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Oregon Ducks vs Colorado Buffaloes: Three Things I’ll Be Watching

By Justin Phillips

Sep 17, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Mike MacIntyre looks towards the official after the Colorado bench is called for a penalty in the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Mike MacIntyre looks towards the official after the Colorado bench is called for a penalty in the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) is gang tackled by the Oregon Ducks defense in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Ohio State won 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) is gang tackled by the Oregon Ducks defense in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Ohio State won 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Defense Needs To Show They Can Do The Math

The Oregon Ducks 4-3 Defense continues to be a work in progress, and it appears they are doing just that. Progressing. There were moments last week against Nebraska that the Defensive Line stood their ground in key third and fourth down situations, but there are also spots where there were playing somewhere between 9 and 11 guys where not everyone was on the same page.

Colorado has gotten off to a scorching start in their first two games for a combined 101 points with over 800 yards of total Offense. The Buffs are third in the Pac-12 in total Defense, giving up an average of 21 points per game. Oregon is giving up over 1000 yards through the first three games and an average of 29.7 points, which is worse than the entire 2015 season that averaged 28 point per game.

It is time for the growing pains of the 4-3 Defense to transition into workable plays and not penalties. The Run Defense is getting better giving up 510 yards against UC Davis, Virginia, and Nebraska. The Ducks did hold the Cavaliers to negative rushing yardage through much of the first half a few weeks ago.

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