Three things to watch for in Oregon's season opener against Montana State

In his column today at Ducks Sports Central, Scott Reed offers a primer on the new Oregon football season, now just five days away.

Reed predicts the Ducks will finish 11-1 in 2025 and make the playoffs. He wrote that Dante Moore has taken command at quarterback, the offensive line is making progress toward finding its identity, and the defense is bigger and faster.

Offensive line coach Alique Terry said, “It’s never-ending evaluation. We’re trying guys in new spots, trying different mixtures. The talent’s real, but we need reps together.”

While the news and post-practice interviews from Fall Camp have been positive, Saturday Duck fans get to make their own evaluations. Is this a playoff team?

Anticipation is incredibly high with Moore taking over Will Stein's offense. Although it's a first game and there are bound to be glitches, here are three things to look for from the Ducks on Saturday.

1. Can the Ducks run the football and stop the run?

With a new quarterback and a rebuilt offensive, coupled with sending three defensive linemen to the NFL, execution in the trenches is critical for this new version of the Ducks. The technique has to be there. They have to show they can win at the line of scrimmage.

Last season in the early games the Ducks barely cracked three yards a carry on the ground while giving up 192 yards and three touchdowns to Ashton Jeanty in Week Two.

This year to be a contending team they've got to achieve consistency up front, be able to move the football and create favorable down-and-distance situations on offense, while displaying the ability to shut down a potent Montana State running game, one that gouged FCS opponents for 295 yards a game last year with three 1,000-yard rushers leading the attack.

On defense, the run fits have to be excellent. They take a size advantage into this game and they have to assert it. Otherwise, they'll have no chance against Penn State in Week 5. The Nittany Lions feature? two of the best backs in the country in Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

2. Will Dante Moore and receivers show some chemistry in the passing game?

The four leading receivers of 2024 are all gone, leaving Will Stein, Moore and the receiver group to establish new playmakers. We've heard glowing reports about Kenyon Sadiq, Dakorien Moore, Jeremiah McClellan and Kyler Kasper, but will the positive notices translate to success on game day?

Targets have to translate into results, rhythm and connections. Moore has to make good decisions and deliver the football. It will increase confidence for everyone if they can make some big plays through the air and score points. Stein must identify some reliable go-to targets.

3. Is the new secondary really improved?

Duck fans have heard so much about Oregon's longer, faster and more athletic secondary. How coordinated are they in their assignments?

There should be some pass breakups and big plays, coverage that leads to sacks. Out of the gate, fans should see urgency and discipline.

Oregon enjoys a significant advantage in talent and roster size in this opener. They are 29.5-point favorites at home in Autzen Stadium. It's a situation where they ought to exercise some game control and play sound football, even though MSU is a very solid FCS team, 15-1 last season with their one loss to North Dakota State in their national championship.

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