Ducks are a 5 touchdown favorite in this one and will be an even bigger favorite next week, so through this early stretch of the season their focus must continue to be on measuring themselves by the effort, progress and intensity they bring to game day. Chip Kelly’s oft-cited mantra of a “faceless opponent” has to hold true: the standard for the Ducks must continue to be his vision of the football team they must grow to be over the course of the year.
That should manifest itself in three key ways:
Does the offense continue to show execution, precision and efficiency?
After seven tds by the first team offense in seven possessions in the opener, Fresno State will try to disrupt and confuse them with a blitzing, stunting defense operating out of a 3-4. Do the Ducks continue to fly in formation, free of penalties, turnovers and self-inflicted wounds.
Is their youthful quarterback as comfortable and in command in his second start?
–In game one, Mariota threw darts throughout, 18-22 against overmatched and thoroughly overwhemed Arkansas State. 18-22 would be fabulous consistency in a skeleton passing drill. If Mariota follows through with a similar effort against the Bulldogs, odds increase that he’s the real deal and the hype has substance.
Matched up against a Fresno offense with some genuine weapons, does the Oregon first and second unit defense show its teeth?
The Ducks dominated early versus the Red Wolves, building a 50-3 lead. In the early possessions the starters and key reserves were quick to the ball and clamped down on the quick passing game, but the performance deteriorated as fresh and untested players took over.
FSU has some genuine weapons on offense, including a 3500-yard passer in Derek Carr and a 1500-yard rusher in Robbie Rouse. If Oregon’s defense is truly developing into an elite and tenacious unit capable of challenging for a national title, there must be some evidence and progress today. The Ducks didn’t have a sack last week. Nick Aliotti may elect to keep things vanilla against another decided underdog, but Oregon’s superior athletes must win some one-on-one confrontrations in the front seven. Three and outs turnovers, sacks, tackles for loss and big defensive plays are the hallmarks of a genuinely great defense. If they want to be one, it’s time for them to begin dominating and intimidating through at least three quarters.
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