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Oregon Football: 3 bold predictions for battle with Cal in Week 7

By Connor Muldowney

PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 2: Anthony Brown #13 of the Oregon Ducks calls signals during an NCAA Pac-12 college football game against the Stanford Cardinal on October 2, 2021 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 2: Anthony Brown #13 of the Oregon Ducks calls signals during an NCAA Pac-12 college football game against the Stanford Cardinal on October 2, 2021 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images) /
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Oregon football heads into a Friday night showdown against Cal with one thing on its mind: bouncing back from a loss to Stanford.

The Ducks went to Palo Alto and blew a late lead to the Cardinal and then lost in overtime. It was a forgettable game because of the loss but also because of the season-ending injuries to Bennett Williams and CJ Verdell. There was a reason to panic, but Mario Cristobal still has a really talented team to work with.

Will the Ducks bounce back on Friday night?

3. Travis Dye will rush for over 100 yards

With CJ Verdell now out for the season, it’s time for Travis Dye to step up as RB1 and really become the workhorse in the backfield. He’s facing a Cal defense whose strength has been against the run, allowing just under 120 yards per game on the ground.

But he’s going to eclipse that total on his own.

Dye is going to get a bulk of the carries on Friday night and he’ll continue the hot start to his junior season, rushing for 100 yards for the first time this season. He’s been close for two straight games, eclipsing 90 yards against Arizona and Stanford so he’ll carry that momentum over here with over 100 yards on 15 carries.

Those worried about the loss of Verdell for the season will rest easy after this performance from Dye and a complementary role from Byron Cardwell.

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