Oregon Football returns to Autzen Stadium for Homecoming Week and the Run Game and Quarterback again take center stage.
The Oregon Ducks and the Utah Utes are in need of a Pac-12 Conference win to keep their bowl hopes alive in 2017. Wide Receiver Darren Carrington knows the Oregon Defense well and will look to get the ball into his hands. Both teams come into Saturday with a three game losing streak. Something has to give, right?
Defense Must Maintain Momentum
To start the season the Jim Leavitt Oregon Defense was on fire, getting pressure where it was needed at key times in games, coming away with timely interceptions to kill momentum for their opponents and getting to the Quarterback. After Pac-12 play started, most of the pressure went away, as did the close to +10 turnover margin. An injury to Justin Herbert changed the season not only for the Offense, but the Defense.
The +10 can now be counted on one hand as Freshman QB Braxton Burmeister is making mistakes in game situations over practice, but over three weeks at the helm has shown improvement week to week. The Defense needs to get back to getting turnovers and could have an opportunity on Saturday against Utah. While Darren Carrington is a threat, Oregon is aware and needs to be in a good position to counter.
Burmeister Needs To Find An Early Comfort Zone
The Oregon Football Offense is just not the same without Justin Herbert. Burmeister needs to have good protection vs Utah and fans need to have patience. Running the ball with Royce Freeman and Company will be the strength as it has been all season. Freeman can hit 1000 yards rushing on Saturday to add to the records he as already broken in an Oregon Uniform.
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Last weekend at UCLA, the Oregon Senior became just the 22nd Player in College Football History to rush for 5000 yards for his career. Darrian Felix has shown flashes as a Freshman. He could have an impact on Saturday with his speed and shiftiness in the open field. If Burmeister gets the start as I expect, the Run Game will be a key vs Utah.
Special Teams Could Shift Momentum vs Utah
Special Teams is itching to make a play. A big return to help the Offense, a key field goal to put Oregon in the lead. The Ducks’ have not been very lucky on the third side of the ball of late with a missed Field Goal at UCLA. Oregon’s biggest play of the year is the run back by Tony Brooks-James on the very first play of the season for 100-yards. The chances are there and the role players have returned from injuries. Not to mention, in a home game where momentum is everything, the shfit could be key to an Oregon victory.
Next: Darren Carrington Leads Utah In Receiving
Autzen Zoo will begin Live Coverage starting at 1:30pm Pacific Time. Kickoff between Oregon and Utah is set for 2:45 pm PT on Pac-12 Networks.