Oregon coach Mike Bellotti sensed a change in his players after the Ducks rose to No. 2 following Ohio State's loss to Illinois last weekend. "I think there were a few more kids speaking up in practice, exhorting others to give great effort or to pay more attention," Bellotti said this week. "I like that. Given where we're at, obviously you would like to see that." The Ducks have good reason to be fired up. On Thursday night at Arizona, Oregon (8-1, 5-1 Pac-10) opens a three-game stretch that could lead to a spot in the Bowl Championship Series title game. Although nothing is certain with the BCS, the Ducks seemingly took a step toward New Orleans when the top-ranked Buckeyes fell at home.
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