After beating weaker opponents to go 4-0, the Ducks now face what could be their toughest game of the year at Penn State.
Some keys:
Defense
As we painfully remember, Oregon’s defense was far from championship caliber in their final two games last season, the Rose Bowl and B1G Championship Game. Ohio State did anything they wanted offensively against the Ducks, while Penn State racked up 300 yards on the ground.
This has to change.
Nobody questions Oregon’s overall talent; it is top-shelf. This has led many to believe that the Ducks’ defense was simply outfoxed in the coaching arena. I mentioned before the season that Dan Lanning and Tosh Lupoi have to prove their game strategy chops if the Ducks are to make a serious run at a national championship.
They can recruit the great players, but can they coach them up?
Penn State will surely test Oregon’s defensive scheme.
Dante Moore
Dante Moore has been sharp, efficient and accurate, taking care of the football in four straight tune-up games.
Now, we really get to see what he is made of.
Ducks prepare for their biggest test of the season. (Photo by Max Unkrich)
His first non-cupcake game is the farthest thing from it. On the road on the East Coast against a Top-5 ranked blue blood in front of 100k-plus fans. It will be loud, rowdy and unforgiving. Welcome to big-time college football, Dante!
The lights could not be any brighter for a game in September. What we have seen from Moore so far has been very impressive. Every indication is that he is up to the challenge.
And, then they play the game…
Turnovers
It sounds cliché, but the Ducks do need to take care of the ball. Not just in taking care of the ball on offense, but the Oregon defense in taking advantage of the gifts that the Nittany Lions might give the Ducks.
If the Oregon defense has a pass thrown right to them, pick it off. If Penn State lays one on the carpet, jump on it and secure it.
And of course, no special teams blunders. Maybe it is just me, but I am always more nervous in these gigantic stadiums when it comes to special teams, especially when the ball is in the hands of punters and holders.
The solution: Get first downs.
We will learn a lot about what this Oregon team is made of this Saturday. In the new age of college football, a disappointing performance does not signify the loss of championship aspirations. But, chalking up a big win on the road on this stage against that team sure would be nice.
Natalie Liebhaber, the FishDuck.com Volunteer Editor for this article, works in technology in SLC, Utah.
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Darren Perkins is a sales professional and 1997 Oregon graduate. After finishing school, he escaped the rain and moved to sunny Southern California where he studied screenwriting for two years at UCLA. Darren grew up in Eugene and in 1980, at the tender age of five, he attended his first Oregon football game. His lasting memory from that experience was an enthusiastic Don Essig announcing to the crowd: “Reggie Ogburn, completes a pass to… Reggie Ogburn.” Captivated by such a thrilling play, Darren’s been hooked on Oregon football ever since. Currently living in Spokane, Darren enjoys flaunting his yellow and green superiority complex over friends and family in Cougar country.