Trap Game for the Ducks?

It's November. That means big games with big implications. One game that is not getting more build up is the Oregon/Utah game. Oregon is coming off an impressive win and exorcising some demons in their beat down of Stanford. Utah is coming off a disappointing showing in Tempe in which they had control of the game, lost it, and eventually lost the game to the Arizona State Sun Devils in overtime.


Arguably, the Ducks are playing some of the best football in the Pac-12 and in the country. Ever since that loss to Arizona in Eugene then Ducks have been hitting on all cylinders. Their game against California was a blowout in which Marcus Mariotta took over with this feet and arm and put the Golden Bears in his rear view mirror. The great play culminates in a blowout win over Stanford last weekend.


The concern that some fans may have is this Utah game. The Ducks finally get the monkey off their back in Stanford and they put everything into that game. It showed. The Ducks put the Cardinal away rather quickly and easily. Can the Ducks do the same thing with Utah? On the road? I believe they can. I do think that the Ducks may struggle for a possession or two, but in the end the Ducks should win the game comfortably.


The Oregon defense has played pretty well since that Arizona loss and if they show up against the Utes it'll be pretty easy for the Ducks to win the game. The key to beating the Utes is shutting the run game down. Their running back Devontae Booker is a violent, tough runner and is going for his sixth straight of over 100 yards in a game. The Ducks shut him down, the Utes will be toast. Their quarterback Travis Wilson is not a player that will make defensive backs quiver in their boots. He couldn't hit any receivers against ASU, so I don't expect him to do the same thing against the Ducks. He only threw for 57 yards in Tempe. If he throws for over 100 yards I would be surprised based on what I have seen in person.


All in all, this game could be a little bit of struggle for the Ducks, but not to the point of Utah being able to score with the Ducks. All that energy Oregon put into the Stanford game will show early, but in the end,  the Ducks will win comfortably. Marcus Mariotta will make another statement in terms of being a Heisman contender in this game.


November is here. Let's sit back and watch the fun really begin!