Oregon Vs Tennessee Preview: A So Called "Big Game?" Wrong.

Oregon heads to the big house in Tennessee. 108,000 people await the young but talented ducks coming off of a 72-0 crushing over a far below-average New Mexico team. Let's be honest, New Mexico was bad, really bad. Putting up 72 points on any team is impressive, so a fan like me has got to know that Oregon is in the groove. 

Tennessee will for sure be a different game, but how big of a game is this? I think the whole nation knows that besides the fact that Oregon has yet to show they can play on the road, especially in a stadium as big as Tennessee's, Oregon should roll over the Volunteers. Again, let's be honest, a new coach and some young players never add up to be a great team. 

This game will be a learning experience for the Ducks. The crowd will be loud bringing in the #7 team in the nation, so Thomas will have to adapt to that level of play with a crowd like that. Oregon will be returning its starting running back LaMichael James to the depth chart, and will have the confidence to take on a crowd of 108,000, and if the O-line can perform like they did last Saturday, you're going to see another blowout folks. 

Some people would make the argument, "Well, Tennessee is an SEC team." Big whoop. Washington State is a Pac-10 school and I don't hear teams worrying about going to Pullman. I think Oregon will be playing the crowd and their own inexperience more than the Tennessee football team. The only way this game comes within two touchdowns is if Thomas totally freaks, our O-line completely breaks down, and our Defense loses their confidence that makes them so good. If all three of those scenarios happen, then Tennessee MIGHT come within two touchdowns of the Ducks, and to reiterate those scenarios, in other words, it would have to take a total Oregon melt down to make this game close. 

People have been talking about this game, saying how it is Oregon's "Test" in the Pre-Season. Well, in a way they are correct, but it will be a test for the inexperienced, to perform at the level they should in front of 108,000 screaming fans in Tennessee. It will be a huge game in the fact that it will jump-start Oregon's run for the National title, and it will present Oregon as a true contender.

But, I do not mind the hype. It is good for the young Ducks. One of the many reasons why Oregon is so tough, is because they love to play. They get fired up to play football, and they truly are competitors, and that is always fun to watch. Oregon plays it's best football when their confidence is through the roof, so let's keep it that way. Keep the hype up, but remember it's only a learning experience, and let's watch the Ducks blow the Vol's out of the water. Go Ducks.

Prediction: Oregon 59 Tennessee 17