDs the past three games. Overall, he leads the Bears with 28 catches for 366 yards on the season.
Facts & figures
Oregon State has won four of the last five games in the series. … This marks the 30th straight season the schools have faced each other. … Oregon State leads the nation in average time of possession at 35:29 per game. … Beavers P Josh Green has had 10 of his 19 punts travel at least 50 yards. He has pinned the opponent inside the 20 nine times. … Cal has been outscored by nine points during its four-game skid. … The Bears have missed an FBS-worst eight field goals, including potential game-winners the past two weeks. … Cal has just five turnovers this season after committing the fourth most turnovers last season with 28. … Cal’s defense ranks second nationally with 13 INTs on the season.
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