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Oregon Football: 3 advantages Ducks have over No. 3 Ohio State

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 4, 2021; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Johnny Johnson III (3) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2021; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Johnny Johnson III (3) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Saturday afternoon’s Ohio State versus Oregon football game is arguably the biggest of Week 2 and all eyes will be on Columbus when the No. 12 Ducks take the field against the No. 3 Buckeyes.

Both teams struggled a bit in the opener against inferior opponents but ended up stepping up in the clutch and pulling out wins. Ohio State’s opponent (Minnesota) was admittedly better than Oregon’s (Fresno State), but neither team was expected to struggle at all.

Everyone is expecting a big win for Ohio State on Saturday, though. No one outside of Eugene is picking the Ducks to win, as evidenced by the two-plus touchdown underdog status in Vegas.

But Oregon does have some advantages over the Buckeyes, believe it or not. What are they?

3. Veteran quarterback

I know what you’re thinking, Oregon may have the veteran quarterback but CJ Stroud is far more talented with a higher ceiling. And I’m not even going to begin to dispute that because I think Stroud is a future pro, but there’s something to be said about a fifth-year senior quarterback with starting experience having a leg up on a first-year starter in a massive top-15 battle.

Fifth-year seniors, although sometimes less talented, often are better prepared for a battle against a ranked opponent in the national spotlight.

All eyes will be on Columbus on Saturday afternoon and we saw Stroud struggle early when the spotlight was on him in Minneapolis to start the season. He did settle down to have a solid game, but he’s not fully comfortable as the No. 1 guy yet and I think that’s where Oregon could take advantage.

If Kayvon Thibodeaux is healthy and Tim DeRuyter runs some blitz packages Stroud’s way, I think he’ll feel uncomfortable all afternoon and that’s where the Ducks could shine.

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