The theory is that the Bulldogs could be a kind of a trap game for the No. 19 Ducks (2-0) — if they let their attention wander to last week's downing of the Wolverines 39-7.

"We need to put that to rest," Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon said. "That's in the past now, and we're looking forward to having a good game. Fresno State, over the last couple of years, it's been a battle."

Indeed, while the Ducks hold the clear advantage over the Bulldogs in their series, it has been close. Oregon has won five straight, but all by seven points or less.

Dixon will be the one to watch.

He ran and threw for 368 yards total offense and four touchdowns in Oregon's victory over the Wolverines. He completed 16 of 25 passes for 292 yards and three TDS, and rushed for 76 yards and another score.

The performance earned him Pac-10 offensive player of the week honors.

Proving more comfortable in Oregon's speedy spread-option offense, Dixon rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown and passed for 134 yards and two more scores in the season-opening 48-27 victory over Houston.

"I'm more than confident, to tell you the truth," Dixon said. "And once the team sees that, it spreads around to the whole team, on both sides of the ball. And that's great."

Dixon went 23 of 36 for 240 yards, but didn't pick up a touchdown either in the air or on the ground in Oregon's 31-24 victory over Fresno State last season.

The Ducks won when kicker Paul Martinez scored with a 4-yard run on a fake field goal with 4:55 left. It was sealed with Patrick Chung's interception with 10 seconds to go.

"It's our fifth game against Oregon in my 11 years here, and I think this is the best Oregon team I've seen on film," Bulldogs coach Pat Hill said. "They completely dismantled Michigan. Offensively, they're hitting on all cylinders, and defensively they can really run."

It is the second straight week the Bulldogs, of the Western Athletic Conference, have faced a Top 25 team on the road.

Last week, Fresno State (1-1) traveled to No. 23 Texas A&M and lost 47-45 in triple overtime.

"We could have come out with a victory, but it's unfortunate the way things turned out," QB Tom Brandstater said. "We are so close to becoming a great football team."

Playing in his second season in a system known for its quarterbacks (David Carr, Trent Dilfer), Brandstater had a career-high 260 yards passing and three touchdowns against Texas A&M.

Fresno State's playmaker against the Aggies was tight end Bear Pascoe, who scored three touchdowns. He has four total TDs this season, most in the nation for a tight end.

Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart, who rushed for 111 yards in the win over Michigan, said the Ducks are wary of the Bulldogs.