Oregon makes its first road trip this Saturday to West Lafayette, Indiana for an ABC/ESPN 3:30 p.m. EDT televised game with the Purdue Boilermakers.
The Ducks are currently ranked No. 16 by the Associated Press and No. 14 by the USA/Today Coaches Poll going into the game at Ross-Ade Stadium. This will be the third game of the 2008 season for Oregon and the only the second for Purdue.
Oregon began their season opening at home against their PAC-10 rival Washington Huskies with a rousing win of 44-10. This past weekend their Autzen Stadium non-conference win of 66-24 over the Utah State Aggies set records for total scoring, total offense and stadium attendance.
The Boilermakers similarly racked up the points with their 42-10 romping of Northern Colorado.
While both teams won non-conference games they should have won, and in the end did so convincingly, there are some differences.
Oregon was up 38 points at the half and for most of the second half used it's second and third string players to finish the day with a total of 688 yards of offense. Purdue on the other hand, led by just 21-0 after three quarters against a Football Championship Subdivision team that went 1-11 last season.
STORIED PROGRAMS
When the Ducks meet the Boilermakers, this won't be Oregon playing Utah State, or Purdue playing Northern Colorado. Rather this is PAC-10 versus Big Ten, with two nationally storied programs facing off against each other.
Each team has deep roots going back to the early beginnings of college football. Each has a long history of playing against the other conference and there is also a long history between the two teams. Oregon football dates from 1893, while the Boilermakers trace their roots to before 1891.
- B/R Ticket Guide
COACHING
Oregon Head Coach Mike Bellotti is in his 14th year and has a record of 108-52, while Purdue Head Coach Joe Tiller is retiring at the end of this season. Tiller has a total of 17 years as Head Coach with this being his 12th at Purdue.
Currently, his record is 123-84-1 overall, and 51-37 in Big Ten Conference games. With the win this past Saturday over Northern Colorado, Tiller tied Jack Mollenkopf 84 wins, for the most wins in Boilermaker history.
FACILITIES
Both Oregon and Purdue have first rate football facilities and sophisticated recruiting programs. Oregon has the Moshofsky Training Center, while Purdue has the Mollenkopf Training Center.
The Ducks play their home games in the newly remodeled Autzen Stadium before about 60,000 fans, while Purdue's fans are treated to the just remodeled Ross-Ade Stadium. Phase one of a three phase project was completed several years ago, that reduced the seating in the stadium to about 62,000. This will go up to 80,000 at the completion of Phase three.
TEAMS AND PLAYERS
The Ducks Offense uses the no huddle, West Coast spread offense very effectively.
First String QB Nate Costa is out with a season ending injury. Sophomore Justin Roper has stepped and proven to be formidable with both a strong arm and nimble legs at 6'6" tall and 205 pounds.
Duck back up QB's Jeremiah Masoli and Chris Harper showed promise as signal callers against Washington and Utah State, each doing a credible job of moving the O-line down the field with a combination of passing and rushing for TD's.
Purdue plays a Midwest version of the spread offense and changes up their attacks with passing and rushing in no particular pattern. It is similar to an Oregon offense but, lacks the explosive team speed that the Ducks display.
The Boilermakers are well positioned Red Shirt Senior QB Curtis Painter. Against Northern Colorado, Painter passed for 286 yards and two touchdowns. Purdue's O-line returned all of their starters from 2007 and is experienced on their side of the ball. Questions remain about the Boilermaker defense that continues to gain confidence as a young first string.
Oregon's defense is one of the best in the NCAA and is extremely effective at shutting down an offense. This could prove to be critical in the game Saturday.
PROJECTION
This may well prove to be one the best match ups of the 2008 season for the two teams as well as for the fans tuning in. It promises to be an entertaining game that will likely be close down to the last half of the fourth quarter.
In the end, I believe Oregon's faster team speed and no-nonsense scrambling defense will be too much for the Boilermakers. As the sun sets on Indiana look for Oregon to take a 38-24 win.
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2 months ago
Purdue won't be able to stop the DUCK running attack and will fold like a chair in the 2nd half.
The Ducks will win big.
DUCKS 48
Purdue 17
from 2 months ago
You may be right, but I'm betting that Purdue will be up for Oregon. Also don't discount that Joe Tiller's Seniors and many of their team mates want to give Joe a premier season as they going away present for his retirement.
Overall however, I agree Oregon will win.
Thank you for your comments.
from 2 months ago
Great job Larry!
Good attention to detail and solid analysis will make for an outstanding preview every time! I agree that this is a hugely overlooked matchup and I think it will come down to coaching.
