The Wiz of Odds

Countdown to Kickoff at the Rose Bowl

Florida State's Jimbo Fisher and Oregon's Mark Helfrich shake hands during the final media gathering before Thursday's Rose Bowl semifinal playoff game in Pasadena.

Image of Sport has been chronicling events leading to the game. Click here to access more images.

Oregon Routs Arizona and Stamps Ticket to Playoff

Oregon won the Pacific 12 championship on Friday night at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara by defeating Arizona, 51-13. It was the Ducks' fourth title in six seasons and secured the team a spot in the four-team playoff.

The photographers of Image of Sport were at Friday's game and shared several images with the Wiz. You can view the entire catalog by clicking here.

Oregon's Title Hopes Revitalized After Win Over UCLA

Oregon's crushing 42-30 victory over UCLA on Saturday at the Rose Bowl dashed any hopes the Bruins had — real or otherwise — of getting a berth into the championship playoff. But it's a different story for the Ducks, who moved up to No. 9 in Sunday's Associated Press poll.

Image of Sport was in Pasadena and you can view the one-stop photography service's complete gallery by clicking here.

Oregon

Any talk of national title contenders has to include Oregon, which returns 12 starters, including quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Ducks are coming off an 11-2 season, but lost two or their last four regular-season games after Mariota was hobbled because of a left knee injury. Mariota is good to go and tops many of the Heisman Trophy watch lists. Perhaps the best nonconference game is the Sept. 6 matchup between Oregon and Michigan State in Eugene.

This Guy Is on Radio — He Must Know Something

A week has passed but The Wiz never forgets. Listen to WFAN's Mike Francesa break down last week's Oregon-Stanford and Oklahoma-Baylor games.

It's a good thing he resides in New York instead of, say, Las Vegas, where opinions like this can get one into a lot of trouble quickly.

Thanks to John.

Stanford Has Brawn to Go With the Brains

De'Anthony Thomas said before Thursday night's game that he thought his Oregon Ducks could score 40 against Stanford. Then they teed it up and the Cardinal silenced the Ducks for three quarters and held on for a 26-20 victory at Stanford Stadium.

Gone are Oregon's hopes for a Bowl Championship Serie title and quarterback Marcus Mariota's shot at winning the Heisman Trophy. Stanford will move up the BCS ladder but needs help to get into the title game.

Image of Sport was at Thursday night's game and there are more photos after the jump. You can view the complete catalog by clicking here.