ScoopDuck Roundtable: Players of the Game vs UCLA

Its thirsty Thursday and we have had a fun morning on the site so far. But the roundtable must get posted as per the weekly schedule.

Thursday is for players of the game and we pick one on offense and one on defense. Here are the picks below. Who got it right?

Give us your picks for this week.

Max Torres:

Off: Traeshon Holden

Holden has been effective and reliable through three games this season and I think he’s building toward a larger role as the season goes on. He’s got great playmaking ability for a receiver his size and appears to have a strong connection with Dillon Gabriel. While he’s originally from Florida, he spent his high school years in Southern California at Narbonne, so maybe he’s in store for a big game during a homecoming of sorts.

Defense: Kobe Savage

The Kansas State transfer was touted as one of the biggest additions of the offseason but we haven’t heard much from him thus far. Maybe that means he’s doing his job and not allowing any busted coverages. Either way, he’s going to be a key player for Oregon to have a good year and having a few big plays like an interception or some big hits could help the Ducks gel a bit more as a defense. I still think they’re far from a finished product and the best is yet to come.

Linden Hile:

Off: Evan Stewart

I’ll take Evan Stewart to get loose in a matchup that should allow the Ducks to air it out on offense. This has been a better run defense for UCLA than pass so I think Oregon will come out swinging through the air in what projects as a good weather game in LA. 

Def: Kam Alexander

UCLA tends to lean on its passing attack and I think it’ll have to against a Ducks team that should force them into a negative game-script. Bruins quarterback Ethan Garbers has not shown a lot of flash through the air so I think this could be a spot where Kam Alexander has his first dominant performance in a Ducks’ uniform.

Collin King:

Off: Jordan James

Jordan James is off to a solid start this season and now faces a really poor defensive front outside of Jay Toia. I think Oregon dominates in the trenches this week and delivers its best game of the season on the ground. Watch for Jordan James to spring a few big ones loose.

Def: Bryce Boettcher

Bryce Boettcher has been PFF’s No. 6 ranked Linebacker this season, which if you asked anyone prior to the season about, they’d call you insane. Bryce has stepped up immensely with there being injuries in the linebacker core, such as a Bassa, and others. As I similarly mentioned earlier in the week with Devon Jackson, playing against a poor offensive line and poor run game is a recipe for success for some linebackers or even defensive lineman. I’d bet that Boettcher continues his great start this season.

Jhop:

OFF: Kenyon Sadiq

I think it’s time for the Sadiq experiment to pay off. I know this staff believes in him being a big weapon and the athleticism is a big factor for that. They have tried to get him going in the offense but with mixed results so far. I think we’ll see Dillon Gabriel focus on him if UCLA decides to get aggressive and come after the quarterback. I’m betting a big game for Sadiq.

DEF: Brandon Johnson

Johnson has been a bit quieter the last couple weeks after exploding onto the scene to start the year. I think it’s time for Johnson to re-emerge and help Oregon. The reason I pick Johnson here is I think UCLA will fall behind early and resort to throwing the ball to try and claw back into the game. This should give the secondary plenty of chances at some interceptions.