I guess they must be reading this board! (Thanks Oregonian!)
It’s fitting that in the same week Oregon (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) fires its offensive coordinator, the greatest offensive mind ever to coach at Oregon returns to face the Ducks.
No. 20 Northwestern (6-1, 3-1) brings its high-powered offense, led by offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, to Autzen Stadium for a 12:30 p.m. game Saturday.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning fired Drew Mehringer as offensive coordinator on Sunday following Saturday’s 21-10 loss at Illinois.
Kelly was the Ducks’ offensive coordinator under former coach Mike Bellotti in 2007 and 2008 before becoming Oregon’s head coach from 2009 through 2012.
Kelly went 46-7 with the Ducks and in 2010 led them to their first national championship game appearance, which they lost to Auburn. Kelly guided Oregon to Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl victories before leaving for the NFL.
Under Kelly, Northwestern ranks second in the Big Ten in rushing, averaging 204.6 yards per game, and third in scoring, averaging 34.7 points per game.
Oregon last faced Kelly during the 2024 season, when he was Ohio State’s offensive coordinator. Kelly helped the Buckeyes defeat Oregon 41-21 in the Rose Bowl playoff quarterfinals and win the national title.
Here is a quick look at Oregon’s matchup with Northwestern:
. . .
Oregon (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) vs. Northwestern (6-1, 3-1)
When: Saturday, Oct. 31
Time: 12:30 p.m. PT
Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene
Latest line: Oregon by 3.5 points
TV: Peacock
Radio: Oregon Sports Network
Stream: Watch this game streaming only on Peacock (costs just $12.99/month). There is no traditional cable TV broadcast for this game as it is one of several Peacock-exclusive Big Ten football matchups that will appear on NBC’s streaming platform. Streaming broadcasts for this game will be available on these streaming services locally in Oregon and Washington, but may not be available outside of the Pacific Northwest, depending on your location.
Northwestern this season
The Wildcats are one of the Big Ten’s biggest surprises but have faced a relatively weak schedule.
They began the season with nonconference wins over FCS South Dakota State (6-2) and Colorado (2-5), while scoring 75 points. Northwestern lost its third game, 29-23, at now-No. 4 Indiana, the defending national champions. Then the Wildcats won four straight games against Penn State (3-4, 0-4), Ball State (3-5), a nonconference opponent, Michigan State (2-6, 0-5), and Rutgers (2-5, 1-3).
Penn State vs. Northwestern, Oct. 2, 2026
Northwestern Wildcats head coach David Braun celebrates during the fourth quarter on Oct. 2, 2026. Joe Hermitt | [email protected] Hermitt | [email protected]
Head coach: David Braun is 25-20 during his fourth season at Northwestern. He took over in 2023 after the Wildcats went 1-11 in 2022.
Braun went 8-5 in 2023 and 4-8 in 2024 before going 7-6 last season.
Series/last meeting: The series is tied 1-1 over two games separated by 51 years. Northwestern defeated the Ducks 14-10 in 1974. Last season, Oregon beat Northwestern 34-14 on the road.
Impact player: QB Aidan Chiles
Aidan Chiles vs. Michigan State
Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles (0) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA football game against the Michigan State, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)The Associated Press
Senior Aidan Chiles has passed for 1,617 yards and 12 touchdowns with just one interception. He’s also rushed for 181 net yards and nine touchdowns; he has 308 gross rushing yards before deductions for losses, including sacks. The 6-foot-4 Chiles began his career at Oregon State in 2023 under coach Jonathan Smith and followed him to Michigan State in 2024. Smith was fired after a 4-8 season in 2025, prompting Chiles to transfer to Northwestern.
Impact player: RB Caleb Komolafe
Penn State vs. Northwestern, Oct. 2, 2026
Northwestern Wildcats running back Caleb Komolafe goes in for a touchdown as Penn State defensive tackle Siale Taupaki defnds during the third quarter on Oct. 2, 2026. Joe Hermitt | [email protected] Hermitt | [email protected]
Komolafe leads Northwestern with 551 yards rushing. He ranks seventh in the Big Ten with 78.7 rushing yards per game. The 5-11, 210-pound Komolafe rushed for 941 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025, including 53 yards and a touchdown against Oregon. This season he rushed for 188 yards and a touchdown against Penn State and 150 yards and a touchdown against Rutgers.
Impact player: LB Braydon Brus
Oregon Northwestern Football
Northwestern linebacker Braydon Brus (33) tackles Oregon Ducks wide receiver Cooper Perry (17) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Evanston, Ill.Matt Marton/AP Photo
The senior leads the team with 62 tackles and a career-high four sacks. The 6-1, 230-pound Brus has recorded 159 tackles during his four seasons with the Wildcats.
. . .
Threat level (1 lowest to 5 highest): 5.
Oregon’s rushing defense gave up 225 yards to Illinois and the Ducks offense has scored just 42 points in three games without quarterback Dante Moore, in concussion protocol.
Early prediction: Northwestern 23, Oregon 20.
It’s unclear how Oregon will respond to being all but out of the national playoff picture. The Ducks’ offense can’t be trusted without Moore, while Oregon’s defense has played better during the past month, but folded against Illinois’ rushing attack. Northwestern’s is better, and Chiles is a quality passer.
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Aaron Fentress covers Oregon Ducks football and basketball for The Oregonian/OregonLive and is co-host of The Ducks Confidential podcast. He graduated from Portland's Grant High School and Pacific University in...more
[email protected]
It’s fitting that in the same week Oregon (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) fires its offensive coordinator, the greatest offensive mind ever to coach at Oregon returns to face the Ducks.
