ASU fan speculates on the game

by baal on Oct 29, 2007 11:01 AM PDT Comment 5 comments

Lets get the inevitable homerism out of way. Autzen is a great venue and it will have an effect. But the fact is ASU has a winning record in your cozy little stadium (8-6 but don't quote me)and a two game win streak.

I'm definitely more concerned about your talented team. The Oregon offense is just scary Dixon is a magician that makes teams look silly with his ball handling (and other)skills. Stewart--is the best back in the league by far. Those two guys and your fine O line are enough to beat 90% of the teams out there. But hold on duckies--due to injuries this excellent unit is now just a little one dimensional--the passing game dosen't look like much of threat to me.

On defense--I know I'm gonna get static about this--the numbers say this unit is no better than middle of the PAC equally vulnerable to the pass and run.

An obvious strategy begins to emerge as the ASU 'o' has great balance. ASU will try to shorten this game with ball control--and at the same time will look for opportunities to unleash a dangerous vertical passing game when the UO 'd' overcommits to stopping the run.

All year the ASU 'd' has done the same thing. This is a different sun devil defense--no longer leading the PAC in air tackles and bonehead busted coverages it is fast and physical and rarely out of position. Somehow, from out of the blue Erickson has coached up a lot of depth. The personality of this unit is relentless getting stronger as the game goes on. It has stayed in a base alignment 90% of the time--but this UO unit probably requires a few new wrinkles. I expect ASU will dare Dixon to go downfield at times--and will "cheat and spy" as well.

Going into this game both teams are equally giddy and confident. Just as the USC win was a watershed event, so was the Cal win for ASU. The end of the cal game was particularly gratifying and confidence building as the devils pounded the bears into submission--running the ball down their throats for the final 7 minutes.

You might be thinking after all this that I will come out and predict an ASU upset---not gonna happen. But I do expect a very competitive games with both offenses capable scoring in the high 20s to mid 30s--I'm thinking 35pts will win this game.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or the Addicted To Quack Moderators. FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable Oregon fans.

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Good points on our passing game

I'm not incredibly concerned, because I know the potential we have. If Jones plays this week, and if Williams can get his head together (reminds me a lot of Dixon last year, not being mentally strong), they we will have a very good deep passing game. Furthermore, We have a good over the middle game with Pflugrad and Dickson. It's not what it could be, but I'd still say it's one of the better passing teams in the Pac-10. Really, we haven't seen much out of the passing game in the past few games, and we haven't needed to. Our running game has handled the load quite well, and really, we have not had to depend on our passing at all this season. We have taken what has been given to us, and that will continue. If ASU makes Dixon throw deep, I don't think that will bode well for them. We have enough weapons to get open in the seams and deep. I would say this what happened to Michigan, but we got our deep touchdowns on horribly played Cover 3 defenses.

The key here is how Williams can step up. If he has a big game, I don't think that ASU has a chance. We've seen what he can do. But against USC, he dropped a key 3rd down on our last drive, dropped a touchdown, and ran the wrong route while single covered. But I've not given up on him. He doesn't need to carry a load, but just make plays when they come his way. If he's up for it, he'll be very up. If he's down, he'll be not worth a lot.

As for our D, I feel they've been really improving every week (The UW Locker freak out exluded). ASU is gonna get yards, but the Ducks have been making plays, esp. in the red zone. Is it luck, or scheme? I like to think the latter.

Lastly, ASU cannot afford to turn the ball over. This absolutely killed USC, creating 14 points and sealing the game. Number of plays (not necessarily time of possession) will be key in this game. You cannot give the Oregon offense extra chances, or else very bad things will happen.

by jtlight on Oct 29, 2007 11:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No more doubt for ASU.

They deserve their high rank, especially since they did something that we didn't - Beat Cal.

I think what is most impressive is Arizona's 2nd half statistics. The Sun Devils have been outscoring their opponents a staggering 154-29 in the 2nd half.

If the trend continues, the Duck's best chance is to have their most explosive 1st half game of the year, and just hold on to that lead in the 2nd half.

Their offense has been consistent with 157 points in the first half, but they have allowed 107 (Still not bad).

Go Duckies!

by JShufelt on Oct 29, 2007 1:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Good Post

ASU will try to keep the UO offense off the field and the UO defense MUST stop the ASU running game, which has been an on-again-off-again problem.

It's gonna be a great game.

by BLAZER PROPHET on Oct 29, 2007 6:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Pressure Rudy

UO needs to blitz the shit out of ASU and get to Carpenter! This dude cannot run and has a bum finger. If we can execute the blitz defense, then we should get alot of 3 and outs and I predict 3 INTS 1 of which will be a pick-6. Chung will have a HUGE GAME... GO DUCKS! UofO 38 ASU 17

by RoseburgDuck on Oct 30, 2007 2:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Unknown elements

One of the most surprising elements, to date, of the BIG "O" is that each week someone different steps up and makes the big plays. Last weekend it was Matthew Harper, the week before, JStew, and each and every week, our Captain, Mr. Dixon. I can't wait to see who has their "game pants" on this week and I suspect it will be an unsung hero like Dickson or even a Patrick Chung. This is what is so great about this UO team this year; how they are all fired up about winning, unassuming and so much different than the team of last year and so inspired . . . It is a feeling we Duck faithful have been talking about and about which we haven't felt for a long time; at least not since the recent glory days of '01. This year the crew is having so much fun and dismantling the opposition with ease and it truly strikes fear into the hearts of any one we face. Sun Devils, take note; you might enjoy your ride now but you are in for a whole 'nother experience this coming Saturday and I hope you are ready for the ride.

by astroman on Oct 31, 2007 2:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs