Oregon Ducks Migrate North to Ann Arbor for Week 11 Matchup
Every few weeks, I answer questions for Scott at Ducks Sports Authority about the Oregon Ducks upcoming game. I’ve decided to share the responses here on my blog. If you like talking about football, you’ll surely enjoy my take on the Ducks matchup as well as a few other tidbits here and there.
Favorite memory from a Michigan – Oregon game?
My favorite memory from a Michigan – Oregon game has nothing to do with the game itself.
I was a true freshman when the Ducks traveled to Michigan in 2007.
At our team hotel, we found signs posted on the wall that read:
ATTENTION
Sorry about the smell of duck. The problem will be exterminated tomorrow.
At the time, I thought it was funny that someone took the time to do this and wondered if they always did this for visiting teams. I also wondered if this Michigan team was going to be tough to battle with. Growing up I watched Michigan play on TV a lot and knew that they were a blue blood football program with plenty of talent.
I was excited to see how a team out west would fair on the road.
Now, as far as a memory from the game. I think many would be in agreement with me that Dennis Dixon’s Statue of Liberty stands out as a defining moment in Oregon history. I remember installing the play in practice wondering if it would really work in a game situation.
This was the type of play drawn on up on movies like The Little Giants (The annexation of Puerto Rico). It was also Chip Kelly’s 2nd game as offensive coordinator at Oregon. Either this was going to go really well… or really bad. I’m glad that I can sit here and say it worked like a charm.
When the game ended, I remember Duck players in the stands celebrating with Duck fans that made the journey to Ann Arbor. It was one of our biggest non conference wins at that time. Not only did we win, but we won convincingly and on the road.
What do you think the key storyline will be heading into this game?
I think the key storyline heading into this game is Will Stein (Oregon’s offensive coordinator) against Wink Martingale (Michigan’s defensive coordinator). Stein is a young offensive coordinator that will surely have a shot to be a head coach in a few years (if not next year).
Martingale is an OG (original gangster) defensive coordinator who has spent a lot of time in the NFL with a system that causes professionals headaches. Schemes of both new and old school will be on full display on Saturday as Oregon’s offense battles Michigan’s defense.
Pick an offensive and defensive player of the game for Oregon
A game of this style gives a player like Derrick Harmon a chance to shine with NFL scouts in attendance. A Michigan team that is known for running the ball can serve as a coming out party for a player like Harmon. Although he’s been disruptive against many offenses this year, this is the type of game where he can stack up TFL’s (tackles for loss) and show his strength and savviness by taking on double teams and defeating them.
If Jordan Birch misses another game, it will be a chance for him to be the shinning star for the defensive front.
The Ducks coaching staff seem like they have been protecting Jordan James. Over the last couple weeks, they’ve been rotating a lot more with Noah Whittington than they have previously. They are also resting him in the second half of games when they have the lead. Maybe preserving him for the title game and a playoff run are of greater importance to the coaching staff. Facing a defense like Michigan, calls for a game of 15-20+ carries from Jordan James.
If James can put together a 100+ all purpose yards game with multiple touchdowns, the Ducks are in stellar position to cruise through the Wolverines and the remainder of their regular season schedule.
Score Prediction and why?
I believe the vibe in Ann Arbor will be unwelcoming to the Ducks as they visit for the first time since trouncing the Wolverines back in 2007. When you are the number 1 ranked team in all the land, you get every team’s best shot.
All the stops will be pulled out by Michigan to possibly get an upset and set their season back on course to be meaningful. Look for trick plays, fake punts and or field goals, and going for it on 4th down to keep drives going. The more time Michigan’s offense is on the field, the more time the Ducks offense sits on the sideline.
This is a worthy matchup for Oregon’s offense facing Michigan’s defense. Michigan has allowed 21.5 points (38th) and 101 rushing yards per game (15th). Not bad at all. What I do find scary about Michigan is their ability to disguise blitzes and make it hard for offenses to identity and sort it out.
Michigan’s defensive coordinator, Wink Martingale, has one of the most aggressive defensive schemes that can make for a long day if not handled correctly. Oregon is a team that likes to establish the run to do a multitude of things. If it comes down to Oregon having to throw the ball, they can definitely do that and excel.
Being able to run the ball against an above average defense will solidify the Ducks rushing attack as they gear up for the Big 10 title game and the College Football Playoff. Success running the ball against Michigan denotes more confidence as they will face off against some top defenses later down the road.
This game won’t be close unless the Ducks shoot themselves in the foot by turning the ball over on offense and not getting stops on defense. Dillon Gabriel has uncharacteristically thrown interceptions in four of the last five games. Gabriel began the season throwing zero in his first three games as a Duck.
Offensively, Michigan is very one dimensional, struggling to find a quarterback and offensive scheme to threaten defenses vertically. If Michigan is able to run the ball effectively with their two headed monster of Mullings and Edwards, they have a chance to stay in the game for a few quarters. If they cannot find a modicum of passing success, it will be short lived and the Ducks will quickly pull away.
Ducks Roll
Oregon 38
Michigan 16
Bonus Question: Who wins the matchup between Ohio State and Penn State?
As of right now, the availability of my little cousin (Drew Allar) is up in the air from the concussion he sustained last week. If he does not play, that completely changes things. I’ll navigate this bonus question by assuming Penn State is at full strength with their key pieces in place by kickoff on Saturday.
I have Ohio State winning in Death Valley. As it sits now, Buckeyes are favored by -3.5. With Allar cleared to play, I’m sure this number will shrink by game time. Death Valley is a tough place to play but James Franklin has been abysmal. He has a losing record when facing top ranked teams including in conference foes Michigan and Ohio State during his tenure at Penn State. Over the last 10 years, he’s 1-9 against The Ohio State Buckeyes with his lone win coming back in 2016. The last time Penn State won a Big 10 Conference title.
I believe the matchup is pretty even but this game has always been their kryptonite. There are certain matchups teams can’t get over the hump with and this is clearly one. I root for the underdog often but I’m also aware that you have to roll with the team that has the hot hand. Ryan Day is 4-0 against James Franklin since taking over as head coach for the Buckeyes.
Buckeyes 30
Nittany Lions 27
If you’ll be throwing a couple shekels on the game, I would be sure to place those with Ryan Day and the mighty Buckeyes.
To quote a great philosopher:
“I can see all of this money through my Ohio State Buckeyes”
-Drake
Stay Healthy & Go Ducks!
Uncle Drew