Tennessee Tech @ Oregon preview

Fourth-ranked Oregon aims to play a complete ballgame when it hosts Tennessee Tech on Saturday. The Ducks have put together two strong first halves while winning their first two games, but have coasted after intermission and while being outscored 43-14. Oregon received a huge defensive blow when it learned this week that free safety John Boyett will undergo season-ending surgery on both knees. Offensive firepower is not a problem as the Ducks are as potent as ever, even after star back LaMichael James left school early for the NFL. Tennessee Tech is 2-0 for the first time since 1989, but faces a supreme test in dealing with Oregon’s speed. The Golden Eagles were routed 62-7 by TCU in 2010 when they last faced a ranked major-college program. Tennessee Tech and Oregon are meeting for the first time.

TV: 3:07 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: None

ABOUT TENNESSEE TECH (2-0): The Golden Eagles are ill-equipped talent-wise to play against Oregon’s fact-paced attack. Tennessee Tech senior quarterback Tre Lamb has 4,045 career passing yards – he’s the fifth player in school history to top that barrier – and has a big-time target in Tennessee transfer Da’Rick Rogers, who has eight receptions for 163 yards. Senior running back Adam Urbano has topped 100 yards rushing in each of the first two games. Senior safety Will Johnson leads the defense with 20 tackles. Tennessee Tech has forced only three turnovers and will need to cause some Oregon miscues to keep the score close.

ABOUT OREGON (2-0): The Ducks are averaging 49.5 points while breaking in new quarterback Marcus Mariota. The redshirt freshman has completed 37 of 49 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns. Senior running back Kenjon Barner is coming off a career-best 201-yard rushing performance against Fresno State. Sophomore De’Anthony Thomas (166 yards) is averaging 16.6 yards per carry through two games. The defense has been sporadic – Oregon is allowing 29.5 points and has only one interception, two forced fumbles and three sacks. In addition to losing Boyett, senior guard Carson York suffered a season-ending knee injury against Fresno State.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Ducks are 34-2 when scoring 30 or more points under coach Chip Kelly.

2. The Golden Eagles are winless in 27 games against FBS schools.

3. Barner and Thomas both topped 100 yards against Fresno State, marking the 19th time in school history that multiple Oregon backs went over the century mark. Eleven of those occasions have occurred during Kelly’s 42 games as coach.

PREDICTION: Oregon 66, Tennessee Tech 17