ScoopDuck Predictions: Offensive Player of the Game

Oregon is hoping to get a dose of medicine this week with Eastern Washington coming to town. The Ducks only put up 3 points against Georgia who were virtually never in doubt of the game on Saturday.

With Eastern Washington coming to town, the Ducks should have ample opportunity to get into the endzone. If not, I suppose we’ll be having an entirely different discussion next week.

But we’re going to stay positive and hope for the best. So with that in mind, here are the offensive players we are predicting have big games this weekend.

Travis Rooke-ley: The running backs

I think our OL will dominate this game, both giving Nix time to throw, but also opening up lanes for Irving, Whittington, Cardwell and Dollars. The OL was probably our best unit last week, and I think that results in us running for 200+ this week, including a couple long ones.

Corpatty: Troy Franklin

As I alluded to in the Surprise Storylines article, I think this is the game Troy Franklin finally breaks out and has a monster game.  I’m expecting several big plays from Franklin and for him to finish with 100+ yards receiving and 2+ TDs.  If Franklin realizes those lofty totals, I think he will be Oregon’s offensive player of the game.  Look for Franklin to become Nix’s favorite deep threat this game. 

Joel Gunderson: Sean Dollars

Countering my point yesterday that Bo Nix will have a big day, I think the reason Oregon pulls away early will be their run game. And seeing as they played five backs last week, choosing one player is a bit of a crapshoot, but something tells me Sean Dollars. He wasn’t dominant statistically (although who was?), but Dollars looked comfortable and is still the best option as a passing outlet.

All five backs had their moments, and Byron Cardwell had the longest run from scrimmage, but every rep means a bit more for Dollars, and once he gets in a rhythm against EWU, look for him to put a bit of a grip on the starting spot.

It’s his fourth season, and Saturday will be the breakout performance he, and the fans, have been waiting for since his arrival. 

JHop: Bo Nix

I probably wouldn’t normally list the starting quarterback. You’ll usually expect your QB to play well when the opponent is Eastern Washington. But I think this week its important. He’s taken quite a bit of criticism, and I’m not sure I’m on board with it.

I think both Nix and Dillingham will want to put together a strong plan to showcase Nix and quiet some of the doubters. Not necessarily trying to run up the score, but run an effective offense. I think Nix plays a strong game and quiets some of the doubters at least for a week.

Jarrid Denney: Noah Whittington

One of the few bright spots from Oregon’s Week 1 loss was the play of Noah Whittington. The sophomore running back played just eight snaps on a day when Oregon heavily rotated its running backs, but he looked electric every time he touched the ball. 

At this point, it’s anybody’s guess as to how the Ducks’ running back rotation will take shape. But Whittington’s play stood out against an elite Georgia defense, and there’s no doubt he’ll make the most of his carries against Eastern Washington on Saturday. I’m looking for him to have a big day in his Autzen Stadium debut.