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Oregon Ducks vs TCU Horned Frogs: Three Things I’ll Be Watching

By Justin Phillips

Nov 27, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin (2) fumbles while being tackled by Baylor Bears defensive end Jamal Palmer (92) in the second quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin (2) fumbles while being tackled by Baylor Bears defensive end Jamal Palmer (92) in the second quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin (2) hands off to running back Aaron Green (22) in the fourth quarter against the Baylor Bears at Amon G. Carter Stadium. TCU won 28-21 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin (2) hands off to running back Aaron Green (22) in the fourth quarter against the Baylor Bears at Amon G. Carter Stadium. TCU won 28-21 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

TCU Will Play Physical, Will Oregon Step Up To The Challenge….Again?

Being in the Pac-12 Conference means being able to face opposing Offenses with a Physical presence. When 2015 began for the Ducks, this was one aspect that appeared to be missing through the non-conference slate. It was clear in the loss to Utah at home, but as the season rolled on, the Oregon Offensive and Defensive Lines figured it out. They took on USC and Stanford and won both games with physical play up front. Oregon is battle tested for this game and finished the season strong against the Oregon State Beavers.

TCU  has 22 starters on Defense and has been one of the most consistent on the Defensive side of the ball, leading the nation in key categories over the last four seasons. Physicality will also play a part in the secondary where Oregon has had several questionable moments this season, but have managed to fix the mistakes as the Pac-12 Season came to a close.

With over a month to prepare, DeForest Bucker has had time to get healthy after playing hurt the last month of the regular season. Buckner returned to Oregon for his Senior season and was a beast earning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors. He will be one to watch on Saturday. It will be his final game in an Oregon uniform and after the Alamo Bowl he will begin preparation for the 2016 NFL Draft where he is projected as a top draft pick.

Next: Without Boykin, Advantage Oregon?

TCU is now a more dangerous team with their Star player out and are a Top 15 team. That is nothing to sneeze at. They found a way to get it done without Boykin at the helm, but not against a team like Oregon. The Ducks and Horned Frogs take the field in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Saturday at 3:45pm Pacific Time on ESPN.

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