No. 20 Northwestern (6-1, 3-1) brings its high-powered offense, led by offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, to Autzen Stadium for a 12:30 p.m. game Saturday.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning fired Drew Mehringer as offensive coordinator on Sunday following Saturday’s 21-10 loss at Illinois.
Kelly was the Ducks’ offensive coordinator under former coach Mike Bellotti in 2007 and 2008 before becoming Oregon’s head coach from 2009 through 2012.
Kelly went 46-7 with the Ducks and in 2010 led them to their first national championship game appearance, which they lost to Auburn. Kelly guided Oregon to Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl victories before leaving for the NFL.
Under Kelly, Northwestern ranks second in the Big Ten in rushing, averaging 204.6 yards per game, and third in scoring, averaging 34.7 points per game.
Oregon last faced Kelly during the 2024 season, when he was Ohio State’s offensive coordinator. Kelly helped the Buckeyes defeat Oregon 41-21 in the Rose Bowl playoff quarterfinals and win the national title.
Here is a quick look at Oregon’s matchup with Northwestern:
. . .
Oregon (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) vs. Northwestern (6-1, 3-1)
When: Saturday, Oct. 31
Time: 12:30 p.m. PT
Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene
Latest line: Oregon by 3.5 points
TV: Peacock
Radio: Oregon Sports Network
Stream: Watch this game streaming only on Peacock (costs just $12.99/month). There is no traditional cable TV broadcast for this game as it is one of several Peacock-exclusive Big Ten football matchups that will appear on NBC’s streaming platform. Streaming broadcasts for this game will be available on these streaming services locally in Oregon and Washington, but may not be available outside of the Pacific Northwest, depending on your location.
Northwestern this season
The Wildcats are one of the Big Ten’s biggest surprises but have faced a relatively weak schedule.
They began the season with nonconference wins over FCS South Dakota State (6-2) and Colorado (2-5), while scoring 75 points. Northwestern lost its third game, 29-23, at now-No. 4 Indiana, the defending national champions. Then the Wildcats won four straight games against Penn State (3-4, 0-4), Ball State (3-5), a nonconference opponent, Michigan State (2-6, 0-5), and Rutgers (2-5, 1-3).
Penn State vs. Northwestern, Oct. 2, 2026
Northwestern Wildcats head coach David Braun celebrates during the fourth quarter on Oct. 2, 2026. Joe Hermitt | [email protected] Hermitt | [email protected]
Head coach: David Braun is 25-20 during his fourth season at Northwestern. He took over in 2023 after the Wildcats went 1-11 in 2022.
Braun went 8-5 in 2023 and 4-8 in 2024 before going 7-6 last season.
Series/last meeting: The series is tied 1-1 over two games separated by 51 years. Northwestern defeated the Ducks 14-10 in 1974. Last season, Oregon beat Northwestern 34-14 on the road.
Impact player: QB Aidan Chiles
Aidan Chiles vs. Michigan State
Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles (0) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA football game against the Michigan State, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)The Associated Press
Senior Aidan Chiles has passed for 1,617 yards and 12 touchdowns with just one interception. He’s also rushed for 181 net yards and nine touchdowns; he has 308 gross rushing yards before deductions for losses, including sacks. The 6-foot-4 Chiles began his career at Oregon State in 2023 under coach Jonathan Smith and followed him to Michigan State in 2024. Smith was fired after a 4-8 season in 2025, prompting Chiles to transfer to Northwestern.
Impact player: RB Caleb Komolafe
Penn State vs. Northwestern, Oct. 2, 2026
Northwestern Wildcats running back Caleb Komolafe goes in for a touchdown as Penn State defensive tackle Siale Taupaki defnds during the third quarter on Oct. 2, 2026. Joe Hermitt | [email protected] Hermitt | [email protected]
Komolafe leads Northwestern with 551 yards rushing. He ranks seventh in the Big Ten with 78.7 rushing yards per game. The 5-11, 210-pound Komolafe rushed for 941 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025, including 53 yards and a touchdown against Oregon. This season he rushed for 188 yards and a touchdown against Penn State and 150 yards and a touchdown against Rutgers.
Impact player: LB Braydon Brus
Oregon Northwestern Football
Northwestern linebacker Braydon Brus (33) tackles Oregon Ducks wide receiver Cooper Perry (17) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Evanston, Ill.Matt Marton/AP Photo
The senior leads the team with 62 tackles and a career-high four sacks. The 6-1, 230-pound Brus has recorded 159 tackles during his four seasons with the Wildcats.
. . .
Threat level (1 lowest to 5 highest): 5.
Oregon’s rushing defense gave up 225 yards to Illinois and the Ducks offense has scored just 42 points in three games without quarterback Dante Moore, in concussion protocol.
Early prediction: Northwestern 23, Oregon 20.
It’s unclear how Oregon will respond to being all but out of the national playoff picture. The Ducks’ offense can’t be trusted without Moore, while Oregon’s defense has played better during the past month, but folded against Illinois’ rushing attack. Northwestern’s is better, and Chiles is a quality passer.
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Aaron Fentress covers Oregon Ducks football and basketball for The Oregonian/OregonLive and is co-host of The Ducks Confidential podcast. He graduated from Portland's Grant High School and Pacific University in...more
[email protected]
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