ScoopDuck Roundtable: Opposing Player to Watch vs USC
Welcome to a new game week Duck fans. I know you are all aware of who is coming to town this weekend. A very much maligned USC team fresh off a bad loss and firing its defensive coordinator shortly after.
As we do every week we start our roundtable off with players from the other team the Ducks will need to target. It can be on either side of the ball but often times its on offense.
Here are this weeks picks with everyone deciding not to pick an obvious Caleb Williams.
Jhop: Brenden Rice
Not the guy you expected. But here’s why. USC has a prolific passing attack like Washington. Oregon will focus on Branch like they did on Odunze in that game. It wasn’t Odunze that killed Oregon in that game, it was Ja’Lynn Polk and Giles Jackson. I’m sure Branch will get his, but Oregon has to keep Rice in check or else he’ll beat them too.
Jarrid Denney: MarShawn Lloyd
There aren’t many running backs who have been more productive than Bucky Irving on a per-carry basis this season. But USC’s MarShawn Lloyd is one of them. The Trojans’ standout junior leads the nation with 7.74 yards per carry. He’s a home-run-hitter who ranks sixth nationally with 17 runs of 15+ yards this season.
Lloyd will provide a big test for the Ducks’ front seven.
Corpatty: Zachariah Branch
The true freshman WR is explosive and a big play waiting to happen. He’s already returned 2 kicks for TDs this season and is a home run threat both as a receiver and a runner. USC uses Branch somewhat similar to the way DeAnthony Thomas was used by Oregon. Oregon should ensure he doesn’t hurt them in the return game by kicking away from him and will need to try and limit his explosive plays offensively.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
DJ Lagway
Florida QB to return vs. LSU
- 2
Dylan Raiola injury
Nebraska QB will play vs. USC
- 3
Elko pokes at Kiffin
A&M coach jokes over kick times
- 4New
SEC changes course
Alcohol sales at SEC Championship Game
- 5
Bryce Underwood
Michigan prepared to offer No. 1 recruit $10.5M over 4 years
Doug Scott: Zachariah Branch
Caleb Williams is the obvious choice here but I’m going to go with explosive true freshman Zachariah Branch. Branch is a dangerous open field weapon who has turned games on both punt and kick return, so Oregon will need to avoid giving him opportunities. Look for USC to try and get branch the ball in space on short routes against Oregon’s nickel, safeties, and linebackers as well, and Oregon will need to try and keep those plays under wraps too.
Joel Gunderson: Zachariah Branch
Removing the obvious from the equation, Branch is the guy I’m zeroing in on as a potential nightmare. With Oregon’s improved defense, electric offense, and USC’s complete lack of run defense, I have confidence that the Ducks are prepared for what the Trojans bring.
The X factor in a game like this is special teams, where Branch excels. The weather will be bad, turnovers are possible with the slickness, and the Pac-12 refs are always a coin flip. But Btanch’s ability to flip the field or take anything to the house must be a point of emphasis for Oregon all week. Whatever it takes to keep the ball out of his hands, that’s what they need to do.
