ScoopDuck Roundtable: Players of the Game vs Utah

This weekend Oregon will count on the big play of some key contributors. Someone on offense and defense will be counted on to step up.

But who will that be for Oregon? We predict the offensive and defensive players of the game for the huge test against Utah.

Joel Gunderson:

Offense: Terrance Ferguson

Despite the mounting injuries, Utah’s defense still presents immense problems, and as good as they’ve been, I don’t fully trust Oregon’s offensive line to open enough holes for the run game to thrive. All eyes will be on Troy Franklin and Co. out wide, and because of that, I’m looking right at Ferguson to be the most critical piece to the puzzle.

Ferguson is coming off his best game of the season, even with his incredible red zone catch and drag called back due to a penalty. He’s still one of the country’s most physically intimidating tight ends, and this is the exact type of game where he needs to step up and make big third-down catches or a long catch and run to ignite a stale offense. 

Defense: Taki Taimani

Quietly and consistently, Taimani has been one of the most impactful defenders for the Ducks all season. He won’t put up eye-popping stats playing the position he does, but he has been involved in so many big plays at opportune times that it’s impossible to ignore how big he could be this week.

Stopping Utah’s run game is goal 1, 2, and 3 for the Ducks; do so, force Barnes to be their offensive catalyst, and the game should break right. And Taimani, along with Brandon Dorlus, Keyon Ware-Hudson, Casey Rogers, etc., will be front and center in that quest.

Had Oregon pulled out the victory over UW, Taimani’s 4th-and-goal stuff would be in the Oregon Louve. Saturday is another chance for him to make that type of impact.

Jarrid Denney:

Offense: Bucky Irving

If Oregon escapes Salt Lake with a win, it will be because it found a way to establish the run against one of the best defensive fronts in the country. I think Bucky Irving will pick up where he left off last week and produce a few big plays to spark the Ducks’ offense.

Defense: Jeffrey Bassa

Jestin Jacobs’ return last weekend sparked a ton of excitement among Oregon fans, and understandably so. He’s going to play a huge role for the team moving forward. In Salt Lake, the Ducks are going to need their other standout linebacker, Jeffrey Bassa, to deliver a big performance. 

Bassa has been drastically better in run defense this season than he was last season. He has missed just two tackles all season and ranks near the top of the conference in tackle rate. Bassa’s presence could be key for the Ducks against a very good Utah rushing attack. 

Jhop:

Offense: Troy Franklin

I totally agree with Oregon committing to the run game. They will, they have to and the success of it will make the entire offense go. Now that said, the deep shots will be the back-breakers. Oregon will get Utah to creep up, creep up and hit them with some shots to Franklin. His ability to get deep and reel in the deep ball will be the difference in the game. Expect Franklin to post 100-yard game with a long TD.

Defense: Jestin Jacobs

If the defense is having success at the line of scrimmage, there will be lanes for the linebackers to run through. It will be critical for the Ducks to keep the Utah run game in check. If not that keeps them in the game. This is where Jacobs, Bassa and the crew comes in. Keep Barnes from running loose and hold the run game in check.

Corpatty:

Offense: Jordan James

No slight to Bucky Irving, but I think James will be the most successful Oregon running back in Saturday due to his bruising style. Look for James to gain 60+ yards and score 2 TD’s.

Defense: Jonah Elliss

Elliss is second in the country with 19 sacks. Look for Elliss to harass Nix all game and come away with at least 2 sacks as the Ute standout makes life difficult for the Oregon offense.