Oregon Bowl Game 2010: Breaking Down the Ducks in the National Championship
When you have over a month to wait for the big game, many thoughts go through your head. How will the Ducks defense hold up against Cam Newton? Will the Auburn defense be able to handle the Ducks speed? Which coach will win the war of the minds?
When you look at the Ducks, everyone immediately looks at the offense, and rightfully so. The part of the Oregon team that does go unnoticed is their defense and special teams. Lets take a look at the Ducks as they prepare for the national championship.
Quarterback Darron Thomas
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Coming into the season, the Ducks had a huge question mark at quarterback. Jeremiah Masoli was gone and the battle was on between Darron Thomas and senior Nate Costa. The week before the season opener, Chip Kelly named the starter and Darron Thomas hasn't looked back.
Thomas played beyond his years and took the Ducks offense to a level that they had never seen. He lead them to a 12-0 record and managed the top-ranked offense in the nation. He threw for 28 touchdowns and rushed for five more.
Throughout the year, the clear difference between the Ducks offense last year and this year is that Thomas has forced defenses to respect the passing game. When teams have loaded up to stop the run, Thomas has gone to the air and made teams pay.
LaMichael James
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After a record-breaking first year, LaMichael James took it too another level this year. He rushed for 1682 yards and got into the end zone 21 times. Amazingly, James rushed for 100 more yards then last year and missed the season opener this year.
One thing that many don't know about James is he is an every down, between the tackles running back. The highlights that James collect are amazing but the true skill James has, is the ability to keep attacking the defense play after play.
When going up against Auburn, we will find out if James can take the down after down beating from a big defense and if his speed could be too much for an SEC defense.
The O-Line
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Early on in the year, the Ducks offensive line look a bit shaky and people were waiting for them to take last year's form. Towards the middle of the year, the line came together and truly improved in both run and pass blocking.
The advantage the Ducks have is they are deep at this position and are able to sub in multiple players should one of the starters go down. With players like Bo Thran, Carson York and Jordan Holmes, the Ducks are in good hands up front but will have to figure out a way to slow down the Auburn defensive line.
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Jeff Maehl
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When Maehl came to Oregon, he joined the team as a player in the secondary. When the Ducks depth chart thinned out in 2007, Maehl switched to offense and has not turned back.
This year, Maehl has hauled in 68 passes for 943 yards and 12 touchdowns. He quickly developed a chemistry with Darron Thomas and seems to always make a big play when the Ducks need it.
In the national title game the question is will Maehl be able to use his deceptive speed to his advantage against a weak secondary?
Defensive Line
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When the year got underway, the big question mark on defense was the defensive line. After twelve games, the Ducks lineman answered the bell and provided enough pressure to allow the back seven to make plays.
The defensive line is bolstered by Brandon Bair and Kenny Rowe. These two players will be key going up against Cam Newton. If they can contain Newton to the pocket, the Ducks secondary and linebackers will be able to make some big plays.
Casey Matthews
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The Ducks have experience in the middle of their defense and it all starts with middle linebacker Casey Matthews. Matthews has been the leader of this defense since day one and has set the town in every game.
Matthews is going to be faced with a huge test in the national championship, containing Cam Newton. Matthews has the speed to keep up with Newton, the question will be if Matthews can bring down the big quarterback when they come together.
Cliff Harris and The Secondary
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If the Ducks can keep Newton in the secondary, he will be throwing against a very opportunistic secondary. The Ducks have a lot of playmakers in the secondary. Cliff Harris and John Boyett are both players that will go for the big play and often make it. Should Newton make a mistake, look for one of these two to make him pay.
The Kicking Game
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Throughout the year, Rob Beard was cool and calm and perfect on both extra points and on field goals. Late in the year, senior Nate Costa was injured and Oregon was forced to use a new kick holder. Since that has occurred, Beard is 1/4 on field goals and has had an extra point blocked.
Throughout the national title game, these two teams could rarely be forced into kicking a field goal. With that being said, accuracy and taking all the points you can get will be key.
Chip Kelly
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Chip Kelly is almost at the end of his second year of coaching and has been as impressive as they come. Through two years, Kelly is 22-3 overall and also has only lost one game in conference. Since coming to Oregon in 2007, Kelly has elevated the Ducks to a top ten offense year in and year out.
When we kick the game off on January 10, Kelly will have had to figure out a way to make his explosive running game work against a big Auburn defense. How Oregon does in the title game will be in large part due to the adjustments Kelly makes.
The X Factors
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After looking at the various offensive positions, the national title game could come down to the Oregon X factors. On offense, watch out for Kenjon Barner and Josh Huff. Barner will come in and give the Ducks running game a change of pace while Huff is a do it all type player who can run the ball and make plays in the passing game.
While Barner and Huff are key players, the biggest factor could be the Ducks return game. Cliff Harris has been dangerous every time he touches the ball and if Auburn gives him a punt to return, hang on to your hats.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
