How Oregon Can Coach Around Ifo Ekpre-Olomu's Absence in Rose Bowl

The University of Oregon knows what to expect from Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota in the Rose Bowl against Florida State University. What it will get out of its pass defense now that star cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is sidelined is an uncertainty.

In any case, Ducks coach Mark Helfrich may have to make some major adjustments on the fly.

According to Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman, Helfrich confirmed on Thursday that Ekpre-Olomu will miss the bowl game with a knee injury:

The news confirmed a previous report from Paul Myerberg of USA Today. 

It's a potentially game-changing blow for Oregon. Ekpre-Olomu was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection and Associated Press All-American. He finished second on the team with two interceptions—one of which came in spectacular fashion against Michigan State—and nine pass breakups on 11 passes defended.

In all likelihood, Ekpre-Olomu was going to be matched up against Seminoles receiver Rashad Greene on January 1. Outside the hash marks, that was going to be the most important—and most watched—matchup on the field.

Greene, who leads the team with 93 receptions for 1,306 yards and seven touchdowns, has been the cornerstone of the Seminoles passing game.

Numbers aside, Ekpre-Olomu would have given Oregon confidence in covering Greene. Athletically, Ekpre-Olomu matched up well, but Tyson Alger of The Oregonian also called the senior corner the "emotional leader of the secondary."

With Ekpre-Olomu out, the Ducks will promote redshirt freshman Chris Seisay into the starting lineup. Whether Seisay, senior Troy Hill or some other combination cover Greene remains to be seen.

Ideally, Oregon can put someone on Greene in man-to-man coverage—the "next man up" mentality—and not miss a beat.

However, Seisay knows that Florida State will target him early and often regardless of who he covers. He's the new blood.

"They don't know me. They're going to pick on me because I'm the new corner," Seisay told Alger. "I just have to show them what I can do."

That's where Florida State can do its damage in the passing game. It's not necessarily about targeting Greene now that Ekpre-Olomu is out. It's about finding other weaknesses if Oregon is forced to bracket Greene in Ekpre-Olomu's absence.

Blitzing only puts more pressure on the Ducks pass defense and some of its young defenders.

It's an interesting situation for Florida State too. If Oregon devotes extra bodies to Greene, will Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston look elsewhere? Other than tight end Nick O'Leary, the next best receiver is freshman Travis Rudolph with 32 receptions.

Oregon's secondary is a mix of veteran guys like Hill and Erick Dargan, and younger players like Seisay. Several young faces are going to be thrown into important roles in the biggest game of their blossoming careers. Helfrich hopes they'll be ready. 

How he adjusts if they're not is going to be the coaching decision to watch.

Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com.