2012 BCS Standings, Week 9: Ducks see drop off despite dominating victory

Maybe the computers weren't watching the same Oregon team the rest of the nation was Thursday because the Ducks were dropped to No. 4 in the latest BCS rankings.

College football rankings, week 9: Oregon and Oregon State remain in top 10 of AP Poll

Oregon remains at No. 2 in the latest AP Top 25 Poll while the Oregon State Beavers move up one spot to No. 7.

Oregon vs. Arizona State 2012: Ducks reaffirm status as one of nation's elite

The Oregon Ducks put on a show in front of a national television audience Thursday night by dominating Arizona State from start to finish en route to a 43-21 victory. With the win, the No. 3 Ducks improved to 7-0 and 4-0 in the Pac-12.

The game was supposed to the the first real test for Oregon, which had played five of its first six games at home against opponents with a combined record of 15-18. Instead, it reaffirmed the Ducks' position as a legitimate contender to make it to the BCS National Championship game, according to David Piper of SB Nation's Oregon Ducks blog, Addicted to Quack.

"If this was really Oregon's first test, the Ducks passed it with flying colors," Piper wrote. "With Colorado coming into town next week, the spread will be infinity. Take the over."

Oregon hosts Colorado next Saturday, Oct. 27., with kickoff set for noon PT/3 p.m. ET.

College Football Week 8: Picks Against the Spread (via sbnation)

Oregon vs. Arizona State recap: Ducks demolish Devils, 43-21

Oregon's first major road test of 2012 went about the same as any other Oregon game over the last few years. The Ducks walk away with a 43-21 win that was nowhere near as close as that score indicates.

On pace to break school scoring and yardage records (and challenge for the worst loss in ASU history, too), the Ducks pulled Marcus Mariota and others at the half, then cruised to a three-score win anyway. Their 30 minutes were better than Arizona State's 60.

The Ducks still finished with statistical domination that included 404 yards rushing, 20 yards more than the nation's best flexbone ground attack averages and 85 yards short of the school record.

Credit must be given to Arizona State, however, which kept battling until the end and won the second half against Oregon backups, 14-0. ASU head coach Todd Graham even called a timeout with three seconds left for one last shot at the end zone. Resilience is not a trait ASU has been known for in recent years. But the bad news could continue for the Sun Devils, with Will Sutton and Junior Onyeali both lost due to injury during the game.

Box score hero: Starting quarterback Marcus Mariota finished with 133 yards rushing and scored a touchdown each by land, sea and air (by sea I mean a re-cei-ving touchdown), and that was in a mere 30 minutes of football. Here he and Bryan Bennett hook up for the play of the game:

Rankings ramifications: The Sun Devils were on the edge of the Top 25 coming in, and will have to find themselves a new edge now. Oregon has made a convincing case against a legit opponent for that No. 2 spot held by Florida in the BCS, but the Gators have a chance to extend their edge against No. 7 South Carolina.

Next week: ASU stays at home for 5-2 UCLA, while Oregon heads back to Eugene for ... oh God ... 1-5 Colorado.

This story originally appeared at SB Nation.

Oregon vs. Arizona State score: Ducks explode for 43-7 halftime lead

After falling behind 7-0 just 49 seconds into the game, the Oregon Ducks exploded for 43 points and lead Arizona State 43-7 at halftime.

Behind a nearly unstoppable rushing attack led by Kenjon Barner and Marcus Mariota, the Ducks scored 43 unanswered points. Barner and Mariota each topped 100 rushing yards in the first half with Barner racking up 136 yards, while Mariota ran 10 times for 135 yards. Each scored a long touchdown, with Mariota sprinting 86 yards for a score in the second quarter.

While Arizona State has been unable to slow the Ducks' rushing attack, Oregon has also been effective through the air. The Ducks completed 10-of-13 passes in the first half including a flip from backup quarterback Bryan Bennett that resulted in a 2-yard touchdown pass.

While the Oregon offense has been nearly unstoppable, the defense also played well in the first half. A Mariota fumble led to ASU's touchdown, but the Ducks have limited Arizona State since. Arizona State had just 139 yards in the first half with Taylor Kelly throwing for just 54 yards and two interceptions. After completing his first pass, a 28-yard touchdown, Kelly has completed just 3-of-10 passes for 26 yards.

Oregon vs. Arizona State score: Ducks lead 22-7 after 1st quarter

The Oregon Ducks took a 22-7 lead after the first quarter in their game against Arizona State on Thursday.

The Sun Devils struck first, scoring just 49 seconds into the game after Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota fumbled. ASU needed just one offensive play, with Taylor Kelly hiting Kevin Ozier for a 28-yard touchdown. The Sun Devils didn't lead long as Oregon came right back with a touchdown just two plays later. Kenjon Barner raced 71 yards for a touchdown then Oregon converted the two-point conversion for the 8-7 lead.

Oregon added to the lead later in the quarter when Mariota hit Bralon Addison for a six-yard touchdown. The Ducks added a third touchdown late in the quarter on Barner's second rushing touchdown of the game. The Ducks went up 22-7 with the extra point.

After getting off to a rocky start with the early fumble, Mariota rebounded well, completing 7-of-9 passes in the first quarter. The Sun Devils have been able to slow the Oregon rushing attack as Oregon racked up 201 rushing yards in the first quarter.

Oregon football uniforms: Ducks go silver and gray for Arizona State

The Oregon Ducks are going with silver helmets and gray pants for tonight's game against the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Oregon vs. Arizona State 2012: Game time, TV schedule, odds and more

Previewing this week's Pac-12 showdown between the Ducks and Sun Devils.

2012 College Football Schedule: Oregon's trip to ASU, Washington vs. Arizona headlines slate

Previewing this week's college football schedule, with a look at the Pac-12's lineup.