Oregon Ducks vs. Boise State Broncos: Who Needs The Forward Pass Anyway?

In what was a nightmare of a weekend for the Pac-10 conference, the Oregon Ducks managed to help salvage some dignity for the conference by squeaking by the Purdue Boilermakers in double overtime.

The Ducks didn’t do themselves any favors, dropping five passes, turning the ball over four times and giving up an eighty yard touchdown run. Fortunately for the Oregon faithful Purdue didn’t score for over half of the game between the first and fourth quarters and missed two critical field goals, allowing the Ducks to win the game in overtime.

As if the inconsistent play wasn’t bad enough, Oregon’s coaches must deal with a knee injury to quarterback Justin Roper that will leave him sidelined for at least two weeks.

The Ducks can take some comfort in that they will host the Smurf Turf Brigade in Autzen Stadium Saturday night. Boise State is undefeated after crushing Idaho State and soundly defeating the Bowling Green team that upset Pitt.

Whether or not they will fare as well against a team as athletic as Oregon remains to be seen, but the Ducks were supposed to be too fast for Purdue and we all saw how that turned out.

There is no denying that the biggest obstacle for the Ducks is settling their quarterback play until Roper comes back. Jeremiah Masoli was an effective passer against Washington in the season opener, but the offense was out of sync with him behind center against Utah State.

Chris Harper has been an effective option runner, but his only passes came against the Aggies after the game was well in hand. It is probable that the two will rotate behind center with Masoli attempting most of the passes and Harper doing most of the running. It is imperative that no matter who is taking the snaps from center that the rhythm and timing be there for Oregon’s offense to be effective.

Boise State will go to Eugene as an underdog despite Roper’s injury, but this is a big game for the Broncos. With the Washington schools in decisive downswings right now, and Oregon State off to another slow start, this Saturday’s game arguably represents a showdown by the two pre-eminent college football powers in the Northwest states.

The Broncos would love nothing more than a win against the Ducks to strengthen their recruiting, while Oregon needs to sweep their non-conference slate to have momentum going into their daunting conference schedule.

If you like creative play calling and running backs, this game is for you. With the Ducks wounded throwers, and Boise State’s freshman QB Kellen Moore making his first start on the road in hostile Autzen, neither team wants to have to put the game in the hands of the passing game.

Expect a heavy dose of Jeremiah Johnson and LaGarrette Blount for the Ducks, matched blow for blow by Fiesta Bowl hero (not to mention hopeless romantic) Ian Johnson and his change up man Jeremy Avery.

Expect the Ducks to load the box and leave their talented corners (Jairus “Big” Byrd and Walter Thurmond III, say it right and their names even rhyme!) on an island and dare Moore to beat them with his arm. By the same token, until the Ducks receivers show that they won’t stop drives with dropped balls, the Broncos will likely take their chances and key on Johnson, Blount, and Harper.

The winner of this game will be the team that maintains the best balance on offense to loosen things up for their runners, and that makes the fewest errors to maintain the edge in the field position struggle.

The Ducks defense and special teams saved Oregon’s feathers against Purdue last week, and they will need a similarly sterling performance for an offense depleted at QB to outscore the Broncos. But with the Autzen edge and the Broncos inexperience, I give the edge to the Ducks.

MY VERDICT: Oregon Ducks 27, Boise State Broncos 23