25 Questions that go Duck, Duck, Goose

What is their body of work?

Oregon spent much of the last 10 years as one of the top programs in D1.  They sustained the Chip Kelly success for a couple years and then had a 4-8 year.  Willie Taggert came in and got them to 7-6 and then he left.  This is their third coach in three years.  They are 58-10 over the last 10 years at home.

How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?

They have 20...which is on the young side.  They are the 60th most experienced team according to Phil Steele.

Who were their statistical leaders?

They return no players who were top-20 in any national category.

What was their turnover ratio?

They were even-steven last year.  In their last great year, they were +23.

Offense:

 How is their QB play expected to be?

It's going to be good.  Justin Herbert is their QB.  He was injured last year, but they were 6-2 when he played.  He's 6'6" and 238, completed 67% of his passes, was 15/5 and had a QBR of 167.  He can also take off and run.  He's a beast to handle and ranked #2 in the PAC-12.

What was their scoring and yards per play?

Last year, they scored 36 points a game, but significantly more with Herbert in.   With 6.1 yards per play, they were #30 in the country.

Can they run the ball?

They averaged 5.2 YPC last year, their lowest since at least 2011.  Their top two backs are gone from last year.  Having said that, they have the Phil Steele #4 RBs in the conference and the 12th best offensive line in the country--and clear match up problem for BG.  Note that their depth chart lists five players as backup RB, so there is competition for positons.

Do they pass the ball?

As noted, Herbert is good and they return 3 of their top 4 WRs from last year.  They were 32nd in passing efficiency last year and certainly hope to imrpove that with Herbert back for the whole year.

How was their run/pass balance?

They ran the ball on 63% of their plays last year.  Should be lower this season.

Did they convert on 3rd Down?

They converted 41%, which was #60 in the country.

Did they score in the red zone?

They were brutally effective in the redzone,, at 5.8 points per trip.  In 56 attempts they had 44 TDs and 6 FGs.

Did they protect the quarterback?

They gave up a lot of sacks...7% of their attempts.

Defense:

Topline: Scoring and yards per play.

They were good on defense, allowing 29 PPG and only 5.1 ypp.  That latter figure was #32 in the nation and they return 8 starters.

Did they defend the run effectively?

Yes, they did.  They allowed only 3.5 yards per carry last year.  That's in the top 30 or so.  They play a 3-4 and return 5 of their top 7.  BG simply has to run effectively to be in this game, even if the pass sets it up.

Can they be passed on?

They were 48th in pass defense.  Steele has their DBs #4 ranked.  They allowed 55% completions with 12.2 yards per completion and gave up 25 passings TDs over 15 INT.  BG will need to exceed expectations here.

Did they get off the field on 3rd down?

They were #24 in the nation last year at 33%.

Do they defend in the red zone?

They are pretty good.  4.7 points per trip.  In 46 attempts they had 12 outright stops and 9 FGs.

Did they pressure the QB?

It was pretty good at 6.7% per attempt.

Special Teams:

Punting?

This is an issue for them.  They were among the worst punting teams in the nation last year.  Adam Stack was the punter--and he was highly recruited as a K and P.  He's no longer punting though, replaced by RJr Blake Maimone, who has kicked once.

Punt Return?

Their returner is slated to be All-PAC 12 WR Dillon Mitchell.  He had 12 returns last year for about 8 per, which is OK.  He's guaranteed to be an athlete though and BG needs to watch this carefully.

Placekicking?

So, as above, Adam Stack is now the K.  He has not kicked in college.

Kickoff?

New kicker, so hard to judge.  I'm going to guess he can get it out of the back of the end zone.

Kickoff Return?

Oregon puts their top players out there for returns.  Tony Brooks-James had a TD last year on a KOR.  Also something BG needs to watch.

Miscellaneous: Overall atmospherics and intangibles.

A few thoughts.  Oregon's first game against a MAC team.  Long trip for BG.  All the atmospherics are bad here.  Oregon is hungry, new coach, mismatch on the offensive line, strong QB.  If BG competes in this one--and by that I mean is in the game in the 4th Q, not just two missed opportunities from being in the game at halftime--things are looking good.  The Falcons need to move the ball very effectively.  My fear here is a OSU style result.  Oregon could easily break 60.  Anyway, it will be good to have the boys on the field.