Skip to main content
oregon logo

ScoopDuck Roundtable: Offensive Player of the Game vs TTU

On3 imageby:Justin Hopkins•09/08/23
oregons-bucky-irving-tabbed-by-pff-as-one-of-the-nations-top-draft-eligible-running-backs
© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

We are rapidly approaching the 24 hour window to game time. I know a number of fans have ‘flocked’ to Lubbock anticipating a fun game ahead with Texas Tech in the heat.

Our roundtables have progressed to our second to last update for the week. This time picking who might be our offensive player of the game. And it was an overwhelming pick by many with myself and Corpatty adding a little extra flavor just for a different taste.

Let’s get right into the predictions of who will be Oregon’s offensive leader tomorrow.

Jarrid Denney: Bucky Irving 

Texas Tech wasn’t able to consistently stop the run against Wyoming in Week 1, and they lost starting middle linebacker Jacob Rodriguez to injury during the game, too. On Saturday, the Red Raiders are going to face an Oregon rushing attack that is one of the best in the nation. 

I wouldn’t be surprised if Bucky Irving runs wild. He carried the ball just four times but ran for 119 yards against Portland State and seems to have picked up right where he left off in 2022. 

Corpatty: Noah Whittington

I think Oregon is going to try and establish the run game and get Noah Whittington going early, after holding him out of the opener.  Texas Tech was soft against the run in their opener at Wyoming.  Whittington has home run ability and I look for him to break off a couple of long runs agains the Texas Tech run defense. Look for Whittington to rush for more than 100 yards in this one. 

Joel Gunderson: Bucky Irving

As tempting as both Bo Nix and Troy Franklin were here, what we saw this past Saturday from Bucky Irving was special. And when headed to a hostile environment, knowing the opposition has a potentially explosive offense, there’s no better way to combat than with a steady run game. 

Enter Irving, who leads the nation with a ridiculous 29.8 yards per carry and looks more explosive than last season. Oh, and he’s just as shifty. 

Irving might have the best stable of backs behind him in the country, but when it’s time to go on the road and set the tone, look for coach Locklyn to lean more on his #1.

Jhop: Terrance Ferguson

Well being as I was last to go and put all the entries in, I figured I’d better offer some diversity. Bo Nix is an easy call. And as I said yesterday, I do expect Oregon to lean on the run game and force Tech to stop it. So the Irving call makes a ton of sense. But I’ll zag here. If Tech does step up to slow down the run game and decides to double Troy Franklin, well my man T-Ferg will just be doing jumping jacks waiting for the ball and nets 2 touchdowns tomorrow and roughly 100 yards.

Doug Scott: Bucky Irving

Bucky Irving runs wild in this one, accounting for 150 yards and a couple touchdowns as the Red Raiders have no answer for Oregon’s punishing ground game.

You may also like