Now this is odd, the Utah-Oregon football game doesn't make ESPN's list of five scary non-conference games for the Pac-10. Purdue at Oregon makes it, but not the Utes?
Utah has more wins against BCS schools (16-10 record) than any other non-automatic qualifying school since 2000 and coach Kyle Whittingham is 3-2 vs. the Pac-10, the Utes deserve more credit.
Granted, the Utes are going through some coaching changes (sure the promotions were from within, but are changes just the same) and the starting quarterback spot is unknown.
However, the Utes' defense is going to be solid and Utah has proven to be a good team in so-called hostile environments, whether it's Ann Arbor or Alabama's backyard in New Orleans.
Furthermore, Oregon is going through quite a few changes itself, with former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly taking over as head coach and several players transferring.
Oregon also ranked 111th in the nation in pass defense (270.2) last year and that weakness could be even worse this year since the Ducks lost some of their better corners (Jairus Byrd and Patrick Chung).
The rush defense was OK, ranking 23rd (119.4), but still, I think the Utes should be able to get enough offense going to give the Ducks a "scary" game. What do you think?
20 Comments:
Trust me, as an Oregon fan I am fully aware of Utah. They aren't a top team for nothing. I think We are mostly focused on Boise State right now since it's our first game and they beat us at home last year. It'll definitely be a "one game at a time" type of season.
You say that Oregon's pass defense must be weak because it was rated 111th in the country last year. I think this is misleading.
What you need to look at are the other factors. Oregon was last in the country in time of possession, due to their no-huddle, quick-strike offense. The result is that the opposing teams had the ball more often. Frequently they were forced to play from behind, abandoning the run early to try and make up the deficit.
Also, Oregon's defensive strategy involves stopping the running game first, forcing teams to beat them through the air. They do this by stacking up the line of scrimmage, bringing a safety into the box along with the rover, leaving the corners in man to man coverage. Sometimes they got burned, but teams were forced to throw the ball to be effective.
No doubt Utah will be tough, but the game is in Eugene, and this particular Utes squad has never been in that rough environment before. Between that and breaking in a new QB, its going to be rough for the Utes.
I think you missed the spirit of the article.It list Purdue not because they think they are better but because they think the Oregon squad will over look then while preparing for Boise state and Utah. I know the Utah fans are on a bit of a soap box after last season. but relax a bit. pac 10 fans are not like Sec fan.
Even with that "terrible" pass defense, the Ducks finished ranked 9th in the country as a team. In other words: You better score 40 points if you want to have a chance at beating the Ducks.
1) Utah is not the team that won its bowl last year...not even close!
2) With a new QB they will not score over 30 against the ducks PERIOD!
3) The ducks will score this year like they did the last two, and against Utah it could be 45+ points.
4) As mentioned above by "mihan" the pass defense was VERY misleading. Besides all that he said, the ducks had a tough go when TJ Ward was at FS. He over commited to the run and it cost us a few times. Once they moved him to SS and put Chung at FS (a position he is not naturally suited for) things got much better. When you go up on teams 6 times by 20+ points in the first half, they are not going to be balanced. And Mike Belotti was famous for "hanging on" to the lead. Chip Kelly will be much more likely to keep pressing until the victory is in the books. I could see the ducks scoring 60+ 3-4 times this year.
Ducks 62 Utah 30
DuxsFan1972 62 on this years defense are you kidding me, good luck with that one. The ducks will be lucky to score more then 24.
27 - 24 Utes!!
@Duxsfan1972
1) Actually, many of the stars of the Sugar Bowl, particularly on the defensive side, are coming back - including Stevenson Sylvester (3 sacks), Kepa Gaison (2 sacks), Kenape Eliapo (1 sack), Robert Johnson (2 interceptions), Joe Dale, Mike Wright, Derrick Shelby, Koa Misi, Jereme Brooks, David Reed, Matt Asiata, Zane Beadles, Zane Taylor, Caleb Schlauderhaff, and perhaps most importantly, Coach Whittingham.
2) Utah may not score more than 30 points against Oregon, but if that is the case, then neither will Oregon score 30+ against Utah.
3) No way ANYONE, let alone Oregon, will score 45+, let alone 60+ points, in a game against Utah this year!
4) Oregon may score 60+ points against 3-4 Pac 10 teams this year - but I guarantee they won't do so against Utah.
DUXS DORK. YOU MIGHT NEED TO RESEARCH UTAH A LITTLE MORE. THE DEFENSE IS BETTER THIS YEAR THAN LAST. AND WE HAD GREAT WIDEOUTS LAST YEAR BUT THIS YEARS IS DEEPER BY FAR. UTAH 34 UGLY DUCKLINGS 14
@Jeff
Hey, I can list a bunch of names of guys that are coming back from Oregon's 2008 Holiday Bowl win, but that would be equally pointless. It just shows you are familiar with the roster...not much else.
