ScoopDuck Roundtable: Players of the Game vs Wisconsin

On a team full of playmakers you never know who will step up for the Ducks on gamedays. Obviously it’s a team effort but each week there are players on offense and defense that make an impact.

Our Thursday roundtable offers up predictions on each side of the ball of that player. Here are those picks for the Wisconsin game.

---

Collin King:

Offense: Noah Whittington

With Jordan James being slightly banged up, I opted to go with Whittington here against a defense that two weeks ago allowed nearly 330 yards on the ground to Iowa. The way that Oregon’s offensive line has dominated since the first few games gives me a ton of confidence that they can replicate that performance this week. I would expect that both Limar and Harris will get some snaps trickled in if Jordan James ultimately opts to not suit up.

Defense: Derrick Harmon

The interior of Wisconsin’s offensive line has really struggled in its last few games, and against two of the best defenses overall that they have played. Wisconsin needs to establish the run to have success and ultimately a shot against Oregon. Taking this away with the interior guys such as Harmon and Caldwell will be huge, and forcing the Badgers to be one-dimensional.

Max Torres:

Offense: Terrance Ferguson

I see this being a little bit of a death by a thousand cuts approach for the Ducks in Madison. They’ll run when they can, but also move the ball with some short to intermediate passes, which is where Ferguson thrives. He’ll want to bounce back after some drops last week and this is a great chance to do just that.

Defense: Matayo Uiagalelei 

Uiagalelei has been on a tear this season. He’s put together some really nice performances and I think he’s got a  great blend of pass rush and run-stuffing ability. Wisconsin has a fairly balanced offensive attack between run and pass but I think No. 10 could be in line for another big game.

Linden Hile:

Offense: Terrance Ferguson

Following a more modest performance than Ferguson is typically good for, I think he bounces back and shoulders a lot of the load in Oregon’s passing game. I expect this game to be played ‘in the phone booth’ to a large extent and that will necessitate a strong outing from the Ducks’ tight ends.

Ferguson has been relatively quiet in the weeks since his appendix removal but should be more himself with each passing week. I’ll take him to have a bounce-back outing, likely involving another receiving touchdown.

Defense: Jeffrey Bassa

Bassa has progressively gotten better as the season’s gone on and this is a spot where I expect him to come up big. Oregon will be playing its ninth game in as many weeks and that, combined with a long road matchup in a hostile environment, make for a game where veteran leadership like Bassa brings will be vital.

It also lines up schematically. Wisconsin is a better rushing attack than passing and will likely try to limit possessions by controlling clock and running the ball, an area Bassa is particularly strong in.

Jhop:

Offense: Traeshon Holden

Oregon will continue to run the offense minus Tez Johnson. I don’t know that Wisconsin has much of a secondary so it feels like this is an easy way for Oregon to move the ball. You can’t abandon the run but my guess is we’ll see Oregon open it up a bit more after going relatively conservative against Maryland.

Defense: Brandon Johnson

I haven’t picked Johnson in a while after he opened the season in a big way. He hasn’t been bad, but inconsistent might be a better word. Wisconsin struggles throwing the ball and my guess is they will shy away from Jabbar Muhammad. I know I would. Look for Brandon Johnson to come up with some big plays on Saturday.