3 keys to victory for Oregon Ducks against Utah in Pac-12 title game

The Oregon Ducks are one win away from another Pac-12 championship and a chance to head to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl.

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The Oregon Ducks have a chance at redemption in a major way on Friday evening as they’ll take on the Utah Utes in the Pac-12 Championship game.

The winner will most likely play in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, barring a surprise inclusion in the College Football Playoffs if Oregon does win.

The Ducks got their bell rung the last time these two teams met a few weeks ago, with the Utes dominating from kickoff all the way until the end of the game in a decisive 38-7 victory in Salt Lake City.

For Oregon to earn their redemption, and another Pac-12 title, they’ll need to make some adjustments in a major way – starting with:

Stopping the Run

Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

This was a key for Oregon two weeks ago, one they weren’t able to accomplish successfully. Utah’s star back Tavion Thomas carried the ball 21 times for 94 yards – which doesn’t look too bad until you factor in his three rushing touchdowns.

The Utes as a team ran for over 200 yards on the ground and have more total rushing yards and rushing yards per game than any other team in the conference.

A lot has to change for Oregon to pull off a victory after the debacle from two weeks ago, with stopping the run the top task on coach Cristobal’s to-do list.