There is no reason to believe that if Utah doesn't score 30 against Oregon, then Oregon won't score 30 against Utah. What brand of logic are you using there?
The Utes are a scary game for Oregon, but not like Purdue. This says nothing about the talent of Purdue vs Utah. The point is that With Boise State and Utah, no one is looking at Purdue. That is the reason, the Purdue game is scary - no one respects purdue, and they may sneak up and by Oregon. It actually says more about Utah being taken seriously in my opinion.
Is that the same Utah team that almost lost to Oregon State at home? The Ducks crushed the Beavs in their stadium 65-38
It isn't listed as a scary game becaue nobody is expecting much out of Oregon anyway. Utah beating Oregon won't be a big hit on the Pac-10.
As a Duck fan, I am actually more scared of the Utes than BSU, or Purdue. What would scare me about being a Ute fan is over confidence. Beating down of Alabama was great, but don't think that will auto transfer to a beat down of Oregon. I was at the BSU UT game a few years ago in UT and I think the Utes did not take them serious enough. They were easily handled buy BSU. We did the same to them last year. Both teams better take eachother seriously - or else.
we scored 65 at Oregon State last year that put 5 guys into the draft, so if we are firing on all cylinders we could very well put a lot of points up on the UTAH defense. They are good and should be respected but no defense will stop Chip Kelly unless they're 'SC, if we are playing to our potential.
Of course, Utah is very much a scary game and everybody realizes this. BSU is just scarier because we're on the road.
I have great respect for Utah, but I am not worried about that game untill the week of the game.
It is one week at a time and BSU is our first game!
Good luck till then
I think most Oregon fans have a lot of respect for Utah. However, I'm not ready to say that an undefeated Utah team = an undefeated BCS-conference team.
That being said, I don't completely agree with Ted. I don't think the Ducks overlook the Purdue game, making the BSU game our scariest non-league game. We'll be up for it, but it'll be tough.
Autzen is going to be a big challenge for Utah to overcome. The history of breaking in new quarterbacks at Autzen isn't exactly in favor of the young gun-slinger (See Sanchez in 2007.)
Autzen is statistically the the loudest stadium in the history of college football (fact.)
"It isn't listed as a scary game becaue nobody is expecting much out of Oregon anyway. Utah beating Oregon won't be a big hit on the Pac-10."
What? Oregon is ranked around #10 in the nation in just about every pre-season poll out there. Doesn't that indicate that a lot of people are expecting a lot out of them?
I think the Utes will make a tough game. However, it will be early in the season to expect much from a green QB situation. I believe that will ultimately be the deciding factor.
Masoli for friggin’ Heisman.
Where JM was in ‘07, not in Eugene but winning a JC Californial Championship as a freshman. If you watched him pass during spring practice and then in the spring game and your jaw didn’t just drop to your knee, you musta been watchin’ Roper packing his bags. But that’s beside the point. This guy is a/the leader. This guy can/will take Oregon all the way. Forget about the scouts. Forget about the stats comparison with ANY other Pac 10 QB. Look at this:
http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=3646890&SPID=233&SPSID=3383
JM may have some difficulty early in many games cuz the schedule is tuff and defenses ‘KNOW’ that 'This guy is good' and they’re gonna bring some pressure.
But there is no way any team can keep up with the Duck offense. Nobody plays as fast as we do. Nobody’s got the understanding of current defensive schemes of the spread option like JM does. He knows what to look for and how to beat it and he’s got the tools to do it.
Drop the green and black hammer on them most deservin’ bluebronkies and the rest my friends in total joy, a whole season of joy.
After BS U (great abbreviation) comes Pur-Don't, followed by the other-world sounding, You of You. 3-0 for the Ducks OCC.
Nate Costa may start against the Washington schools just to give ‘The MAN’ a rest. Nate Costa is the second best QB in the PAC 10, ya know?
Rejoice Beaver Busters, its gonna be fun!
Utes will take the field in Eugene looking like a competent team, representing their conference well. Oregon's leadership within its own conference, however, will demonstrate the Pac-10's obvious advantage. Time for Utah to realize that bowling Alabama was poorly coached, and barely top-20 competition. Recent success outside the conference will soften in 09 and 10, the old Utah will restore with usual success within conference.
Lya,
You might want to read the full title to the article. As a few fans have mentioned, it is about games that Pac-10 teams might overlook. Overlooking teams that could beat you is the scary part. No one on the Ducks roster or coaching staff will be overlooking Utah. The Ducks will win, however. And, if you haven't been to Autzen yet, you will love, respect and fear it. Have fun.
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