Statistically Speaking: Oregon Ducks and Colorado Buffaloes are a Major Mismatch

The second ranked Oregon Ducks(4-0, 1-0 Pac 12) Football team takes to the road and will head to Boulder Colorado this weekend to face off with the Colorado Buffaloes(2-1, 0-1 Pac 12). The Ducks currently rank 1st in the nation in rushing yards with 332 yards per game on the ground according to ESPN. They also rank dead last in time of possession with the ability to score so quickly time doesn’t seem to matter. On the other side the Buffaloes are coming off a loss to Oregon St rate in Corvallis this past weekend. The Beavers took care of business 44-17.

Colorado is led by second year head coach Mike MacIntyre who may have it a little easier this week not having to deal with De’Anthony Thomas on the field, then again maybe not.

"If you come out and they’ve had the ball thirty minutes, you may have played better. They get into such a rhythm, it’s tough.Oregon is last in the Country in Time of Possession, Colorado Coach MacIntyre says there’s really one way to combat that."

The Ducks currently rank third in the nation in Total Offense with 599 yards per contest. Colorado ranks 61st on the list. That is just one example of many where Coach Helfrich and company are statistically better than the Buffaloes. Even in adverse condition last weekend at Autzen Stadium the game was over before the start of the second quarter. Of course it helps that the hands team was better than Cal’s scooping up four of five Golden Bear fumbles in the first half.

"When you watch Oregon’s film you better focus more because you know they will be playing good."

Mariota in four games has passed for over 1000 yards.                  Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon Quarterback Marcus Mariota through four games has over 1000 yards passing and has yet to throw an interception in 2013. The Sophomore is also responsible for 9 touchdowns on the season.  His counterpart Buffaloes Junior QB Connor Wood has thrown for just under 900 yards with 8 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He has also been sacked 6 times. On the ground Colorado is led by Junior Tony Jones who has rushed for 107 yards on the season. When you look at the rest of the numbers they don’t add up or even come close to the Ducks on the ground who have multiple weapons who through the first quarter of the season. Multiple 100 yard rushers on the ground have become the norm.

Through the air the stats are similar. Oregon has multiple weapons including Wide Receiver Josh Huff who has 16 catches for 342 yards. The Ducks also have Week 5 Pac 12 Special Teams Player of the Week Bralon Addison who last weekend against Cal had two punt returns taken back for Touchdowns. (67 and 72 yards respectively).  The Ducks also have Tight Ends that can catch the ball including Colt Lyerla and Johnny Mundt, who had a huge game against Tennessee last month.

Again, when you look to compare the talent just is not there for Colorado. Yet. Oregon passes for an average of

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Connor Wood has thrown four interceptions so far in 2013.                  Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

just over 15 yards per play which ranks just outside the top 50. The Buffaloes have some Wide Receivers that are gaining decent yardage this season including Junior Paul Richardson with 26 catches for 487 yards and 5 touchdowns. He is complimented by Sophomore Wideout Nelson Spruce with 13 catches, 170 yards and a score.

Then, there’s Oregon Defense

"I think you have to play really well defensively. They move the back alot, go really fast. If you don’t line up right there’s a big gap and they’re gone..you’ve gotta tackle them in open space.Colorado Coach MacIntyre on Oregon’s Defense"

The Ducks have been very stingy this year giving up just five touchdowns in four games. They are tied for 4th in Scoring D with Washington, who Oregon will face next week in Seattle. The Buffs are 91st on Scoring Defense giving up on average 31.7 points per game. Look for that number to likely go up this week with the Ducks coming to town.

In order for the Buffs to pull off the upset of the year they will have to play the perfect game on both sides of the ball. The chances of that happening are not good. The Ducks have too many weapons on both sides of the ball and the above statistics point to an Oregon blowout, but as I usually say you have to play the game on the field – not on paper. Not that it will benefit the Buffs if that were the case.

Oregon and Colorado face off from Boulder on Saturday (3pm, Pac 12 Networks)

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