3 keys to victory for Oregon Ducks against North Carolina Tar Heels

Oregon will have their hands full with Drake Maye and North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl. Here are three keys to a Ducks victory.

Pressure Drake Maye

Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

Drake Maye came seemingly out of nowhere to contend for a Heisman Trophy this season for the Tar Heels. He threw for over 4,000 yards with 35 touchdown passes and seven more on the ground – and just seven interceptions.

Maye vs. Nix is the big matchup in this one, and both teams are down quite a few starters on defense. Oregon is without Christian Gonzalez and Noah Sewell, so generating an effective pass rush is the best way to prevent Maye and North Carolina’s wide receivers to gash the defense all game long down in San Diego.

Brandon Dorlus is a huge hinge at this point, if he plays and plays effectively it could spell victory for Dan Lanning in his first Bowl game as head coach.