Bo Nix on fresh start at Oregon, shedding Auburn expectations: ‘I can just go out there and play’

Bo Nix isn’t being shy about the different a fresh start has made for him at Oregon.

While the former Auburn quarterback loved playing for the Tigers, the love the Ducks fans have shown him during his first season in Eugene has meant the world to him.

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“It’s been unbelievable,” Nix stated, regarding the love Oregon has showed him. “I’ve never really felt anything like it. It’s just very supportive, and nothing but love from everybody. I just enjoy getting to learn a new atmosphere, getting to learn new things. That was my first basketball game, so I enjoyed that, seeing the arena for the first time and all that kind of stuff.

“Just to see that they’re over there cheering just as loud for basketball games as they do for football games, it’s just a great place.”

Nix has been enjoying a Heisman worthy season thus far, and he added the difference in his own expectations has been a big reason why.

“I enjoy it,” Nix stated, regarding the difference in expectations between Auburn and Oregon. “It’s just because everything’s new, to have a unique perspective on everything. I really have no background knowledge on it. Especially like this kind of rivalry, I’m excited to be in it. I’m excited to play in it, and see the atmosphere on game day. Just see the buzz around the complex and around here in the stadium, I think it’s going to be really exciting.

“But I think from a perspective on not having much background, I enjoy it.”

Regardless, Nix is just going out there and having fun, and it’s elevated his game to the next level.

“Maybe so, because there’s not as much expectation,” Nix added, regarding if his play has improved for that reason. “Or maybe that’s on myself. But now I can just go out there and play. Just have fun with the guys, and just be in it for the first time. Whatever I see, kind of just that perspective from here on out.”

It doesn’t matter why, Bo Nix has been unlocked in Eugene, and Oregon couldn’t be happier to have him as their quarterback.

Bo Nix reveals the biggest differences between playing in the SEC and Pac-12

Moreover, Bo Nix had to make quite an adjustment this year, going from Auburn in the SEC to Oregon in the Pac-12 after entering the transfer portal. He’s flourishing in the Ducks’ system — and different defenses could be a factor in that success, too.

Nix is in the midst of an impressive season in Eugene, throwing for 2,495 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for 457 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. He could be putting himself in the Heisman Trophy conversation as a “dark horse” as a result, and that Heisman hype is why he joined SportsCenter earlier this season.

That’s when he revealed the biggest differences between the defenses he saw in the SEC and the ones he’s seeing in the Pac-12.

“It’s different styles a little bit,” Nix told Kevin Neghandi. “Sometimes, in the SEC, kind of more of a run-stopping league because a lot of the teams focus on running the ball. Out here, you get a little bit softer coverage because teams are kind of explosive in the passing game. 

“But at the end of the day, football is football. It gets a lot of the same types of coverage, same types [of] blitzes. At the end of the day, it’s just all about execution from an offense.”

Nix has had multiple impressive showings this season, including a couple of weeks ago against UCLA, throwing for 283 yards and five touchdowns to lead Oregon to a 45-30 victory at Autzen Stadium. He’ll try to build off that success while the Ducks look to capture the Pac-12 in 2022.