2 months ago
The Utah State game did not set a record for stadium attendance. The record game continues to be the 2007 against USC
from 2 months ago
Actually the record attendance is the 2007 game against ASU: 59,379 while USC was 59, 227
And the scoring record at Autzen still stands at 72 points against Nevada in 1999
from 2 months ago
Thank you Brett. I stand corrected.
There were so many records broken yesterday, that I thought I heard Joe Giamonte list those as well. Maybe not. So much for my memory.
Thank you for sharing.
from 2 months ago
Joe Giamonte was the guy in the duck suit when he went to school there, he really shouldn't be doing color commentary for any sports network. i personally wouldn't listen to anything he says lol
2 months ago
Good summary, but I think the Ducks will roll by a larger margin than that.
from 2 months ago
You may be right. But, as above, I do believe the Boilermakers will be up for this game.
It's going to be fun to watch on Saturday.
Thank you for your comment.
2 months ago
I gotta think the Ducks roll in this one. They look really good. I'm not sure the Purdue defense will be able to stop them. I take that back, I pretty sure the Purdue defense won't be able to stop them. Although I like Oregon, I hope I'm wrong. As a Big Ten guy I want to see them do well and the Big Ten needs a big win.
from 2 months ago
You may be right. Being a bit conservative and believing in the old adage, "On any given Saturday..." I just have to believe that JT is going to do his darnedest to get Purdue ready for the Ducks. I'm inclined to believe the score will be tighter than in the earlier blow-outs.
Appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.
2 months ago
Good read Larry. Very good look ahead! I wasn't aware that Roper was 6'6". Wow.
from 2 months ago
Thank you GG. Appreciate your taking the time.
Yes, Roper is impressive. Wait until you see him in action on Saturday.
Thank you again.
from 2 months ago
Not only is Roper 6'6", he's very athletic as well. He is very fast for a big man, as both UW and USU have discovered.
2 months ago
Great Read Larry, although i think we will win by a significant margin since JJ will be ready
from 2 months ago
Hi Cameron,
Thank you for taking a look. As per above, you may be right, but let's not under-estimate Purdue. They have a winning history, experience and a seasoned coach. They'll be up for this game.
It'll be fun to see on Saturday how it turns out.
Thank you again.
2 months ago
The secondary needs to play better than they did against Utah State for the ducks to win big. Don't underestimate the effect of 2,000 miles either. I think this will be closer that most of my fellow duck fans think
from 2 months ago
Hi Brett,
Are you referring to the second half when the second and third string players were in many cases playing the first game of their college careers? If so, you're correct but I don't think these same players will be seeing much playing time against Purdue.
RE: Road trip. I couldn't agree more. Travel adds a fatigue factor and Ross-Ade is going to be a hostile environment for the Ducks. Even though Oregon fans travel well and there will be a good representation in the stands, it just doesn't compare to Autzen. Both of these factors along combine to make it a closer game. Another consideration is the friendly calls for the home team-in this case Purdue. So Oregon, is automatically at a slight disadvantage before they even start, with this being an away game.
Despite these negatives, I believe Oregon will outscore the Boilermakers by at least two touchdowns.
Thanks for your comments.
from 2 months ago
Actually I agree Brett. I'm a Oregon fan and think Purdue will play tough at home. Their fans will be up for a Big10-ls away a bit in the fourth quarter, but it wouldn't shock me if Purdue won. Bottom line, I can't wait!
2 months ago
This is a very good article about an interesting game. I believe it is dangerous to predict road teams to win by large margins over established programs like Joe Tiller's Boilermakers so I agree with you concerning the score.
from 2 months ago
Hi BT,
Thank you for the read and your comments.
2 months ago
How Many fans can we expect for this game?
2 months ago
Hi Matt,
With big, interconference game like this one, its common for 5,000 Oregon fans to travel with the team, plus the cheerleaders, the mascot and the band. Of course, I can only speak to history. Your best source is the Oregon Athletic Department and the UO Alumni Association. They can give you much better best guess.
Thank you for asking.
2 months ago
Of the 3QBs in the Oregon system, Harper may be the best of all. Only problem is that he's young and inexperienced. But he's probably the fastest offensive player on the team, and last week we saw glimpses of what he could potentially do with his arm. I see Dixonesque potential.
from 2 months ago
Hi Don,
I agree. As Harper gains experience, I believe we can experience great things from him. He can run and he can throw. One of the remaining questions: can he block? This bodes well for Oregon in the future. This only adds to the Duck's legacy as Quarterback U.
Thank you for your thoughts.
2 months ago
Nice read, Larry! I agree that this game will be closer than many expect. The Ducks have looked scary good to this point, but againts sub-par opponents. This game will be the first real test for Oregon, and give those of us watching the PAC 10 a better feel for what to expect from them this year!
from 2 months ago
Thanks Cody. You're right on point. I believe they will pass the test, but Purdue isn't a Hostess Twinkie team. The Ducks will have to play hard and smart for four quarters to pull out the win. The Boilermakers aren't going to just give it to them.
