The Northwestern Wildcats find themselves in an unfamiliar situation with the Oregon Ducks heading into Week 9's game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, the two teams having seemingly reversed roles with the Wildcats at 6-1 and the Ducks at 4-3. 

Coach David Braun's team is expected to have a winning record heading into the game, but few thought they'd be at 6-1, and few thought Oregon would find itself in the desperate situation it's in now. 

As the game draws near (3:30 PM ET), it's time to discuss how Northwestern can overcome the +3.5 spread that the Vegas oddsmakers have placed on them and score a minor upset victory. 

Here are four ways the Wildcats can take the fight to the Ducks on the road, and bring home their seventh win of the season so far.

The Ducks' offense is fast-paced and high scoring, the former of which can work against them in many different situations.

In back-and-forth shootouts and games where Oregon takes an early lead, they have the ability to run away from opposing teams on the scoreboard.

In slower-paced games where they're forced to think and play situational football on offense, they can be forced into three-and-outs quicker than other teams used to taking their time on offense.

Northwestern needs to possess the ball and keep Dylan Raiola and company off the field, and the scoreboard. The less time Oregon has the ball, the more likely they are to make mistakes, or be forced into three-and-outs. 

The Wildcats' offense isn't known for throwing, and completing, deep passes often, but Aidan Chiles has the arm for it and the Wildcats' receivers have the ability to high-point the ball and take it away from defenders.

Oregon and defensive coordinator Chris Hampton know that the Wildcats want to run the ball and keep it out of their offense's hands based on game tape from the Indiana matchup earlier this year.

Northwestern had the right gameplan for the Hoosiers, but failed to execute it as some of their running plays and gadget plays went awry.

A little unpredictability will go a long way for coach Braun's team, but this time they must get their execution down pat. 

The Ducks have a solid rushing attack and a passing attack that failed to convert in the biggest moments during the team's 21-10 loss to Illinois last week.

Oregon has been foaming at the mouth to show what it can do on a national stage, especially now that top receiver Evan Stewart is healthy, which means new offensive coordinator Jay Johnson will likely have a few tricks up his sleeve against the Wildcats. 

Northwestern can't afford to give up too many big plays on the road, especially with how loud Autzen Stadium gets. Many fans have forgotten its reputation as one of college football's loudest stadiums, but it will reclaim that title with a big win against Northwestern that could cause the decibel levels to skyrocket. 

Defensive Tim McGarigle needs to call his best game of the season, with a good mix of pressure from unexpected places in Raiola's face and bracket coverage to keep Stewart and other speed merchants in front of the Northwestern defense. 

The Wildcats and Ducks are two evenly matched teams with intangibles likely in Oregon's favor considering home field advantage, desperation, and the return of Stewart and other players from injury. 

Northwestern, meanwhile, will be without captain Robert Fitzgerald and fellow key defensive back Josh Fussell. 

Northwestern's thin secondary will be tested in this game from the get-go, so crazy outcomes are quite possible and/or likely to happen.

If Northwestern fights through adversity, they might not win the game, but they will give themselves opportunities to win it, which is sometimes all a team can ask for in a hostile environment against a talented team like Oregon.