UCLA at Oregon: The Ducks Hope To Recreate The Autzen Edge

Halfway through the regular season, we have found out quite a bit about the 2008 Oregon football team. First of all, we know the Ducks need to get a priest or rabbi or witch doctor or somebody to get rid of this quarterback curse because it has just gotten ridiculous. We know that the Ducks are probably not winning the conference this year.

The one thing that still eludes us though is just how good this team actually is.

With six games under their belt Oregon has won twice as many games as they have lost, but all of the wins have come against teams more than a couple of games below .500. Except for the fourth quarter against Boise State and the first quarter against USC, the Ducks have been severely outplayed in every phase of the game against the elite teams they have faced.

Despite the success their rivals up the road had, the Ducks ground game was anemic against the Trojans. LaGarrette Blount didn’t seem fast enough to get to the hole before it was filled with swift USC players, and Jeremiah Johnson continued to dance instead of getting straight up the field after he saw green grass ahead of him to maximize gains against the Trojans swarming defenders.

Without their signature one-two punch at running back relieving the pressure the Ducks had little to no success through the air and besides two penalty-aided drives in the first quarter were entirely shut down.

Though not given much help from the ineffective offense and unspectacular special teams, Oregon’s defense looked awful in the Coliseum. The Ducks tackled very poorly as the game went on. For all the expectations fans and the media had of the secondary coming into the season Oregon’s pass defense has been decidedly underwhelming. Play action has gouged the Ducks against every team they faced, and USC’s receivers simply seemed to be a step too fast for anyone in a white jersey.

For all the troubles the Ducks have had so far there is reason for hope this weekend. Justin Roper’s health is improving, giving the Ducks much needed depth at quarterback. The game is at home Saturday night, where the players, coaches, and crowd will be anxious to reclaim Autzen’s mystique after the Boise State fiasco.

UCLA is far from the most intimidating opponent left on Oregon’s schedule. In college football that means one thing: the Ducks absolutely cannot afford to treat UCLA like they are not the most intimidating opponent left on their schedule.  

The Bruins have also struggled through quarterback injuries, and their offense seems to finally be clicking the last two weeks against the Fresno State Bulldogs and the Washington State “Randy Older Women” (sorry but I’ve waiting all season to try that out). The defense has played solidly but has struggled to make up for the graduation of Bruce Davis and has had issues when it comes to pressuring the passer.

Most Duck fans will deny they have anything in common with UW faithful, but like they say nothing unites like a common enemy. UCLA’s head man may not be public enemy number one in Eugene any more, but don’t be surprised to see some Quacker Backers dig out their old “Neuter Neuheisel” banners for Saturday night.

Winning this game is critical for the Ducks season. Daunting away games at Cal and Arizona State are next on the slate. Even then things don’t let up, with improving Arizona and feisty Stanford to deal with before the Civil War. Going 3-2 in that span would be optimistic, so for a good bowl game the Ducks must make Teddy Bears of the Bruins.

If Oregon wants to take care of business against UCLA, they must improve their execution in a number of areas. This offense keys off the running game, and the Ducks offensive line must make some holes for Blount and Johnson to work their magic. I

f the runners are performing up to their potential, the Ducks don’t need the passing game to be spectacular, but it must be consistent to keep drives going.

As always, turnovers and special teams will be vital. The Ducks have taken the ball away an impressive 12 times, but have managed to give it away 13 times.

Oregon has to improve their tackling technique or it will be a long night. UCLA will no doubt give the Ducks a heavy dose of play action, and the defense has to do a better job of reading it. The defensive backs simply cannot afford to be caught looking in the backfield while receivers fly by them, we have already seen how that turns out. The secondary has to be willing to err on the side of the pass.

But that means the front seven has to keep the Bruins from breaking big runs without safety and corner support, or at least delay the runners long enough for the secondary to fly up from their positions in coverage.

Right now Oregon has the edge in talent, but unless they improve their strategy and execution UCLA is good enough to win, even at Autzen. If Oregon plays up to their talent level this should be a blowout. If they cannot correct their past mistakes, it will not just be close, but the final score might tilt the other way. But with the crowd behind them, I think the Ducks can put the Trojans behind them and concentrate on the task at hand.

MY VERDICT: Oregon Ducks 30, California at Los Angeles Bruins 20