Thanks for the read and your comments.
2 months ago
As I wrote in my Purdue football blog: http://boilerfootball.blogspot.com/
"How does Purdue fair against this team?
Not well, I fear. A basic strengths vs weaknesses perspective says that our strength on offense will play right into the ducks strenght on defense. However, If the much improved Purdue defense can limit the ducks offensive productivity, then the game could stay close. Painter has shown historically that good/great defenses have absolutely shut our offense down. (See Ohio State and Penn State games) In the end, I think the game will be close but Oregon can squeak by. They are on their 3rd option at quarterback, but a solid RB and WR corp will probably be a little too productive for the boilers. Silver Lining? This game is at Ross-Aid, we can but numbers up on the scoreboard, and our defense is claimed to be much improved. Maybe, just maybe the boilers can pull one out? A strong showing against the ducks can really jack up the Heisman talk around Painter. The Heisman talk which is limited to only the mid-west currently.
Predictions: Oregon 35, Purdue 24 Oy! "
from 2 months ago
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Justin.
Oregon's Offense is being led by this year's number two QB, Justin Roper, although he was the number four last season. You may have seen him lead Oregon in the stunning 56-10 defeat of South Florida.
One of the terms most often used to describe Oregon's no-huddle, hurry-up offense is, "explosive." This was best demonstrated this past weekend when they scored and 85-yard drive touch down in 10-seconds.
In the last three games Oregon's defense has held each of their opponents to less than 100 yards rushing. Don't know if that will be the case on Saturday, but I expect the Oregon defense to do well against the Bolilermakers.
It will be an exciting game.
2 months ago
We saw what Oregon's offense did to Michigan, it's not looking good for Purdue, not at all. That offense is just to fast too fast for slow Big 10 teams.
from 2 months ago
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the comment. Couldn't agree more.
2 months ago
Purdue will have to play 13 men to keep up with the ducks--they should recuit from the track team..Justin Roper is not only a good quarterback, he was a top pick to play basketball as well as a very good high jumper. The only thing more exciting than the duck wide open offense is their really wild to-the-ball-defence.. Should be a good game, and the uniforms will be very intertaining.
Regards.....Dex H
2 months ago
Thanks Dex, good comments all.
2 months ago
Three factors that might affect this game. Oregon traveling across three time zones. Oregon looking past a mid-western "hick" team. Cal did this in 1992. Crappy, hot, humid possibly rainy weather in West Lafayette this weekend.
2 months ago
Hi John,
Interesting observations. Believe two of your three points won't be a factor; but the third is possible.
1) Travel across two time zones. Because the Ducks are traveling on Friday and will have gotten a decent night's sleep, jet lag shouldn't be much of a factor.
2) Oregon looking past mid-western "hick" team. Don't think this is very likely the Oregon player's mental state. Oregon and Purdue have much in common as both states share a common history being at opposite ends of the Oregon Trail. Likewise both Oregon and Indiana are predominately rural. If anything, the people of the two states share many values. Purdue is hardly considered a "hick" university. Believe most Oregonians would put it in the same "league" as Stanford or Cornell, and that ain't the bush leagues.
3) Crappy, hot, humid weather. This could have some effect on the outcome. Most of the Ducks aren't used to the hot and humid weather of the mid-west. No doubt there will be a lot fluids available on the sidelines. As far as the rain goes--the team is the "Ducks." They have web feet.
Thank you for your original thoughts. These are possible factors and you're the first to point them out.
Good job.
2 months ago
Your prediction of a 14 point win was a bit generous, but I didn't expect a come-back-and-win-in-OT game, either...Oregon's receivers (I'm looking at you, Jaison Williams!) were unreliable targets, which facilitated the defense stacking up against Jeremiah Johnson, making him largely ineffective.
Purdue doesn't have a great home-field advantage history, and I don't think the Ducks were looking ahead to Boise State (nobody does)...
Perhaps most important: Purdue is the epitome of a mediocre team, a consistent .500-level squad in a middling BCS conference.
I think this was a case of the Ducks playing down to a team with (generally) inferior talent; mistakes in penalties and ball security--two areas in which Mike B.'s teams have always struggled--allowed Purdue to make this a close game.
from 2 months ago
Hi Scientizzle,
Glad to hear from you. Always appreciate your comments.
Thank you for the read and comments.
You're right about Purdue and your analysis. Lisa shared your point recently about the Big 10. They just aren't the Power Conference that they were a few years ago. This game shouldn't have gone to OT. But, a win is a win, and the Ducks pulled it out.
Maybe this game will serve as a wake up call. Did you see my article about Boise State traveling to OR?
Thank you again.
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