Although it feels like the Oregon Ducks season just began, we’re almost through the non-conference portion of the year and onto Big Ten play. The Ducks are 2-0 through their first two games, and although there are many concerns about the way they’ve played, things could be much worse.
This week, the Ducks are taking on the Oregon State Beavers — a matchup that traditionally took place in November during rivalry week of every season, before Oregon left the Pac-12 for the Big Ten.
The Beavers are 2-0 on the season as well, with wins over Idaho State and San Diego State. The Ducks are heavy favorites in this game, but as we’ve seen in Oregon’s first two matchups, a wide spread in Oregon’s favor means very little.
Below, I’ve listed the three major keys for Oregon on Saturday, so they can take home the win in their first road game of 2024.
Strike first
One of the biggest issues facing the Ducks on offense to start the year has been inconsistency. Last week against Boise State, Oregon didn’t get on the scoreboard until their third drive. This week, in order to jump-start Oregon’s offense, I want to see the Ducks get down the field and into the endzone quickly on their first drive. A quick score like that would set the tone, for the rest of the game, and potentially for the rest of the season, removing the fog that has been shrouding what we know Oregon’s offense can be.
Own the line of scrimmage
One of the biggest storylines to start the Ducks’ season has been offensive line woes, but last weekend against Boise State, the Ducks D-line looked shaky as well, allowing Broncos’ RB Ashton Jeanty to rush for 192 yards and 3 TDs on 7.7 yards per carry. This week, the Ducks need to own the line of scrimmage on both ends of the ball, establishing their own run game early and shutting the Beavers’ run game down. I also want to see Oregon’s edge rushers get to the quarterback early and often.
Decisiveness from Dillon Gabriel
There have been several problems plaguing the Ducks through two games, but a major one has been the play of QB Dillon Gabriel, who has been underwhelming at best. His stats are good and he’s completing passes well, but against Boise State and Idaho, Gabriel has dealt with pressure poorly and struggled to bring depth into the passing game. This week, Gabriel needs to play with more confidence and decisiveness, getting the ball out of his hand on time, and slinging it down the field.
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