ScoopDuck Predictions: Offensive Player of the Game

Oregon is just a couple of days out from the big tilt with UCLA. Which brings us to the Thursday portion of our roundtable.

The ScoopDuck crew predicts which players will stand out on offense for Oregon this weekend. You should know the drill by now. Here are the picks and how we arrived at those predictions.

Travis Rooke-ley: Troy Franklin

I expect UCLA to do their best to stop the run and make Bo Nix to beat them in the passing game. Although I think we will still be able to run the ball well, Franklin will see a lot of favorable matchups to make plays. I predict over 100 yards and a TD for Troy as he continues to cement himself as a top 5 WR in the conference. Another big day for the Oregon offense with Dillingham’s play-calling and Nix spreading the ball around efficiently.

Corpatty: Oregon Tight Ends

UCLA is going to load the box and do a lot of run blitzing with its linebackers to try and stop the Oregon running game and get the Ducks behind the chains.  I expect Dillingham to anticipate and counter this by targeting Ferguson and the other Oregon TEs in the middle of the field and down the seam.   I think this strategy will be successful and the Oregon TEs will combine for over 150 yards receiving and 2 TDs.

Joel Gunderson: Terrence Ferguson 

A lot of factors go into this decision, especially considering my previous statements on the emphasis both teams will put on running the ball. But that’s exactly why Ferguson will play such a significant role. 

After a blistering start to the season, Oregon’s tight ends have tailed off a bit as of late. Against the Bruins — who, with rain in the forecast,  will game-plan on stopping the run — that will change. Whether it’s through blocking or being the perfect outlet for Bo Nix, Ferguson (or any of the tight ends, really) must be a reliable weapon. 

If Oregon can get between 8-10 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown or two from their TEs, that will keep UCLA from stacking the box, opening up lanes for the Ducks’ run game. 

It’s basic football, but in these potentially wet conditions, that’s what wins. Doing the basic things well. 

Jarrid Denney: Bucky Irving

Aside from Georgia, UCLA will likely be the best run defense the Ducks face all season. The Bruins are holding opponents to just 99 yards per game this season. 

Even still, I believe Oregon will find a way to run the ball on them. The offensive line is operating at an incredibly high level, and I don’t think there’s a team in the Pac-12 that can outmatch the Ducks in the trenches. 

The rain could absolutely be a factor on Saturday and limit both teams’ ability to move the ball through the air. Oregon will have the luxury of rotating through its deep group of running backs, and I think Bucky Irving will have the best day of the bunch. 

Jhop: Chase Cota

It’s his destiny to have a huge game against UCLA. He will love nothing more than to have a little something on his former team. I don’t think there is any bad blood, but that’s just how these things work.

I do think Oregon will need to pass the ball. That will be a big part of the success offensively. And I would guess UCLA focuses on Troy Franklin, as they should. That could leave Cota with some room to catch some big passes and as we saw, he has some speed after the catch too.