Eye discipline: Gus Malzahn likes to add a lot of fluff and window dressing, little tricks and distractions to his offense. The Cam Newton jab step. The H-Back shifting and changing positions. Jartavious Whitlow at the Wildcat quarterback.
It's all designed to fool a defender's eyes and take them away from your keys and your assignment.
At his press conference Mario Cristobal said:
“Well, that’s the most important thing is as a coach, when you prepare for a team like this, is making sure you eliminate clutter so guys can play fast. Because if you can’t play fast against a fast and explosive team, it’s going to be a problem. So knowing that discipline becomes a huge factor. Knowledge of our scheme, alignments and assignments become as important as they could ever be. And if you stay focused on that, making sure you see the things that you need to not let your eyes wander, you always give yourself the best chance.”
"Your eye discipline, your ability to understand your scheme inside and out, it doesn’t change. The changes you have to make on the fly become critically important so you can play fast. You certainly don’t want to be out there thinking and going through paralysis by analysis. We want everybody to play fast.”
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Getting some pressure on first-time true-freshman starter Bo Nix, and not allowing him to get comfortable.
Tiger fans and coaches are high on Nix and praise his alpha male bonifides, ability to create and uncommon poise, but it's a lot to expect a true freshman in his first game to be dominant from the first snap of the first quarter.
The Ducks have a real opportunity to unsettle him, challenge his eyes and maybe force him into some mistakes with pressure, especially from the blind side.
Nix likes to create on the move. He's a Johnny Manziel type, most dangerous when he can get outside and improvise, chew up chunks of yardage with his legs, put linebackers and defensive backs in a bind with the threat of taking off.
The Ducks have to have assignment discipline when he runs the zone-read, good containment when he's in the pocket., He's 6-2, 27, slippery and dangerous. They've got to tackle well and make the most of their chances to put him down. A couple of early sacks could give them some control of the tempo--you don't want the youngster free-wheeling and comfortable. Making him play from behind and under pressure is optimal.
Malzahn named him the starter but Oregon shouldn't be surprised if Whitlow and the 6-5, 235 Joey Gatewood take a turn operating the offense. When that happens they must stay alert and fundamentally sound.
Cristobal:
"They might play two, so we are prepared to play both. Both quarterbacks are great passers, they run the ball as well. We’re very familiar with their coach’s system and how they do things. Certainly because it is game one and there isn’t any film, any true college film, you have to be locked in and ready to make your adjustments."
Turnovers, three and outs and sacks Points may be hard to come by in this game as the Tigers have a very solid defense with a premier defensive line. To stay in the game the Ducks need some big plays on defense, help take some of the air out of a predominantly Auburn crowd. They have to send the message early that this isn't the Chik-Fil-A Bowl or a soft PAC-12 opponent.
Countering Auburn's Speed: A tough matchup outside is receiver Seth Williams 6-3, 224. Last season as a freshman he caught 26 passes for 534 yards and 5 touchdowns while averaging 20.5 yards per catch.
The Tigers have a stable of fast running backs and Malzahn likes to employ them at all angles, speed sweeps, counters from the slot, direct snaps. They'll use a committee approach and try to wear down the Ducks with fresh legs, try to pop a big play.
JaTarvious Whitlow, senior
Kam Martin, junior Malik Miller, sophomore
Shaun Shivers, freshman D.J. Williams and redshirt freshman
Harold Joiner might all get some touches.
Playing Auburn, it's vitally important not to get fooled by the sleight of hand. Assignment discipline is the key to limiting those explosion plays.
Good pursuit angles and team tackling are essential.
It's apt to be a four-quarter war, a game that requires resolve and resilience. All the work the team has done to establish conditioning and develop depth will be in evidence. Saturday night their most valuable coach might be Aaron Feld, not for his sideline antics, but the groundwork he's laid over two years.
Saturday's weather in Arlington calls for 91 degrees with 59% humidity. Oregon's players should start hydrating now and get in their rest.. The stadium itself is climate controlled with a retractable roof, which is likely to be closed for a game on a hot August night.
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