Oregon Ducks quarterback Dylan Raiola has been involved in a quarterback controversy with Brock Thomas ever since Dante Moore's frightening concussion suffered in Los Angeles against the USC Trojans, and hasn't played up to his capabilities this season based on his past body of work with Nebraska. Moore is still expected to be a first-round NFL Draft pick, while Raiola is looking to save face after a rough 21-10 loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini in Week 9 of the college football season.

Raiola threw for 246 yards last week, but couldn't cash in his opportunities as the Ducks were woefully bad on third downs (4-of-15 on conversion attempts). Oregon coach Dan Lanning is choosing to stick by his embattled quarterback, as news broke of his starting choice on Monday.

“Oregon is expected to start Dylan Raiola at quarterback tomorrow against No. 20 Northwestern, sources tell CBS Sports,” reporter Matt Zenitz wrote.

“Struggled at times during the Ducks' 21-10 loss to Illinois last week but Oregon is expected to start him for a second straight game.”

Raiola has done a good job of taking care of the football this season with coach Lanning's team, but he's struggled completing passes. The Ducks quarterback has a completion percentage (64.9%) over seven points lower than last season, when he threw for 2,000 yards with Matt Rhule's Nebraska Cornhuskers.

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Lanning spoke fondly of Raiola's expected long-term future with the Ducks program earlier this year, and remains invested in his prized transfer QB with the team moving on behind a new offensive coordinator after Drew Mehringer's firing.

Raiola has a chance to help his teammates spring a big upset this weekend with No. 20 Northwestern coming to town. If he does a better job of converting on third downs and plays within the system, the Ducks might score one of the biggest wins of the college football weekend in Eugene, Oregon.