1. How seriously do you take a 13-0 Liberty team as a threat to the Ducks?
Scott Reed: Anytime a team is undefeated after 13 games, there is a reason to take them seriously. When Central Florida beat Auburn in the Peach Bowl following an undefeated regular season, I think a lot of people felt similar – that the schedule really wasn’t that good and that against a top ten ranked SEC team, that the magic would end. When the Knights beat Auburn that afternoon, it reminded is that undefeated teams are usually very good at developing solid game plans. The other reason to take them seriously is that they have the one thing that seemed to give Oregon fits at times this season – a quarterback who can make plays with his legs and turn pressure into a big gain. The rushing attack for the Flames is legitimate and a true threat to do the one thing that has been most effective at slowing down Oregon – keeping Bo Nix and an explosive offense off the field.
Brandon Gibson: Liberty has the third ranked offense in division I football, and that should be enough for the Oregon players to take this challenge seriously. On the other side of the ball, Liberty’s defense is just within the top 50, but they also only faced one offense in the top 50 this season (albeit twice). So, while a top 50 defense might look good on paper, when you don’t play anyone with an offensive pulse, it is difficult to call top 50 an accomplishment. If Oregon had a bunch of opt outs and were playing with a third string quarterback, this one might be a nail biter with the offense power of Liberty, but the Ducks for the most part are here and ready to get a bad taste out of their mouths. Oregon has QB1 and RB1 in there with a wish to finish out their Duck careers playing one more time. The defense is largely intact, and wishes to put together one more redeeming effort. Oregon doesn’t lose this game as long as they do more than simply show up.
2. What's the most intriguing offensive storyline for Oregon?
Scott: For me it is seeing who steps into fill the void left by Troy Franklin opting out of this game. Will Traeshon Holden or Gary Bryant, Jr. assume that role? Will Jurrion Dickey – who is finally fully healthy – show why he was so highly rated in the 2023 class? Logic says that Holden and Bryant – who have had plenty of snaps this season – will start along with Tez Johnson, but I think Dickey likely sees action early and I am intrigued to see how he looks as a true freshman.
Brandon: With Franklin out and recovering, the weight is going to fall on some solid backups and a special freshman that is just working himself back to health. Jurrion Dickey has been overcoming an injury suffered in his senior year of high school and is expected to be one of the next great Duck receivers. With all the accolades and talent, Dickey hasn’t had to put in the cognitive side of preparing for opponents, and this injury made him step back and start to look at the game from another level.It certainly doesn’t hurt when you have teammates like Bo Nix and Troy Franklin that show you first hand what preparation and talent can lead to. Dickey’s injury may be a blessing in disguise as he will be better off for the skill he has developed to add to his God given ability. Definitely looking to see what he can do, along with the next-steps for Holden and Bryant Jr. as their time in the spotlight will be increased.
3. What's the most intriguing defensive storyline?
Scott: I think that most intriguing and most important story lines are different in this case. Most intriguing is to see the youth of the interior defensive line – guys like A’Mauri Washington, Johnny Bowens, My’Keill Gardner, and Ben Roberts getting time against a really good rushing attack.We know how the young edge players are going to look as Matayo Uiagalelei, Blake Purchase, and Tony Tuioti saw plenty of snaps this season in critical moments so seeing how the young guys on the interior defensive line will be intriguing given the number of players who will exhaust their eligibility this season.Most important? That is going to be how the young defensive backs play. I know there is some immediate help coming in with the 2024 class – especially Sione Laulea – but the Ducks will need depth at the position and I want to see some of the younger guys who are also healthy step into this game and see what they can do against a very good offensive team.
Brandon: Oregon will be facing its most run heavy opponent of the season and must continue to maintain discipline and limit explosive plays by the Liberty offense. The Ducks have fared well against “one-dimensional” teams, but will have to do so with some new bodies taking main roles.Brandon Dorlus is back for one last ride, but key players Birch and Florence are still questionable (at best), along with Popo and Khyree opting out and getting ready for the NFL. This matchup is likely beneficial for the Ducks as the secondary was one of the thinner groups, and this one will allow a bit more focus on the front seven, although safeties and corners will still play a major role in run support.
