Our Oregon Ducks football program will travel this week to Ann Arbor after a complete demolition of Illinois in Autzen. The Ducks have started the season undefeated and don’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. As a new addition to the Big-10, this was expected to be a tougher matchup for Oregon. Instead? The Ducks have owned every game they’ve been in this season.
So what are the keys to this game? Who should we be watching? Three elements stand out in the lead-up to this massive Big-10 matchup on the road, and what I believe to be yet another statement game for the best team in the country. Here are three key points for the Ducks to hone in on this week against the Wolverines.
This defensive line has been stellar all season long – via Eric Becker
3. Limit Kalel Mullings and the Rushing Attack
Donovan Edwards entered this season as the clear starter on a reigning championship team. Now, Kalel Mullings has elevated his role and been a key piece of why Michigan has hung in the games they’ve been in. He has out-carried and out-gained Edwards in their senior seasons, and has all the size and speed to be a huge factor in this game.
If Oregon wants to jump out to a huge lead this week, shutting down the run is going to be the key. Mullings is the piece that makes the biggest difference. Additionally, Alex Orji has subbed in as a “wildcat” quarterback periodically with virtually zero threat of passing, and all the ability as a runner to get much-needed big plays. Michigan has put all its eggs in the rushing basket—let’s see the Ducks shut them down and earn every single yard.
Dillon Gabriel owned the line of scrimmage vs Illinois – via Craig Strobeck
2. No Turnovers from Dillon Gabriel
Dillon has been playing outstandingly week to week. However, he’ll throw a pick here and there that has put the Ducks in a tough spot late. I DOUBT that any Michigan DBs outside of Will Johnson (depending on his health) will give Gabriel any trouble. Still, the Ducks must play some of their best ball in a hostile environment to avoid turnovers. Expect a heavy dose of Jordan James to ensure an early lead, a big win on the road, and no risk of injury for Gabriel.
Gabriel was dominant as a rusher this weekend vs Illinois; I again don’t think we’ll see any of that vs. a lesser opponent in the Wolverines. Michigan might be a hard-nosed team, but they just don’t have the firepower on offense to force Oregon into a situation where Gabriel will have to contribute as a runner. Tez Johnson will have to be dominant in order for that to happen.
Tez has been all over the field for the Ducks from start to finish this season. With Traeshon Holden having an incident against Ohio State and Evan Stewart only flashing here and there, I LOVE Tez’s opportunity on the road to carry Gabriel to a dominant performance. This will be a signature win for Oregon, and I see Gabriel throwing for 300+ yards through the air.
1. Own Time of Possession
Whoever’s starting at quarterback this week for Michigan is not going to dice up this secondary. Davis Warren has been in and out of the lineup, Jack Tuttle has played a few games, and Orji has been the rotational signal caller who gets a ton of running opportunities. Whichever field general ends up starting, expect some elite pressure & persistence at the line of scrimmage from the Ducks. Matayo Uiagalelei and co. will pin their ears back, hit the edge, and dominate this game from start to finish. As they limit Michigan’s opportunities on offense, Oregon will dominate time of possession and should hit 40+ points. Still, as long as they get the win – who cares how many points they hit? Let’s see the Ducks come in and own these three areas of the game and continue their undefeated season on the way to the Big-10 Championship game.
Anyway, enough from me, Oregon fans. What do you expect to see out of Michigan? Will this be a signature win like Ohio State, or will this be business as usual for the Ducks? Who stands out on the road and owns this win? Let us know in the FishDuck Forum with decorum.
Go Ducks!
Alex Heining
Los Angeles, California
Top Photo By: Craig Strobeck
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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.