Oregon Football: 3 reasons Ducks will upset No. 3 Ohio State

EUGENE, OREGON - SEPTEMBER 04: Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the Oregon Duck sacks quarterback Jake Haener #9 of the Fresno State Bulldogs during the first quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on September 04, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won 31-24. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

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Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux, left, sacks Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener forcing a turnover during the first quarter at Autzen.Eug 090421 Duckfb 02 /

2. Kayvon Thibodeaux

The status on Kayvon Thibodeaux is still up in the air, but the talented defensive end and No. 1 NFL draft prospect traveled to Columbus with the team and that’s a really good sign after he left the Fresno State game and returned with a walking boot and street clothes.

Mario Cristobal has been saying that Thibodeaux is “day-to-day” all week long and that might just be a smokescreen so Ohio State isn’t ready to see him on Saturday.

Don’t get me wrong, Ohio State has likely been preparing like Thibodeaux is playing, but once you see him actually suited up and ready to dominate the offensive line and live in the backfield, you’re not truly ready. He’s the best player in college football and we saw just how disruptive he can be with that strip-sack early in the first quarter against Fresno State. He’s an absolute game-changer.

If Thibodeaux is good to go on Saturday, he’s going to cause some problems for the Buckeyes, potentially force a turnover or two, and completely change the offensive game plan for Ohio State.

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