Oregon Ducks Secondary Will Be Tested By Cal QB Jared Goff

More from Autzen Zoo

• Oregon football: Ducks and Coach Prime playing it cordial leading up to Saturday
• Oregon Basketball: Non-conference slate features Michigan coming to Eugene
• Oregon football: Ducks find complete game effort in win vs Hawaii
• Oregon Ducks must get run game going against Hawaii
• 8 Pac-12 teams represented in Associated Press Top 25 after Week 2

The Oregon Ducks face another great passing team, much like Washington State. Cal is a very pass happy team, led by junior Jared Goff. He might not put up the numbers that Luke Falk put on the Ducks 505 yards and five touchdowns. However, Goff has the talent to come very close.

The California Golden Bears are second in the Pac-12 in passing offense with 2,699 yards, only behind Washington State. Jared Goff is 205 0f 304, 2,537 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on the season. Oregon’s defense is ranked last in the Pac-12 in total defense and pass defense. Giving up 318 yards through the air a game, a total of 27 touchdowns and 2,544 yards.

Cal was ranked 23rd in the nation, but a close loss to Utah 30-24 changed that. Goff played his worst game of the season throwing five interceptions against a strong Utah defense. Knocking them out of the top 25. The Golden Bears have also went into a mid-season slump losing their last three most recently to UCLA in a blowout loss 40-24. Goff has also thrown for seven touchdowns and seven interceptions during that stretch.

Oregon defense hopefully can capitalize on Cal’s slide and Goff’s struggles. Cal looked pretty good after winning their first five games of the season. They are struggling to regain their composure, against a secondary like Oregon’s they just might. The Ducks secondary has been put together much like patchwork all season, plugging guys into different spots. Offensive players being switched to defensive positions, corners to safeties, quarterbacks to corners. Charles Nelson is one of the more notable ones as he continues to be great at the safety spot despite being undersized. Last game against Arizona State he had 14 solo tackles and one assist.

Although the Oregon Ducks Secondary is getting picked apart almost every game, the Ducks have one upside on defense. They are second in the Pac-12 in sacks with 26, so hopefully they can use that pressure to help their secondary out. Beside slowing down Goff, the Ducks defense will have to key on wide receiver Kenny Lawler. Lawler a junior is the Golden Bears most potent receiver, with 42 receptions, 527 yards and nine touchdowns. Cal has a mediocre rushing attack so that will be the least of their worries.

Next: Mariota Set To Start This Week vs New Orleans

Oregon is hosting, so expect the crowd to play factor. The Ducks win a high scoring, but close one 56-49. Game starts at 7:30pm on ESPN2.