The Oregon Ducks will look to reverse the second phase of a November trend that has kept them out of the National Championship picture the last two seasons tonight when they take on Utah in Salt Lake City. The first phase was completed last weekend in taking care of business against Stanford at Autzen Stadium, now they take to the road to face the Utes.
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Last season the road in November was not kind to the Oregon Ducks or Quarterback Marcus Mariota in losses at Stanford and at Arizona. Of course, the Heisman Trophy Candidate was not one-hundred percent, but did an okay job improvising with one good leg in key situations. This season, following a loss to Arizona at home, the team looks determined to exercise the demons of November.
Here are some of the keys to the game that I will be watching for the Oregon Ducks:
Can Running Back Royce Freeman Keep Moving Forward?
Since Offensive Lineman Jake Fisher returned from injury against UCLA, the Oregon Freshman Running Back has had some holes to run through. He has done it so well he has looked like a Senior and last weekend Freeman was good enough to be among the top ten Running Backs in the country. He is also one-hundred fifty six yards from crossing one-thousand for the 2014 season. If Freeman and the running game can get past one of the best front seven’s in the Pac-12 Conference in Utah, I would expect Oregon to take care of business on the road.
Can Safety Erick Dargan Continue His Dominating Play on the Road?
When it comes to playing a game that makes the Pac-12 take notice, Dargan had twelve tackles, forced a fumble and had an interception last weekend against Stanford. Ca he lead the Oregon Ducks Defense this weekend and have another solid performance to help Oregon break the November losing streak on the road?
What ‘Wide Receiver’ Will Step Up for Against Utah?
The Oregon Ducks over the last few weeks have done something special when it comes to their Wide Receiver Corps. At the beginning of the season, without Bralon Addison the team turned to Senior Keanon Lowe, but he went down with an injury against UCLA. Since then the team has turned to a Running Back in Bralon Addison at the Wideout spot and even return man Charles Nelson has found himself on the Offensive side of the ball, to go with a bevy of young talent getting their feet wet this season.
Freshman Devon Allen who started the season on fire has been quiet the last few weeks, but has been one of the many behind the scenes masters either blocking or helping the offense gain positive yards.
Oregon and Utah kickoff tonight from Salt Lake City at 7pm Pacific Time on ESPN. AutzenZoo will have Live Coverage starting at 6:30pm on site and at #EDNSports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.