BCS Bowl Games 2011: A Quick Look at Auburn and Oregon Linebackers and Rushing

This article takes a look at Auburn and Oregon along the lines.

Assuming that the offensive lines for these two teams get the job done, the rushing attacks will be a battle between the linebackers and running backs.

Added into the mix for these teams is the confrontation of two quarterbacks that are a definite challenge to the safeties. This will be a quick paced, ferocious battle indeed.

All three teams that finished the year undefeated in 2010 had a powerful rushing attack. This is a testament to the importance of a solid rushing capability.

Auburn averaged 6.2 yards per carry as a team and Oregon 6.1 yards per carry. Only Nevada with one loss averaged more with 6.3 yards per carry this year. Oregon averaged 5.5 yards per carry in 2009 and Auburn 5.0 yards per carry. Fans can assume the improvement in the rushing attack is a big reason these two teams are in their current position.

Oregon runs the ball 50 times per game, and Auburn 46 on average this year. Such a huge workload can not be handled by a traditional one running back system. Both of these teams are very deep in weapons to use in their rushing offense.

Offensive Weapons

Position	Auburn	Oregon
Quarterback	Cameron Newton 6’6” 250lbs 4.5 second forty	Darron Thomas 6’3” 212lbs 4.5 second forty
Backup	Barrett Trotter 6’2” 211lbs 4.7 second forty	Nate Costa 6’1” 210lbs 4.7second forty
Running Back	Mike Dyer 5’8’ 215lbs 4.4 second forty	LaMichael James 5’9” 185lbs 4.4second forty
Backup Rotation	Onterio McCalebb 5’10” 171lbs 4.3 forty	Kenjon Barner 5’11” 180lbs 4.5 second forty
Backup Rotation	Mario Fannin 5’11” 228lbs 4.4 second forty	Remene Alston Jr. 5’8” 200lbs 4.4 second forty
Other Weapons	Terrell Zachery 6’1” 210lbs 4.4 second forty	Josh Huff 5’11” 201lbs 4.4 forty

One thing that is very apparent is the speed of these two teams. Speed has been a huge advantage for both teams this year. Rarely is so much explosive ability in one game. These two teams scored more touchdowns rushing than over half of the teams in the FBS division scored in total.

Position Production

Statistic/Position	Auburn	Oregon
Quarterback
Rushing Yards	1487	630
Rushing Touchdowns	22	7
Running Back
Rushing Yards	2108	2557
Rushing Touchdowns	19	32
Totals
Rushing Yards	3595	3187
Touchdowns	41	39
Season Totals
Rushing Yards	3733	3646
Touchdowns	41	42
Totals From Other Positions
Rushing Yards	138	459
Touchdowns	0	3

From this, fans can see that Oregon is more likely to run the ball with an unconventional player. This can indicate more misdirection in an offense. Both teams use deception and misdirection to throw the timing of the defense off.

Both Auburn and Oregon are very good at defending the rush. Oregon allows 3.33 yards per carry and Auburn 3.49 yards per carry. The approach to accomplishing this task is carried out very differently for each team.

Oregon plays an undersized defensive line. It is almost like having four defensive ends on the field. This allows for more quickness up front and better pursuit for the perimeter rushing game. It also is a distinct disadvantage when facing a powerful offensive line. Oregon also runs more of a 4-2 defense than a traditional 4-3.

All of the Oregon linebackers are somewhat undersized, being more the size of a true safety. They are quick and swarm on defense. They depend on the blitz to get pressure in the backfield.

Auburn runs a traditional 4-3 set with a traditional middle linebacker. They have good speed at the two outside positions. Auburn also uses undersized linebackers to add speed and quickness to the overall defensive scheme. Auburn has had trouble tackling in space at times.

Auburn has a very physical defense that will continue to hit hard and wear on the opposition offense. They punish players harshly that challenge them by running inside.

Players

Position	Auburn	Oregon
Outside Linebacker	Craig Stevens 6’3” 229lbs	Spencer Paysinger  6’3” 231lbs
Backup Rotation	ElToro Freeman 5’11” 225lbs	Michael Clay 5’11” 225lbs
Backup Rotation	Jonathan Evans 5’11” 230lbs
Middle Linebacker	Josh Bynes 6’2” 235lbs	Casey Matthews 6’2” 235lbs
Backup Rotation	Jake Holland 6’0” 231lbs	Bryson Littlejohn 6’1” 225lbs
Backup Rotation	Harris Gaston 6’1” 231lbs
Outside Linebacker	Daren Bates 5’11” 203lbs	Josh Kaddu 6’3” 235lbs
Backup Rotation	Jessel Curry	Boseko Lokombo 6’3” 223lbs
Safety	Zac Etheridge 6' 213lbs	John Boyett 5’10” 198lbs
Backup Rotation	Ikeem Means 6’ 204lbs	Javes Lewis 6’1” 190lbs
Safety	Mike McNeil 6’2” 208lbs	Eddie Pleasant 5’11” 213lbs
Backup Rotation	Demetruce McNeal 6’1” 176lbs	Marvin Johnson 5’11” 210lbs

Both teams use a more conventional rotation at these positions with the starters getting the vast majority of the playing time.

Production

Statistic/Position	Auburn	Oregon
Linebacker
Tackles	199	210
Tackles for Loss	12	24
Sacks	4	8
Quarterback Hurries	23	5
Safety
Tackles	144	138
Tackles for Loss	1	1
Sacks	0	2
Quarterback Hurries	2	0

One thing that really stands out is that the Oregon linebackers account for about one third of the quarterback sacks and about one third of the tackles for loss. This is where the Oregon defense makes up for the lack of penetration along the defensive line. They flow to the ball quickly and make plays when they get there.

Oregon also uses a number of blitz packages utilizing the linebackers. These packages are effective at attacking the rushing offense and putting pressure on the quarterback.

Auburn puts a tremendous amount of disruptive pressure on the quarterback with their linebackers as well. Often they use blitzing linebackers to distract and overload offensive lines to allow the defensive line to make plays.

Neither team makes as many tackles from the safety position as they do from the linebacker positions. This is an indicator of a good rushing defense capability.

Fans can assume that both of these defenses have the speed necessary to make the perimeter rushing attack less than consistent for the opposition team.