Our Oregon Ducks football program has a big rivalry week ahead (way earlier than usual, mind you). I believe this week and the bye week will determine what this team is capable of for the rest of the season. The Ducks have some serious issues that need to be fixed, but those issues are fortunately complemented by a ton of talent to make up for it in the meantime. Now is the time for acknowledgment, adjustment, and execution. There’s still plenty of time for this Oregon squad to get their footing.
Just for some clarity—remember last year’s week two? Oregon scraped by Texas Tech, only winning by one score (38-30, which doesn’t even fully represent how close this game really was). We had a ton of questions still at that point about Bo Nix, whether the Ducks were capable of being competitive all year, and whether our expectations should be tempered. From that point forward, Nix launched the Ducks into the stratosphere and never looked back. Let’s see how Dan Lanning’s Ducks can do the same this season by targeting three key areas.
3. No Sacks Allowed
Just cannot happen this week. Turn it around, protect Dillon Gabriel, and keep this offense as a whole upright. The Ducks are an outstanding group of talent in the trenches this year. Yeah, they may just need snaps together to grow—there are still no excuses for allowing SEVEN sacks in the first two weeks. Gabriel’s progression as a leader of the Ducks hinges on his health, and the offensive line’s play will be the catalyst for how the rest of this year goes.
Let’s see the Ducks get acclimated to the offensive line and have their most dominant Saturday in the trenches yet.
Matayo Uiagalelei and the front seven have looked much improved so far this season – Via Craig Strobeck
2. Takeaways in the First Half
Fumbles, interceptions, turnover on downs. The Ducks have to deflate the Beavs early and get their own offense with plenty of reps to work with. Takeaways are absolutely necessary from the jump. Personally, I love what I’ve seen from the secondary and pass rush so far. I only expect them to build on the momentum they’ve generated in the first two weeks of the season and start to set themselves apart as one of the premier units in the nation. Particularly, Jabbar Muhammad on the back end, and Matayo Uiagalelei upfront. While other Ducks have played fantastic on defense, these guys have the highest ceilings from what I’ve seen so far. Jeffrey Bassa and Jordan Burch lead this group too, and I can see them both having a huge game (also, remember when Bassa caught that pick in week two of last year to seal it against Texas Tech? Well, that almost happened against Boise State last week, too. Let’s see him make his mark in game three.)
Jordan James and co. have to get it going on the ground this week—via Craig Strobeck
1. Dominate Time of Possession
The defense all around has been energized, locked in, and great against the run. However, there are a handful of plays that have gotten away from the Ducks. Letting Boise State rip 70-yarders will not fly the rest of the year. “Make them earn every inch” has to be the mantra and mentality moving forward. The best way to do that is with a fresh defense, and if Oregon can start getting their rushing attack to a more dominant level again, that’s where I see this team really improving against Oregon State.
Bottom Line: Win Convincingly
I don’t care how it happens. We NEED the Ducks to have a great week this week. Take what we’ve learned about this team in weeks one and two and convert it into a stellar victory over an opponent that we never take lightly. The Beavs have always caused problems for Oregon in big seasons, and I heard about our Ducks rewatching the 2022 game over and over this week. Let’s see them lock into their best performance of the year and dominate their last game leading into the bye week.
Anyway, enough from me, Oregon fans. What do you think of the matchup this week? Who do you think’s going to flash? What kind of score do you expect Oregon to be able to achieve on their first road game? Let us know in the FishDuck Forum with decorum.
Go Ducks!
Alex Heining (IG:adheining)
Los Angeles, California
Top Photo By: Craig Strobeck
(Side note: Take a time to honor the first responders in your life today. Patriot Day is a time we need to appreciate our loved ones and those who protect them every day we are lucky enough to have on this Earth. Call your mom, get your son dinner – LOVE YOUR LOVED ONES!)
Alex Heining is an Oregon alumni from the graduate class of 2021. After studying sports business and media studies, he has moved into the field of digital marketing as a copywriter and content manager in the Los Angeles area. Still, he loves his Ducks and goes to local high school games all over the Los Angeles and Orange County area to check out new recruits of the future (and a SoFi game or two with the pros). On any given Saturday, expect to find him doing martial arts, playing the guitar, or screaming at the tv over a missed holding penalty.