2. Byron Cardwell, Travis Dye average over 200 yards per game
We saw the emergence of Byron Cardwell on Saturday in Oregon’s 23-point win over Colorado and it was impressive. He only touched the ball seven times in the run game and picked up 127 yards and a touchdown. The Buffaloes didn’t have an answer for him and it was a good sign for the run game which is going to need a boost with CJ Verdell out.
Travis Dye’s first game as the workhorse against Cal, he had 145 yards and a touchdown and hasn’t quite looked the same since, but I think he has a big final month of the regular season.
Cardwell’s emergence will lead to more carries from him in the final month and the freshman will be a perfect complement to Dye who will have a couple of 100-yard games to end the year. The two will combine for over 200 rushing yards per game over the final four.
Will Cardwell’s breakout performance earn him a spot in the regular rotation even when Verdell is healthy again? That’s the million-dollar question and if he helps lead the Ducks to the playoff, that answer should be an overwhelming yes.