Scott Reed: Anytime a team is undefeated after 13 games, there is a reason to take them seriously. When Central Florida beat Auburn in the Peach Bowl following an undefeated regular season, I think a lot of people felt similar – that the schedule really wasn’t that good and that against a top ten ranked SEC team, that the magic would end. When the Knights beat Auburn that afternoon, it reminded is that undefeated teams are usually very good at developing solid game plans. The other reason to take them seriously is that they have the one thing that seemed to give Oregon fits at times this season – a quarterback who can make plays with his legs and turn pressure into a big gain. The rushing attack for the Flames is legitimate and a true threat to do the one thing that has been most effective at slowing down Oregon – keeping Bo Nix and an explosive offense off the field.
Brandon Gibson: Liberty has the third ranked offense in division I football, and that should be enough for the Oregon players to take this challenge seriously. On the other side of the ball, Liberty’s defense is just within the top 50, but they also only faced one offense in the top 50 this season (albeit twice). So, while a top 50 defense might look good on paper, when you don’t play anyone with an offensive pulse, it is difficult to call top 50 an accomplishment. If Oregon had a bunch of opt outs and were playing with a third string quarterback, this one might be a nail biter with the offense power of Liberty, but the Ducks for the most part are here and ready to get a bad taste out of their mouths. Oregon has QB1 and RB1 in there with a wish to finish out their Duck careers playing one more time. The defense is largely intact, and wishes to put together one more redeeming effort. Oregon doesn’t lose this game as long as they do more than simply show up.
2. What's the most intriguing offensive storyline for Oregon?
Scott: For me it is seeing who steps into fill the void left by Troy Franklin opting out of this game. Will Traeshon Holden or Gary Bryant, Jr. assume that role? Will Jurrion Dickey – who is finally fully healthy – show why he was so highly rated in the 2023 class? Logic says that Holden and Bryant – who have had plenty of snaps this season – will start along with Tez Johnson, but I think Dickey likely sees action early and I am intrigued to see how he looks as a true freshman.
Brandon: With Franklin out and recovering, the weight is going to fall on some solid backups and a special freshman that is just working himself back to health. Jurrion Dickey has been overcoming an injury suffered in his senior year of high school and is expected to be one of the next great Duck receivers. With all the accolades and talent, Dickey hasn’t had to put in the cognitive side of preparing for opponents, and this injury made him step back and start to look at the game from another level.It certainly doesn’t hurt when you have teammates like Bo Nix and Troy Franklin that show you first hand what preparation and talent can lead to. Dickey’s injury may be a blessing in disguise as he will be better off for the skill he has developed to add to his God given ability. Definitely looking to see what he can do, along with the next-steps for Holden and Bryant Jr. as their time in the spotlight will be increased.
3. What's the most intriguing defensive storyline?
Scott: I think that most intriguing and most important story lines are different in this case. Most intriguing is to see the youth of the interior defensive line – guys like A’Mauri Washington, Johnny Bowens, My’Keill Gardner, and Ben Roberts getting time against a really good rushing attack.We know how the young edge players are going to look as Matayo Uiagalelei, Blake Purchase, and Tony Tuioti saw plenty of snaps this season in critical moments so seeing how the young guys on the interior defensive line will be intriguing given the number of players who will exhaust their eligibility this season.Most important? That is going to be how the young defensive backs play. I know there is some immediate help coming in with the 2024 class – especially Sione Laulea – but the Ducks will need depth at the position and I want to see some of the younger guys who are also healthy step into this game and see what they can do against a very good offensive team.
Brandon: Oregon will be facing its most run heavy opponent of the season and must continue to maintain discipline and limit explosive plays by the Liberty offense. The Ducks have fared well against “one-dimensional” teams, but will have to do so with some new bodies taking main roles.Brandon Dorlus is back for one last ride, but key players Birch and Florence are still questionable (at best), along with Popo and Khyree opting out and getting ready for the NFL. This matchup is likely beneficial for the Ducks as the secondary was one of the thinner groups, and this one will allow a bit more focus on the front seven, although safeties and corners will still play a major role in run support.
