Why Oregon Will Win The Fiesta Bowl
– Can the defensive front hold up against Breece Hall and the Iowa State running game? The Ducks got pounded on by the UCLA running game and kicked around by Jermar Jefferson and the Oregon State ground attack, but that was about it. The defensive front rose up and stopped Cal cold, and is was all over the USC ground attack allowing just 38 yards.
The Oregon defense doesn’t make enough big things happen behind the line, but it was able to do it against a strong USC offensive front and got the job done. Iowa State will be able to run the ball, but as long as it doesn’t go off, Oregon should be fine.
– Tyler Shough and the passing game have to be great. He was sharp and productive over the first four games, but he wasn’t quite accurate enough over the last two games. It didn’t matter much in the win over USC for the Pac-12 Championship, but it was a problem in the loss to Cal.
He doesn’t have to outplay Brock Purdy, but as long as he doesn’t have problems with picks – he’s generally careful – and doesn’t try to force anything, the Duck O should be okay.
– Run, run, run. It doesn’t take too much to give the Iowa State defense problems. The Cyclones allowed over 100 yards five times, lost three of those games, had to come back to get Oklahoma the first time around, and needed to battle late to get by Texas.
The Iowa State run defense doesn’t get gouged – there won’t be any big runs – but there has to be just enough to be competent. Average four yards per carry, hit the 130 yards or so the Ducks are able to, and the rest of the parts should work.