This definitely wasn’t the plan.
Usually, it’s the Ducks who run over their opponents. Not Saturday afternoon at the base of the Wasatch Mountains.
No. 3 Oregon got completely run out of Salt Lake City, figuratively and morally.
Oregon was supposed to go to Utah and outmuscle the Utes and return to Eugene with a close victory.
Instead, the Ducks couldn’t get anything going on either side of the football.
They fell behind 28-0 at halftime and limped through the second half in the 38-7 defeat.
It was a bad look for a 9-1 team. And it was an even worse look for the College Football Playoff Committee who will certainly drop the Ducks far outside of the Top 5.
Being down 28-0 at halftime was bad enough, but it was worse than that.
The Ducks missed a field goal, had one blocked, two holding penalties that ended potential touchdowns, and finally a punt return for a touchdown on the last play of the half.
But even being down four scores, Oregon managed to come out of the halftime break with their only scoring drive that went 75 yards and ended on a 43-yard connection to Devon Williams for the touchdown and the Ducks had a little momentum at 28-7.
It didn’t last long though.
Unfortunately, the defense just couldn’t get off the field as Utah immediately answered with a touchdown of their own and that ended all hopes of any kind of miracle comeback Oregon had in mind.
Getting off the field was a constant problem throughout the game. The Utes were an incredible 8-of-10 on third downs in the first half and 11-of-14 for the game.
The news got worse after the game as head coach Mario Cristobal announced receivers Jaylon Redd and Johnny Johnson III are out for the season.
If there was any upside, Williams and Kris Hutson proved they can be reliable receivers going forward. Hutson had four catches for 96 yards and Williams caught five balls for 81 yards.
Now Oregon has to turn its attention to Oregon State for the 125th meeting between the two teams.
The Pac-12 North and a spot in the Pac-12 title game is on the line where another chance at Utah awaits.
The Ducks and Beavers are scheduled for a 12:30 kickoff televised on ESPN.